Migraines?

[Gina]

Does anyone else on the forum get ridiculous migraines? Since December, I've gotten them about once every two weeks, and I'll get just a regular headache at least once a week. I've been to the doctor a few times, and they keep insisting that it's just a side effect of sinus infections, so I hope they're right. Anyway, do you have any little techniques to deal with them? Caffeine sometimes works for me, but I've been warned to stay away from it since the headaches from caffeine withdrawal can be just as bad.

[Dodger Thirteen]

You came to the right place.

I've gotten migraines since the tender age of two and have gotten at least one a day since then, at least, until I was in college. I developed a tolerance to Motrin (my drug of choice) by then and had to take three or sometimes four of the pills for the headache to go away. What changed in college? I relaxed. *shrugs* Worked for me, though I often get headaches regardless.

As for you missy, if your head pain is concentrated around your eyebrows and temples and just above your nose, it's likely a sinus issue. If when you shake your head really fast back and forth, the pain there intensifies, it is also a sinus infection. I know these tricks because I had twelve sinus infections last year and six this year already.... Loads of fun, yes.


Drink lots of water and massage the area that hurts most with gentle but firm pressure. Press the heel of your palm just below your brow ridge and above your eye, but NOT HARD and do this while you are laying down.

[KatjevanLoon]

Yep. I've had them for just over a year. Had a four-day long headache last week that exploded into my worst migraine yet when I stepped out into the sun for five minutes.

If I catch one coming on, I take two Tylenol Migraine Ultra and slam a can of Coke. Usually does the trick. I need caffeine everyday or the withdrawal will trigger one, but if I have too much caffeine that will also trigger one -- so I walk a fine line.

Too much sleep, too little sleep. Too much sun. Too little fresh air. Any number of things could trigger a migraine for me. It's like playing Russian roulette with my brain!

[Dodger Thirteen]

Have either of you tried hot showers? I find that sticking my head under the spout helps enormously. But relaxing in a dark room is the best tactic, for me anyway.

[KatjevanLoon]

I have not. But I will try it next time I have a migraine. Thank you.

(And yeah, I find relaxing in a dark room with a bowl beside my bed is the best solution for me when it gets as bad as it did this past Saturday.)

[Dodger Thirteen]

I have some other tricks, so if you need them let me know.

[Gina]

Thanks guys! I've had a headache for about 3 days now an I'm trying to keep it from becoming a migraine. For me, basically anything can trigger one. My friend took me into a perfume store and that did it. Usually, I'll get migraines from changes in the weather or being around someone who is smoking. It really sucks, because I feel like I can't really live life like I used to, since I have to be careful not to trigger a migraine.

E.T.A.- I have had pain there, but only when I've had other sinus infection symptoms like a sore throat and congestion. Usually, my pain is from the top of my head, right by the Coronal Suture (for anyone who understands anatomical terms) down to the middle of my forehead. On certain occasions, I've had pain in the back of my head by the Occipital bone.

I'm actually surprised at how much I actually remember from Anatomy this year, by the way. I think it's because I paid extra attentionto the head unit. My teacher told us about migraines and such, so that's where I heard about caffeine being a vasodilator and such.

[Olive]

Excedrin is my savior, that's all I have to say.

Also, if you have chronic migraine issues and can't figure out why, check your diet. I had major migraine issues for years, and while stress was definitely a factor, they got much, much better when I stopped eating so much soy. I blame my mother (she's a vegetarian, and every meal had a soy-based meat-substitute. Her parents sent me a box of steaks when a dietitian finally figured it out.)

Hope that helps!

[Gina]

I'll try to talk to my doctor about that! I think stress certainly plays a role, but I'm still not sure about my diet. I eat somewhat healthy, but I could do better, so that may be a factor.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys! I'm new to the whole migraine thing, so all of your tips are a big help!

[Dodger Thirteen]

Jun 7, 2011 10:33:08 GMT -5 Olive said:

Excedrin is my savior, that's all I have to say.

While Excedrin does work, you should try to only take it when necessary. It has a tendency to cause stomach ulcers, which I can confirm since I had an ulcer rather recently. So only when it gets too bad and nothing else will help.

[Gina]

Jun 7, 2011 16:15:53 GMT -5 Dodger Thirteen said:

Jun 7, 2011 10:33:08 GMT -5 Olive said:

Excedrin is my savior, that's all I have to say.

While Excedrin does work, you should try to only take it when necessary. It has a tendency to cause stomach ulcers, which I can confirm since I had an ulcer rather recently. So only when it gets too bad and nothing else will help.

I've never had Excedrin. I'm glad I know this now, I definitely don't want any stomach ulcers.

Also, I tried the hot shower trick today since I've had a headache for a while that feels like it might turn into a migraine. It certainly eased the pain quite a bit!

[Olive]

Jun 7, 2011 16:15:53 GMT -5 Dodger Thirteen said:

Jun 7, 2011 10:33:08 GMT -5 Olive said:

Excedrin is my savior, that's all I have to say.

While Excedrin does work, you should try to only take it when necessary. It has a tendency to cause stomach ulcers, which I can confirm since I had an ulcer rather recently. So only when it gets too bad and nothing else will help.

True, and people should be aware of this...

Meanwhile, I've been popping Excedrin like vitamins for (going on) 5 years now, and I haven't had any issues.
Of course, my head seems to be the only thing that ever has health issues. The rest of my body seems to be made of (slightly flabby) steel. "Indigestion? What's that?"

[cyanea]

I've had them. It's never been a chronic thing, but I have had them. They're...not fun.

[Gina]

I just discovered another trigger for mine- sleeping without a pillow. I'm guessing the elevation of my head must have changed my blood flow somehow, and therefore caused the vasoconstriction in my head. The inquisitive side of me almost wants to do an experiment to see if it's the same way with too many pillows, but the sensible side of me is screaming "Hell no!"

[andy]

Pain getting worse when you're lying down or bending over is one of the signs of sinusitis headaches - you should check with your doctor. I have chronic sinusitis and get headaches almost every other day. I try to avoid taking drugs (and am trying to postpone surgery for another year T_T) because I don't want to build up a resistance to pain killers. Keeping your head and especially your forehead warm (with hats, scarves, etc) even if you're not cold can help a little, so does inhaling peppermint tea vapors because peppermint is a natural decongestant. Also use a humidifier and consider getting tested for allergies because they can often trigger sinusitis headaches.