migraine treatments

Read and learn more about migraine treatments. For more, visit the Migraine Headache website MyBrainPain.com

Q: Migraine treatments?
Anyone know any really effective treatments for migraine?
I suffer from classic symptoms. Starts with blind spot and progresses to sparkling zig-zag line, which slowly grows then moves up and away, leaving me with headache for a couple of days.More latterly I’ve had an odd lack of sensation in my arms towards the end of the attack. I’d dearly love something I can take which would stop these. I have on average two or three a month, usually fairly close together.

A: Hi Peter. I’ve suffered from migraines for 20 odd years. I’ve done a fair bit of research about them as I’ve just about had enough of them now. A good place to start is the Migraine Trust website. You’ll get plenty of advice there, as well as some comfort from reading about the woes of fellow sufferers!

I’ve tried the following. Immigran and other triptans (they do get rid of the headache but make me feel wierd for at least four hours – who knows what they are doing to my body), Solpadeine (in my opinion, an addictive drug that’s best avoided – it’s the codeine that’s the problem), acupuncture and deep needle acupuncture (didn’t help me but can help some), massage, trigger avoidance, eating every three hours, taking various herbs…. I manage my condition by making sure I get plenty of sleep, I go to the gym when I can and bizarrely, drink Lucozade when I feel a migraine coming on. Sometimes this helps. However, I still get headaches, but usually I can just about get through what I need to before collapsing. I take 3 aspirin when I need to.

There’s two newish bits of research which might help you. If you suffer from migraine with aura, you might want to get a scan of your heart. Recent research suggests that there’s a connection between migraine sufferers and small holes in the heart (which can be corrected easily under minor surgery). Also, there’s a condition called Hughes Syndrome (sticky blood) of which migraine could be a factor. You can self test for it by sending off for a kit from www.hughes-syndrome.org.

I hope this helps – good luck!

Q: What are the treatments for constant migraine headaches?
I get one about once a week. they hurt enough to make me cry. if I go to the doctor what will he give me?

A: Many anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, and anti-epileptics are useful in preventing migraines. I have been on depakote, topamax, and elavil to name a few.

For rescue meds imitrex and tramidol are helpful.

Im sure I spelled all those wrong, but google them to learn more

Good luck, I feel your pain

Q: Alternative Migraine Treatments?
I wanted to know if anyone has tried any of the many “natural” migraine treatments available on the internet & if they worked for you. (If they did, please tell me how to find them.) I’m also open to any “alternative” home treatments ideas.

Thanks so much! (Mine just started 4 days ago, have been under tremendous stress, can’t think of any diet/med changes I’ve made…I just can’t take this–they come on every night. I already have a RX for Maxalt.)

A: Magnesium helps in some cases.

Q: My mother is suffering from Migraines, does anybody know of any home treatments?
does anyone know of any treatments for Migraine.

A: icy hot patches.
hot towel.
hot baths, with anti stress beads.
neck rolls.
pillow massager.
aleve liquid gels.

Hope this helps(:
-Katie

Q: Can anyone recommend a good acupuncturist for migraine treatment in Islington/ Old Street/Hackney area?
Has anyone had any success with any acupuncturists near N1 preferably in migraine treatment but if you know any that have been really good for other problems that could be helpful too. I’ve looked through lists of all the registered ones in the area but there’s no way of knowing if any of them are any good so really need some personal recommendations.
Many thanks

A: Unfortunately the latest evidence based study involving acupuncture failed to show it was any better than random needle pricks and thus merely a placebo effect.

Q: What is the most efficacious treatment for migraine headaches?
Migraine headaches is the biggest source of chronic pain. There is however a very thin line of distinction between Cervicogenic, Migraine and Tension headaches. I reckon drugs are the first line of defence however do other forms of treatment like physiotherapy help at all .

A: to be honest, i dont know about physiotherapy. i suffered from migraines for years until i was refered to a “headache specialist”, not a “neurologist”, but a headache specialist, after my initial consultation, she felt that my migraines were caused by a vitamin deficiency, she ordered tests, and sure enough, B12 deficient.
ever since then, i take 1000 mcg of B12 every day and have not even had so much as a hint of a headache since then.
it might be something worth checking out for you.

Q: i want to know tha treatment and precautions for headache and migraine?
im sufferin in severe migraine. i took many treatements. but ,still im suffering. i want to know the best treatments for migraine i need ur advice. that will help me to cure

A: A migraine headache is caused by hormonal fluctuations which
cause blood vessels in the head and neck to contract and then
dilate. The first phase, or contraction phase, may last minutes,
hours, or days. During this phase, symptoms can be spots in
front of the eyes, difficulty concentrating, and cold fingertips
and hands. This is called an “aura”. Many people recognize this
phase of their headaches; many others don’t notice any symptoms
at this time. Some people who think they don’t have an “aura”
can learn to recognize it.

