Migraine

Question: What is the best migraine medication you have tried, and why is it the best? I've had migraines off and on for years, due to a car accident. The last 2 years, the migraines have cropped up more often and my doctor will prescribe a migraine med for me to have on hand. The problem is, she says that they are all very similar. So, the question for yahoo users is, in your personal migraine experiences, what prescription migraine medication worked best, and were there side effects, etc? Thanks!

Answer: I have had migraines for 30 years. None are the best. The question is in finding the best one for you. You are the only one who can determine that. Ask the Doc. to prescribe the migraine abortive medications one at a time until you find the one that works best for you. I personally use Imitrex. I have also tried Maxalt, Zomig and all of the others that I don't remember the names of. Imitrex has been the best for me. The key with any of these is to take them immediately, as soon as you realize that the pain is coming or expect that it is heading to migraine level. If you wait until you have a full blown migraine, no medication will work. Keep a daily headache diary when you try the new meds. At the end of a few days, or weeks depending on how often you get them, you will have the details for the Doctor. Help them to help you. Best of luck.

Question: What's the longest a migraine usually lasts and is numbness on the side of your head a migraine symptom? I've had a migraine for two weeks now and the pain is mostly near my eyes, but not really both sides of my head at the same time. Sometimes it feels numb, other times a sharp stabbing pain, and sometimes a dull throbbing pain. I have a history of head injuries and concussions and my mother died of a brain tumor. Because of my history, is it normal that I should have such bad headaches or should I see a doctor?

Answer: Based on your symptoms and family history, please see a doctor, soon! A neurologist would be best. If you need a referral, see your primary care doctor first explain everything you did above to them and ask for a referral to a neurologist.

Question: What is a good migraine medication that is comparable to Topamax, without the side effects? I had been taking Topamax for migraines. I was on 400mg a day and it helped really well, but recently found I have a kidney stone due to using Topamax so I am trying to find a different med. I can take for it. For those of you that don't know, Topamax is used to prevent migraines, not to help with the pain. If anyone has personal experience I would prefer your answer. I don't want answers like imitrex, maxalt, zomig, as these are to treat the pain after you have gotten a migraine. I want an answer for a med to prevent the migraines. Thanks in advance.

Answer: http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html

Question: How can I relieve a migraine without medicines? I get slight migraines when my body is under stress. Like when I'm working too hard, my sinuses are acting up, I'm worrying too much. What are things I can do to make my head feel better? It feels like there's a ring around my head and someone is pushing down on it. I took migraine medicine years ago, but I'm seeking new solutions.

Answer: This sounds more like a tension headache than a migraine... usually improved by massaging back of neck to ease tight muscles, and maybe using some of that "4-Head" stick available from chemists, not medicine but aromatherapy I think. Hope you find your solution

Question: What's the difference between Advil Migraine and normal Advil? I KNOW that one's for migraine and one's for others...What I'm asking is, is there actually a big difference between one and the other? It looks like they use the same medical ingredient, so how exactly is one targeted at migraines and the other not?

Answer: Same active ingredients. It's all marketing. Plain Advil is effective against migraines.

Question: What can i do to relieve my migraine headaches ? My migraine headaches hurts so bad, my medications i took are not helping at all. Is there anything i could do to relieve my migraine headaches.

Answer: Migraine headaches can be the worst if not addressed immedeatly. Here are a couple of helpful hints, that I hope you find useful: 1) Immedeatly focus on relaxing... running the thoughts of stress or fear in your brain will not assist in this, the easiest way is 3 deep breaths, each one a little deeper than before, we also don't want you to pass out! 2) close your eyes and start to visualize! Imagine you have a small camera inside of your own head and begin to inspect that area that is causing you the most amount of discomfort, what shape is it, what colour do you see, is it smooth or jagged along the edges, and as you notice the particulars of this discomfort, then start to take a look at a part of your head/ brain that feels perfectly fine. Migraines very rarely effect or occupy the entire head so there is usually a part if the head/brain that does feel "normal" as you notice the same qualities about that part of your head you can now begin to become creative in making the "two area" the same... preferabbly the area of discomfort the same as the part that feels normal! Be Well Kevin

Question: What is the most efficacious treatment for migraine headaches? Migraine headaches is the biggest source of chronic pain. There is however a very thin line of distinction between Cervicogenic, Migraine and Tension headaches. I reckon drugs are the first line of defence however do other forms of treatment like physiotherapy help at all .

