Aa
major migraines
i suffer severe migraines almost daily, i dont take preventatives anymore but always on narcotic pain relief., ive suffered for over 25 yrs and they are worse, i get signs of tingling gums or my face/ear turns red bfore one starts, im also getting dizzispells when i blink only lasting 2-3 sec, acouple x a mth. ive had mri and eeg. all im told is continue with meds. my family is sick of having to deal with my migraines. 1st eeg showed possible seizures, the 2nd eeg showed none. Is there anything new to try?
Something you can do yourself to control the migraines.Drink warm water, and stop cold drinks. Follow these breathing techniques 2 to 3 times a day .First just do anulom vilom for 30 minutes, three times a day,for first 3 weeks. Then do all the pranayam. The effect is gradual, so allow months to notice the benefit,as the immune system improves, but you will start to feel good in the first few weeks. You can post your feedback any time, so others may benefit.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Kapalbhati pranayam -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.
Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril
then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30 minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.Do it with eyes closed.
Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 21 times.
November 3, 2011
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Kapalbhati pranayam -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.
Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril
then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30 minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.Do it with eyes closed.
Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 21 times.
November 3, 2011
I neglected to congratulate you on trying another prophylactic.
It sounds like you are under plenty of stress, but I don't think that may be the main thing. I wasn't under stress a good part of the first year with my migraines. Now I am.
ARB stands for angiotensin receptor blocker and the one that I tried was Lisinopril. Other ones are: candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten),
irbesartan (Avapro), telmisartan (Micardis), valsartan (Diovan),
losartan (Cozaar), and olmesartan (Benicar).
ARBs are used for controlling high blood pressure, treating heart failure, and preventing kidney failure in people with diabetes or high blood pressure. They may also prevent diabetes and reduce the risk of stroke in patients with high blood pressure and an enlarged heart. ARBs may also prevent the recurrence of atrial fibrillation. ARBs also are beneficial for a significantly lower risk of dementia. Too bad that I had a bad reaction from one of them. I should probably try another one.
But, currently I'm starting to take Savella (proven to help Fibromyalgia--another pain inducer) in place of my Effexor--gradually that is. I may have withdrawal effects from reducing the Effexor, so now is not the time to try something else.
Are you on an anti-depressant because they are proven to act as pain killers? That's why I'm switching to Savella because I can hopefully get on a higher dose of that one unlike I'm willing to go higher on the Effexor. Savella has the same ingredients as anti-depressants, but the FDA only approved it for fibromyalgia which I also happen to have. But it's the migraines that have drawn me to it.
I almost daily use a transdermal gel on my face where the headache is which usually calms it down IF I haven't done much during the day. My physical activity is the single biggest initiator of my severe migraines. You might be helped by that. It doesn't get into the blood and causes no rebound headaches. If you haven't caught the ingredients on another posting of mine, I'm happy to supply it to you. Also a nasal Lidocaine ointment can also head off the severe migraines--again with no rebounds, but fairly unpleasant to use. Both by prescription.
I'm willing to offer you every suggestion that I can to help you, but you would have to have medical help to very gradually get off the pain killers you are currently taking to avoid rebounding headaches. It may take an in-hospital stay to achieve that. That's what they thought that I would need after taking opiate pills 24/7 for 8 months which are highly addictive. But instead the nerve block injections took my severe migraines away completely for about 5 days the first time I received them and I was able to stop the opiate meds completely without any withdrawal. Amazing.
I really don't think that you need to have migraines so badly for the rest of your life. Keep trying and I'll keep all thoughts towards your pain relief.
It sounds like you are under plenty of stress, but I don't think that may be the main thing. I wasn't under stress a good part of the first year with my migraines. Now I am.
ARB stands for angiotensin receptor blocker and the one that I tried was Lisinopril. Other ones are: candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten),
irbesartan (Avapro), telmisartan (Micardis), valsartan (Diovan),
losartan (Cozaar), and olmesartan (Benicar).
