Anyone Else Suffer from Migraines?

leesali

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Dec 8, 2004
Messages
1,047
Purraise
1
Location
Long Beach, New York
Help...

It seems every couple of weeks I get hit with a migraine headache...painful enough to make a grown man cry
It then lingers for a few days like a slow congo beat that just throws me for a loop.

Anyone else suffer out there & if so, what helps? Can't stand it anymore.
 

talon

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2003
Messages
2,299
Purraise
3
Location
NVA, USA
I used to get the very frequently. Since I cut out sugar and excess refined flour - they have all but disappeared. I still get one very infrequently, but no where near as bad.

It may be a coincidence - but I am not willing to experiement with it!
 

xdx

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Messages
416
Purraise
2
Location
South Coast U.K.
I suffer from Migraines. Sometimes they can put me in bed for a couple of days. I find that To stop them i have to catch them early at any sign of it i instantly take the strongest painkiller i can and put cooling migraine pads on this can help stop them developing. Sometimes cutting items out of your diet can help. Everyone seems to be different regarding migraines. Its worth visiting your doctor to see hat they can recomend also.
 

gratefulbear629

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
1,106
Purraise
1
Location
Trenton, NJ
I get them ****all**** the time. When I was working a "normal" job I didn't get them nearly as much. But now that I work 10 - 11 hour days with a short staff I get them several times a week. If I catch one coming and take some good meds before it gets bad then I am usually ok. If not, that's it.. I'm done for the day. I go to bed with no lights and no sound until the next morning.

One thing I have found out recently that seems to help is massaging pressure points. Particularly the ones between your index fingers and thumbs.
 

babyharley

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 17, 2005
Messages
25,708
Purraise
2
Location
Minnesota
Originally Posted by leesali

Help...

It seems every couple of weeks I get hit with a migraine headache...painful enough to make a grown man cry
It then lingers for a few days like a slow congo beat that just throws me for a loop.

Anyone else suffer out there & if so, what helps? Can't stand it anymore.
My dad used to get what are called "cluster headaches", which sound like the same thing. He would actually get dizzy and sick to his stomach many times during the day b/c of his headaches. He ended up going to a chiropractor and he helped him out immensly. He actually had to cut caffine out of his diet too--he would drink many DT. Pepsi's a day! Now, he never gets them after going to the chiro. and taking so much caffine out of his diet.

I hope that your headaches go away soon, I saw how bad my dad suffered, I hope that you can find relief sooner than later!! Best wishes!
 

katl8e

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
12,622
Purraise
3
Location
Movin' on up!
I had them for nearly 30 years. Fiorinal and Flexoril (muscle relaxer) were the only things that worked.

Some research indicates that there may be a hormonal connection: women tend to get them more than men do and, in some women, they taper off or stop, when one is over 40. In my case, I'm leaning toward that - I'm 47 and haven't had one, in over a year.

Recent studies have shown that beta-blockers and Botox have been helpful. Check with your doctor.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

leesali

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Dec 8, 2004
Messages
1,047
Purraise
1
Location
Long Beach, New York
My doctor gave me something called Butalbital...which is actually caffeine based. From what I've been told caffeine opens all the arteries & lets the blood flow so the migraine will subside. In either case, this stuff Butalbital seems to help but makes me very fuzzy...not great to drive & work when taking.

It gets so bad that it seems to hurt to even put my head on pillow...my teeth actually hurt...I get nauseas...can't have any sound or light. Had a doozy on Thursday & still feel the effects
 

sharky

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
27,231
Purraise
38
I still get a few a year but diet seems to work for me.. there are some good meds for them without too many side effects
 

katl8e

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
12,622
Purraise
3
Location
Movin' on up!
Originally Posted by leesali

My doctor gave me something called Butalbital...which is actually caffeine based. From what I've been told caffeine opens all the arteries & lets the blood flow so the migraine will subside. In either case, this stuff Butalbital seems to help but makes me very fuzzy...not great to drive & work when taking.

