I have not been diagnosed with migraines, but with post-concussion syndrome, and associated post-concussion headaches. I have had a single headache that has lasted since October 6 2010 and has not gone away, although it has faded. So I can't answer all of your questions, but there are ways for you to figure out what helps you and what doesn't, and what triggers your headaches.

You can keep a headache journal/diary. There are some "pre-made" ones online that you could google, or there's a pretty simple one that was advertised on this website on a sidebar at http://mychronicmigraine.com/about-chronic-migraine/. Headache diaries are a great way to allow you figure out what time of day are the worst for your headaches, what triggers your headache, and to help you keep track of what medications you have used that have not worked, worked a little bit, or helped a lot; as well as other treatment options that you have tried (relaxation, massage, etc).

Migraines don't have to be so bad that you can't function. There are different levels of them, and each individual is different.

Yes, I have been officially diagnosed with migraines.
It has taken over 3 years and numerous types of Doctors to prescribe many different medications to help control my extremely painful migraine headaches.
A migraine will be one of the most painful headaches you will experience. It usually occurs on one side of your head. Mine is always on the right side behind my eye; it feels like a steak knife is being plunged in and out of my eye! You might be sensitive to sounds and lights. You may feel nausea and throw up. Most people want to go lie down in a dark room.
I used to get about 20 severe migraines a month. Now with meds and treatment I average 3 to 5 mild migraines a month.
You should see a neurologist type doctor, who can put you on a preventative type medicine like Topamax (that's what I'm on). Relpax is used when the migraine hits you, but you really shouldn't use it more than 2 (3 times) max a week, because it will just stop working for you.
There's so much to tell you, but that's a start. Read everything you can, and start researching online. But first, find a good Doctor.
Some tests the Doc may order: a Cat Scan, MRI.
Also, you may enjoy a deep tissue massage. I get one once a month for tight neck muscles.

Good luck, and Big Hugs!

Yes, I was diagnosed with Mograine after 5 long years and all kinds of tests from MRI's to EEGs and in between. I went to physical therapy, Allergist, ENT's and Neurologists.
I recommend the book "Healing Your Headache the 1,2,3 step program" this book answers your questions. It was life changing for me!! It also has real life migraine patient stories.
My biggest triggers are caffeine, stress, hormones, temperature changes and barometric pressures.
I hope this is helpful!
Take care

yes i have been diagnosed. i have tried several of the different pills, maxalt has lasted the longest. i also took the topomax for a couple of years. It helped immensely at first. Mine are not as bad as they once were. I am in menopause now and think that helps some.

yes i was diagnosed with migraine. was tried on depakote, gained 30 pounds and it didn't help. switched to topamax and zomig for breakthrough and they help. tests included eeg, mri, which found chiari malformation and a growth deep in my brain. unsure if either cause the migraines.

triggers include: being too hot, lack of sleep/eating, chocolate w/nuts, nuts, wine - red in particular, some spices but since i have almost no sense of taste/smell i'm unsure which. stress. weather changes. too much sleep. too much exercise. and sometimes no trigger at all.

things that don't help: over the counter execdrin, tylenol, and alleve which gives me stomach pain and a headache.

other things that help: vomiting - sorry but it does. regular diet/exercise/sleep schedule. aspirin in large doses, coffee and small meal as soon as my head starts to hurt, a shower and washing my hair. if it's gotten hold, sleep in a very quiet dark room and puking.

i've had them for about 40 years and after 2 traumatic brain injuries they've gotten much worse =( the meds help tremendously, i only rarely get them now, down from five to six a week.

oh, and ps if you can afford the meds go here:

needymeds.org most pharmacutical companies offer meds at reduced prices or free. my roommate couldn't afford topamax for his migranes and got it free - he and his physican completed a form and sent it to the drug company - it was that simple.

Hello. I have been dx with migraines. I take Fiorcet for mine. I get auras before they start. I usually get really fatigued for about 24 hours before the onset of the headache. I also sometimes see blinking lights and sometimes I get diarrhea (sorry if tmi) I can usually tell by those symptoms that a headache is around the corner. Mine usually last for a total of 24 hours and after that they begin to ease up. They occur mostly on the right side and in and above my right eyeball. My temple throbs and I get sick at my stomach, I cant stand the smell of food or cigarettes or anything really. I have to go and lie down in a dark room, sometimes I hold a heat pad on my eyelid and have to be really still and no noise or movement. Sometimes I end up vomiting and when I do the headache eases up soon. I loose my appetite during the headaches as well. Mine have gotten worse latley, my doc seems to think it is my High Blood pressure that is triggering the more frequent headaches plus the fact that I am heading towards full menopause and my cycles are all over the place dosent help. My husband used to take relpax but I could not tell where it helped his headaches or not. The Fiorcet works for me. They also have Fiorcet with Codiene but I just get the regular Fiorcet. I hope you get some answers and some help with someone who understands. :)

Diagnosed 1 yr after a concussion; had my first migraine for that yr. That was 17 years ago.

I use Relpax when necessary. What a wonderful drug! Relief in about an for for me.

The frequency of my migraines lessened after I started taking magnesium & B2 twice a day. Give it a try... not expensive at all.

I was diagnosed with migraines in Mid-July this year. Migraines can be with or without aura and can even be with or without the actual headache. You can also have migraines in your stomach as well. Trust me, I got a really good education from my neurologist on migraines and never thought I suffered from them, but all the symptoms I gave her chalked straight up to migraines. She started me on Amitriptyline 20 mg. for them. They relax me, help me sleep, and lessen migraine pain. I also did trigger point injections in my neck to help relax my muscles in my neck. And Im seeing a physical therapist who specializes in migraines.

Never diagnosed, and I haven't got the cash for big Medicare copayments. Migraines run in my family, and I get auras that are identical to what I've seen artists draw. I get severe headaches with a lot of nausea, triggered by all sorts of things.

I find adequate rest is crucial for me. These headaches are not the grin and bear it type, they really make me profoundly miserable...so I have a lot of incentive to avoid them if I can.

The only thing that has helped me is hot chilies, as much as I can stand. I grow them and use them liberally in my food, and they do seem to help. I've seen this in articles about pain control. It helps to some degree, but not always.

I was officially diagnosed today. I have been using Claritin and neo synephrine because I've been treating them as sinus headaches. And it helped too! Anyone else ever notice that?

Antihistamines have an mild antidepressant effect... somehow related I guess to current meds used.

OH, and I DO function although it is very difficult and hard to focus, or even see straight. I make mistakes and have difficulty speaking. But for every 30 moderate headaches, there is one really awful want to die type painful one.

I was diagnosed with classic migraine with aura when I was 9, and about five years ago with intractable chronic migraines. I'm 32 now. For the past five years I've had a migraine almost every day.