What actually works for me.

Hey Guys,

I'm new to the forums. I'll spare you my story with the exception that I've had blinding migraines/aura my entire life and have only figured out in the last few years how to regulate, not cure them. I've done it all - had an MRI, seen two nuerologists. Let's face it, regulation is almost considered success to those among us who are regular sufferers. After all, neurologists aren't even sure what exactly causes migraines. It could be overactive serotonin receptors, hormone imbalances, etc. If you're like me you don't even care.

So let's cut to the chase. What works for me? It's a combination of things including lifestyle changes as well as regular and emergency supplementation. First and foremost I find that stress at work definitely seems to play a role. More stress=more migraines. Duh. In addition, sleep deprivation=more migraines. This means if I'm doing something that means I may end up with less than 8 hours of sleep I simply don't do it now. No staying out late ever. The only reason that it is even an option now is because I've finally gotten them under control.

Next, diet. Nothing that is a known vasodilator/constrictor. This means ANYTHING with high sodium or MSG. No take out. Bland food. It takes commitment but once I started doing this I had a fewer number of migraines.

Supplements. I always find it humorous when I tell people I have migraines and they suggest something to me. "Have you tried excedrin?" My reply " "Have you had a migraine?" So now I'm on a regimen. My neurologist recommended butterbur, an herb frequently used with success in Europe. Why Europe? Well it turns out butterbur is a known hepatoxin. That is it's toxic to your liver. I'll trade abuse on my liver for a lesser number of migraines any day. I take it every two days. Next, we have something a fellow sufferer recommended to me. This stuff called Migraine Mender by a company called Elk Haven Herbals. It's got a combination of melatonin, nicotinic acid, riboflavin, and valerenic acid in it. Valerenic acid is where valproic acid was derived. I've been on valproic acid for my migraines before too. I take the Migraine Mender everyday as it is recommended= less migraines.

Do I still get migraines after doing all of this? YUP. When one strikes I take treximet, at 27 dollars a pill, with insurance. In fact, I had one the other night. Woke up with one. If I could have focused long enough to see straight I might have jumped off my balcony. But, since the other night it had been TWO MONTHS without one, following my regimen, trying to maintain some form of regulation. Two months isn't long they say? Well then I doubt they have real migraines. Anyone else had any luck with a specific lifestyle/ supplementation regimen?