ARBs are used for controlling high blood pressure, treating heart failure, and preventing kidney failure in people with diabetes or high blood pressure. They may also prevent diabetes and reduce the risk of stroke in patients with high blood pressure and an enlarged heart. ARBs may also prevent the recurrence of atrial fibrillation. ARBs also are beneficial for a significantly lower risk of dementia. Too bad that I had a bad reaction from one of them. I should probably try another one.
But, currently I'm starting to take Savella (proven to help Fibromyalgia--another pain inducer) in place of my Effexor--gradually that is. I may have withdrawal effects from reducing the Effexor, so now is not the time to try something else.
Are you on an anti-depressant because they are proven to act as pain killers? That's why I'm switching to Savella because I can hopefully get on a higher dose of that one unlike I'm willing to go higher on the Effexor. Savella has the same ingredients as anti-depressants, but the FDA only approved it for fibromyalgia which I also happen to have. But it's the migraines that have drawn me to it.
I almost daily use a transdermal gel on my face where the headache is which usually calms it down IF I haven't done much during the day. My physical activity is the single biggest initiator of my severe migraines. You might be helped by that. It doesn't get into the blood and causes no rebound headaches. If you haven't caught the ingredients on another posting of mine, I'm happy to supply it to you. Also a nasal Lidocaine ointment can also head off the severe migraines--again with no rebounds, but fairly unpleasant to use. Both by prescription.
I'm willing to offer you every suggestion that I can to help you, but you would have to have medical help to very gradually get off the pain killers you are currently taking to avoid rebounding headaches. It may take an in-hospital stay to achieve that. That's what they thought that I would need after taking opiate pills 24/7 for 8 months which are highly addictive. But instead the nerve block injections took my severe migraines away completely for about 5 days the first time I received them and I was able to stop the opiate meds completely without any withdrawal. Amazing.
I really don't think that you need to have migraines so badly for the rest of your life. Keep trying and I'll keep all thoughts towards your pain relief.
Hi Sara,
Thank u for ur kindness and concern, its so nice of u to reply and give suggestions, i know my neuro would not give me anesthestic for botox, my stress is im sure no worse or perhaps less than what others may have to deal with, but 3 kids, elderly parents (may not make it to the spring) & my health just adds to it, the BP pills my dr. put me on are called coversyl...im not sure what type of pills are ARB, your suggestions and concern is very much appreciated. I have just learned through my journey, at this point my migraines are going no where, especially now with my bp adding to it..so improving my diet, learning to deal with stress better, preventatives and pain management with meds, etc, will hopefully help improve my days. If u can suggest any specific bp meds that are ARB? can u let me know.
Thank you again.
Tetley3
Thank u for ur kindness and concern, its so nice of u to reply and give suggestions, i know my neuro would not give me anesthestic for botox, my stress is im sure no worse or perhaps less than what others may have to deal with, but 3 kids, elderly parents (may not make it to the spring) & my health just adds to it, the BP pills my dr. put me on are called coversyl...im not sure what type of pills are ARB, your suggestions and concern is very much appreciated. I have just learned through my journey, at this point my migraines are going no where, especially now with my bp adding to it..so improving my diet, learning to deal with stress better, preventatives and pain management with meds, etc, will hopefully help improve my days. If u can suggest any specific bp meds that are ARB? can u let me know.
Thank you again.
Tetley3
Thanks for getting back to us. So so sorry for your situation. You say at age 50 you don't want to play guinea pig to anything new. I'm almost 60 years old (3 months away) and I have been willing to do anything to help my migraines, but maybe yours are under better control than mine have been.
You say that you are terrified by needles. Would it help if they put you on anesthesia to get the Botox injections? What if they really helped you? Of course you would have to be medically helped to decrease your pain killers. Just a horrific suggestion to you probably and I do apologize.
Just so sorry. I get that these migraines have ruined much of your life. And am wondering what your stress is about. If you need BP meds, get on one of the ARB ones which are more likely to help with pain.
