Migraines?

[[co...]]

I'm at the end of my rope...this is no life.  My usual abortive med, sumatriptan, seems to be giving *migraines*.  I'm on the "go die" program so I don't expect any 'help' from the medicos.  They'll just want to give me -- DRUGS -- and navigating all that right now, when all I want to do is chew my head off...seems overwhelming.  I am overwhelmed period.

 

Very discouraged.  My 2 invisible 'conditions'...

 

I'd be grateful to hear of other migraneurs and hear of any other possible strategies, or tales of success with the migraine monster.

 

Thanks.

[[Ma...]]

Cookienose, I have had migraines for 30 years.....seen migraine specialists, neurologists. Pain specialist......mine started out as hormonal, one 3 day migraine a month, didn't even know what it was until I heard a woman talking about them on tv.

 

I am going to make a very long story short, going back in hormones after menopause helped...

suma was always hit and miss, but I still use them, in hopes. 

 

In withdrawal.....

I was having terrible muscle problems, it was recommended to me to buy a Quell.  The Quell didn't help my muscles at all, I was sending back when I realized I had only had like 3 migraines all month, so Quell had 60 day return policy, so I thought about it and the only thing that had changed was the use of the Quell, so I thought I should try it another month , just to check.  2nd month, same thing.  I kept it and it's been 2 years, they came out with a new one and I bought it.  Believe me, they are not cheap but they helped so much.  On Amazon and Quell site.  Good return policy.  Just a suggestion  .  Mary 💜

[[co...]]

Hi Mary

 

Thanks for this new to me information.  After a short search, I don't think I have the financial resources to employ this method.  Heck, it kills me to spend $15 on a bottle of *whatever supplement du jour* only to have it make no difference at all or make things worse.

 

I have an appointment with my 'provider' on Monday; the migraine that I have been dealing with got worse at midnight, making sleep (my biggest issue benzo-wise) difficult.  Trying hard to not take the suma.  I am blessed that I have a friend who is a Cranial Sacral massage therapist, and what she does definitely does help, but who can afford to go even once a week?  I don't want to take advantage of my friend's goodwill...

 

Yes, I had a few bad migraines during childhood...but they only really kicked in when I turned 30.  I remember working Fri. Sat. Sun. as a nurse on the med/surg floor, only to collapse into a puddle of hurt on Monday.  My migraines have shifted and changed character over the years.  While a younger women they were hormonal.  My grandmother told me that when I hit menopause, that the migraines would resolve. NOPE...there was a period of time where I would puke every time, then feel better and able to carry on.  Currently I have 'smellucinations'...(like NOW where I smell wood smoke *all the time*.)  That started after all the wildfires.  I find if I put a hankie over my face like a terrorist it fools my brain so I don't smell anything.  GAH

 

I'm pretty sure I'm on my own with this...I ran into a site today with interesting new information to me hypothesizing that there are issues with our sodium/potassium channels.  Already have changed my eating habits for PAWS, but seeing suggestions of no carbs at all...more animal fat and protein.  And I do tend to run low on labs with the Na.

 

https://humanperformanceoutliers.libsyn.com/episode-109-dr-angela-stanton

 

Per her suggestion, in the above podcast, I started drinking water with 1/4t of pink salt...and my head pain is better (at this time...and I almost puked drinking salty water...ugh).  Also my friend gave me some expired CoQ10 and I've been doing Epsom salt foot baths (no bathtub)...We shall see. 

 

I think I have MOH going on, even tho the 9 tablets a month is suppose to prevent that.  I've been dealing for over a month with this bout and the suffering involved isn't humane or decent. The quality of my life is very poor at this point and wonder What is the Use if the rest of my life is going to be like this.

 

It's heartening to hear at least one migraneur has found some success.  Health care that is only about money is wrong.  I got out of nursing because it just doesn't jibe with my moral sensibility....do no harm, right?  RIGHT??

 

I have the dreaded MTHFR factor thing-y, and FEAR messing with my already messed up nervous system.

 

I just realized that the link above is a commercial site (she's trying to sell books) so I don't know if it's kosher to post...please delete if a high crime.  Thx

 

Hope your PWS situation is improving, Mary.  Thanks for the new info.

[[mo...]]

I can’t read the thread yet but am a migraine sufferer and want to join.

[[co...]]

When you're ready mon pilote.

 

Would love to hear how you deal with it.

[[Ma...]]

Cookienose, so much of your story reminds me of me.  My sister also had migraines, her migraines eased way off after menopause , not mine, got worse :tickedoff:  Until I started going to the pain Dr, I could only get 9 a month too, but he gives me 18 and even though I rarely take ove 3 to 5, I get them filled anyway. 

