amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

Debra · 07-07-2008, 12:36 AM

After spending almost 5 hours in the ER this evening, I found out I have mirgraines. I have had a headache for 4 days now & this afternoon, I just could not take it any more. So after a CT scan & 3 shots later, I feel human again. The doc gave me a prescription for Topomax. Has anyone else taken it before? Thoughts on it?

Does anyone treat their migraines naturally? With what?

Thanks for any input! This is only the 2nd time I have ever had a headache like this before & the last time was in 2001 when I was pg with DD. I am so clueless when it comes to Migraines.

echo_78 · 07-07-2008, 08:30 AM

Migraines are terrible!

I took Topamax in my late teens and again when I was 27. I didn't have any migraines during that period, but I did get to experience the joy of kidney stones. Never again! Hopefully you won't have that side effect.

My best advice is to keep hydrated and if you drink caffeine make sure you drink it consistently. Some people take magnesium and vitamin C supplements among other things. They haven't done much for me. My migraines are hormonal.

I have a script for Imitrex, but I can't afford to refill it. It works pretty well for me if I'm desperate.

benNpeanutsmom · 07-07-2008, 10:20 AM

I get a migraine at least once a month, too. They're hormonal. I've tried a lot of different meds, but nothing actually works to get the headache gone (except for the shot of demerol I got in the ER about 3 years ago).

My youngest son was on Topomax for his seizure disorder. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and he had another weird side effect... he didn't sweat at all in the heat.

Also, I've passed that migraine gene onto two of my three kiddos. So, watch those cuties of yours if they complain of their head hurting.

tikva18 · 07-07-2008, 10:26 AM

I've found going to sleep with an icepack laid across my eyes and forehead is quite helpful - also I went to a masseuse who taught me some techniques - like deep breathing and she also used peppermint eo. I can now hold the bottle of peppermint eo and do deep breathing and it helps immensely.
I also used to take Imitrex - which did help, but I could only take it before bed because otherwise I wouldn't be able to function.

I'm so sorry your head hurts.

Stephanie · 07-07-2008, 10:45 AM

I'm so sorry. I've had chronic migranes since high school. I got to the point where I've yet to find anything that really works except a visit to the ER for some morphine in an IV.

I know some take Topamax, others use beta blockers and then the "migrane meds" that are specifically made to target migranes. I've had drs suggest caffene, too.

I found the migrane meds only worked a little, except the Imitrex which made the migrane 300 times worse. The beta blockers helped the migranes a lot but made my already too low blood pressure way too low & I actually passed out & hit my head. Kind of counterproductive.

I've also take Firocet which is a stronger med. It makes you loopy but it helps when my migranes are there but not super bad. When they're super bad, only the ER helps.

I think it really depends on the person as to what to works or doesn't.

I usually grab either the heating pad (usually that) or sometimes a bag of frozen veggies & hide in my room. No sound, no lights. I know many prefer ice but I'm a fan of heat for myself.

I've found that sometimes they seem hormonally related, sometimes allergy related or sometimes I have no idea where it came from.

I just hope you can find some relief.

TicTacToe · 07-07-2008, 11:32 AM

I have had debilitating migraines (1-2/week every week). They run in my family, most of my aunts, my Dad and a lot of my cousins all get them in varying intensity and frequency.

I have managed to figure out how to manage mine, though. First, I figured out that the bcp was causing most of them. Once I stopped taking that, I realized my other triggers: stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, too much sugar, hormones and caffeine addiction. Even changes to the weather will set me off if something else is out of balance in my life. Knowing this helps me try to stay on top of them so I don't get them as often or as frequently as I did before - now I get 1/month that I can take OTC meds for and still function. This is a life saver for me really. Before, I was almost fired from jobs, missed exams in university, all because of headaches.

So, my advice would be to journal for a few weeks and see if you can identify a pattern to them. What did you eat? How did you sleep? What was the weather like? Are you stressed out unusually? Things like that.

When you get one - as soon as you feel it coming on take something for it. Don't wait or it'll get hold and be harder to get rid of. Then try to put ice on your head, soak your feet in hot water and relax for a while. I know this is hard with kids, but trying to plow through it only makes it worse for me. A dark, quiet room is really good, if you can manage that. If you are a caffeine person, make a strong cup of coffee.

I have not tried topomax, but did take imitrex for my headaches. At their peak nothing really worked well enough for me to function. I was groggy and spaced out, but at least the pain was bearable.

Every migraine sufferer is unique, so take what you can and leave the rest. Good luck to you.

RightMama · 07-07-2008, 11:33 AM

oh gosh Debra, you poor thing!! I have had migraines since i was just a young child. I have tried Topomax but had a bad reaction so I cannot take that. I cant take any of the newer meds (imitrex, amitriptyline, topomax, etc) so my only course of action is pain meds (hydrocodone).

