NFT: Migraines

I am sorry that your daughter is suffering. I am not sure if I can tell you anything new as I am sure that you are already bringing her to qualified physicians.She should see a neurologist who treats migraines.

The most common treatments for an episode of migraine are
anti inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, anti inflammatory such as ibuprofen combined with metoclpramide for nausea, or a class of medicines called triptans such as imitrex.

The most common medicines used to prevent migraines are
propranolol, topiramate and amitriptyline.

A relatively new treatment is Botox injections. Most insurances pay for these and they can be very helpful.

The newest medicine is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor blocker . The name of the medicine is aimovig.

I would have your daughter see a neurologist who could give her the triptans or some combination of medications used for acute attacks and a program the works through the older and newer medicines for reducing the frequency of migraines. The doctor can also look to see if there are structural or hormonal problems that can be corrected.

My son suffers from migraines. One home remedy he uses is putting his feet in a bucket of hot water, while putting ice on the back of his neck. This moves the blood away from the head towards the feet. Good luck to your daughter.

and believe that most ailments can be remedied, especially early on, with nutrition and supplements. For migraines, the latest data point to magnesium and riboflavin. I would try magnesium first, because most Americans are at a deficit. For migraines, the best sources of magnesium are mag taurate and mag threonate, but you can also opt for mag glycinate. Have the patient take at least 200 mg per day with meals (one tab or capsule at breakfast or lunch and one at dinner). Magnesium is especially useful if you also have fatigue, cramping, mood issues, sleep problems, constipation, or bone issues. It is, hands down, one of the best nutrients to experiment with, and itÕs cheap. You can also get magnesium from greens, beans, nuts and seeds, so if the patient is not eating any of these foods, they really need supplementation. The other remedy is high-dose riboflavin, and thatÕs been shown in clinical studies. You could probably take a B complex (co-enzymated form preferred) and get enough. Take it in the morning, because thatÕs when your body is most depleted, and it wonÕt interfere with sleep then. Neither of these supplements are harmful in any way, so itÕs worth a try. YouÕll know in a few weeks or less whether they work or not, so itÕs worth the experiment. Most physicians know nothing about this, because they donÕt take nutrition courses, sadly. But IÕve been studying nutrition for over 40 years, and am an expert in the field, so take it from me.
The Science of Nutrition - ( New Window )

can’t remeber the cause but she eventually grew out of them.

I got them at work and finally got my eyes checked which revealed a retinal tear. Got that taken care of and the headaches going away was a secondary benefit. Could also be grinding teeth, which I do and got a Guard for.

I've had what are known as cluster migraines for as long as I can remember, although I don't know if I've ever experienced a complex one. I consider myself fortunate because I tend to wake up with them and can usually work through them -- and typically they're gone or in hiding between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. I say "in hiding", because with a cluster, you kind of know it's still there, but at times only when you think about it. Alas, you'll wake up with it again the next morning; and sometimes this can go on for a week or two -- like "Groundhog Day." I find that a hot shower followed by a cup of coffee with a coctail of two ibuprofen tablets and one extra-strength migraine formula Tyenol does a decent job in most cases. If you know the migraine is coming (like if you're getting a scotoma [the dreaded "light show" which sometimes precedes a migraine]), I find that sumatriptan (aka Imitrex) does a good job of aborting it. I've had some really bad experiences with other drugs that I've had prescribed over the years, notably Zomig (gave me all the side effects and did nothing for the migraine) and Topamax (this drug was designed originally for epilepsy and does a number on your short term memory. Run far away from it!). Sorry to hear about your daughter, and I hope this is just short-term and stress/lack of sleep related. I would definitely recommend the sumatriptan. All the best.

I suffer from Migraine Associated Vertigo. No PCP or other doctor could figure it out. I went to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infimary in Boston, MA and worked with and Otoneurologist. They sent me for an MRI, vestibular testing (to eliminate vertigo), hearing test, blood work, etc. They put me on a migraine elimination diet. I figured out eventually with their help that my migraines were stress induced. Once the worry and stress of being dizzy went away so did the issue. It comes back every so often, but I deal with it so much better now.

I hope your daughter figures out her issues. Migraines and complications due to migraines can be really debilitating.

But diet alone may not be enough. Stress and menstrual cycle can be triggers. Also over use of aspirin Tylenol and other over the counter meds can make make migraines worse over time m

1. Find the best Neurologist around her school and get an MRI. A prophalactic med like topirimate or depakote May be needed until the get a handle on what the cause is.

2 make sure she stays away from food triggers is she has them.

3 Do not underestimate this condition. Good luck. My prayers this gets take. Care of quickly

In comment 14043520 LauderdaleMatty said:

Quote:

But diet alone may not be enough. Stress and menstrual cycle can be triggers. Also over use of aspirin Tylenol and other over the counter meds can make make migraines worse over time m 1. Find the best Neurologist around her school and get an MRI. A prophalactic med like topirimate or depakote May be needed until the get a handle on what the cause is. 2 make sure she stays away from food triggers is she has them. 3 Do not underestimate this condition. Good luck. My prayers this gets take. Care of quickly

Link - ( New Window )

In comment 14043520 LauderdaleMatty said:

Quote:

But diet alone may not be enough. Stress and menstrual cycle can be triggers. Also over use of aspirin Tylenol and other over the counter meds can make make migraines worse over time m 1. Find the best Neurologist around her school and get an MRI. A prophalactic med like topirimate or depakote May be needed until the get a handle on what the cause is. 2 make sure she stays away from food triggers is she has them. 3 Do not underestimate this condition. Good luck. My prayers this gets take. Care of quickly

The link below will take you to John Hopkins migraine diet tips
Link - ( New Window )

see if it might work

In comment 14043543 BigBlue2007 said:

Quote:

In comment 14043520 LauderdaleMatty said: Quote: But diet alone may not be enough. Stress and menstrual cycle can be triggers. Also over use of aspirin Tylenol and other over the counter meds can make make migraines worse over time m 1. Find the best Neurologist around her school and get an MRI. A prophalactic med like topirimate or depakote May be needed until the get a handle on what the cause is. 2 make sure she stays away from food triggers is she has them. 3 Do not underestimate this condition. Good luck. My prayers this gets take. Care of quickly Link - ( New Window )

Thanks for the link but not sure why you posted it to me? Glad you got yours figured out. It’s a debilitating issue and not all headache disorders are the same as your case indicates

In comment 14043637 LauderdaleMatty said:

Quote:

In comment 14043543 BigBlue2007 said: Quote: In comment 14043520 LauderdaleMatty said: Quote: But diet alone may not be enough. Stress and menstrual cycle can be triggers. Also over use of aspirin Tylenol and other over the counter meds can make make migraines worse over time m 1. Find the best Neurologist around her school and get an MRI. A prophalactic med like topirimate or depakote May be needed until the get a handle on what the cause is. 2 make sure she stays away from food triggers is she has them. 3 Do not underestimate this condition. Good luck. My prayers this gets take. Care of quickly Link - ( New Window ) Thanks for the link but not sure why you posted it to me? Glad you got yours figured out. It’s a debilitating issue and not all headache disorders are the same as your case indicates

I posted it to you because you recommended the migraine diet. The original poster can still see it too since it is in the thread.

Thanks everyone. It is hard seeing your child suffer with these things. I really appreciate all the advice.

Trust me on this one.