Migranes, anyone?

Irishgal · Jun 15th, 2008, 12:17 AM

Anyone else here get true migranes or cluster headaches? I have historically gotten migranes about 1 times per year, but lately it has been about every 6 weeks. Friday I woke up and was hit by one and had to lay in bed with the lights out for about 4 hours, plus I vomited a bunch of times. I think there is a self inject med a person can take but I am not sure.

lmkhlh2006 · Jun 15th, 2008, 01:06 AM

I get them on average 2-3 times a year and yep I vomit due to the intense amount of pain, I find light to be incredibly painful, I can't deal with any kind of noise and once the vomiting subsides I typically crawl into bed, close the curtains to block out all light, turn off the phone and turn the air conditioner up and then try to sleep it off. I've found that being in a cold dark room seems to help me fall to sleep when I get a migraine. My dh has tried to get me to go to the doctor to get a prescription but I haven't yet.

It's almost funny when you try to explain to someone what a migraine is like and they tell you "I think I've had one"...trust me people you will know when you have one.

dallas · Jun 15th, 2008, 01:06 AM

You poor love, I know what you're going through.

I get migraines and the last (and worst) one I had dragged on for 3 days. The various medications I have tried don't seem to do much for me and during my last attack, in desperation, my husband bought me a bottle of "migraine blend" essential oil to dab on my temples and I was shocked because it actually helped ease the pain. I haven't heard of any self inject meds though.

lmkhlh2006 · Jun 15th, 2008, 01:09 AM

^^I've heard from a few people that the prescriptions have not helped them at all, the only thing that I ever tried that actually helped was an OTC Mortrin migraine pills. I found them once at Wal-Mart and then haven't seen them again and that was like 5 years ago.

Zophie · Jun 15th, 2008, 01:49 AM

I get classic migraines, with an aura that precedes the pain. The injectable medication you are thinking of is probably Imitrex. It does help a lot of people but doesn't work for me. I just take Vicodin.

Migraines can vary so much from person to person, though, so you really need to figure out what works for you and what may cause them. For instance, I cannot take birth control pills. They will cause me to have several migraines per day. That is the only trigger that I can identify besides stress. So if I don't take the BCPs, I'll get a migraine or two every few months, which I can live with. But it's totally unpredictable. Other people have triggers such as red wine, cheese, chocolate, etc. I'd suggest trying to find a doctor who treats a lot of migraine patients. I learned a lot by going to a neurologist who treated many patients with migraines.

aklein · Jun 15th, 2008, 12:04 PM

I get awful migraines too. Since I've figured out what my triggers are -- some red wines, cashews -- I've really limited them. I also would get nasty premenstrual migraines, by regulating my estrogen levels with a three month birth control pill, I rarely get them now. I also do take medication for them. If I take my medication as soon as I feel one coming, the headache never develops. If I wait until I actually get one, it can take about 30 minutes for it to go away.
Before I got all this straightened out I would get about four a month and I would be completely incapacitated by them. Now I feel like I can manage them better, but it definitely took a long time for me to get them under control.

chessmont · Jun 15th, 2008, 01:35 PM

I feel for you folks that get them regularly; I have only had one in my life, and it was a side effect from taking a Rx dosage of Zantac. I have never felt so awful. codeine didn't help.

It's odd, but I do get the aura several times a year, with no headache. Does that happen to anyone else here?

keodi · Jun 15th, 2008, 02:56 PM

I too get awful migranes I take maxault on the onset of a migraine and that helps a lot. But when I don't take that right away, I'm at the emergency room get a shot of demorrol.

Pursegrrl · Jun 15th, 2008, 05:22 PM

...I get the menstrual, aura migraines where I get pulsing, vibrating colors that are probably like a bad acid trip combined with blurred vision. Then after the aura goes away (about 15-20 minutes) I get pins and needles feelings in my temples and back of the neck. These would usually happen either mid cycle or right after my period ended, but not every single month.

