Any chance the weather changed recently?

I tried OTC meds for pain relief and none worked. I think you would be better off with a prescription for Migraine management than OTC stuff.

Migraines are most often relieved by medications which are vasodilators, analgesics, and pain killers. Aleve is more of a pain killer only than anything else:

http://www.aleve.com/faqs.html#g12

For migraine, it is not likely enough.

Like you said...you made it through a lot lately. It is possible that this is a migraine in response to the stress let-down. There are people who get migraines due to the chemical change of stress LEAVING their body.

I wonder if it could also have something to do with either lights/glare from various screens now that you have the computer and TV back, or if it could be some kind of body mechanic issue, bad posture triggering a cervical headache which then triggers a migraine. Lots of options.

As for Aleve, it is an NSAID. How it relieves pain is by relieving inflammation - which can be an important component to relieving migraine (that's why steroids are such great rescue meds for status migrainosus, and that's why they put Aleve in Treximet). Two Aleve of are the same as prescription strength Naproxen. It is getting more and more often prescribed by headache specialists, either on its own or to be paired with the triptans that don't have it combined with it yet. So, it was a good thing to try.

As for other things around the house...you can try Benadryl, both to relieve any histamine reaction and to relieve some nausea, AND to try to help you sleep it off.

I would also suggest some caffeine, which works as a vasoconstrictor.

Some people say that taking a tablespoon of salt will end their migraine. I'm not sure on how dangerous that would be for you, however, because of the blood pressure issue.

If you can have someone go out to the local pharmacy for you - you might see if they have Gelstat Migaine there. (Some pharmacies carry it, some don't). Gelstat migaine contains feverfew, which is a natural vasoconstrictor. It comes in a red box. (gelstat.com)


If this migraine lasts more than 72 hours - then you need to go to see your doctor immediately. If you cannot get in to see your doctor immediately, then you need to go to the ER.


Your profile stated that you are getting one migraine a week, and did not mention you trying any preventative medications (or any abortive medications, triptan or otherwise). Where you are on BP meds, I'm not sure if triptans would even be an option for you. It would be something you'd have to discuss with your doctor. With the number of migraines you have a month you are definitely in the category to take preventative medication. While I understand that you want to treat your depression without medication, a good share of the medications used for preventing migraines are also used as anti-depressants or mood stabilizers. So, you might be able to hit two birds with one stone. There are also anti-convulsants, and medications which work on blood pressure. So, if you blood pressure isn't fully under control, you might want to speak with your doctor about trying a different kind of medication. (Like switching a beta-blocker for a calcium-channel blocker)


I hope you feel better soon!

I remember when my daughter went off to 6th grade camp I didn't leave the house either and I just sat depressed thinking this wasn't normal and what the heck am I going to do when she grows up. I did start taking St. Johns Wort, when prescriptions anti depressants didn't help when they were prescribed for migraines. They actually gave me worse headaches. But the St. Johns really lifted my mood and surprisingly helped the headaches ALOT. I still get them, but I haven't been in bed for 3 days at a time throwing up like I used to. Just an idea, because for some reason they helped me more than any prescription I ever tried.

hey everyone,

thanks to everyone who replied and tried to help...i really appreciate it....while everyone's replys made a lot of sense for different reasons, i still don't know what happened...i just know that the pain went away late last night...finally, and i only had a minor tension headache, actually neckache today...i'm still not painfree, but it's a lot better than the pain from the migraine....

thanks again for caring enough to give your advice and suggestions!

-DR-

I'm sorry you've gone through so much...but, congratulations on all you've accomplished. I also have a migraine today. I started noticing signs yesterday. It is not a conveinient time. The only good thing is that the sooner it hits, the sooner it will be over. Prescription meds would help. The only thing I know to do is be nice to yourself and not freak out. Best Wishes!

Well, yes...sounds like a lot of stressful thing happening around you. That could do it and with the temp changes that happen this time of year...that could all be one big cocktail for a migraine.

Ice your head. Pepermint oil sometimes aborts mine. You breath it from the bottle you buy it in..very slowly. Then take a bit on your finger and rub in on your temples. (be careful not to get it in your eyes.) I am able to buy pepermint oil at GNC.

If that doesn't work try massage on your neck and shoulders. Self massage can be very helpful.

asprin and caffine are said to abort migraines for some. I am no longer taking over the counter pain drugs but this is worth a shot.
(when they say caffine they mean a little bit.. like a cup of coffee.

I hope any of these help. my best-opal

Actually, it is a vasodilator rather than vasoconstrictor.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A622414

Sweetie, with m,igraines, Alieve will not touch it, thats like a piece of candy, I had one yesterday morning and layed down, then started vomiting, could not keep nothing down, not eve my migraine meds, so off to the ER for my 2 shots, Torodol for pain and Phenigrin for vomiting, man within 15 mintutes I was like new. I think you need migraine meds, ask your dr, or whe nthey are that bad go to the ER or a healthplus, and get something for the pain, I know how unbearable it is. I wanted to lay their and die, the pain was so bad, plus vomiting. I wish you the best, Hugs Amy