Migraines?

[Crystal11]

Hello, Crystal here- I was recently diagnosed with Migraine headache with aura, last month while at my first neurology visit.
About a week earlier I had a bad bad headache that almost forced me to go to E.R.
Could not eat, sleep, brush my hair, or even begin to calm down or rest at all. I would sit down, feel pain continousley, get up, walk around the living room- try to get my mind off of it. Nothing worked. So I took 3 Tylenol to get rid of it. That didnt work at all- so I did another 2 Tylenol maybe 2hrs or so after the first 3. I told my neurologist this and he said that all I did was make it worse, not help it. So we talked about adding Lamictal to my Keppra and Tegretol for my seizures (complex partial), and discussed more about migraines. After answering a lot of questions, he said that it was migraine headache and I wanted to know what I could do for them.
This last one lasted 4 days straight- it was the worst thing ever. I would have rather been sick with something else than that. It would burn for hours, throb with pain, and then I could barely stand the living room lights. It was rediculous and I had never had such pain before. I thought I pulled a muscle somewhere, or got a nerve in my jaw- something.
When I went back for my next neurology visit, I talked about it a little more and found out that the visions I was seeing was a migraine aura- they are pretty little blue or white/silver "sparks" as I call them- and they appear as one-second spot in both eyes. Now since I'm visually impaired, I thought those pretty little sparks were my nerves in my eyes- because they don't connect well in my brain- my brain doesn't send visual signals as it normally should. Anyways... I had two other migraine headaches that made me totally sick while in college- but then never had one again until now. I've had another one but it was not as severe.

Anyone else here have migraines?
What course of treatment was suggested?

I heard that Propanolol (which I do have for my heart/tachycardia) was said to be used for that. But that I only take when my heart goes over 100bpms resting and for no reason, or it skips (palpitations) every three beats. That causes me to have trouble breathing, nothing severe- just uncomfortable.

So now that I added another seizure med to control my complex partial seizures, I'm having drop attacks which are extremely scary and now migraines that are more frequent. Sometimes I wonder if its the Tegretol XR or Keppra XR causing some of this. I never have many side- effects from any meds I've tried except Tegretol XR by itself. When Keppra and Tegretol are together, I'm fine.

Anyways- what a mess! I feel like if its not one thing, its another. I'm happy I've graduated college- seizures in class was NOT cool. I had a few migraines while in college but I was able to leave class, go to my dorm room and hide in the dark until it was over.

Oh- I bought some Excedrin Migraine and it works pretty well but it makes my stomach upset if I don't eat.
Anyone else tried that for your migraines? Does it help enough?

I'm afraid that if I tell my neurologist (which I will anyways) that the Excedrin makes me sick, that he will prescribe a RX med for migraines..I feel as if we are just adding meds each time I go.
Actually, I will be getting rid of Tegretol XR in a few months.

Everyone, take care
Crystal

[Meetz1064]

are great friends; but I use a combination of several things to control them. First is Topamax. Yes, it's normally used for seizure control, but one of its uses is also for migraine control. Imitrex is also used on occasion, and if I'm desperate, I add in a dose of naproxen sodium---and it becomes Treximet, and THAT knocks out ANY of my migraines.

As for Excedrin Migraine...it only works for me if I catch the migraine right in the very beginning. If not, well---too bad, so sad. *eye roll* I also like to use heating pads/Thermacare pads, hot showers, gentle massage on the affected area and very soft classical music to help.

There's very little I don't do to get rid of my blinkin' migraines....*sigh*

[Billyboyboo]

I was prescribed Tramadol for headache, but I can't take it, Midran works for me, though the pharmacy here has to order it, or Fierocet. I use to take Excedrin, but it messed around with my stomach too much.

Billy.

[knothing]

I had migraines for a 9 years and only Excedrin Migraine worked along with a dark room and quite. After the first 6 years the tonic-clonic began and I started using Keppra. I have not had a migraine since then. Now I take Vimpat along with Keppra and my neurologist's thought is that the migraines were a symptom of my epilepsy.

As far as side affects of Excedrin, it would make me feel drunk for a couple hours. I would have rather had that than the migraine so I just tolerated medication.