All the best.
All the best to you.
You say that you are terrified by needles. Would it help if they put you on anesthesia to get the Botox injections? What if they really helped you? Of course you would have to be medically helped to decrease your pain killers. Just a horrific suggestion to you probably and I do apologize.
Just so sorry. I get that these migraines have ruined much of your life. And am wondering what your stress is about. If you need BP meds, get on one of the ARB ones which are more likely to help with pain.
All the best.
All the best to you.
hi everyone, sorry i took so long to let u know what has been happening, well things didnt go as planned. the dr. i see is a neurologist, he is head of migraine clinic and also a professor, hes also supposed to be one of the best in Canada. (so I have read and heard) i have tried many safe drugs when i first started experiencing migraines over 25 yrs ago, beta blockers, triptans, seizure meds and imitrex which i had a horrible reaction to.(alot of others over the yrs, i just dont remember the names) so that is why the narcotic meds were started, he actually increased one of them for me as besides migraines, or cluster headaches, i now have alot of stress in my life and its contributed to a rather high bp, so he wants me to control the pain, i havnt worked in 20 yrs, i stay at home and i wont do botox. im sure most of u may not agree, but at almost 50, 25+ yrs of this has made me realize i may not ever get rid of them, i am trying a preventative againa along with pain control which i think helps me get through the days, again thanks for ur help, and i will always monitor my meds. Take care.
I really feel for you. Hurrah for your try, but it sounds like you are doing it by yourself! You really need a doctor's help before trying to wean yourself off of any narcotics. What got me off of daily Lorcet (a narcotic) and Tramadol, was finding a better treatment. Did you try taking all the prophylactic medications--that is a daily med that prevents the migraines? Also taking the herbal Petadolex Gelcaps dailly have been proven by studies to reduce migraines by 62%. Their website is: www.petadolex.com and their free Patient Info line is: 1-888-301-1084. It's really helped me. All the other prophylactic meds I tried either didn't work or gave me bad side effects.
If your doctor is telling you "that's what you have to live with ...", you NEED ANOTHER DOCTOR, and definately a neurologist and preferably a medical center that deals with headaches.
From what you said, that you have daily severe migraines and your family is "sick of" your migraines, you really deserve a better life. Pursue it, but don't do it by yourself.
My whole life got turned upside down with my migraines, which I'm gradually getting more and more of it back. You deserve far more and have probably forgotten what it's like to have more. Don't give up. All of my best to you.
If your doctor is telling you "that's what you have to live with ...", you NEED ANOTHER DOCTOR, and definately a neurologist and preferably a medical center that deals with headaches.
From what you said, that you have daily severe migraines and your family is "sick of" your migraines, you really deserve a better life. Pursue it, but don't do it by yourself.
My whole life got turned upside down with my migraines, which I'm gradually getting more and more of it back. You deserve far more and have probably forgotten what it's like to have more. Don't give up. All of my best to you.
Thank you for your help and suggestions, i think your correct that i do have rebound head aches, my neuro did suggest i try the botox injections ( i refused politely) terrified of needles, and a whole list of other stuff through the yrs i dont even remember what they are, now im sure there are new stuff, but, i guess my body knows what meds take the pain away once it starts, at my age, im afraid to play guinea pig to keep trying new stuff. I also agree that if i was able to cut down or off one of the meds for now it might help, i will have the perfect wk to try this, kids are all going away for a wk, so i will just have my demons and myself to try and get through this, if i have any success, i will let you all know., if i havent been successful, please understand, this is my 1st time. Hope all of you have a good day. tetley3
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
Thanks for the updates. I agree with sara that there are plenty of modalities that may help you with your condition.Always stay positive and believe that you can go through this. Biofeedback therapy and acupuncture have been effective with some migraine sufferers. It is really important that you avoid the triggers for your headache. However, at this point, you may need to stick with the medications prescribed by your doctor and to go for follow-ups so that the medications may be adjusted or changed accordingly. Take care always and hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks for the updates. I agree with sara that there are plenty of modalities that may help you with your condition.Always stay positive and believe that you can go through this. Biofeedback therapy and acupuncture have been effective with some migraine sufferers. It is really important that you avoid the triggers for your headache. However, at this point, you may need to stick with the medications prescribed by your doctor and to go for follow-ups so that the medications may be adjusted or changed accordingly. Take care always and hope to hear from you soon.
