Migrains

[mrghost]

I can sympathize as I had headaches so bad that I threw up around that age. Wasn't diagnosed with anything and don't recall any specific treatment other than basically toughing it out (with standard meds). I eventually grew out of it.

[OneGuy67]

I get migraines. It runs in the family. I still haven't found my reliable trigger, but I believed that coca-cola was a main problem and I switched to pepsi, which seemed to slow down their occurances. Mine start with losing my focal vision, but keeping my pheriphery vision; lots of "lightening" flashes during that time in my vision. Then the migrain kicks in and I have light and sound sensitivity. It feels like someone sticking an icepick in the back of my left eye. Sleep is the best thing for it, for me. The next day, I have a "hangover" from the migraine, that gets better with lots of water consumption. It may be caffeine related for me, but I would have a hard time giving up my coffee.

[Irving]

So how do you guys even get to sleep during a migraine? Sounds like a nightmare to me.

[Great-Kazoo]

So how do you guys even get to sleep during a migraine? Sounds like a nightmare to me.

1 hour of hard sleep then up again. The rustling of trees outside floors me.


I did figure out away to reduce migraines and or manage them. I don't read the GD and L&P forums.

[ChadAmberg]

I appreciate the comments! On this last one you discount MSG, on what basis?

Not discounting it, just saying that it seems lots of people are told that MSG triggers migraines, and people go nuts thinking that it triggers theirs. Basically I'm saying to diagnose scientifically, like when you think you have allergies, you go to the allergist and get the skin prick test. They give you each allergen on your back and measure it. So in this case it would be the same. If you have chinese food containing MSG and you get a migraine, it doesn't mean MSG triggers it, until you've had the exact same food without MSG. It could be the water chestnuts.

Now, my wife's migraines are different, her's are triggered by barometric pressure changes. Which this being Colorado, happens every damn day now...

[gnihcraes]

My uncle suffered horribly from the migraines, cured everything by eating "right". Fruits and Veggies, fresh cooked meats and so on. No added anything to his meals. Water, juices. He is horribly allergic to something in the processed foods.

[TheGrey]

So how do you guys even get to sleep during a migraine? Sounds like a nightmare to me.

It often was a nightmare, because the room had to be pitch black and with synesthesia sounds were transmuted into colors and lights (which were distracting, to say the least,) so things had to be very quiet. On top of the pain, my hearing became so sensitive that I could hear the blood pounding through my veins.

Fortunately, I had also learned to be able to sleep at any time of day or night by that point (thank you, USAF and wacky schedules!) so it was only a matter of making myself sleep. This was very necessary during the time when my barracks room was in the back of an active airplane hangar.

Before that time, I would have to simply wait until the pain exhausted me.

[Dalendenver]

My wife had migraines off and on for years. When she started to lose peripheral vision she went to the eye doctor who sent her to a neurologist. He ordered an MRI which found a pituitary tumor larger than a walnut, supposed to be the size of a lima bean. After two surgeries she was good for several years. Now she has had a headache/migraine since Christmas eve. Doc couldn't find a cause so we paid for an MRI, the tumor has started to regrow. We are both unemployed and have no insurance so we are working on resources to deal with it. The neurosurgeon wants $500 for an office visit. Get your son to a good doc and get an MRI. My wife's tumor had been growing for years and she had symptoms when she was a teenager. While environmental factors can trigger them it can also be something worse but treatable.

[Special Ed]

I suffer from both cluster headaches and migraines. Both are brought on by changes in barometric pressure but the migraines can also be triggered by neck pain. I started getting cluster headaches after I moved to Colorado from Virginia (apparently altitude affects my headaches too) but the migraines didn't start until I came down with meningitis 7 years ago. Given the choice of a migraine or a cluster headache, I'd choose the migraine because I can usually beat it before it gets too bad if I get on it right away. With the cluster headache, I'm doomed to excruciating pain no matter what I do. Fortunately, they don't last for more than 15-30 minutes most times.

As far as medication goes, hopefully you'll find a neurologist that believes in trying to stop them before they start, as opposed to one who just tries to give your son meds to combat the pain after they start (though I'll echo that Maxalt is really good for hitting a migraine if it's already started...it is for mine, which may not be the case for your son as we're all different). Until I went on a combination of Verapamil and Nortriptyline (low dosages, well below what's used to treat depression with the same drugs), I had daily headaches. The worst side effect of either was the dry mouth from the Nortriptyline. I suffer no side effects from the Verapamil.

A word of caution...my first neurologist put me on Topamax. Though I guess this drug does work for people, there's a reason it's been nicknamed "Dopamax." I turned into a blathering idiot unable to think or function normally while I was on it. I heard this is the case with a lot of people. I found a new neurologist instantly. It may be the only thing that can help your son in the end but with him not having headaches on a weekly basis, it would seem that something as strong and laden with side effects as Topamax is, it would scare me to start with it when there are other less nasty options available. In any case, find a neurologist you can trust and you're good to go.

Good luck with the diagnosis and treatment.

[brutal]

To the OP, I hope you get some help for your little guy. Migraines are a terrible thing to endure. I feel for the little guy, I truly do.

As you can see, they are surprisingly common. It seems it's more the type-A's amongst us who suffer from them most. All the self-induced stress and competitiveness.

I forgot to add for anyone still suffering with these, Imitrix was a godsend for me to help diminish the symptoms, but it's not for everyone and must be administered the first time in a controlled environment. I had to use the sub-Q self injectors, some folks can get relief with pills or nasal sprays.