Eagleclaw

Close Migraine Headaches

I have been a Migraine suffer since I was a small child, at least 50 years. I have tried multiple treatment and many different drugs. I read everything I can find related to Migraine treatment including research journals. A Great Basic Book to get a start to understand your chronic disease is "The Migraine Brain: Your Breathrough Guide to Fewer Headaches, Better Health" by Carolyn Bernstein, M.D. Free Press Copyright 2008 can be purchased off Amazon.com or Barns&Nobles. It is very comprehensive

Treatments

Acupuncture Working / Worked

Mildly successful

Aspirin Working / Worked

Had to take to much for it to be effective. Ran the risk of stomach bleeding and ringing in the ears

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Working / Worked

Kept careful records of my migraines discovered my triggers and avoided them as much as I could which the book suggest. Then using the meds as a failsafe backup

Caffeine Working / Worked

Works but I got rebound headaches

Excedrin Working / Worked

Same problems as Aspirin relating to stomach bleeding and was not strong enough to control the pain

Imitrex Working / Worked

Worked but I felt funny-drugged, still could not fuction normally while on the drug & needed to take it early in the Migraine to be most effective

Inderal Working / Worked

Help reduce the intensity of the headache but did not eleminate them. Plus I have major side effects

Magnesium Working / Worked

Works as a daily additive to reduce frequency and intensity of headaches

Naproxen Working / Worked

Worked but soon was not strong enough to control the pain. It was a step up from Aspirin & Tylenol

Topamax Working / Worked

Worked to reduce number of migraines and the intensity of the headaches. Dose may need to be adjusted to reduce side effects and some side effects went away after prolonged use.

Tylenol Working / Worked

Worked but had to take to may which caused liver pain and liver damage. Not safe if used beyond recommended levels

Biofeedback Working / Worked

I took a form of biofeedback where I raised the skin temperature in my fingers by 23 degrees by concentrating on them

Acupressure Working / Worked

Works in the early stages. The webbing between the thumb and the index finger is very helpful if messaged. Secondly using thumb and index finger squeeze the bridge of the nose below where your glasses would sit and slide them up to the ridge under the eye brows then with the thumb press this ridge all the way to the outside of the eye. Repeat on the other side with the other hand. Continue as long as it feels good. Lastly using the palm of your hand message your temple in a circular motion.