Back in college when this started, I took a mild anti depressant (Sinequan) which really helped. But I am one to avoid meds whenever possible, so I found that exercise plus cutting out my triggers (cheese, red wine, caffeine) around those times really helps.

Now I'm on BC, so my migraines are very infrequent and not nearly as severe...but I've packed on about 15 lbs as a result. Guess there are always tradeoffs.

chessmont · Jun 15th, 2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pursegrrl

..
Back in college when this started, I took a mild anti depressant (Sinequan) which really helped. But I am one to avoid meds whenever possible, so I found that exercise plus cutting out my triggers (cheese, red wine, caffeine) around those times really helps.

-How interesting! I haven't had the auras for a couple years now, and that happenes to be when I started on antidepressants.

Brain chemistry is so intricate.

Irishgal · Jun 15th, 2008, 07:28 PM

Thanks everyone, it sounds like I am not the Lone Ranger. Sounds like I need to talk to my MD about this.

LivinLuxuriously · Jun 15th, 2008, 07:47 PM

I get a really nasty hit about once a year. I had a ridiculous, ridiculous migraine/flu thing on Friday where I almost called 911. It started when I woke up at around 7am, and just got worse and lasted all day. My DF even covered our windows with a blanket to make the room black. Around 5pm the vomitting began and it was none stop all night. I took vicodine (still have from my wisdom teeth being removed) and it did nothing. I used ice packs all day and night - slept on them - it was absolutely ridiculous. I think I had a fever though because I'd have these sweating fits where even my hair was matted and wet

. I had no thermometer - so I'm not sure. I used to get them with more frequency a few years ago and they prescribed Immetrex - but I had a ridiculous allergic reaction.

Also - what causes a migraine? During this thing on Friday I was *convinced* I was dying of a brain tumor. I was *freaking* out - it was bad. I'm also an extremely anxious person :blushes:

Pursegrrl · Jun 15th, 2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chessmont

-How interesting! I haven't had the auras for a couple years now, and that happenes to be when I started on antidepressants.

Brain chemistry is so intricate.

So true! I remember asking my gyno what Sinequan was and she said it's an antidepressant and I replied "but, I'm not depressed!" She just smiled and said it would help with the blood vessels. And, it really worked!!

elle tee · Jun 15th, 2008, 08:21 PM

Yes, I get them too- in fact I just had one yesterday. I have the aura and then about 15 mins later the terrible pain... my symptoms vary a little bit with each headache, for example sometimes I get nauseous and sometimes I have terrible sound/motion sensitivity. Yesterday I tried Maxalt for the first time (usually I just take advil and sleep it off) and it was miserable. There was little to no effect on the pain, I felt weak and dizzy, my heart was pounding, and I felt like I had to make a conscious effort to remember to breathe or else I wouldn't breathe. It was really scary. I am going to ask my doctor to refer me to a headache specialist because I have been getting them more frequently and need something that will help. Mine are related to anxiety and heat/humidity, near as I can tell.

mooks · Jun 16th, 2008, 05:23 AM

I get them very rarely these days, in fact last one was in November and prior to that probaly hasn't had one for three years. For me it's stress and overdoing it that will cause them.

I had two very close together when I moved three years ago and the one in November was following two heavy partying trips to Finland in the space of 6 weeks and then a flight to NY. Proved just too much for me.

As a teenager I had a few that were so bad I couldn't speak.....it was like my tongue was too big for my mouth.....scary!

Only thing I can do about them now is taken painkillers, lie in a darkened room and try to sleep. I always feel sore headed the next day

Jun 15th, 2008, 12:17 AM	#1
Irishgal I run with scissors Location: In a Bell Jet Ranger	Migranes, anyone? Anyone else here get true migranes or cluster headaches? I have historically gotten migranes about 1 times per year, but lately it has been about every 6 weeks. Friday I woke up and was hit by one and had to lay in bed with the lights out for about 4 hours, plus I vomited a bunch of times. I think there is a self inject med a person can take but I am not sure. __________________ Ten thousand blessings to all of our furry friends who are in need of prayers. May they be comfortable, healthy, and blessed with joy and companionship. May their eyes shine brightly and may they know that they are loved.

