Seriously. I had the mother of all migraines settle into my poor mistreated head this weekend. It started on Saturday morning when I was on my way to Target for a quick errand. I’m one of the lucky ones whose migraines are preceded by what’s called an aura – a brief period of disrupted vision and partial numbness on one side of my body.
Trust me, it’s a fabulous experience.
All the more fabulous when I suddenly develop blind spots whilst driving.
I started having them about five years ago. They are typically very rare in occurrence (like twice a year rare) but this weekend I was graced with back-to-backers.
I’m so going to the doctor this week. I’m sure he’ll want me to do an MRI like they had me do five years ago.
I’m hoping he’ll also give me some magic pill to keep on hand. All those years ago the doctor gave me this prescription for a pill I was supposed to dissolve under my tongue the moment the aura came on. Supposedly it would head the headache off at the pass. Lucky for me, though, I misplaced the pills long before I had another migraine. And since they come so few and far between I didn’t bother going to the doc for a new prescription.
All that changes this week though.
So I’m wondering if any of you migraine sufferers have any advice for me. Any particular brand of medication that works or doesn’t?
At this point, I’ll take all the help I can get.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Okay, I’m not going to write anything silly this time.
Have they figured out what causes your migraines? If not, you might want to ask about having your heart checked. My daughter gets migraines (with stroke symptoms – yea!) and they did the major once over and found that she has a hole in her heart. They told me that it can be a common reason for migraines. We’re still waiting to see the cardiologist, but one of the treatments can be as easy as a baby asprin a day. A baby asprin to make migraines stay away? Sounds pretty good to me!
Or you could just use the rubber mallet to the forehead.
Nope, just couldn’t resist. ;o)
I take 4 Tylenol and a megadose of caffeine at the first hint of a migraine and that does help. Doesn’t stop it, but it helps.
I get them rarely too, but when I do – oy.
Imitrex worked like a charm for me – if I took it at the very onset.
I have had migraines about 2x/monthfor about 12 years now, and the ONLY thing that has worked is relpax (eletriptan) -It’s in the same family as imitrex (which dissolves under your tongue) but doesn’t seem to have the nasty side effects that I get with imitrex. After all of these years, I have learned that taking something AS SOON AS you start feeling the aura – even if that means pulling off to the side of the road for a minute – helps the most. Also, when the doc gives you your new prescription, go ahead and (right away) stick one in the car, one in the bathroom, one in your purse… You’ll have a better chance of finding them next time! I hope you feel better soon!
Darcie – First of all, I am so sorry you had to spend your weekend shared with a migraine. Those that have never had one, do not have any idea what it feels like. I too have the aura and visual zig-zagged lightening lines before the pain. Next for the “miracle drug” – Imitrax! I understand there are new drugs out there but I have found this very successful with few side effects. It has never failed me in the 9+ years I have been taking it. Fortunately these headaches only come about 4 times a year. Hopefully today is a better day for you!! Good Luck!
Imitrex worked for me when I got them…though they did make me feel a little funny.
Mine turned out to be cyclic…they would come at the same time of the month. I got off the pill, and they stopped!
I’m sorry, Darcie. That sounds horrible. Fortunately I don’t get migrains, at least I don’t think so. Advil usually helps with my headaches.
Were you able to do anything fun over the weekend?
Oh that sounds awful! My best friend gets bad migraines and went to the doctor and got some new medicine to try this week – I’ll let you know how it works for her! I hope you get everything figured out!
Darce, Ask the doctor fi they hereitary. I sffered with for many years, STRESS. Luv ya.
I hope all is ok!
Caffeine and Tylenol 4! Do you know the cause of your migraines? I always thought mine were hormonal, but then started to see a chiropractor for sciatica, and she said that my top vertebrae was out of whack, which can cause migraines, too. After she’s done adjustments, I really do have less headaches. Hard to believe, but it seems to help!
Honestly, my rebound headaches from meds were so much worse when coupled with the migraines. I started drinking caffeine, taking excedrine migraine, doing hot and cold therapy and using an essential oils inhaler (you just mix it, smell it at the onset of a headache) and my migraines have reduced 95%…
That’s too bad about the migraines. I get them too! My doctor prescribes Midrin….you take two when you feel the migraine coming on and then 1 an hour up to five. I’ve never had to take more than 3 before the migraine is gone – best meds ever!!
i’ve never had a migraine, but some in my family get them. I am so sorry you have had several this week. I’m praying for you to not have any more and for you to find the great “miracle cure” for the rare one that shows up.
I had the same symptoms several years ago. Like Christina, my doctor gave me Midrin. They worked well. The doctor said my headaches were cluster headaches and not migraines.
My husband had a series of them a few years ago, and he took a Maxalt whenever he felt one coming on…it also worked.
Hope you feel better soon.
Imitrex used to kill my migraines that I got a day or so before and just at the beginning of my period, while I was on the Pill. Off the pill I had no migraines.
homeopathic remedie-snort cayenne pepper. only small amount. look into it and will find more info. maybe it will help.