I don't know if this will make a difference, but Quell puts them on sale for $150 often during the year.

 

Oh, and you know the new Migraine meds that have just come out, my pain Dr said they are having a lot of success with it and there are coupons out there to help you get them pretty cheap.  Just another thought 

 

Yes, my worse days are still migraine days, migraine and withdrawal is horrible, but I guess we aren't alone, others have illnesses and withdrawals, just sucks for all of us.  Wish you luck cookienose, hope you find some relief soon, with you!  Mary 💜

[[Ma...]]

I can’t read the thread yet but am a migraine sufferer and want to join.

 

You hop on anytime mon.....I know you suffer too.  Love ya girl, Mary 💜

[[co...]]

I just want to report the results from my latest strategy.

 

In addition to the foot soaks, the salt and quitting all grains (again)...A friend hooked me up with some CBD tincture and some flowers high in CBDs.  It works.  Knocked the pain way back to minimal, and I slept pretty good.  I feel no pain this morning, but still feel that lurking monster...so will be gentle with myself again today.

 

I got to the other side without pharma!!!!!

 

YAYAYAYAYAY!

[[Ma...]]

I just want to report the results from my latest strategy.

 

In addition to the foot soaks, the salt and quitting all grains (again)...A friend hooked me up with some CBD tincture and some flowers high in CBDs.  It works.  Knocked the pain way back to minimal, and I slept pretty good.  I feel no pain this morning, but still feel that lurking monster...so will be gentle with myself again today.

 

I got to the other side without pharma!!!!!

 

YAYAYAYAYAY!

 

Yay, good for you cookienose.  Yes, I know that lurking feeling...you feel all around inside your brain to see if it's still there somewhere.  Only people with migraines would understand that.  Hope yours is gone!!  💜💜💜

[[Li...]]

I get sharp pains in one position in my head, but the positions change from time to time. Then I panic cause I'm afraid of getting a stroke. The pains then make me dizzy, and feverish, then tinnitus revs up. It's fvcking torture. I'm so tired of this. And I'm scared. And there's no one I can talk to about these symptoms except people here. Are these migraines? Sudden sharp pains in the head,

[[Mo...]]

Daily tension headaches and facial pain/migraines are what caused me into a depression/anxiety spiral that made me start clonazepam.  Even with clonazepam, trying a bunch of different meds, etc, I couldn't get rid of the headaches and then at one point, they disappeared and have for over a year.  I am now working on switching to Valium now to try and make my hellish taper a little more bearable but I'm starting to get migraines/head pain, which is freaking me out.  My brain is ULTRA sensitive to changes/hormones, etc.

 

A few things that helped/help me...diet never did but there are some that have to eliminate tomatoes, high histamine and tyramine foods plus caffeine. 

 

--I give my scalp a good rub down every evening before bed - a nice good scalp massage.

--In the shower, I take my knuckles and all along my jaw, neck, side of neck, forehead, I rub/massage with Cetephil wash and then rinse - I will do this for a few minutes sometimes.  I will then sometimes massage/press on pressure points all around my face, eyebrows, nose, etc. You can often feel the spots.  Note that this can flare up my head pain at first (the massaging) and you may have to take something to keep your head exploding but then as time goes on, I find that they are less and less.

--Migrastil Migraine Stick (a peppermint oil blend that works better than most) - not sure why this one is superior but I have found it is.  Just rub in on, up to several times a day.  It's a temporary solution and often wears off.

 

Some people have found dry needling to be helpful.  I did it for a while almost 2 years ago and while it helped a bit, it didn't resolve.  It's really more for tension headaches.

 

I have been scared to move to continue the move Valium b/c of the uptick in my head pain but I think I am going to have to.

 

Cookienose, a friend of mine also found that CBD smokables seemed to really help her migraines. 

 

Mary how is the Quell any different than a regular TENS unit? 

[[Mo...]]

Liberty30, that sounds like trigeminal neuralgia.  I was having some of that when I was tapering klonopin and getting severe hyperacusis with sharp shooting pains into my ear that would shoot into my teeth.  Definitely a nerve issue. 

 

[[co...]]

Hi Mom of 7 (!)

 

Good posts...and yes, the CBD tincture/flowers are not only keeping my migraines at bay, but I'm *sleeping better*.  A huge deal for me.

 

Yeah, Liberty.  Doesn't sound like migraine.  What Mom said...

 

 

[[Mo...]]

