Posted 7/13/2014 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,
This is my first post and I wanted to share a 'new for me' at least, migraine reliever and hopefully a method of alternative therapies and medication that will prevent the rebound migraines so many of us suffer from.
I have been getting migraines for 30+ years ( I am 46), most of the women in my family do also. We all have our ways of dealing with them and what works for one of us doesn't necessarily work for the other.
Born and bred in Australia, I never suffered any seasonal allergies, however did always have hormonal issues/reproductive issues (PID, Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovaries etc) and migraines were always worse during menstruation.
I had a 'flu' in 1999 that turned onto a secondary infection and was also diagnosed with bi-lateral carpal tunnel. It wasn't until 5 years later and many drs, specialists, naturapaths, etc. etc.. and being told it was all in my head etc etc (I'm sure most of you have had some experience of THAT!) that I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. If it wasn't for my wonderful acupuncturists who totally believed in me I would have gone insane.
After many hit and misses I found a way of living and a diet that has eradicated the chronic fatigue and hELped me to live a mostly normal life with fibromyalgia (the healing continues and generally any fibro flare ups are of my own making by not being constant in what I need to ensure they DON'T happen - ah, I'm human and need to live a little naughty sometimes too!!)
Due to the menstrual/fertility issues I had to have a full hystrectomy at age 30. I happened to be living in Thailand during that time (wonderful specialists and treatment received) yet about 6 months post hysterectomy I started having migraines on a daily basis. I put it down to hormone changes, etc. This migraine lasted daily for 11 months and to be honest I thought of ending it all more than once.
My brother did amazing research and discovered (what the Dr's should have) that I was on too many meds (triptans, tricyclics, other anti-depressants, nerve drugs, pain meds - 9 in total), all of which did not help but hinder my migraines, and others that were causing rebound migraines, making me feel suicidal and like a zombie and reducing my life to a darkened silent room 90% of the time. I eventually saw a top Neurologist in Bangkok who took me off all my meds and cleared my rebound migraines within 24 hours.
Basically I cannot take any preventative meds, particularly tricyclic or triptans - thay make me CRAZY. Others just worsen the condition and I end up up toxic and headachy all the time - I have tried them ALL.
Most painkillers just don't work except for pethidine - and no (or very few) Drs like to prescribe that (which I understand due to all of those who have abused it and now make it impossible for those of us who need it on RARE occasions.
I have been told MANY times that pethidine is NOT for migraines (I understand the scientific studies have been done however there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rules) and that there are so many other migraine drugs that work (not for me and I am sure plenty of other migraineurs out there are in the same boat. I would give anything that these 'migraine ' drugs work for me. They don't. Pethidine offers me instant relief and generally 1 sometimes up to 3 days treatment (once per day)works like a dream. (not always - as I get cluster migraines as well). It is aways my last resort as I loathe having to ask for it and feel as though I am on trial as a Columbian drug smuggler or (no offence) heroin junkie.
I am currently living in Thailand again and should work for the department of meteorology (as should most of us no doubt!) I feel the changes of weather (especially this time of year - Monsoon season) in my head and my body way before they manifest physically.
My usual method of dealing with a migraine is as follows: (depending if I wake up with a full blown one or if I am awake and can feel it coming on.
As I have Fibro as well my methods involve treating both - Fibro flare ups obviously affect/enhance the migraines due to muscle tightness and spasms) anyway....
(not always in this order)
fresh ginger tea ( peppermint increases my migraine tenfold)) for the nausea that hits like a ton of bricks
hot/cold shower on my neck (seems to help with muscle relaxation - but sometime I can't bare it)
oil burner with lavender and marjoram (works for me - other smells send me right off)
lavender on temples (subtle, subltle subtle - too much has opposite effect)
marjoram essential oil in a carrier massaged onto neck. back, arms and wrists (again very subtle amount)
gentle stretching and neck rolls
deep breathing exercises for calmness and to get more oxygen onto my body
quiet and dark/dimmed room.
acupuncture
massage
all the standard 'natural' things really...
If none of that eases to a point I can bare then I go to the hospital and ask for pethidine (again, a very very last resort). I was offered fentanyl instead the one of the last times I went - as I had been in 3 days in a row for both acupuncture and pain relief. Having never had it before I was very reluctant as I am very scared to try new things in case they exacerbate the pain or I have have a bad reaction (which I do to many drugs), at least with pethidine I know it helps and leaves me no bad side effects. Has anyone had experience with fentanyl for migraine and does it work - what are the side effects.
have just discovered in this last week a combination of meds that work for me WITHOUT getting rebound migraines.
This was discovered after my ( new)neurologist offered me a combination of tramadol and paracetamol in an injection. I declined as I recalled a bad experience with tramadol injection, however after reviewing my case history it was due to being combined with the triptan and tricyclic meds I was also on that time many years ago.
You all may already know , have tried it,, but i had to share anyway.
PLEASE DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST AS THE COMBINATION MAY BE DANGEROUS FOR SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALLERGIES OR OTHER MEDICAL ISSUES OR TAKE OTHER MEDICATIONS. THIS WORKED FOR ME AND I AM NOT ENDORSING IT FOR ANY ONE ELSE, I AM A MIGRAINE SUFFERER, NOT A DOCTOR OR ANY KIND OF MEDICAL PRACTIONER. I AM SHARING MY EXPERIENCE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE THAT YOU MAY DISCUSS WITH YOUR MEDICAL PRACTIONER IF IT IS A SAFE COMBINATION FOR YOU PERSONALLY FOR SEVERE AND DEBILITATING MIGRAINES.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS ONLY WHEN ALL OTHER NATURAL METHODS HAVE FAILED. AND OF COURSE NOT TO BE TAKEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
I take:
2 x 1000mg vitamin C
1 x 50 mg tramadol
2 x ibuprofen 400mg
1 x 10 mg valium
as this is my first post I dont know if I am allowed to post medications I have tried etc... so apologies to the moderators if it's not acceptable. I just wanted to share my story and perhaps offer some help to other migraine sufferers. Cause unless you have had one you CANNOT imagine one. Power to you all, may you find peace and treatments that work for you individually.
Blessings,
NicholeM