Sorry to hear about your pain for so long. I've had mild to severe 24/7 migraines for almost 3 years. But there are other remedies that have helped me, which the doctor's response to you does not make any mention of. I get nerve block injections monthly and Botox injections which have both helped a lot. And lately taking butterbur root herbal capsules called Petadolex which have helped me a great deal. No more severe migraines since I've started the herbal. It's only been a month, but that's a very long time for me.
Also, just get blood testing called IgG or IBT to confirm which food allergies you may have. I met a woman who had severe daily migraines which were successfully resolved after she found out about allergies to cauliflour and dairy products.
It's worth it to try other remedies.
Another thing that the doctor's response to you omitted is that taking narcotic meds will keep you having migraine rebounding headaches forever. You may need medical assistance with even reducing them. That was the only remedy that the first neurologist I saw prescribed. What an ignorant jerk!!! Then I got to much more knowledgeable neurologists. I've seen 4 of them at the University of Michigan with great success.
Also, just get blood testing called IgG or IBT to confirm which food allergies you may have. I met a woman who had severe daily migraines which were successfully resolved after she found out about allergies to cauliflour and dairy products.
It's worth it to try other remedies.
Another thing that the doctor's response to you omitted is that taking narcotic meds will keep you having migraine rebounding headaches forever. You may need medical assistance with even reducing them. That was the only remedy that the first neurologist I saw prescribed. What an ignorant jerk!!! Then I got to much more knowledgeable neurologists. I've seen 4 of them at the University of Michigan with great success.
Hi thank u for ur suggestions, i had originally kept a log of my triggers, over the yrs i know i cant eat cheese, chocolate, alcohol, and scents etc. I have also done massage therapy in the past as i also hurt my neck a couple of yrs ago, but this does not affect my migraines only my tension headaches. over the yrs ive been able to tell the difference in types of pain for stress, tension or migraine headaches. my neuro. has over the yrs tried me on beta blockers, seizure & anti depressents. As the pain meds over the yrs has increased, as per my neuro. im up to butorphanol 2 bottles a week, demerol, ativan and muscle relax. all on a daily basis. i stoped working 20 yrs ago. but i know i cant cut down my meds as ive been on them for yrs. Im now in my mid 40s, does this mean im to live this life of pain for another 20 yrs?, and am i going to be attached to pain meds 4 ever? my dr. only says well thats what u have to live with unless new issues come up. im sure its not good that i take all these pain meds but i have no other option that i can see right now, as id rather at this time get rid of the pain than suffer through it anymore. Any other suggestions?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How are you? I'm sorry to hear what you have been through for the last 25 years. It is good to know that the results of the diagnostic tests done were normal. As mentioned by Tarea, avoiding the triggers may help. A headache journal may or the migraine tracker in this forum may help identify the triggers so that you could avoid the attacks. If medications are not helping, you could also try complementary and alternative medicine such as biofeedback therapy, acupuncture and other relaxation techniques, which have been effective also to other migraine sufferers. Take care and do keep us posted.
How are you? I'm sorry to hear what you have been through for the last 25 years. It is good to know that the results of the diagnostic tests done were normal. As mentioned by Tarea, avoiding the triggers may help. A headache journal may or the migraine tracker in this forum may help identify the triggers so that you could avoid the attacks. If medications are not helping, you could also try complementary and alternative medicine such as biofeedback therapy, acupuncture and other relaxation techniques, which have been effective also to other migraine sufferers. Take care and do keep us posted.
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