Jun 15th, 2008, 01:06 AM	#2
lmkhlh2006 L.A.M.B. Lover	I get them on average 2-3 times a year and yep I vomit due to the intense amount of pain, I find light to be incredibly painful, I can't deal with any kind of noise and once the vomiting subsides I typically crawl into bed, close the curtains to block out all light, turn off the phone and turn the air conditioner up and then try to sleep it off. I've found that being in a cold dark room seems to help me fall to sleep when I get a migraine. My dh has tried to get me to go to the doctor to get a prescription but I haven't yet. It's almost funny when you try to explain to someone what a migraine is like and they tell you "I think I've had one"...trust me people you will know when you have one. __________________ I will have you one day list: L.A.M.B. Saddle Montego Rebecca Minkoff Most likely a Nikki but unsure of color... Click to feed an animal today!!! If you don't help them who will?

Jun 15th, 2008, 01:06 AM	#3
dallas Ya anno	You poor love, I know what you're going through. I get migraines and the last (and worst) one I had dragged on for 3 days. The various medications I have tried don't seem to do much for me and during my last attack, in desperation, my husband bought me a bottle of "migraine blend" essential oil to dab on my temples and I was shocked because it actually helped ease the pain. I haven't heard of any self inject meds though. __________________ Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

Jun 15th, 2008, 01:09 AM	#4
lmkhlh2006 L.A.M.B. Lover	^^I've heard from a few people that the prescriptions have not helped them at all, the only thing that I ever tried that actually helped was an OTC Mortrin migraine pills. I found them once at Wal-Mart and then haven't seen them again and that was like 5 years ago. __________________ I will have you one day list: L.A.M.B. Saddle Montego Rebecca Minkoff Most likely a Nikki but unsure of color... Click to feed an animal today!!! If you don't help them who will?

Jun 15th, 2008, 01:49 AM	#5
Zophie I <3 my Maltese! Location: New Orleans, LA	I get classic migraines, with an aura that precedes the pain. The injectable medication you are thinking of is probably Imitrex. It does help a lot of people but doesn't work for me. I just take Vicodin. Migraines can vary so much from person to person, though, so you really need to figure out what works for you and what may cause them. For instance, I cannot take birth control pills. They will cause me to have several migraines per day. That is the only trigger that I can identify besides stress. So if I don't take the BCPs, I'll get a migraine or two every few months, which I can live with. But it's totally unpredictable. Other people have triggers such as red wine, cheese, chocolate, etc. I'd suggest trying to find a doctor who treats a lot of migraine patients. I learned a lot by going to a neurologist who treated many patients with migraines. __________________

Jun 15th, 2008, 12:04 PM	#6
aklein Member Location: New Orleans	I get awful migraines too. Since I've figured out what my triggers are -- some red wines, cashews -- I've really limited them. I also would get nasty premenstrual migraines, by regulating my estrogen levels with a three month birth control pill, I rarely get them now. I also do take medication for them. If I take my medication as soon as I feel one coming, the headache never develops. If I wait until I actually get one, it can take about 30 minutes for it to go away. Before I got all this straightened out I would get about four a month and I would be completely incapacitated by them. Now I feel like I can manage them better, but it definitely took a long time for me to get them under control. __________________ Meez are scary, so back to the kitties ....

Jun 15th, 2008, 01:35 PM	#7
chessmont Member Location: CA, USA	I feel for you folks that get them regularly; I have only had one in my life, and it was a side effect from taking a Rx dosage of Zantac. I have never felt so awful. codeine didn't help. It's odd, but I do get the aura several times a year, with no headache. Does that happen to anyone else here?

