Migraines
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
I have always found that Excedrin or the grocery store equivalent works well. It is a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine. I am "lucky" because my migraines start with jumpiness in my peripheral vision. If I take excedrin at that point and take it easy for a while, I will not go into a full throttle migraine. If I wake up in the morning having already passed jumpiness stage of the migraine, I still will take excedrin and head back to bed with a cold, wet washrag for the eyes and temples. Usually an hour or two will keep it from going full throttle. I have not had a full throttle one with sound and light being physically painful for more than a decade.
Into the shower, hit the cold water as cold as you can stand it, then immediately hit the hot as hot as you can stand it. Back and forth for a few minutes and it's gone. This is especially good for the ones you wake up with and you want to chuck your dinner. I learned this when I lived with my ex and he put in a jacuzzi next to the pool. Jumped into the jacuzzi, into the pool, back and forth and it was gone. It's important to turn the light down on your computer screen if you're on it for more than an hour a day and keep your shoulders upright.
If I feel one coming on, my regular headache can turn into a migraine if I don't take care of it right away, and I'm not near water I buy the little packs and make a cocktail; 1 ibuprophen, 1 asprin, 1 excedrin, 1 caffeine pill and 1 dramamine. I'm not saying this is for you, it works for me. You may just need to some vitamin K.
If I feel one coming on, my regular headache can turn into a migraine if I don't take care of it right away, and I'm not near water I buy the little packs and make a cocktail; 1 ibuprophen, 1 asprin, 1 excedrin, 1 caffeine pill and 1 dramamine. I'm not saying this is for you, it works for me. You may just need to some vitamin K.
I swear by bc powder and goodys. Knocks them out fast for me.
Botox is pure poison.....not good advice. Mod note: Inflammatory comment removed
Live consciously....
Thanks.@CoatClosetCommando wrote:
No recommendations for over the counter but I usually get Botox shots for my migraines.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/2016 10:57PM by Sybil2.
Mod note: response to deleted Inflammatory comment removed
Mod note: Inflammatory comment removed
I am not a regular poster. I had debilitating migraines for several years and then got onto topamax. Which is not OTC. It reduced drastically the daily migraines and I was able to see a pattern in what was left. I reccomend keeping a journal for your headaches of what ypu eat, how much you are drinking (water, gatorade, sodas, alcohol, etc) and chart your migraines along side it. Also if you are a woman, keep track of your cycle iin relation to your migraine activity.
When I feel any headache activity going on, I drink a full gatorade, take two excedrine migraine and have a pack of headache powder in hand and if an hour later it hasnt let up, I take the powder. If in 4 hours the pain returns I take a Prescription pain med.
When I feel any headache activity going on, I drink a full gatorade, take two excedrine migraine and have a pack of headache powder in hand and if an hour later it hasnt let up, I take the powder. If in 4 hours the pain returns I take a Prescription pain med.
I get cluster headaches, which are like migraines that show up the same time (usually at night) on the same side of the head, day after day after day after day.... thus, "cluster." I take Topamax also, and while it is not as effective on the cluster-type, it has reduced them to the point that OTC stuff will knock them out. My doctor recommended 2 Advil plus 2 Tylenol, and a full glass of cold water. Works about 95% of the time now.
It sounds like a lot of people take Excedrin. My roommate mentioned it as well. Maybe I'll pick one up on my next grocery shop. 
I'm definitely not into the idea of Botox.
Justlisa, those all sound like great ideas. Thankfully mine aren't severe enough to be debilitating but they're annoying enough to stick around for a couple of days. I'll definitely consider your ideas.
I'm definitely not into the idea of Botox.
Justlisa, those all sound like great ideas. Thankfully mine aren't severe enough to be debilitating but they're annoying enough to stick around for a couple of days. I'll definitely consider your ideas.
Excedrin is the magical combination of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine. Many other brands have this same combination and are cheaper. I can usually get relief with some acetaminophen and a Mountain Dew, but I'm not a caffeine person normally. Hope you feel better. Sleeping helps too, as does drinking a lot of water.
Have you had your blood pressure tested? Migraines are caused by blood vessels changing sizes, in part, so if you have high blood pressure, getting that fixed could fix your headache.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2016 07:28PM by msmsmshopper.
Have you had your blood pressure tested? Migraines are caused by blood vessels changing sizes, in part, so if you have high blood pressure, getting that fixed could fix your headache.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2016 07:28PM by msmsmshopper.
The house brand equivalents of Excedrin work every bit as well as Excedrin. Walmart has two packs of 100/bottle for $4 or a twin pack of 250/bottle for about $7. Grocery stores and drugstores also carry house brand equivalents at a fraction of the Excedrin price.
