I've had migraines for decades (at least since the 1970's).  I had an MRI many years ago, for stroke like symptoms that occurred during a migraine.  I had it at work, and a neurosurgeon, happened to be in the nurses station, who noticed a slight facial droop along with unequal pupil dilation. I have excrutiating pain only on one side of my head, light sensitivity, nausea/vomiting, and I sometimes hear a 'hum'.  I'm told It's the increased blood flow that makes the 'whoosh' sound that I hear. NO VISUAL AURA.  I was told that I have 'vascular migraines' and would one day have a migraine and probably have a CVA.  I've taken all the OTC drugs and a few RX's. 

What has worked for my migraines......Midrin, excedrin migraine, along with ice to temples, and eye area, alternating with heat and massage to neck.  I've just been started on 50mg Lopressor BID and Magnesium, as a preventive measure.  It's actually reduced the strength of my migraines. 

What I'd like to hear, is what works for you?  and Describe your Migraine too.

Well, I had an mri last week.  Hey, did any of you see the xfiles episode with the alien who worked as a short order cook and dragged folk through the drive through and ate the brains? I guess I thought of that because of when I reviewed my mri with the md it brought back memories of the episode.   Best episose ever.........back in the 90's.  Sorry off topic.  My doc gave me topimax to take twice dailey. He also gave me fiourinol which got flushed down the toilet..........I really dont want that crap in my house.  To Herbal Nurse, I had been taking 800 mg advil up to  couple times daily.  Now the best thing I think is 1 tylenol and 1 ASA.  Homade goody powder but ya cant snort it.  I also have a new contraption I got yesterday, a horshoe shaped shiatsu heating massage thingie.  Love it so far but like I said, just got it yesterday..............gift from my husband.  I fell asleep with it on last night after I took the ASA and tylenol and slept  fairly well.  This is new for me...........I have gotten sinus headaches for a while but never any nausea or light sensitvity in conjuction with the whole mess as it is now.  I do drink a decent amount of water but will increase it..........always room for improvement.   BTW I do not have hbp.............runs around 102/60-100/58 approx depending my mood and coffee intake.   BTW, I am a nurse and have been a member of NL for close to a year.  There is a member who thought I was not a nurse for some reason.  Maybe because of my political beliefs, my faith, my geographic location and because I am partial to trucks, not sure.  Also, could be the blonde thing and he thinks Im an idiot blond trailer trash bimbo.  Its interesting a person can be so theatened by another woman, lol.  Hey dont worry alphawoman, Im happily married!  Thanks!  God Bless!

Angie

I started getting migraines when I was a kid.  When I was 11 or so, I had my first ocular migraine (became blind for a few minutes).

I had no idea my headaches were migraines until years later, when I was finally diagnosed.  My headaches would last for days, sound aggravated them (light does as well), and nothing would touch them, including narcotics.

I've been on Depakote, Tegratol, and other drugs for prophalaxis.  I've taken Imitrex, Zomig, Frova, and other triptans.  Midrin, Fioracet, and other drugs.  They all lose efficacy after awhile, so I have to constantly switch things up.  I've also used lidocaine 4% solution intranasally.

Right now I'm doing fairly well.  My migraines have tapered off in the past couple of years:  I'm down from a migraine 2-3 x/week to once or twice a month.  Most of them I can treat with Excedrin.  Every so often I need Zomig.  I've also been using essential oils; a mix of lavender and menthol.  It usually works if I use it early enough.

Weather (drop in barometric pressure) and chocolate are my triggers.  I can avoid the latter, but I'm at the mercy of Mother Nature on the former.  Stress will make them worse.

Magnesium supplements seem to reduce the frequency and intensity of my migraines.

   I started having migraines about 6months after i had my daughter and at one type had "stroke-like" symptoms and was admitted over night to the hospital for evaluation, had MRI, MRA  and a head CT,  was diagnosed with "complicated/complex migraines", was put on Topamax to take routinely..it did decrease the frequency of the migraines for sure but did not make them go away.... If i could get past the nausea, i  would drink lots of water to try to flush my system, that did seem like it helped some, "Reiki"...it is a type of  "hands-on", "spiritual" healing if you will.. helped probably more than most things... also had a friend with same symptoms and she was diagnosed with "gluten intolerance" and removed any gluten in her diet and after 2months she hasn't had any migraines for 3years now,  she continues a "gluten-free" diet... I weaned myself off of the topamax after 1 year and have been watching my gluten intake and "knock on wood" haven't had many at all since.... Hope my blabbering helps.. I wish the rest of you lots of luck  :)

Migarines run in my maternal side of the family. I am African, and my predecessors have not really had good treatment in regards to thier migraines. I remember times whem my grandma could not even take care of us when we were around her. My mother have also had it for years. After becoming a nurse, I started seeking out  ways of helping myself. Excedrin Migraine helped couple of years, then, no more. No caffeine  such as coffee or soda when I am having an attack. Caffeine actually excercebates mine.

Four years ago, I had a debilitating attack that lasted five days. I thought I was going to die. I took 10 tabltes of 100mg Imitrex for those five days. I was nauseous all the time, no light, and my kids were tiptoeing around the house.

After surviving that episode, I started to seriously look into how to help myself. I had had MRI, was still taking imitrex. I was started on Topamax by a neurologist, who also advised me to try and take it whenever I start getting the aura. With careful observation, I may say that it has worked so far. I only take it PRN. Other things I did was to stop drinking red wine. I read about it somewhere and tried it. My observation was that a glass of red wine will trigger off an attack almost immediately. My prescription was also changed to Relpax, which I have used only once, and it helped. But what has really helped most is eating lots of ice chips/cubes after taking my medication. It hurts eating few chips initially, then gets better and better. Within 30 minutes, you are well agin. I would have eaten 20 ice cubes at this time. Goodluck everybody.

Joy Nwanganga, RN

Has anyone tried chiropractic for migraines?  I have had migraines for a number of years but they have gotten worse now that I am in perimenopause.  I have found that going to the chiropractor and getting my neck worked on has been the most beneficial for me.