Wellness

[Squirrels Are Trash]

@Mz iMac @Thank you so much for making me aware of these resources!

[GingerHead]

@Squirrels Are Trash 

Also, sorry....I went off on a tangent talking about the pain my husband went through when you very clearly stated that you usually don't experience pain.

I just hear migraine and think of his and my experience but in thinking about it further (for some reason my brain works when I sleep and solves all manner of issues, haha) I wonder if you have all of the same   

"ingredients" that would/could cause pain but somehow your pain receptors or ability to experience the pain are either blocked or stunted for some reason (genetically or other). If that's the case then I think you'd potentially respond to the same treatments as pain experiencing people would.

So maybe popping an Excedrin migraine at the first signs of anything and getting on a Mg supplement may still be of use. They both act as vasodilators (may be part of what works). Caffeine short term effect and daily Mg supplement would be more of a long term help....

Anyway, haha, I thought I'd share what my brain worked out while I was unconscious.... otherwise it was wasted....hope you find relief!

[LuvSoCal]

I think mine were stress induced and since I retired 9 yrs ago they have lessened significantly. I was finally prescribed Maxalt after a trip to the ER and was amazed at how effective it was. I keep it on hand but rarely need to reach for it. I might feel one coming on once or twice a year.

@Trinity11 You don't think your strokes and heart attacks are associated to being a type 1 diabetic? I've read that they often occur as a result of that.

[beach-mom]

I got my first one when I was student teaching. Our college was closed for spring break, but the particular high school I was assigned to wasn't, and we had to follow that school's schedule. Since the college was closed,  the dining hall was too.

There were 5 of us who carpooled there together. I knew one of the guys slightly, but hadn't met the others before. That night we were going to dinner. It was late afternoon, and school was almost out. My head was pounding. I got tension headaches, but I had never had a headache like that.

On the way back to our dorms they had to stop at a car dealership because I was so sick. One of the guys I didn't know came in the bathroom after me and held my forehead while I was sick! I couldn't believe how nice he was. He barely knew me. He was to became a very good friend. When we got to my dorm, I climbed into bed. I had to call out the next day. I slept most of it and attributed it to being really exhausted. 

My mom worked at a hospital, and I had volunteered there. I babysat for a lot of the doctors. As soon as she shared what had happened they wanted to test me, so that summer I went through some tests. I was really worried. The diagnosis was migraines with vertigo. 

Once they started they didn't stop. It seemed they came in late afternoon, a lot of times on stressful days, AFTER the stress was over. But sometimes I woke up with one. 

I don't get an aura, but I get physically sick. I also get dizzy. The only thing that helps some is a cold wet cloth on my forehead in a dark room. I will eventually go to sleep. The next day I feel like I have a hangover, and I don't want to eat. 

I had one the first day of my second teaching job. I thought I was going to get fired. It started right after noon, when I was physically sick. I made it through, until halfway into my last class of the day. Then another teacher helped me with my students. Someone drove me home, and took me in the next day because my car was still there.

I've had them impact every job I've had. I had one the first Christmas we spent with DH's family. His mom gave me Excedrin, but it didn't help. I have had to cancel a lot of important events and other things. The first time we went to dinner with DH's coworkers and their spouses I was fine when we left. We went to a nice restaurant, and I was fine when we ordered our food. After the food came and I took my first bites the dizziness started, then the headache. I tried, but I had to excuse myself. Some of the ladies I had just met came in the ladies' room to see if I was OK. I was sitting in the lounge area with wet brown paper towels against my forehead! DH didn't get to eat his meal before we left. 

I've been on and off medications. Only one worked well, but it was a stage four drug, and DH and I were starting our family, so I had to stop taking it. Another time the doctor wanted me to come in for a shot as soon as I felt one coming on. I couldn't leave work, and I certainly wouldn't drive myself. So I never had the shot. 

My mom never had them, but her twin sister did. Hers went away at 40. I'm still waiting! 

[Squirrels Are Trash]

@beach-mom 

"I get physically sick. I also get dizzy. The only thing that helps some is a cold wet cloth on my forehead in a dark room. I will eventually go to sleep. The next day I feel like I have a hangover, and I don't want to eat."

This is my pattern. However, my migraines last a few days now. Then, I get the hangover. I have to wait about 24 hours once throwing up stops before I can even try eating.

A few weeks ago, I was laughing with a friend when I mentioned that I was about two migraines away from my summer weight. I don't know why I felt the need to tempt fate.

Thanks for responding. My last two PCPs made me feel like no one in the world has the same migraine pattern, rather than they are just not informed.

[beckyb1012]

I still remember my first headache at the age of 5 waking up in my bed from my nap and my Mom and one of her sister's sitting with me.  All the women suffer from migraines and on my Dad's side too.  So I am doomed.  I started on Fiorinal back in 1985 and have switched around over the decades but this is what works best for me.

My mother's went away with menopause but both her twin sister's in their '80's still have them.  In my '60's now and never felt menopause but still have migraines a great deal.  Nothing I can do to prevent them.

Tramadol and Ultram did nothing, it was like taking a sip of water for the pain.

[Renata22]

I’ve had migraines with aura since puberty. They used to take my whole day away, severe pain & nausea. Vomiting meant it was almost over. Thankfully, they have gotten so much less severe as I got older. Recently I’ve been trying to lose weight & eat better. I started chewing sugarless gum so I wouldn’t snack. My migraines increased in frequency. Took me awhile to realize it might be the gum causing that. Since I stopped I went from a couple a week to none. Guess that gum is not for me. Definitely a trigger.

[AngelPuppy1]

I was diagnosed with them probably 30 some years ago.  I get the aura kind and I can't see well at all for about 1/2 to one hour.  I usually get the pain at the base of my skull but thankfully the pain is not bad.  When I do get a more problematic one the best thing for me is a cool, dark room and just to lay down with a cool cloth on my head.  I am on topomax which is prescribed by a neurologist and I take it 2 times a day.  I also have a prescription for a med to use when I get one but it's not terribly helpful.

I find that when I cut out red wine and any drinks with caffeine that this cut my migraines substantially.  Sun and bright lights will cause them for me, as well as stress.  

Best of luck to you because I know they can be very hard to deal with!