Migraine Help?

Go the to doctor.

Or, conversely, you could go to the doctor. Also try pain killers you may have left over from the dentist or something.

Count me in the camp of those who think you should see a doctor. A year ago, I started to have chronic migraines and they became increasingly more intolerable as summer progressed (and caused me to experience anxiety problems, too.) You should have a blood test done to check for thyroid conditions and anemia.

I was told not to take painkillers two days in a row even if the pain is bad. This causes rebound headaches (basically, a migraine in response to the medication used to treat your migraines… a bit counter-productive.) It’s best to treat the pain only when it is intolerable. Exercises such as lying in the dark, keeping a cool cloth on your forehead, meditating, or doing activities that keep you relaxed will also help.

I still experience random migraines, but they have ceased being as disruptive.

I also think you should go to see your doctor. Before your appointment, try to write down when the migraines start and what you are doing when they start. Your doctor may be able to help you figure out what is causing them. I would also make a list of things you have tried that have helped and that did not help so that you can discuss those with your doctor as well. There are several different kinds of headaches. It’s best to be sure you are getting the right kind of treatment for the headaches that you are having.

Definitely do what @Seaofclouds suggests and write what works and doesn’t / when you experience them. I required strong medication because nothing worked over-the-counter worked for me. Also make sure you can describe, in as acute detail as possible, the pain you are experiencing (I have experienced a multitude of head-related pains. It does make a difference where you feel the pain, whether its concentrated or wide-spread, etc.)

Keep a diary. Write down what you are doing and what you are eating and also when you get a headache and how bad it is. It’s much easier to do this stuff at thee time otherwise you may miss out something important.

My mum had them very frequently and the doc started her on Plavix (normally used to stop clots forming after heart attacks) and hasn’t had a migraine since.

Thank you all so much for the suggestions! I have been thinking of seeing the doc, I’m just a little doctor shy I think! lol I got them occasionally when I was younger too, but it seems like when I hit my mid twenties and early thirties I started having them more and more often. The pain seems to be everywhere at once when I get them, forehead, back of the head, temples… As weird as it sounds when I squeeze my head really tight, it seems to release a pressure or something. I will start writing down when it happens and everything and then get my courage up to see the doc. I could handle it fine if it was just a headache then went away, but the fact that it usually either lasts for HOURS on end or comes and goes all day that I just can’t stand, working and driving are nearly impossible at those times. Thanks again, lurve all of your answers! @muppetish I had my thyroid tested a few years ago due to hormonal issues and it seemed fine then, turned out to be hormones out of wack…probably wouldn’t hurt to get it recheckd, thanks.

Feverfew

Are you sure the headaches you are getting are actually migraines? As someone that suffers from chronic headaches myself (as long as I remember time) I do not believe the ones I get are actually migraines. Sometimes a hot shower on the back of my neck along with some exercise helps me.

There are cluster headaches, tension headaches, sinus headaches, regular chronic headaches and some other (more rare causes). Many people who get chronic headaches do not actually get migraines (though they think they do). Find out from a doctor what you are getting before considering how to relieve them since the type of headache you have really does make a difference here.

As jabe said are you sure they’re migraine headaches ? You may be experiencing cluster headaches which can last for long amounts of time as you stated. You need to go to the doctor. They may prescribe you pain medication but try to stay away from opiates due to addiction issues. Somas may work for you, yes they are a muscle relaxer but they are also used for pain relief. Be careful with them though because a side effect from soma can be headaches so it may worsen the problem. I’m not a doctor, and you need to talk to a doctor.

Thanks! @Jabe73 and @superjuicebox I associate them with Migraines simply for the symptoms… Sensitivity to light, Nasea and lots of pain… but there may be other types of headaches with similar affects that I am unaware of… my sister gets tension headaches and has prescrption meds for hers, but her symptoms are a little different than mine, I’ll start keeping up with when they happen and take that to my doc. eventually. Do you think it’s better to see the doctor while I’m having one? Would that help on diagnosing the problem at all?

The pain meds can sometimes cause the Migraines to grow worse instead of better. There’s an old, old book entitled “The Yeast Connection” that links Migraines to your environment or possibly even to the food you eat. It might be worthwhile to make a mental note what you’ve eaten just before an episode kicks in. Then try eliminating that food from your diet to see IF that has any effect on your episodes. My Aunt discovered that her’s were triggered by a food allergy. I think she said hers was peanut butter so she dropped that from her diet & hers stopped around 50 years ago. The book also suggest that high levels of yeast or possibly mold in your system could trigger an attack & recommended checking certain areas of your home to see IF maybe deep cleaning various areas of the home might help. I know that when you grow desperate enough that anything is worth checking out. Good luck on getting rid of yours!!!