It's most important to take something the minute you feel it coming on to block the pain receptors. If you wait too long it's too late. Dollar tree has a generic 24 count migraine formula for a buck. I haven had one since my stepdaughters were young children and teenagers. Once they grew up and moved out the migraines magically went away.
I suffer horrendous headaches and migraines. Alka Seltzer works with the tyoe that include nausea.
Sunglasses are a must.
A few years ago I couldn't afford processed deli meats, bacon and most processed foods. It was almost immediate with the reduction in pain and frequency. Bonus, I lost weight and it has stayed off.
I normally cook from scratch and freeze, can or dehydrate. I have found that I suffer less when I don't eat any processed foods. Changing my diet to lean more vegetarian as opposed to carnivore has helped.
I avoid my SIL and brother because they bathe in cologne. Soft drinks made with cane sugar are better.. Sam's Club has changed up something in their stores, because I can no longer shop for over 30 minutes without getting severely ill. Bonus, I spend less money.
Don't know if this will help you, but thought I would share.
Sunglasses are a must.
A few years ago I couldn't afford processed deli meats, bacon and most processed foods. It was almost immediate with the reduction in pain and frequency. Bonus, I lost weight and it has stayed off.
I normally cook from scratch and freeze, can or dehydrate. I have found that I suffer less when I don't eat any processed foods. Changing my diet to lean more vegetarian as opposed to carnivore has helped.
I avoid my SIL and brother because they bathe in cologne. Soft drinks made with cane sugar are better.. Sam's Club has changed up something in their stores, because I can no longer shop for over 30 minutes without getting severely ill. Bonus, I spend less money.
Don't know if this will help you, but thought I would share.
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!
I take a prescription injection medication. It's a generic of Imitrex. It works within 5 minutes. I suffered from migraines for decades before finally seeing a neurologist. This is 2016 and maybe Imitrex won't work for everyone, but there are tons of options out there and you don't have to live with debilitating headaches.
Also try the website thedailyheadache.com
I also take powdered ginger capsules to deal with the nausea. Feel free to contact me PM to discuss migraines. I am a 45 year old female who has been dealing with migraine for over 30 years (fortunately, not too often)
Also try the website thedailyheadache.com
I also take powdered ginger capsules to deal with the nausea. Feel free to contact me PM to discuss migraines. I am a 45 year old female who has been dealing with migraine for over 30 years (fortunately, not too often)
@FrugalCat wrote:
I take a prescription injection medication. It's a generic of Imitrex. It works within 5 minutes. I suffered from migraines for decades before finally seeing a neurologist. This is 2016 and maybe Imitrex won't work for everyone, but there are tons of options out there and you don't have to live with debilitating headaches.
Also try the website thedailyheadache.com
I also take powdered ginger capsules to deal with the nausea. Feel free to contact me PM to discuss migraines. I am a 45 year old female who has been dealing with migraine for over 30 years (fortunately, not too often)
I'll be 60 in January. Last January I said something about my migraines to my ophthalmologist. He gave me grief because it wasn't in my history. He rudely asked how long have I had them,. I said I can't remember when I haven't had them. Then he asked why didn't you tell us you have them? Well that would because they didn't ask about something I've dealt with since I was a child. Migraines or massive headaches have been part of my life since I can remember. Then, he asked how I take care of them. Flat out said, since Darvocet was outlawed, it's all about mixing up OTC drugs and sunglasses.
Before it was outlawed, if I could catch the migraine in the beginning stages 1/2 of a Darvocet was the ticket.
Thank you for sharing the website, I will look at it a little later.. I know sulfates trigger my headaches because I'm allergic to sulfa based drugs.
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!
I have occasional ocular migraines. The first one scared me enough to ring the ophthalmologist. Now I just lie down and enjoy the show. They're beautiful. Doc says they're stress-related. That, and never enough leafy greens (I think that is a stock answer for doctors.) The only hassle is when they start to come on when I'm away from home. You can't drive while they're happening.
Now scheduling travel shops for the day after Christmas through mid-January.
@PasswordNotFound wrote:
I have occasional ocular migraines. The first one scared me enough to ring the ophthalmologist. Now I just lie down and enjoy the show. They're beautiful. Doc says they're stress-related. That, and never enough leafy greens (I think that is a stock answer for doctors.) The only hassle is when they start to come on when I'm away from home. You can't drive while they're happening.
My ocular don't give me pretty. so I'm flat out jealous. Mine make my eyes burn and water without any heads up. I'm not literally blind, but I might as well be for at least 5 hours. I have cold eye masks to help.
I also have issues with dry eye. Eating things that are strong in Omega 3 fatty acids help. I'm not a fan of oranges, but the seedless easy peel mandarins help as well.
This summer all I wanted was watermelon. When I finally broke down and bought a few, the hydration helped. I ate a double sized personal watermelon every day for almost a week. It was the best i felt all summer.
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!
