Friday, March 30, 2007
I get migraines nearly every day, and as such, I have experimented with a variety of things besides my meds to try to find what helps. The people who are suffering and have been suffering for a long time probably know all these things, but if you are newly diagnosed or, like me, started getting migraines as a result of a closed head injury, these ideas might be of service to you.
The gel packs for womens eyes (to reduce puffiness): keep them in the freezer, and at the onset of migraine lie a thin cloth over your eyes such as a bandana (so the frozen pack doesn't hurt your skin) and put the frozen gel pack over your eyes. I often do this while putting a heating pad on the back of my neck, and the combo of hot and cold helps to loosen the neck muscles that tighten with a migraine and the cold helps to reduce the swollen feeling in the eyes and forehead. I do take my meds (maxalt, xananx) as I do this, but it seems to help even if you do not have meds available.
If i'm off and running to work/school and just do not have the time to be knocked down with a migraine (I have a very busy life, as I'm sure you all do, and cannot afford to be curled up in a fetal position everytime my brain is exploding); I go for a super-whammy. I will take my meds for my migraines and back pain (maxalt, xanax, soma, darvocet topomax), and then stop at the local Dunken Donuts and get an iced coffee with a double shot of espresso. The extra whollop of caffine seems to give the meds a kick to act faster, and the caffine makes it so the meds don't make me sleepy... I also wait about 1/2 hour, then eat the bagel I bought while I was there, to give the meds a chance to start digesting before I put food on top of them.
I have also tried aromatherapy... and I know it sounds like quackery to some of you, but it does seem to help (a little). Head On is a product I tried, and I use that when I am at work since it has no odor, and it does seem to numb the skin, much like a topical analgesic. I have also used a "headache blend" essential oil (that I got from a naturalist store, selling homemade soaps and essential oils and other pagan goods) that seems to contain peppermint oil as when as other smells I cannot place. It is very potent, however, and I often use it at home, dabbing it on my forehead, along the hairline, my neck, behind my ears, and across my cheeks. I then lie down and let the stuff work. Its very strong smell clears the sinus's and is very pleasant, and also has a numbing effect wherever it was rubbed in. I reek of mint, but it helps, so who cares.
I have had migraines since 1998, when i was in a head on collision and put my head through the winshield of the car i was the passenger in. I was wearing my seatbelt, but it didn't help. I do not know if any of this information will help any of you who whose migraines are chemically or homonally based, but these things sometimes help me, and i wanted to pass on what I know.
The gel packs for womens eyes (to reduce puffiness): keep them in the freezer, and at the onset of migraine lie a thin cloth over your eyes such as a bandana (so the frozen pack doesn't hurt your skin) and put the frozen gel pack over your eyes. I often do this while putting a heating pad on the back of my neck, and the combo of hot and cold helps to loosen the neck muscles that tighten with a migraine and the cold helps to reduce the swollen feeling in the eyes and forehead. I do take my meds (maxalt, xananx) as I do this, but it seems to help even if you do not have meds available.
If i'm off and running to work/school and just do not have the time to be knocked down with a migraine (I have a very busy life, as I'm sure you all do, and cannot afford to be curled up in a fetal position everytime my brain is exploding); I go for a super-whammy. I will take my meds for my migraines and back pain (maxalt, xanax, soma, darvocet topomax), and then stop at the local Dunken Donuts and get an iced coffee with a double shot of espresso. The extra whollop of caffine seems to give the meds a kick to act faster, and the caffine makes it so the meds don't make me sleepy... I also wait about 1/2 hour, then eat the bagel I bought while I was there, to give the meds a chance to start digesting before I put food on top of them.
I have also tried aromatherapy... and I know it sounds like quackery to some of you, but it does seem to help (a little). Head On is a product I tried, and I use that when I am at work since it has no odor, and it does seem to numb the skin, much like a topical analgesic. I have also used a "headache blend" essential oil (that I got from a naturalist store, selling homemade soaps and essential oils and other pagan goods) that seems to contain peppermint oil as when as other smells I cannot place. It is very potent, however, and I often use it at home, dabbing it on my forehead, along the hairline, my neck, behind my ears, and across my cheeks. I then lie down and let the stuff work. Its very strong smell clears the sinus's and is very pleasant, and also has a numbing effect wherever it was rubbed in. I reek of mint, but it helps, so who cares.
I have had migraines since 1998, when i was in a head on collision and put my head through the winshield of the car i was the passenger in. I was wearing my seatbelt, but it didn't help. I do not know if any of this information will help any of you who whose migraines are chemically or homonally based, but these things sometimes help me, and i wanted to pass on what I know.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. You sound like you have been on quite the journey.
We have a Migraine forum where you can talk about your experiences with other Migraineurs. To join us click the Migraine Forums link under the Manage heading in the orange box.
We hope to see you there.