<p>We have been dealing with migraines with one of my kids for the last few years. She has tried Zomig but didn’t like it. She uses Maxalt when a bed headache is coming on. For her the problem with Maxalt is that while it shortens the migraine for the first few hours after taking Maxalt the headache actually gets more intense. She has tried other meds but prefers the Maxalt. If it is not a bad headache she will take Excedrin Migraine but not at night. She has a prescription for Tramadol if the migraine is at night and she needs to sleep. She uses it rarely. But it is her preferred treatment for the headache.
What she does do is take a daily preventive med. We have tried Inderal which worked but after a year we discovered it was causing depression. She has switched to Nortripylene which is an old antidepressant. It is working but she must take it at night since it makes her drowsy. At some point I would like to have her go off the daily meds and see what happens. I don’t like the idea of her on a daily med. Prior to this she was missing a ton of school due to migraines. Since starting the daily meds almost 2 yrs ago we are down to very few migraines. When she does get one it is usually when she hasn’t been regularly taking her meds. Her neurologist sees her every 3 months.</p>
<p>My sister and I both suffered from occasional migraines. I’d say mine came on (cluster type like something boring thru my eye) as a result of stress and hormonal changes–combo of both probably. Now that I am past the hormonal changes and have reduced work stress I really have no headaches like that anymore.</p>
<p>Now my sister…her headaches were of the type where she’d vomit & suffer pain so dramatically that her husband would drive her to the ER. They tried Maxalt, and there she was, writhing on the ER table as it made the pain worse. Horrible. She found the best thing for her was a shot of demerol. That did it. Knocked her right out. Probable cause for her headaches: poor neck posture pinned over a computer all day and bad work stress +the hormone thing. Now that she has retired and is back in shape her headaches have diminished.
To the poster asking about tylenol with codeine, my sister bought some in Aus…she keeps it on hand if she feels a headache coming on. Works for her.
I agree with other posters, it’s good to find out what is causing the headaches. Best of luck to the OP --hope you’re feeling better!</p>
<p>Hugcheck, I don’t remember who originally posted about the trigger point either, but it has been a real godsend! I know just what you mean about increased awareness of where the pain triggers are in your body. It has been an interesting journey.</p>
<p>blueiguana, to reach points in your back, I put a small rubber ball in a long tube sock. You basically roll it around between your back and the wall. The sock is so you don’t constantly drop the ball. It feels amazingly good to massage those tight spots, but it looks kind of funny to any spectators who may be around!</p>
<p>Assuming your MRI is normal, please consider acupuncture. It can be very helpful for migraines (and headaches in general). Seldom covered by insurance, but not as expensive as MD office visits. It’s also a surprisingly pleasant experience.</p>
<p>I"m going to suggest, if medical issues are normal, try to find someone who practices atlas orthogonal chiropractics. It is gentle, no side effects, and amazingly effective. We tried acupuncture but it didn’t work for my daughter and she didn’t like how it felt.</p>
<p>Anything not to give a 15/16 year old heavy duty drugs long term!</p>
<p>Acupuncture has worked for me for other things, but not for migraines. Woke up today with the beginnings of one–Treximet did the trick for me, as it does every time with no side effects. Better living through pharmaceuticals.</p>
<p>Some suggestions for your migraines which might sound weird, but also might save you a lot of time & pain!! Have you ever tried acupuncture? If you told me several years ago I would say this, I’d say “no way, jose”, however…a few years ago 4 months of acupuncture finally cured my long term rotater cuff injury, just when I was on the verge of getting an operation where the deductible would have been the same as what I paid for the acupuncture sessions…even being a mom, I have a thing against needles, but gave it a try when the director of my yoga studio recommended it - I thought, why not?!? Just make sure you have a well recommended acupuncturist…the other thing is yoga, have you tried that? It’s great for toning, relaxation & anti-aging and might help you get less migraines. The other thing is meditation or hypno therapy. I have nothing against Western medicine, can be great, but if it’s not working, why not try something else that could really cure you (long as you get your MRI results first!) My youngest sister had “throw up” migraines and now does yoga and feels much better; I’ve only had about 6 in my life and can’t imagine functioning with them on an ongoing basis. Good luck & let us know how you do!!</p>
<p>I have not tried acupuncture. I assume my insurance would not cover it and I’m married to someone who prefers me to first try what our insurance will cover. If nothing else works though, I’d be open to it. It’s funny you mention yoga. Last summer I was doing some yoga and I stopped somewhere along the line. I did like the way it made me feel and should definitely try it again.</p>
<p>I thought I’d give an update. I have continued seeing the chiropractor and my neck has improved considerably. As my neck improved, the frequency of the headaches diminished greatly. I have had a few headaches that I used Excederin for (because they were early enough in the day) and I haven’t had to take the medicine the doctor prescribed. </p>
<p>Today I went for the MRI that he wanted me to have. I didn’t last thirty seconds in the machine. I had an instant panic attack and had to come out. My doctor is out of town so I’ll have to wait a couple of weeks to see if he still thinks I need it. I don’t think a Valium would be enough to get me through a 45 minute MRI (with contrast) so I’m really hoping he’ll agree that if I’m feeling better I can skip it. Obviously, I can skip it if that’s my choice, but I’d feel better if I have his approval.</p>
<p>mimk6 Ask the doctor if there are any “open MRI” machines in the area and if you can go there for the procedure. It can make a big difference.</p>
<p>Try the acupunture if you need it. I’ve been battling a sciatic nerve situation for 5 months, ended up with a cane and cruches for a while. Horrible, unrelenting pain that nothing could touch. A month into the acupuntcure treatments I’m sooo much better. I can drive my car without crying, sit in a chair for dinner…I know that sounds crazy but I was beginning to think I would never do those things again. Find a reputable doctor, the Dr. I see is amazing, kind, considerate and runs on time. The insurance is covering half the cost, we are covering the rest. Best money I have spent. (Oh, I am SERIOUSLY needle-phobic. Seriously. I have yet to see/feel a single needle. The acupressure massage after I feel, but no needle feeling at all.)</p>
<p>There are open MRIs, although you may have to travel to use one.</p>
<p>I was told that open MRIs don’t take as clear a picture for head images and that I would need a closed one. I’ll ask my doctor.</p>