Answer: to be honest, i dont know about physiotherapy. i suffered from migraines for years until i was refered to a "headache specialist", not a "neurologist", but a headache specialist, after my initial consultation, she felt that my migraines were caused by a vitamin deficiency, she ordered tests, and sure enough, B12 deficient. ever since then, i take 1000 mcg of B12 every day and have not even had so much as a hint of a headache since then. it might be something worth checking out for you.

Question: What is the best way to treat a migraine? I get migraines every so often, and I was wondering what the best way to treat them was. I've used Excedrine Migraine, but it doesn't always work. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appriciate it.

Answer: I feel your pain-literally! I have been getting migraines since I was six years old, and I am currently 21. I have been studying migraines for years since they are such a big part of my life, unfortunately. It is crucial that you take medication when you feel the SLIGHTEST migraine coming on. This could simply be a slight pain in your temple that comes and goes. I understand the fear everyone has today of taking too much meds but you know what, the pain you will feel later IS NOT WORTH IT! Once the migraine hits, no meds will really help you out. You just have to tough it out, but there are ways to get through it. Wet a hand towel with cold water and place it above your eyes. Lay there for about a half an hour, and you should feel some relief. You should have someone rub your neck, and massage your pressure points such as your temples or the area between your thumb and index finger. Head-On is something you can buy at Walgreens that offers temporary relief. It is almost like a Bengay for your head, that basically relieves the tension in your muscles in the forehead area. Otherwise, make sure you are in a dark room with no lights or noise. It might seem impossible, but try to get some sleep. If I can suggest anything, it is to see your doctor and get some prescription meds such as Imitrex for your occassional migraines. They really affect personal life and restrict most people from doing what they want to do. I just set up a blog called MIGRAINESINTHEMEDIA.BLOGSPOT.COM... I will shortly be posting stories and updates on there for migraine sufferers, and am trying to set up somewhat of an online help center.... because frankly, no one realy understands what you're going through except other migraine sufferers. I hope this helps! Good luck!

Question: How do you balance a migraine and a screaming baby? I woke up with a migraine and my daughter decided she wanted to test her vocal cords at maximum volume and I think my head is going to explode! What do you do when you have a headache and baby doesn't want to be quiet?

Answer: I suffered from migraines for years until i was refered to a "headache specialist", not a "neurologist", but a headache specialist, after my initial consultation, she felt that my migraines were caused by a vitamin deficiency, she ordered tests, and sure enough, B12 deficient. Ever since then, i take 1000 mcg of B12 every day and have not even had so much as a hint of a headache since then. Miraculous drugs for migrines that are available only with a prescription. Migrine drugs arrests the vascular problems that cause the pain within a short period. Contact your doctor to get a prescription for Imitrex or other medicines. Some people can completely control migraine problems with the newer drugs. Sometimes a cold cloth over your head and a dark room will help. http://hubpages.com/_yan/hub/All-about-Migraines

Question: how migraine can be treated via natural plants and ayurvedic means? some name of drugs can be given but i want many natural means. and also one question, can migraine be treated via relaxtion and being away from stress?

Answer: Hey, maybe you might find this site useful. http://www.migraines.org/treatment/treatalt.htm Also try inhaling Essential Lavender Oil. Works for me ;) PS, here's another one. http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/headachemigraine/a/Migraine.htm

Question: Migraine ? I get a couple migraines a month. They are always on my left side and hurt like hell. I usually get them in the evening so I can just go to bed and when I wake up they are gone only I have a lot of pressure on my right side - not pain, just pressure that usually goes away after mid-day. I was just wondering if anyone else has this problem and if they have any tips on how to make it feel better without having to go to sleep. And Excedrin Migraine, it says to only take two tablets in a 24 hour period, can you take three if two just does not work?

Answer: I would NOT take excdedrin magraine because it is full of caffeien, and when it wears off you are susceptible to rebound migraine, which sounds like the pressure you are feeling on the right side. I have an excellent headache doctor/neurologist, and sounds like you might want to find the same, if you do not have one already. I am attaching a link to the national headache foundation which might contain some helpful information for you until you get to a new doctor. Good luck, and sorry for your pain.

Question: How to get rid of a migraine while at work? Does anyone have any insider tips on how to get rid of a migraine while at work. I sit in front of a computer all day drafting and we have horrid fluorescent lighting in here? Any ideas?

