Headache

[justmewe]

I hate these headaches that I have one minute I am fine and then the next minute
I am having a burning pain on the left side of my head. I wish I knew how to stop
them i take a med that is supose to block the headaches sometimes I think it
helps and sometimes not. does anyone know any tricks toget ride of the pain ?

[marileew]

Hi justmewe,

What type of doctor do you see? It is really important to see a neurologist or a headache specialist. Most GPs (general practice, family medicine) don't understand migraines very well. If you do see a neurologist and they aren't very helpful... then if it is possible, you might want to get a new neurologist. I had to see 3 neurologists before I found one that helped me. I am actually on my 4th neurologist at the moment... I was waiting to see the one I am currently seeing for years, that was why I switched to him because I have been waiting for so long... so, it can take time to find the right doctor. Some doctors just aren't helpful or understanding. Let me know if you need help finding a good doctor... depending on where you live, I can maybe give you suggestions on where to start looking or at least what sorts of things to look for.

[justmewe]

I am glad to know that my doctor never told me that the weather could play a role in
my headaches. sometimes I wonder why I even have a doctor. he never seems to help.

[marileew]

Hi!

Yes! Weather can really play a role in migraines! Especially pressure changes, I think that for my migraines at least pressure changes in the weather is a major trigger... and my doctor has cited weather pressure changes as a common migraine trigger as well.

According to my local weather network... the following weather changes can trigger migraines:

Weather Temperature: especially if there is "a decrease of 5 degrees Celsius or more"
Weather Humidity: especially if there is "an increase of 20%" in humidity
Weather Pressure: especially if there is "a decrease of 0.7 kPa (kilopascal) or more" in pressure
Dewpoint: especially if there is "an increase of 5 degrees Celsius or more" in the dewpoint.

For me,.. when ever it changes from hot weather to rainy weather I get a migraine... but it's only the change that does it to me... after it's been rainy for days, the weather stops being such a trigger... but, the changes in weather are a real trigger for me.

[justmewe]

Thanks
I take Amitriptline ( I am sure i spelled that one wrong ) LOL

Can the weather play a roll in migraines?
I have never tryed Ice but maybe I will next time
Thanks

[marileew]

Hi justmewe,

I think that everything Tracy said was a good suggestion... so I don't have much to add really...

I know that it can be frustrating, especially when the meds aren't working, I'm sorry to hear that's how it is for you right now. I often feel that way too... like, I don't know if the medication is working or not... sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.

For me, when I am waiting for the medication to work, or if the medication failed and the headache isn't too severe... I do what Tracy does too, I use ice. I find ice very helpful, have you used it before. I also sometimes will run my wrists under warm water while I have the ice-pack on my head or neck... my mom once suggested that and it actually helps and I had an acupuncture therapist make the same kind of suggestion once too... she suggested putting a heating pad on my feet and hands while I had ice on my head, she said it was to draw the heat and blood away from my head and into the lower part of my body... I don't know if I believe that's what it really does, but it feels nice to have my hands warm but my head cold, that's all I know.

I also use minty aromatherapy oil or minty massage balm on my neck and my forehead and my tummy. I find that the smell is so strong and the feeling of cold is so strong that it will distract me from the pain. Sometimes I will use sticky patches that are for muscle pain that basically have the same sort of stuff on them... just like minty smelling muscle rub... and I put those on my back or my neck, and sometimes they help the pain too if I feel the pain in the back of my head and neck as well. I buy those patches in the pharmacy where they keep all the massage creams for muscle pain.

I also turn off all the lights in the house... I find the darker it is, the less my migraines hurt. I can sometimes even feel like I can think and hear my thoughts again when it's dark... if I get into a comfortable position, sometimes the pain will feel less intense or even almost go away if it is completely dark. But... that probably would only help you if the light bothers you when you get migraines...  photophobia is a symptom for some people but not for everyone.

Also... you say you take a med to block the pain, do you mean like a daily medication? Because, even if you take a daily medication... like Tracy said too, it's important to have something to take when you get the headache too... like a triptan preferably if you are able to take triptans (like the ones Tracy mentioned.. zomig, imitrex, etc.). The faster you take them the better they work too... they tend not to work so well if you wait until the headache is bad. Although you say that your headaches come on very quickly so I know that can be hard... but, I carry my triptans around in my purse so that if I get a headache really fast I can pull out my triptan no matter where I am and take it... that way I don't have to wait until I get home or even if I'm at home I don't have to search around for it because I know exactly where they are.

Hope you feel better soon... let us know if you figure out any of your own tricks! I'm always interested in trying new tricks too. Keep in touch.

[rudyhorse]

It is so frustrating to try to get under control.  Sometimes I use ice, but I know others don't find that helpful.  I am somewhat ignorant on this system still, but I didn't see you use a migraine tracker.  Would that help you to maybe pinpoint if it is weather, food, ect.

What preventive medication are you on?  Do you have something you take when you get the headache, like Zomig, Amerge, Imatrex ( I am sure I spell these wrong. LOL)  

I also use herbs like fever few, a B complex, and my Dr had me up the Magnesium to 500mg twice a day.  That might help.

Whatever you do don't chase that mouse. LOL  I do know it seems overwhelming especially when you are so busy and it hits you.
Hope this helps,
Tracy