I HATE being in pain, and missing work! Like today. I did good over the weekend -- actually cleaned a room, did a real budget, and figured out some other things. Then what happens?!? Yep, you guessed it -- migraine! Now I'll have to factor in the missed pay in the budget.

Honestly -- if there were a procedure for brain transplants, I'd be first in line.

(These danged headaches have been lessening, thankfully -- they were really bad for about seven months earlier this year, thanks to a new medication for another condition -- but I still hate having to call out and miss work. Once the pain sets in, medication will not touch it. All I can do is rest.)

[:'(]

Oh how awful! I have never had a migraine, but I hear they are just terrible.

My mother suffered from migraines when I was growing up. She never got any real relief from any doctor, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. She started keeping a diary of everything she did/ate for a while. She saw a pattern emerge--whenever she ate any kind of refined sugar, she would get a doozy migraine.

Maybe your migraine triggers are food? (I hear that peanuts, sugar, and sulfites in wine are common triggers.) Or cleaning agents? Or fragrances? If you start keeping a journal for a few months it might help you figure out what brings on the headaches. It will be time-consuming at first to keep track of everything in so much detail, but it should reap great benefits later.

Good luck to you!

poor you!   I hope you feel better!

I have never done medication for mine ... I just stay in bed. So I know the frustrations! Glad to know yours are lessening. Mine are actually increasing, not in the pain but in the frequency of them. (which is common with fibromyalgia)

I take OTC migraine meds about 4-5 times a week, so I know your pain.  I get sinus and allergy headaches that spiral out of control pretty quickly, but allergy meds don't help -- they just make me sleepy.  And the prescription migraine meds I will take from time to time if OTC doesn't work, but I get muscle tenderness from those and I don't want pain on top of pain so I avoid those unless the pain is so bad I'm in tears or throwing up.  A dark, quiet room for 30 minutes with 2 OTC pills and a glass of water seems to be my best combatant so far.  My mom suffered migraines the same way for about 10 years (mid 20s to mid 30s), so I'm hoping to "outgrow" them eventually.

Birth control pills can trigger migraines.

I got rid of mine with blood pressure medication. Unfortunately, with all the stress I've been dealing with they came back. That's one reason Dr. Skinny doesn't want Mom to be able to phone me; I get upset and then I'll get a migraine.

Best of luck to you !

Virginia Needlewoman:

Birth control pills can trigger migraines.

 

That's an excellent point.  I wish I could get off my BCpills but dr's say no... too many medical issues.  I agree with the poster who said to keep a diary.  Sure, it can bite when you find out that a favorite food (like chocolate) causes the migraines, but it's soooo worth knowing the cause in the long run.

These days it's stress that triggers mine.

I found that being on a Beta blocker for BP got rid of them. Unfortunately, I've had a lot of stress because of Mom.

My doc put me on a prescription pill that is a preventative for migraines. It has helped immensely. Ask your doc if there is something that you can take daily that might help (I am not on any other meds).

 'Hello,

 

I suffered from debilitating migraines most of my life, starting when I was about 5 (they are inherited)

About 2 years ago, I was prescribed Lamictla, an anti-convulsant and mood stabilizer. They have all but disappeared now.

I also have Imitrex injections for breakthrough migraines, and that usually knock them right out.

Please get  preventative - there are many kinds, things like Topomax, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, small doses of tricyclic antidepressants.

You need not suffer this way - I know that suffering all too well. Get your doctor to help - if you can consult a neurologist, all the better.

I do hope you pursue medication and find relief. I would not go back that suffering for anything in the world.