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Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

What Can Really Relieve the Misery of a Migraine?

Everyone has the occasional headache, but a migraine is something rather different. For those who suffer from this type of headache the pain can, and often is excruciating. And it is not only pain that causes such people distress. Migraine headaches are often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound and for some unfortunate people gastrointestinal difficulties.

Those who suffer from migraines try desperately to find a way to relieve their pain and other symptoms, but the over the counter medications that can stop other headaches within fifteen minutes or so are, as a general rule, almost completely ineffective against migraines.

Medical science is still unclear about what causes or triggers a migraine. Some feel that a swelling of the blood vessels in the brain may be to blame, causing the throbbing, unabating pain that so many migraine sufferers experience while others think that the problem lies deep within the brain stem, where electrical signals may become confused. Whatever the real causes are eventually determined to be there is one thing that everyone agrees upon; migraines are miserable.

The most commonly prescribed medications for migraines these days are a class of drug known as triptans. Created under various names such as Maxalt (rizatriptan), Zomig (zolmitriptan), Amerge (naratriptan), Frova (frovatriptan) and Imitrex (Sumatriptan), these medicines are believed to act upon serotonin receptors to quell the symptoms and effects of a migraine attack.

For many migraine sufferers these drugs have proved very effective, not only for relieving the pain involved in a migraine but also the nausea and light sensitivity.

Should these medications prove insufficient and the patient is prone to severe and frequent migraine attacks a doctor may prescribe a narcotic pain reliever such as codeine or Demerol. Doctors are usually very cautious about proceeding in this manner though as these are very addictive medications. On the occasions when for some patients the pain of a migraine becomes completely debilitating and unbearable steroids are sometimes administered in a hospital setting in an attempt to quell the pain.

For those migraine sufferers who decide to go it alone, or have a sudden attack, over the counter medications that have had caffeine added to them can provide some measure of relief.

There are other non drug and alternative therapies that some people choose to try to treat and prevent migraine attacks. For some aromatherapy and massage are helpful while for others taking herbal supplements that contain feverfew or passionflower provides some measure of relief.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 8:33 am and is filed under Migraine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

13 Responses to “What Can Really Relieve the Misery of a Migraine?”

Bob Says:
November 18th, 2009 at 6:41 pm

My sister in law , a doctor, had botox shots in the sinus’ a few years ago and no longer has horrible migraines. Why is this approach not mentioned?

Nancy Libecki Says:
November 18th, 2009 at 8:31 pm

I used to suffer with incredibly painful migraines several times a month. My doctor prescribed countless medications, usually to no avail.

One time I went to a hypnotist in an attempt to quit smoking. The hypnotism didn’t work to quit smoking, but I learned self-hypnosis. Now, when I get migraine warning signs, I go to a quiet dark place and lay down. I use the self-hypnosis techniques and can usually stop the migraine dead in its tracks. The only time this doesn’t work is if I get a weather-related migraine (I get them when extreme low pressure systems move in). If you have a chance to learn self-hypnosis and you suffer from migraines, this might be beneficial to you.

amanda Says:
November 18th, 2009 at 9:15 pm

Im 26 years old and after the 4 wheeler wreck i was in i get migraines alot and they put me on themaxalt and it works so good for me and another one just for severe headaches and they work great.

Beth Says:
November 18th, 2009 at 11:00 pm

Acupuncture really works. Give it a try

Chardanu Says:
November 18th, 2009 at 11:58 pm

I have used MIDRIN for over 25 years for my type of migraine. At the onset of a migraine, I begin to see a zig-zagged circle before my eyes, then it gets so thickly patterned that I can’t see at all. The actual headache comes a little later. Unfortunately, they have quit manufacturing MIDRIN and now all I can get is a weaker generic form of it. But still, it does the same thing, I just usually have to take 2. It has some kind of narcotic in it too which helps, probably a little bit of tranquilizer. Anyway, I tried different things and this is the one that works for me. The migraines I get leave me somewhat dizzy and affects my equilibrium. Thank God menopause was the best help of all – they are now 80% less frequent and 50% less severe. I tend to only get them now if I don’t get enough sleep, I get very angry, or my blood pressure goes too high.

j. weller Says:
November 19th, 2009 at 12:04 am

I routinely (every 3 months) have Botox injections in my head and neck to treat migraines. the usual course is to get migraines under control and then lengthen the time between injections. This has been more helpful than anything else in lessening the frequency of my headaches. The Botox injections are done by a neurologist and is covered by my insurance.

Connie Says:
November 19th, 2009 at 4:54 am

I will pass on a very simple idea that has helped several people I know stop severe headaches. Sprinkle salt in a 7UP, yes that is right a 7UP. For some strange reason this will help lots more than any medication I have found. I have told at least 10 people this and they faithfully keep 7UP and salt on hand at all times.

Try it you will see a huge difference. It really works.

Scott Says:
November 19th, 2009 at 5:02 am

I also found an ice pack on the site or Jugular arteries below the ear that supply blood to the brain worked quickly.

matt Says:
November 19th, 2009 at 6:50 am

I am a 51 year old male and have suffered migraines since I was 17 until my mid 20’s. they returned with a vengence in my early 40’s. I am extremely healthy, excercise 6 days per week. My neurologist has found a combination of Topamax, Depacote maintenence a prophalaxis and a currently Treximet when I feel a migraine coming on. This has taken years to track my triggers (colognes/perfumes are big triggers, foods, weather (low pressure) and lack of sleep). Mine tend to be less severe with the above plan, but if I veer off and experience a full blown migraine its two days and I would just as soon slit my wrists to experience them.

Sheri C. Says:
November 19th, 2009 at 7:03 am

I have had all types of headaches and I will agree that the migraines are the worst. Lately they come when the weather changes. I have been told that it is the barametric pressure changes. I wish I could tell when it is going to happen so I can prepare for it.

Judy Says:
November 19th, 2009 at 10:25 am

MSG is the big culprit for me and it is hidden in everything: soups including stocks and boullion, salad dressings and snacks of all kinds. Sometimes it’s labeled MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) but many times it’s listed as “natural flavor” because it is made from seaweed. But it is hardly safe for people just because it is “natural”!

I get a visual “aura,” then my face gets tingly, then my left side goes numb and I can’t talk. After that I start to vomit. Then, the headache begins!

If I take a triple Advil right when the “aura” starts I can stop it sometimes. Otherwise, I take the Rx Midrin and it helps.

I get really angry when I read that MSG isn’t a problem!!

Roberta Andrade Says:
November 19th, 2009 at 11:15 am

I have had migraines since I was 10 yo. The only thing that has helped me is Fioricet. I have used it since the 60s, & nothing else short of a shot of Demerol has helped me. Now that I am older I dont get them as often or as severe, but without a doubt there were many times I felt like bashing my head against the wall.
Mine were so bad that my left pupil dilated & stayed that way for years. They thought I had a tumor of the brain or spinal cord.

Jan Says:
November 21st, 2009 at 2:49 am

I feel everyone’s pain above..I have had chronic migraines for many years and have tried everything. One thing that is working faitly well for me right now is a time-released 60mg of propranolol (Inderal) taken once a day and then two Excedrin Migraine taken immediately at onset of the headached when I get one. It seems to works as well as the Fioricet and without the narcotic; I’ve been reading some horror stories about long-term use of Fioricet so I don’t take it until 4 hrs. later if the headache comes back. I do think the Topomax helped also; the side effects are pretty fierce though. My daughter had better luck with taking a very low dose and increasing it slowly over 2 months, much less side effects.

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