Migraine Tips and Tricks?

Question

Anyone have any tips or tricks for dealing with Migraines?

I personaly:

-Take burning hot showers

-Use a neck wrap (if i don't have nausia, the smell of mine will make

that worse)

-Excedren by the handful

-Caffee

-Water

-Dark room/silence.

The very best thing for me is a massage, but I cant afford 60 bucks a day for the 3 day cycles I have.

Anyone else have any ideas? Maybe this will even be helpful to other people too.

Answer 1

I avoid drinking too much caffenine since that is one of the causes of migraines. Then when I get the blurry lines, I take tylenol. Massaging the back of my neck and temples helps as well.

Answer 2

Lay down in a dark room to where you're comfortable, make sure there's no noise botherin you, it helps me.

Answer 3

Peppermint Oil

rub on pained area, temples, neck etc

available at "Bath and Body Works"

it works wonders :-)

Answer 4

I had no success until Imitrex (or Imetrix) came into the market. (I use the generic form, Gen-Sumatriptan Succinate tablets.) If you have  no insurance, though, they are pricey. My Blue Cross Insurance in Canada only pays for generic, UNLESS there is none. NOW, after about an hour or two I can function-MOST of the time. I start with 1/2 tablet, then take the other half if I need it. In a 3-day cycle, you may need to take 1/2 each day, as I know it comes back again UNTIL THE CYCLE breaks. On occasion I get them 5 days in a row. This has been a lifesaver for me and my family.

I forgot to add, this is a prescrition. You need to see your doctor.

Answer 5

I've actually heard you should avoid hot showers to prevent migraines, but I agree with you...they actually make me feel better. If I feel one coming on, or if the medication has almost completely knocked it out, if I take a hot shower it will go away completely.

If you are taking Excedrin Migraine, make sure you do not exceed the recommended daily dose, which I think is only 4 tablets (or 2 doses). Even though Acetaminophen is approved as an over the counter drug doesn't mean that it's entirely safe. It large doses over a long period of time it can cause permanent damage to the liver. My neurologist said to take one dose. If the pain is still there after one hour, take a second dose. If you can't alleviate all of the pain with 2 doses, then you either have to live with the pain or try a completely different medication. I have a prescription that is basically Vicadin with caffeine in it. I heard from someone that if you take Ibuprofen with a Pepcid AC it will work on migraine pain. I thought it was a long shot, but most of the time it works. The key as you already know is to take the medication and lie down in a quiet, dark room.

I've never tried massage, though my chiropractor said he could eliminate a migraine with massage. I happened to have an appointment with him one day and developed a migraine before I got there. He gave me a "free treatment" which did nothing for the pain. Felt great, but did nothing for the pain.