Jun 15th, 2008, 02:56 PM	#8
keodi Sofa King Done.... Location: ANON	I too get awful migranes I take maxault on the onset of a migraine and that helps a lot. But when I don't take that right away, I'm at the emergency room get a shot of demorrol. __________________ NOTE TO SELF: SELF, YOU WILL NOT SPEND UNNECESSARILY!!!

Jun 15th, 2008, 05:22 PM	#9
Pursegrrl Oh no she di-int!! Location: Seattle	...I get the menstrual, aura migraines where I get pulsing, vibrating colors that are probably like a bad acid trip combined with blurred vision. Then after the aura goes away (about 15-20 minutes) I get pins and needles feelings in my temples and back of the neck. These would usually happen either mid cycle or right after my period ended, but not every single month. Back in college when this started, I took a mild anti depressant (Sinequan) which really helped. But I am one to avoid meds whenever possible, so I found that exercise plus cutting out my triggers (cheese, red wine, caffeine) around those times really helps. Now I'm on BC, so my migraines are very infrequent and not nearly as severe...but I've packed on about 15 lbs as a result. Guess there are always tradeoffs.

Jun 15th, 2008, 07:28 PM	#11
Irishgal I run with scissors Location: In a Bell Jet Ranger	Thanks everyone, it sounds like I am not the Lone Ranger. Sounds like I need to talk to my MD about this. __________________ Ten thousand blessings to all of our furry friends who are in need of prayers. May they be comfortable, healthy, and blessed with joy and companionship. May their eyes shine brightly and may they know that they are loved.

Jun 15th, 2008, 07:47 PM	#12
LivinLuxuriously Surprisingly Content	I get a really nasty hit about once a year. I had a ridiculous, ridiculous migraine/flu thing on Friday where I almost called 911. It started when I woke up at around 7am, and just got worse and lasted all day. My DF even covered our windows with a blanket to make the room black. Around 5pm the vomitting began and it was none stop all night. I took vicodine (still have from my wisdom teeth being removed) and it did nothing. I used ice packs all day and night - slept on them - it was absolutely ridiculous. I think I had a fever though because I'd have these sweating fits where even my hair was matted and wet . I had no thermometer - so I'm not sure. I used to get them with more frequency a few years ago and they prescribed Immetrex - but I had a ridiculous allergic reaction. Also - what causes a migraine? During this thing on Friday I was convinced I was dying of a brain tumor. I was freaking out - it was bad. I'm also an extremely anxious person :blushes: __________________ Last edited by LivinLuxuriously; Jun 15th, 2008 at 07:53 PM.

Jun 15th, 2008, 08:21 PM	#14
elle tee Member Location: nyc	Yes, I get them too- in fact I just had one yesterday. I have the aura and then about 15 mins later the terrible pain... my symptoms vary a little bit with each headache, for example sometimes I get nauseous and sometimes I have terrible sound/motion sensitivity. Yesterday I tried Maxalt for the first time (usually I just take advil and sleep it off) and it was miserable. There was little to no effect on the pain, I felt weak and dizzy, my heart was pounding, and I felt like I had to make a conscious effort to remember to breathe or else I wouldn't breathe. It was really scary. I am going to ask my doctor to refer me to a headache specialist because I have been getting them more frequently and need something that will help. Mine are related to anxiety and heat/humidity, near as I can tell.

Jun 16th, 2008, 05:23 AM	#15
mooks Cool Britannia! Location: On The Thames	I get them very rarely these days, in fact last one was in November and prior to that probaly hasn't had one for three years. For me it's stress and overdoing it that will cause them. I had two very close together when I moved three years ago and the one in November was following two heavy partying trips to Finland in the space of 6 weeks and then a flight to NY. Proved just too much for me. As a teenager I had a few that were so bad I couldn't speak.....it was like my tongue was too big for my mouth.....scary! Only thing I can do about them now is taken painkillers, lie in a darkened room and try to sleep. I always feel sore headed the next day __________________