MA, your comment about watermelons was interesting. I do think a lot of problems are food-related. When I am eating veggies or drinking green smoothies, I rarely have problems. As for the migraines, except not being able to see well, they're amazing. Like this: [www.nendza.com] only alive, circular/jaded, and more vibrant. I wish that I was artistic enough to capture them.
I will try the watermelon next time. They generally show up several in a month, and then none for months at a time. The dehydration angle is interesting, and I will have to track that. Thanks.
I will try the watermelon next time. They generally show up several in a month, and then none for months at a time. The dehydration angle is interesting, and I will have to track that. Thanks.
Now scheduling travel shops for the day after Christmas through mid-January.
Dehydration is definitely a factor. Problem is, by the time I get a migraine, I am too dehydrated to stop the migraine with a glass of water. And if I could drink enough to stop it, I'd probably throw up most of it. Lack of sleep is also related to attacks. My neurologist explained my migraines were a swelling of the blood vessels around my brain. The medicine I take is a vasoconstrictor. (it narrows the blood vessels.)
I've rarely had hallucinations, but when I do, they are fantastic. Surrealistic. I wish I could have them without an attack. I see inside my body, individual blood cells, molecules of odors floating through the air, the atomic structure of objects around me, etc.
I've rarely had hallucinations, but when I do, they are fantastic. Surrealistic. I wish I could have them without an attack. I see inside my body, individual blood cells, molecules of odors floating through the air, the atomic structure of objects around me, etc.
@PasswordNotFound wrote:
MA, your comment about watermelons was interesting. I do think a lot of problems are food-related. When I am eating veggies or drinking green smoothies, I rarely have problems. As for the migraines, except not being able to see well, they're amazing. Like this: [www.nendza.com] only alive, circular/jaded, and more vibrant. I wish that I was artistic enough to capture them.
I will try the watermelon next time. They generally show up several in a month, and then none for months at a time. The dehydration angle is interesting, and I will have to track that. Thanks.
You're welcome Password. Had bacon not gone up to almost $8 a pound where I live, I wouldn't have thought anything about the migraines/headaches being food related. I have never been able to have more than 2 glasses of wine without being ill for 3 days. I'm allergic to sulfa based drugs, so it makes sense. A former dentist pointed out that I probably don't drink wine, but I never connected deli meats until I couldn't afford them.
The best I ever feel without watermelon is during Lent. I do my best to eat vegetarian all 40 days, because If I'm out of my house on a Friday...bacon cheeseburgers are the only thing that satisfy the shopping beast.. I don't even like burgers. I realize it's a psychological bug a boo in my brain.
After I get my last shop for this month finished tomorrow, I'm going to work on some veggie based recipes that will taste great even if cold. This month the focus is on veggie burgers that taste great and don't fall apart when cooking or reheated. If you want the recipes; let me know.
Also, another thing is this... And it is gross. The more fiber I consume, headaches/migraines happen with less frequency..
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!
@FrugalCat wrote:
Dehydration is definitely a factor. Problem is, by the time I get a migraine, I am too dehydrated to stop the migraine with a glass of water. And if I could drink enough to stop it, I'd probably throw up most of it. Lack of sleep is also related to attacks. My neurologist explained my migraines were a swelling of the blood vessels around my brain. The medicine I take is a vasoconstrictor. (it narrows the blood vessels.)
I've rarely had hallucinations, but when I do, they are fantastic. Surrealistic. I wish I could have them without an attack. I see inside my body, individual blood cells, molecules of odors floating through the air, the atomic structure of objects around me, etc.
I've been thirsty my entire life. Made my parents crazy. I don't have diabetes. I'm just dry all the time. It's nothing for me to drink 1/2 gallon or more of water a day and still always feel parched.
I know that if I eat more fruits besides watermelon, I'm better. Maybe the fiber from the fruit helps.
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!
My migraines dont happen as often now. I quit drinking soda, quit eating wheat and shortly after that i quit eating all grains. BUT, The biggest difference was when i started using magnesium oil instead of anti-perspirant. And then when i started taking selenium and Iodine supplements.
I had a bad one a couple weeks ago from bad food and stress from a badly organized audit. And it cost me a lot this time. Intelli-shop deactivated me because i had to request that my second audit be rescheduled.
I had a bad one a couple weeks ago from bad food and stress from a badly organized audit. And it cost me a lot this time. Intelli-shop deactivated me because i had to request that my second audit be rescheduled.
Everyone posting here has a little bag of tricks and does something to create change and get some relief. The headaches are telling us something! Sometimes, a change of pace helps. Take a nap. Stretch everything from head to toe. Try a new exercise routine. Dance by yourself, or with a partner. Find a place that you enjoy. Touching your own skin in addition to using cool or warm items sometimes helps you find sore and tender spots. These areas might want very gentle pressure or something else that you like.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.