[Crystal11]

Thank you guys for the replies. I thought it was weird that I would go to my new neurologist and be told I have migraines with aura- but not prescribed anything. I really don't want to add more meds to meds- but I can't tolerate Migraines especially after seizures. That is how they started to begin with. Then I got a few that were not connected or after a seizure. Thats when I knew I should mention it big time.
So I will chat with my neurologist next time I go to see if there is anything I can do to help it. I did take Excedrin as soon as I new the migraine was coming- it did help but it upset my stomach.
So Rachel, my friend suggested me taking just one pill of Excedrin and seeing if it will work just as good but without such an upset stomach.
Or I will eat something first then take the full dose.

Anyways- thank you guys for your personal experiences and suggestions.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
Crystal

[Rae1889]

Oddly enough, whenever I get a migraine I eat a banana or 2 and it helps. The potassium in it really really helps. Its gone in an hour or less

[Crystal11]

Wow- that I didnt know. I read of a list of foods that may be a trigger for people with migraines- a lot of that list, I eat!
I've been trying to learn more about migraines and how to make them less severe or painful.
My mother had migraines when she was younger- about my age and those lasted about 3 days for her.. She no longer has them. But its been noted that migraines usually run in familes which I thought was interesting.

I remember Robin talking about Magnesium being good for pain or headaches.
I will talk to neurologist more about it too- I think learning more about it, like I have with my seizures will help a lot.

Crystal

[Ruth]

I recently started getting migraine headaches. They are horrrible. I lie down in a dark room with a damp towel over my head,and rest with my eyes closed.

Crystall, what is the list of foods? I need help!! I am on 5 medicines all ready and I do not need anymore.

I appreciate the help you have given me.

[RobinN]

Yes Crystal
I had migraines for 30+ years. Was prescribed many pharmaceuticals to target the headache. I was getting extremely frustrated with them, because they usually lasted about 4 days, and the doctor was beginning to talk with me about taking a daily pill to manage my 4 day/month migraine.

I discussed this with an alternative doctor and he recommended ionic magnesium. After about one month of taking it, I began to be free from migraine symptoms. I was very good about taking it, but after about a year, I began to be less strict and I paid the price. One month on cue, I was sick to my stomach and realized that I could not be lax.

Even now, when I get busy and not as strict, I get twinges and a bit of brain fog. When I take the mineral, I soon feel better. Rebecca and I are now taking a version made by Jigsaw Magnesium. I have been very pleased with it.

Rebecca's neurologist even prescribed magnesium, because she understands that it is known to be a good anti convulsant. So you might ask your doctor to prescribe it. Be careful that you take a variety that does not act as a laxative (unless you need that help).

[RobinN]

Foods that can be Migraine triggers include:

Vegetables
beans
pickles
chili peppers
olives
Fruits
dried fruits
avocados
red plums
bananas
Breads
any fresh yeast product straight from the oven
yeast breads
pizza
soft pretzels
Meats and seafood
any preserved or processed meat
bacon
hot dogs
sausage
Dairy products
aged cheeses
sour cream
whole milk
Beverages
alcoholic beverages, especially red wine
chocolate beverages
caffeinated beverages
Miscellaneous
anything with MSG
artificial sweeteners
vinegar

Trigger Workbook

[Crystal11]

Yeah, those foods I eat- I try to have a good diet- One thing I noticed was while shopping in Sam's Club. We were hungry and I bought a Nathan's Hotdog and boy- within 10min of eating it, I got a mingraine, was dizzy and felt as if I was having an aura to a complex partial! I was scared I would have a seizure in Sam's! But I didn't- that is when I told my Mom that hotdogs give me migraines- this is before I got the actual diagnosis of it. I knew that when I thought "this is the worst headache/pain I've ever had", that something was up. So when I read the list and it said "cured meats" I knew that hotdogs are processed and no good for you.
I don't eat out anymore- especially places like fast-food chains. McDonals makes me sick within minutes of eating it- so I've not gone there in a long long time. While in college- I was guilty of eating quick foods and ordering pizza- that we don't do anymore. Most of what I eat now is cooked by me- I know what goes into my food.
I was always taking Spirulina and Chlorella or superfoods that were awesome. Now... i have to order some more.

