Question About My Migraines
 

I am so tired of being pain!! I have suffered from migraines for about 20 years, but they have gotten worse in the past few years. It is to the point that I am very depressed about my health. I try to stay upbeat and positive but the pain almost consumes me on some days. I have gotten used to being pain, but I don't want to live like this any longer! Even at this moment, I have a horrible headache that is going into one of my migraines. I am fed up with having to take Imitrex...don't get me wrong, I am SUPER thankful for a prescription that works...because I have had others that don't. However, each time I take one, they cost me $31/pill (plus tax). I literally have a headache everyday of my life...with 2-4 days out of the week, those headaches go into a migraine. My full-blown migraines last two days. :( I am 35 and feel like I missing out on so much fun in life because of this stupid pain! I have 2 precious toddlers that need a mommy that is fun and that feels like being enteractive. Ok,now I am crying.....I just want this to stop already!!

Can you guys help me figure this out and give me your advice? I am going to try some or all of what I found on a migraine site. Do you guys thik that I am suppose to try all of what they are saying or one supplement at a time? Here is the article....thanks for helping me!!

Migraine-Beating Nutrients
Numerous nutrients can be used both before and during a headache to lessen migraine pain. The following supplements are shown to work best.



Magnesium One of the most promising nutrients in headache research is magnesium, a mineral contained in soybeans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fish. Magnesium is needed for healthy muscle, nerve and blood vessel tone and is thought to help prevent blood vessel spasms.


In a 1996 German study of 81 migraine patients published in the headache journal Cephalalgia, 41.6 percent of subjects taking oral magnesium reduced both the duration and intensity of migraine attacks.11 They also reduced their reliance on medications to control their migraines.

Fatty Acids American researchers suggest that a combination of magnesium taurate and fish oil may help prevent migraine headaches, based on the ability of both to reduce blood vessel spasms.12


A 1997 study showed that gamma-linolenic (GLA) and alpha-linolenic (ALA) fatty acid supplements reduced the severity, frequency and duration of total migraine attacks by 86 percent. During the six-month study, 22 percent of the 168 patients no longer had migraine attacks, and 90 percent experienced less nausea and vomiting.13

Vitamins B and D In a double-blind 1998 study, Belgian researchers found that vitamin B2 (riboflavin), a mitochondrial nutrient necessary for energy metabolism, provided more effective relief than placebo in reducing the severity and frequency of migraine attacks.14 Fifty-nine percent of 55 migraine sufferers in the study reported at least a 50 percent improvement compared with the 15 percent change reported by the placebo group.


Feverfew prevents and treats migraines by stemming the release of blood vessel-dilating and inflammatory substances.


Other studies conducted on premenopausal and postmenopausal women experiencing migraines demonstrated that vitamin D and calcium therapy provided relief.15,16

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Traditionally used in Europe for headache relief, feverfew's pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects appear to help many migraine sufferers when other methods fail.


Feverfew prevents and treats migraine headaches by inhibiting the release of blood vessel-dilating substances from platelets, inhibiting the production of inflammatory substances and re-establishing proper blood vessel tone. In a 1988 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study reported in Lancet, feverfew treatment was associated with a reduction in the mean number and severity of migraine attacks and in the degree of vomiting.17

Petasite (Petasites hybridus) German studies show that people taking petasite experienced significantly fewer migraine attacks, fewer migraine days, shorter migraine duration and less pain than a placebo group. Overall, the group taking petasite reported a 56 percent reduction in migraine attacks, similar to that of other preventive remedies.18 According to German Health Department standards, the herb's active constituents, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, must be used carefully to prevent potential health risks. Therefore, standardized forms of the herb are now being formulated in accordance with safety standards.

Thanks again~
Tammy

Tammy I am sorry you are in so much pain. My brother in Law gets migraines and I know he takes medication for it. I will ask him what suppliments he uses.

((((((((((((((Tammy)))))))))))))))))

I'm so sorry that you are in so much pain, all too often:cry: I wish there was something that I could do to help:(

Hi Tammy,

I know exactly how you feel. I've suffered from it my whole life and last year they got worse and started feeling different as well. I went to my doctor for a checkup and found out my blood pressure was very high. We worked to bring it down to normal and since then i have not had a migrane.

