My former spouse self-injected with
Sumatriptan (Imitrex) with great success. Unfortunately, this was one of many medications I tried that did not work for me. One night, I ended up in the Emergency Room with a migraine and I was given
Ketorolac (Toradol) and had pretty quick relief. It was borderline miraculous.
Over the years, as I changed my diet, my migraines decreased in frequency and intensity. They could still be quite bad, but I was no longer bedridden for days at a time like was the case in the beginning. One accidental discovery was that artificial sweeteners are a migraine trigger for me. I mistakenly repeated that experiment a few times by drinking Crystal Light sweetened with Aspartame. Eventually, I realized the association and stopped everything with
artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, and artificial colors. That was 20 years ago.
Other reproducible triggers for me are most chemical smells: fabric softener dryer sheets (e.g. Bounce), regular laundry detergents (e.g. Tide), scented candles, perfumes/colognes, air "fresheners," diesel exhaust, gasoline, most commercial scented soaps, clothes dryer exhaust fumes (probably due to the combination of detergent residue and fabric softener dryer sheets), most commercial kitchen/bathroom cleaners (I can't even get near that aisle in Target), cigarette and cigar smoke, and on and on. So, I have to strictly avoid all of these.
These days, thanks to the above changes and strategies, I'm mostly able to manage my migraines with the following over-the-counter medication:
Goody's Extra Strength Headache Powderhttps://www.goodyspowder.com/products/goodys%c2%ae-extra-strength-headache-powderActive Ingredients:
Acetaminophen, 260 mg
Aspirin, 520 mg
Caffeine, 32.5 mg
Potassium, 60 mg
Inactive Ingredients:
​Lactose monohydrate, potassium chloride
In order to give it the best chance to work, though, I have to take it immediately at the first sign of a migraine. For me, it's not usually pain, it's visual disturbances. If it progresses, I become less and less able to see fine details, until I can't see the numbers to dial my cell phone (I can by touch, as it's a flip phone) or read this computer screen or read a street or highway sign. Then, the pain begins to intensify and I know I'm in trouble.
Once the migraine takes hold, I have to get in a
cold, dark room and try to sleep. But, as many of us know, it's hard to relax and go to sleep when your feels like it's in a vice. Even if I can get to sleep, there's no guarantee the headache will subside. My only other option is to get to an Emergency Room, get an injection of Toradol, and hope it works. But, at that stage, I can't drive myself. If necessary, I'd dial 9-1-1 for an ambulance.
One friend takes Advil with a can of regular Coca Cola for her migraines. She also has to take it at the first sign, in order to have the best chance of success. It doesn't always work, unfortunately, but I think it does more often than not. The Coke is a necessary part of the equation. It's likely the caffeine.
Another friend has hypertension and gets really severe headaches. He says that really, really hot showers helps his pain. I cannot even imagine any heat exposure with a migraine. But, in his case, the heat dilates his blood vessels and helps to lower his blood pressure.
Another thing to ensure is that you're adequately hydrated. Not guzzling multiple glasses of water, as that can actually create problems. But, having sufficient water on board. Given some of what I've read about
your other challenges, I'm guessing hydration is rarely an issue for you. Still, it's worth mentioning.
I've had milder (non-migraine) headaches seemingly improve by removing my shoes and using the following item to massage the bottom of my feet. This may be acupressure points, as saraeli mentioned in her post.
Rubz Hand & Foot Massagerhttps://www.amazon.com/due-north-massage-plantar-fasciitus/dp/b002qey6nkIf you wear shoes a lot and/or have them laced too tight, try removing them, massaging the bottoms of your feet for a bit, then elevating your feet.
That's all I have, unfortunately. I'm really late in replying, so I hope you're feeling better by now. Otherwise, I hope some suggestions in this thread will be helpful.