Answer: I suggest taking at least a minute long break every 15 minutes to look away from the screen, and maybe do some neck stretches. My first medical line of defense after I start getting one is then to take sudafed (for the pressure) and ibuprofen (for the pain and associated muscle tightness). If that doesn't work within an hour, I take a triptan drug. Maxalt works for me, and no longer even makes me drowsy, but see your doctor and make sure you get on the right one for you. There's a balancing act of course, where the side effects of the drug could be worse than the migraine itself, but very little is worse than a migraine in my book.

Question: What is the curability percentage of Migraine in a given a period of 3 months? Now a days every one complaints about sufferings of headaches and migraine. Can it be cured permanently and if so what is the time taken for a complete cure.

Answer: Migraine is definitely curable if the root cause of the disease is found out. By taking well selected homeopathic remedy the frequency of attacks will get less towards a gradual cure. No specific time can be set to cure the disease. If the medicines are taken for a specific time, the results will be promising. Identifying the root cause of the disease is the major step towards the cure of the disease. The physical condition as well the mental makeup of the patient has to be carefully analysed before the commencement of the treatment.

Question: What can the emergency room do to help my migraine headaches ? I feel so bad i have migraine headaches and it hurts so bad and i feel like i want to throw up, i couldn't even go to school. My parents thinking of taking me into the emergency room for my migraines. What can they do to help me ? Are they going to hospitalized me ? I'm scared please help me !

Answer: It sounds like this is your first migraine? Never been diagnosed before?The ER will likely *not* keep you in-patient for very long unless they find your headache is triggered by something more than the mystery of "migraine" like a brain tumor, cyst, clot, that sort of thing. Most likely they'll give you a shot of some kind of triptan like Imitrex (www.imitrex.com), some form of anti-inflammatory/NSAID, possibly a narcotic like morphine, and/or an anti-anxiety drug or muscle relaxant. It all depends on the doctor and their initial review of your particular situation. I would recommend that after your ER visit, you see your regular doctor for an rx of some Epidrin (www.midrin.org) and to keep it with you at all times so you can take it when needed. It's a pain reliever, muscle relaxant, and vein constrictor all in one. Good luck..

Question: Can a chiropractor really help resolve migraine headaches? My wife has had migraine headaches for 30 years. Maxalt pills are what help her, but it only lessens the pain, and it makes her very woozy and with no energy. Would it be worth it to go see a chiropractor to see if they can find a pinched nerve or something? Thanks!

Answer: I went to a chiropractor and he helped me. I wouldn't let him torque my neck but I let him pull it and stretch it. Also he held my head in his hands and sort of did this "snake dance" with it. He also used the activator on my neck. I only had to go a few times and now I only get migraines about once in a few months. Excedrin Back and Body is only aspirin and tylenol mixed without caffeine and three of those work if I take them early. I found out I was sensitive to msg and aspartame, asulfame k and phenylalanine. My son inherited this, too. We quit eating or drinking all items containing these and the migraines almost never come.

Question: How do you reduce pain when you have a migraine headache? I'm looking for a home remedy to reduce the pain for a migraine headache. I went to the doctors and the medicine he gave me does't work. Please help me. I have had this migraine for a week.

Answer: There is no medicine for H/A OR MIGRAINE. Not only these but for almost all painful diseases. Hence they become chronic. Acidity, excessive wind, cold , heat, sour food and sinusitis, constipation, intestinal inflammation; Blockage in the flow of Vital Energy are their causes. None of them can be treated with medicine. Our 100% success in treating migraine &H/A confirms it. Acupuncture is the best treatment. I can treat it with naturopathy and YOG, but how can you manage pl see. Avoid late sleeping if possible;spicy, sour, stale bakery foods and alcohole. Sweet foods, sweet fruits, milk, rice and good sleep will help you. But you try one herbal remedy- two drops of drumstick leaves' juice in opposite nostril if one side pains and both nostrils if full H/A will give you rescue. Betel leaf helps but it isvery strong. If it is acute pl search a painful point 3-6 mm behind your thumb nail and press it, H/A will disappear within 30 seconds. Source(s): SHREE SWASTHYAYOG TREATMENT, TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE R.H. – 19, Jhulelal Society, Sector – 2/E, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, INDIA.