Did they find spots on your brain in the MRI? My 2 older daughters both have been diagnosed with migraines and the neurologist tried them on the things i listed above that i cant take, as well as a few other things (antihistamines i think) and they also had adverse reactions to them. We work on prevention - diet, making sure they are drinking enough water, wearing sunglasses when outside, etc. It does help but i can guarentee anytime Harley spends more than a few hours outside playng she will have a bad migraine. The sun is a big factor for her.

Anyway, im so sorry you are having migraines

I hope its a very rare thing for you. When i get them mine are STRONG for about 2-3 days, then linger in that "ill get bad again if you over do it"way for abother 2 days. I always vomit and really cant function at all. Fortunatley they dont happen too frequently anymore.

Debra · 07-07-2008, 01:10 PM

Thank you all for the suggestions & insight! I was really shocked when they actually said it was a Migraine.

I will definately start doing a journal to see if I can pinpoint a trigger.

Rachel~Thanks for mentioning the amitriptyline! I actually have a script for that for IBS. It also works for that! I took it for a few days but haven't since. I'll have to talk to the doc to see if I can take it for both the Migraines & IBS. Providing it works for me, it would be nice if I would only have to take one med since I am awful about remembering to take them.

I'm not too sure about Imitrex. I'm kindof nervous about that one! DH has Migraines & took Imitrex for awhile. He ended up developing a heart condition. His electrophysiologist & cardiologist both think the Imitrex & Lamisil (for nail fungus) he was taking *might* have caused the issue. But they have no way of proving it except that he had no issues before taking the two. So that just makes me a little nervous, yk. Actually taking any med freaks me out now! lol

Thank you all again! I appreciate it very much! I feel so much better today! I feel well rested today after not sleeping well those 4 days. No head pain so far today! WooHoo!

freedomlover · 07-07-2008, 01:39 PM

Keep track of what you are eating too.

Many foods are triggers to certain people (cheese to some, chocolate to some, etc). Splenda is a huge trigger in people (just discovered recently it is a major trigger to me).

If you skip a meal it can trigger them too.

I get visual migraines (the deadly headache is preceded by sparkling visions and tunnel vision and blindness) and if I can simply take an ibuprofen or tylenol at the very first symptom.....and relax.....mine will reverse and go away before deathly nausea hits. Thankfully!!!!!!

I wear dark grey lense RayBans nearly constantly outdoors during daytime and take them with me to put on indoors if a light is irritating to me.
I recommend them. Quality dark grey RayBan lenses. I must kiss them!

Anyway....good luck managing it!

mom2jflc · 07-07-2008, 03:22 PM

I'm sorry. I've had migraines for 27 years and they really do suck. So here is my advice. Avoid aspartame (Nutrasweet) at all costs. It's a very common trigger. The two things I avoid altogether are that and blue cheese. I limit other aged cheeses, red wine, and chocolate. I've taken all the migraine meds and they make things worse - I get a terrible feeling of pressure in my throat and face. So the best I can do these days is 200mg caffeine (either a tablet like Vivarin or strong coffee) and 800mg ibuprofen. It may not make the headache go away altogether, though sometimes it does if I catch it early enough, but at least it gets me to functional. In the past, I did have good luck with amitriptyline and a beta blocker, though beta blockers are out if you have asthma, as I do now. If you do decide to take Topomax, be aware that some people to have cognitive symptoms (it's affectionately known as Stupomax), so don't be alarmed if that happens. As I understand, it happens more often at higher doses

Debra · 07-07-2008, 06:17 PM

What would I do without the advice of you guys?!

Thank you all so much again!

lavender300 · 07-07-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freedomlover

Keep track of what you are eating too.

Many foods are triggers to certain people (cheese to some, chocolate to some, etc). Splenda is a huge trigger in people (just discovered recently it is a major trigger to me).

If you skip a meal it can trigger them too.

I get visual migraines (the deadly headache is preceded by sparkling visions and tunnel vision and blindness) and if I can simply take an ibuprofen or tylenol at the very first symptom.....and relax.....mine will reverse and go away before deathly nausea hits. Thankfully!!!!!!

I wear dark grey lense RayBans nearly constantly outdoors during daytime and take them with me to put on indoors if a light is irritating to me.
I recommend them. Quality dark grey RayBan lenses. I must kiss them!

Anyway....good luck managing it!

I will see flashes of light peripherally. I quit caffeine a few years ago and that was hell for the first week then it got better.Now caffeine will trigger a headache. I have had migraines since I was 12,they are mostly hormonal. I take Imitex. They idea is to take something as soon as you notice one coming on.
I have also heard Topamax called stupamax.