Thank you for the info Robin, I appreciate it.
I feel as if I know nothing about migraines besides they hurt like I couldn't believe. I was almost in more pain than when I had an absessed tooth! So, now that I've met a few of you with Epilepsy and Migraines- you guys can educate me. LOL

I've noticed during my migraine auras that my vision gets too bright and I have to squint inside the house and that I feel the pain behind my eyes and on the right side of my head, in the temple area. It moves too- from front to back sometimes. When its all over- thats some serious pain. I also have TMJ and that is what I inicially thought it was from.

Sorry for long post- again thank you guys a lot.
-Crystal

[Crystal11]

Uh oh... lots of food that I use to cook with and like to eat...
Umm.. am I the only one that can't give us my chocolate? I just had a chocolate attack and eat too much- now I've got a bit of a headache- going for Excedrin just in case.. don't wanna find out its a migraine wanting to start up.

I noticed that I feel better when I don't eat chocolate in a while- but I'm a caffeine addict. So I'm goin to work on lower what I intake of it. My cardiologist says not to have any because of my tachycardia episodes (abonormal heartrate 110+ bpm while resting)- then my audiologist doesn't want me to have any because of tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Need to talk to self about lowering caffeine use...

Whole milk has always made me sick- I just can't drink it. BUT I can eat cheese and butter and ice cream- but as soon as I'm done with eating my last bit of food- I sneeze and my nose runs like crazy. Like I'm just not able to tolerate a lot of things anymore.
Been working on changing my diet to less diary items.

Thanks for the info Robin- you are so knowlegdable.

Crystal

[Billyboyboo]

Sometimes, well, to note, I do have Migraine Auras.

Billy

[Billyboyboo]

Robin, Pizza does trigger a migraine for me sometimes, very true, sorry for the double post, fruits, well, I love bananas and they don't seem to bother, but apples seem to give me headaches.



Billy.

[RobinN]

I have to admit, I am just a sponge, Google is the knowledgeable resource here.

I will also point out that when Rebecca's system is yeasty... she can have symptoms such as congestion, throat clearing, eczema appears, cranky, hyper
Many of theses foods, and a high simple carb diet, feed yeast (candida variety). It can be in the gut but it can also be in the brain. When you remove the foods that feed it, you will also go through withdrawal symptoms.

[Crystal11]

Its great to have access to information as well as get to know people on CWE who deal with simlar conditions or situations.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
Crystal

[Ruth]

Sometimes, well, to note, I do have Migraine Auras.

Billy

What is a Migraine Aura? It is all right to post 2 times in a row.

Ruth

[Crystal11]

A migraine aura is something that happens hours to days before a migraine. Sorry I don't have a more professional description or definition of the word..
I was diagnosed with migraines last month- and this month I described to my neurologist what I see before a headache and was diagnosted with migraine auras. I had always seen pretty "sparks" as I call them. They are bright blue or white/silver and they are metalic and look like a little spark of electricity. Those I see before a seizure and before a migraine- I just didnt realize that it what it was for the last several years. I knew I had bad headaches but never really discussed it with my previous neurologist since it didnt happen as much. now that they are more frequent and also happens after a seizure, I knew it was time to mention it. I had previously talked to my low-vision specialise and she could never come up with a possible reason for seeing things that are not there- the "sparks". My retinas and everything else in my eyes are not normal as they could be- but health for my type of vision loss.

Everyone take care,
Crystal

[RobinN]

Billy - The pizza trigger would make me consider that you might have a sensitivity to gluten and or dairy. I guess tomatoes might be one as well, it is in the nightshade family and some get quite strong reactions to tomatoes. It might be worth doing an elimination diet for a minimum of three months to see if you are relieved of one or all of your symptoms.

Bananas are known to convert to very high sugar in the body, so if blood sugar is an issue, this is one to eliminate for a while. I have eliminated it and potatoes from Rebecca's food choices. We already have enough to consider.

[epileric]

Dr. Christine Lay says the head, humidity, changes in barometric pressure and exposure to direct sunlight are all problematic. But the summer also plays host to other, more unexpected, migraine triggers.

“A lot of times, things that are barbequed are problematic for patients. Hot dogs, smoked meats or things with nitrates in them. Also, a lot of the barbeques and social events will have pretty, fruity summer drinks. And often those fruit-flavoured drinks have a little bit of food dye or food colour in them, or a lot of sugar, and they also potentially trigger a headache for patients.”

http://healthblog.ctv.ca/post/Summer-migraines.aspx