When the blood vessels dilate, the headache pain starts.
Apparently the hormones over-react. Instead of just going from a
contracted state back to normal, the blood vessels dilate much
wider than normal, causing pain. Other things also happen about
the same time: swelling of the brain, release of certain
chemicals, and perhaps muscle tension. These things add to the pain.

The following are natural remedies:

1) Chiropractic trement
2) biofeedback
3) Aupuncture, aromatherapy, and myotherapy
4) multivitamin treatments.
5)food sensitivity, increassed blood sugar
6) nutritional supplements
7) herbs
sex hormones.

Most of the treatments in this FAQ are used to prevent migraines
from happening. This section describes things you can do when
you’re in pain, to reduce the pain.

— Have a bath or shower.
— Lie down to rest in a dark room.
— Avoid bright or flashing light.
— Put something cold on the back of your neck, such as
a cold, wet cloth; or alternate hot and cold cloths
where the pain is.
— Put a cold compress on your forehead and your feet in a
container of warm water.
— Have a drink of water or natural juice, especially tomato juice.
— Have some food, or a nutritious drink, if you
haven’t eaten for a while.
— Massage your own face, head, neck and shoulders, or get someone
else to do those and your back. Relax your muscles.
— Press on two pressure points at the back of the neck. These
points are about two inches apart, just below the base of
the skull. Press for a minute or two. This releases
endorphins that help against pain.
— Massage or press on the fleshy area between thumb and
forefinger.
— Gently lean the head to left or right to stretch the neck muscles.
Massage and relax any tense muscles.
— Avoid sources of stress. Cancel activities so there’s less
to worry about.
— Avoid exercise during a headache if it makes throbbing pain
in the head and neck worse. On
the other hand, generally exercise improves health, and
it may help you relax during a headache.
— Take some niacin (a form of vitamin B3). Taking enough
niacin to cause a flush (blood rushing to the skin) can
provide relief from headache pain, but this much niacin
can also have side effects (flush, nausea, heartburn,
liver damage, etc.) Niacinamide doesn’t have such bad
side effects, but isn’t as much use against migraines, either.
Smaller, safer amounts of niacin are also helpful.
Niacin can trigger a migraine, though.
— Take some vitamin C, vitamin B6, choline, tryptophan and niacin
and/or magnesium.

.Common migraine triggers include:

Hormonal changes. Although the exact relationship between hormones and headaches isn’t clear, fluctuations in estrogen seem to trigger headaches in many women with known migraines. Women with a history of migraines often report headaches immediately before or during their periods, and this corresponds to a major drop in estrogen. Others have an increased tendency to develop migraines during pregnancy or menopause. Hormonal medications, such as contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, also may worsen migraines.

Foods. Certain foods appear to trigger headaches in some people. Common offenders include alcohol, especially beer and red wine; nuts, aged cheeses; chocolate; fermented, pickled or marinated foods; aspartame; overuse of caffeine; monosodium glutamate — a key ingredient in some Asian foods; certain seasonings; and many canned and processed foods. Skipping meals or fasting also can trigger migraines.

Stress. A hard week at work followed by relaxation may cause weekend migraines.

Sensory Stimuli- bright blights and sunglare can produce head pains. So can unusual smells -including pleasant smells such as flowers and perfumes. and unpleasant odors such as paint thinner and secondhand smoke.

Changes in wake-sleep pattern- either not enough sleep or too much sleep may trigger migraines in some individuals.

physical Activity- intense exercise even sex can trigger migraines.

A change in the environment– a change of weather, season, altitude levels; barometric pressure or time zone can promote migraine.

Medications some meds have headaches as side effects.

High blood pressure can also cause headaches. so will hypoglycemia or hunger

Q: For treatment of migraine and nueorological diagnosis?
Christian medical college(Vellore) and NIMHANS(Bangalore), which of these two institutes are better for the treatment of migraine and diagnosis of some other neurological disorders?The patient has been already diagnosed with migraine,would like to obtain treatment for it,please suggest which institute is better?CMC Vellore or NIMHANS Bangalore?I would like to have suggestions regarding some other medical institutes or organisations,that are renouned for this kind of treatment,provided it is in India.

A: These are both good hospitals so I can’t really say. But I do know that NIMHANS is supposed to be THE neurological place in India. However, ultimately I think it is not so much which hospital you must choose but which doctor. Try to ask around and see who is a highly recommended and experienced doctor in this field. (Sorry but I don’t know more than that .. )

Q: what are home treatments for migraines?
i have been suffering from migraines for a few days now , what are some home treatments that i can try?

A: My pharmacist recommended to me two benadryl and aspirin. He then said to go in a dark room and lay down after taking the medication.