It gets so bad that it seems to hurt to even put my head on pillow...my teeth actually hurt...I get nauseas...can't have any sound or light. Had a doozy on Thursday & still feel the effects
Butalbital is generic Fiorinal. It contains an ergot derivative, aceteminophen (Tylenol) and caffeine. Always knocked me out, too. If you get the nausea and vomitting, Caffergot suppositories work well - you're not throwing up the migraine meds. There are also some nasal sprays (Migranal) and IV drugs, that seem to be very effective. If the pain is really bad, have someone drive you to an ER and get a shot.
 

sunnicat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 20, 2005
Messages
2,788
Purraise
1
Location
Central Illinois
If I have a migraine, being in a dark room with no noise is an absolute must. The doctor finally prescribed Zomig. That helps, but makes me extremely tired. I don't wish migraines on anyone!
 

3cutekitties

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 27, 2005
Messages
42
Purraise
0
Location
Pittsburgh Pa
I get them too....and they can put me in bed for a few days if I dont catch them. Bright lights/stress bring mine on...and i can tell I am getting them because i get a rainbow/lines in my vision...and if i dont get something cold on my head...it causes me not to see and after that goes away the pain kicks in, and so does the vomiting from the pain...they are horrible!!!
 

okeefecl

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,926
Purraise
2
Location
Sparkleball ranch
I've had migraines most of my life, since I was about 11 or so. I'd first recommend that you see a migraine specialist, most likely a neurologist. Although general practitioners are aware of migraines, most aren't up to date on the latest treatments. I have a combination of treatments for my migraines. As most occur around my period, I have a preventative to take daily at that time of the month. I also have pain and anti-nausea medications for when I sense a migraine coming on. And finally, I have an inhaler for when the other meds don't work.

It really comes down to working with your doctor to find out what triggers your migraines and what medications best work for you. It may take some time, but there is no reason you should be suffering.
 

chelle

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2003
Messages
4,110
Purraise
1
Location
Brainerd Mn
Both my 11 year old son and my hubby have them...Hubby deals with them
and my son is on Imatrex
 

cincocatz

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 10, 2005
Messages
173
Purraise
1
Location
MO
My migraines were hormone related. I was started on birth control pills to regulate my periods (a low dose bc pill at that). I began having migraines and went to neurologist who couldn't find anything wrong. I finally diagnosed myself and quit the pill and haven't had a migraine since. Now I just get bad sinus headaches
 

catsknowme

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 2, 2005
Messages
11,458
Purraise
6,679
Location
Eastern California,USA
I have suffered from migraines most of my life, but the last year or so, they are subsiding and are not as intense. Amerge has been the best medicine that I've ever been given, and unlike most meds, the Amerge simply takes away the pain, and I can still drive, work, etc. The downside is the expense. I also have chronic neck pain from 3 bulging discs in my neck, and due to kidney probs., I prefer not to take any meds, so I've been doing a lot of reflexology on my hands & feet - IT WORKS GREAT, INCLUDING ON MY MIGRAINES!!
However, if I eat MSG, or too much orange food coloring (I think that the new TRIX cereal set one off for me last week), or non/low fat milk, I can get a real whopper - the kind needing the total dark/quiet setting, with me getting sick in a towel during the worst hours - and it can last for 2-3 days. I do find the caffeine & applying cold packs can help - prior to my neck injury, I used to put ice bags on both my forehead and the back of my neck.
I hope & pray that you find ways to manage your migraines! They are so AWFUL!!
 

journey

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jun 20, 2005
Messages
500
Purraise
2
Location
Vancouver, Canada
Originally Posted by catsknowme

However, if I eat MSG, or too much orange food coloring (I think that the new TRIX cereal set one off for me last week), or non/low fat milk, I can get a real whopper -
Whoa - low fat milk? I have never heard that before. How did you find that out?
 
Top