Liberty30, I think this could be a GABA issue and if this just started happening after quitting alcohol, then it could heal.  I would not let it cause you panic or fear as I do believe it could calm down. 

 

Cookienose, that's really, really awesome.  I have heard that CBD has helped others with migraine as well, which is not surprising since it's helpful for epileptics.  For some, it causes headaches but it's really helpful for some.  You have been doing CBD for almost a month now?  Can you share what the CBD brand/strength is?

[[Ma...]]

Daily tension headaches and facial pain/migraines are what caused me into a depression/anxiety spiral that made me start clonazepam.  Even with clonazepam, trying a bunch of different meds, etc, I couldn't get rid of the headaches and then at one point, they disappeared and have for over a year.  I am now working on switching to Valium now to try and make my hellish taper a little more bearable but I'm starting to get migraines/head pain, which is freaking me out.  My brain is ULTRA sensitive to changes/hormones, etc.

 

A few things that helped/help me...diet never did but there are some that have to eliminate tomatoes, high histamine and tyramine foods plus caffeine. 

 

--I give my scalp a good rub down every evening before bed - a nice good scalp massage.

--In the shower, I take my knuckles and all along my jaw, neck, side of neck, forehead, I rub/massage with Cetephil wash and then rinse - I will do this for a few minutes sometimes.  I will then sometimes massage/press on pressure points all around my face, eyebrows, nose, etc. You can often feel the spots.  Note that this can flare up my head pain at first (the massaging) and you may have to take something to keep your head exploding but then as time goes on, I find that they are less and less.

--Migrastil Migraine Stick (a peppermint oil blend that works better than most) - not sure why this one is superior but I have found it is.  Just rub in on, up to several times a day.  It's a temporary solution and often wears off.

 

Some people have found dry needling to be helpful.  I did it for a while almost 2 years ago and while it helped a bit, it didn't resolve.  It's really more for tension headaches.

 

I have been scared to move to continue the move Valium b/c of the uptick in my head pain but I think I am going to have to.

 

Cookienose, a friend of mine also found that CBD smokables seemed to really help her migraines. 

 

Mary how is the Quell any different than a regular TENS unit?

 

Mom, the Quell is really different.  Look it up on Amazon, I am really doing better with my migraines using it.  I have bought 2 because they came out with a new one.  It's made for muscles, didn't help my muscles at all, but did wonders for my migraines.  One of the Moderators suggested it for muscles, it did great for her muscles.  Great return policy if you want to try.  .  A lot of months, I only have 2 or 3 migraines, I use to easily have 8 to 10. 

[[co...]]

Hey Mom7

 

I'm using a 1::20 tincture made by Jade Nectar.  That's for the daytime.  Then at night I'm using a 1::1 by "Care by Design"...along with dietary changes.  Histamines are an obvious problem now.  The flowers I have are from Willie Nelson's CBD strains.

 

In some ways I cringe about relying on a substance...but it sure works and I do so like not dealing with pharma.

 

Next year I have an opportunity to grow a coupla plants...which will make it so much cheaper for this low income person. 

[[Mo...]]

Thanks Ladies.  I did not have "pain" today, for which I am grateful but with an ultra sensitive brain, mine still seems to be adjusting to the Valium and I noticed it just felt "strange" after the dose today.

 

Mary, did you happen to notice a "funny" feeling in your head when you switched to Valium?  I will only be switching 1/2 of a dose next, hoping that my head will then adjust a little better.  Unfortunately, I can't take several months to switch - I am in tolerance withdrawal. 

[[co...]]

Good luck to you, Mom7.

 

As a little post script, I came down with a headache in the middle of the night last night...the dietary restrictions apparently were not happy that I made/ate that apple pie <sigh>.  Drank water with a dropperful of the 1::20 and himalayan salt and just ground thru it until I got back to sleep.  The darn lurking monster must be coddled...the dietary restrictions daunting.

 

Sinus stuff going on too? Lots of snot...etc.  Have been very dizzy the last few days...

 

Everytime I read "Quell" I think of lice...

 

Thanks all.

[[Ma...]]

Thanks Ladies.  I did not have "pain" today, for which I am grateful but with an ultra sensitive brain, mine still seems to be adjusting to the Valium and I noticed it just felt "strange" after the dose today.

 

Mary, did you happen to notice a "funny" feeling in your head when you switched to Valium?  I will only be switching 1/2 of a dose next, hoping that my head will then adjust a little better.  Unfortunately, I can't take several months to switch - I am in tolerance withdrawal.

 

I was dizzy and sedated but don't remember a funny feeling