Q: what is ophthalmic migraine treatment?
i have ophthalmic migraine it really interfere my life, do you know suitable solution?

A: Ophthalmic Migraine

Ophthalmic migraine is quite common. Patients usually experience visual symptoms of seeing bright zig-zag type lines in their central or peripheral (side) vision. These bright lines may have associated flashing light sensations and sometimes can interfere with vision. There are many variations of symptoms. These symptoms usually resolve spontaneously after several minutes but usually less than one hour. Often, rest in a darkened room can be helpful during a migraine attack. Medical treatment is usually not necessary.

Sometimes, there can be a headache after the visual symptoms resolve. This is called migraine headache with visual prodrome. Some people get migraine headaches without the visual symptoms. Some people get the visual symptoms without the headache. This is called Ophthalmic Migraine. The cause is due to a temporary spasm in the blood vessels behind the eye called “vasospasm” similar to a spasm or cramp that you may have once experienced in one of your leg muscles (Charlie-Horse). Usually, this resolves without treatment and many people never have another episode. Some people may continue to have them. An examination of the eye is important to rule out any other causes for these symptoms.

Q: Propranolol and its effectivesness in migraine treatment?
How does it work and what does it do????

My husbands just been referred to a Neurologist…finally and in the meantime the Doc has prescribed these…how will they help him?

A: Propranolol is an antihypertensive which works by blocking the beta receptors. I was found mostly as an incidental finding that people who were placed on this medication for blood pressure or cardiac reasons had a decrease in recurring headaches. Studies have substantiated that decrease, thus it is now used to prevent headaches in persons with recurring headaches especially migraines.

I have found that, in my experience that there are better prophylactic medications, but the propranolol may help until your husband can see the neurologist.

Headaches are complex issues and have many causes and triggers. The mechanism of migraines have not been confirmed but there are new theories about the cause which have changed how they are treated.

Prior to your husbands appointment go to this site:

www.headaches.org

Under the patient section and educational resources tab you will find a printable headache diary. Have your husband start filling this out prior to seeing the neurologist. Also look at the diet section for an idea of which foods may trigger his headaches. There is also a section on how to talk to your headache doctor, this can give you ideas of the kinds of information which will be needed to help your husband and you can have the information ready.

Headaches are treatable, and can be reduced in frequency with proper therapies. These include medication diet and non medication therapies like accupuncture and biofeedback.

Trying the propranolol to see if it works. This is part of the method for finding the right medications for your husband.

Q: Can you use Topamax and abortive migraine medicines together?
I was just prescribed Topamax for preventive migraine treatment and was wondering if anyone knew if you can still take abortive medications (like Maxalt) with the Topamax, or does it have a negative reaction together? What do you do if you get a migraine while on the Topamax?

A: I take topamax everyday and then I take the Maxalt right before I feel a migraine coming on…this is what my Doctor gave me and it has been wonderful so far.

Q: My daughter has put on weight after migraine treatment please suggest diet?

A: The best strategy for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is to eat a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, and get lots of exercise. Meeting with a nutritionist can be helpful. It is not just the quantity of food, but also the quality. Before the visit, it is often recommended that your daughter keep a record of everything she eats on three different days including at least one weekend day.

Many suggestions about eating habits apply for the whole family and make it much easier for your daughter. For example, It is always wise to eat breakfast because when we skip meals, we run low on energy and tend to eat more at another meal. Likewise, healthy morning and afternoon snacks can keep appetites low and energy levels high. Limit juice, minimize sugar-containing soda, and consider a change from whole milk to low fat (1 or 2 percent). Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day may also help. Get regular exercise, both individually and as a family–after dinner walks, Sunday bike rides, or other activities.

Q: what is the treatment to migraine problem?
i m a bcs student.most of my time spend on pc…….thats required in my course… but now m going through the migraine problem(half headache)…what to do? i am already under treatment since last 2 years.please help me

A: You can use transdermal treatment as opposed to oral medication. See attached article for more information.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2336660/top_transdermal_migraine_treatments_pg2.html?cat=

Q: How does Flonase trigger migraine-headache ?
plz explain and it would be appreciated if you know treatments of migraine-headache. Thanks

A: Treatment for migraine headaches can relieve the pain and symptoms of a migraine attack — and prevent further migraine attacks.

Migraines can be treated with 2 approaches: abortive and preventive.

Abortive: The goal of abortive therapy is to prevent a migraine attack or to stop it once it starts. The prescribed medications stop a headache during its prodrome stage or once it has begun and may be taken as needed. Some can be administered as a self-injection into the thigh; others, as a wafer that melts on the tongue. These forms of medication are especially useful for people who vomit during a migraine, and they work quickly.

http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/migraine-treatments