I suffered for years with them.. 2 or 3 times a week. I popped advil everytime and it worked wonders for me. But I was almost addicted to them.

I think I now have the problem solved as I have not had a migraine in about 6 months now and am no longer worried about them.

I would talk to your doctor or visit a specialist to get advice before jumping on any other medication.

My reasons for migraines changed over the years. In my younger years I found i was allergic to milk (which I drank every morning). Later on I found it was my computer monitor and got glasses that stopped the problem. Now its the blood pressure.

I found this website at one point (http://www.migraines.org/) and it had some good info. Maybe it still does.

A few people I know take magnesium to help with the migraines...Also, as mentioned above, fish oil is supposed to help as well...

Oh Tammy, I don't have any advise but I'm sending hugs. That sounds awful! We are the same age and I just can't imagine what you are dealing with! I used to get a migraine once a month or so but they almost completely went away after I had my daughter. She's 13 and I've only had one in her entire life. The bad thing is she gets them.:( It's like she took them for me. Hers are infrequent as well, thank God- I hope someone comes along with a perfect solution for you!:hug:

So sorry your dealing with these headaches:( My daughter who is only 18 has been having them since she was 5, we have been to so many doctors and tests galore, Now she is in therapy for ccod, She has always been to young for certain meds, Now she is on to many as far as iam concerned, They affect her school work , her job, everyday living, I feel awful and helpless for her, I really pray you find something to help you, Hugs and prayers to you.

Thank you so much...I would love to know what advice he has for me.

Tammy

I'm so sorry you're in so much pain :( I've never had a migraine but I've had some REALLY bad headaches..I wanted to cry but it hurt too much. I can't imagine hurting more than that and for two whole days. I hope you can find something that works. I've seen Marcia Cross talk about her migraines and something that worked for her...maybe she has a website with info on it tht you could look up.

Do you know if the magnesium taurate and fish oil are supplements that I can take in a pill form?? I am clueless about how this route works...I have only done prescriptions, nothing all-natural.

Tammy

Oh, Tammy, I'm so sorry you're suffering. I've had migraines since I was 5 (I'm now 40) - they were at their worst in my 20s. I have Fioricet to take for pain, if I have a migraine (otherwise, aspirin works for my rather frequent headaches).

I also take Topamax - have you tried it? It can be quite helpful for a lot of people. I haven't noticed the cognitive effects that some people have from it, nor the tingling; I have had the decreased appetite and problems with just sort of feeling "full". I feel a bit "zoned out" at times, but since I just started taking it, I'm sure this will taper off. Anyway, maybe it's worth a try??

Tammy,
I really am sorry you suffer from migraines. My husband has "cluster migraines", which each migraine usually lasts at least three days. He has been everywhere...doctors, specialists, etc... and I really believe he has basically learned to deal with the pain (as nothing seems to work for a very long time). He had been seeing a doctor in New Orleans (about 90 miles from home) and he has come up with a combination of medications that seem to help him alot. He has tried everything and still lives with the pain and depression.

I hope you find the right combination of things (meds or otherwise) to help your migraines!! I will be praying for you!!

Hope you can get some rest tonight!!

:( I too suffer from migraines and I can sympathize with you. What I found was my triggers for them. I eliminated white flour, chocolate, and cheese. And the doctor put me on Topamax every day 50 mg and a 325 mg aspirin every other day. It has really helped me tons. I remember having a migraine that lasted 3 days and I couldn't even see straight but I had to get up and take care of my kids (4) and drive myself to the doctor to get help cuz my husband was out of state and I had no one to help me. Thank goodness I got there in one piece.

Ask your doctor about Topamax--It also helped me to lose weight which was an extra benefit.
:lovewingsJudy Teddy, Toula, and Dora

I will try to find out more info for you...I also get migraines, but they only happen about once a month...I usually take excedrin migraine and stay in bed, but they hurt so bad...

Tammy, I am so sorry that you are living with this pain. I wish I knew something that could help you. God Bless You.