What comfort measures help you while you wait for your Migraine medications to take effect?
This is a question I still ask people after all the years I've had Migraines in hopes that what helps you will help all of us, including me.
Thanks!
Teri
- Find
- Manage
- Resources
Q: Comfort measures?
Answers (10)
9/17/09 12:51pm
My list, some of which will trigger some people and not work for them, but...
- Hot tea with milk & honey
- Dark chocolate
- Crystallized ginger
- Lying down with lots of pillows to hug
- Ice pack on forehead and or base of skull
- Relaxation tapes
- Romantic comedies and cotume dramas on DVD
- Foot massage
9/17/09 5:35pm
Depends on how bad the migraine is ....
-ice pack
-Some abortive medication
-Lying down and relaxing (no noise, light or tv or computer)
-Not crying
-Not stressing about it
-Trying to fall asleep...when I get up it'll be gone
These are the things I have learnt to do over the years. Nothing works consistently.
AMJ
9/17/09 5:41pm
ice pack...ice water....very soft pillow and soft sheet....having something sweet as a stand by....keeping my house cold, under 75.....being able to pet my dogs, funny how that really does help....and several movies to watch....:)
9/17/09 6:14pm
Silence (even using earplugs) and Not Speaking
Dark Rooms (including wearing sunglasses to darken)
Sleeping and/or Closing my eyes (even wearing an eye mask)
9/17/09 8:10pm
9/18/09 9:01am
I use the generic Head On. It works. it lessens the severity of the head pain. Also, if I'm able to I will lay down with a pillow over my eyes to block the light and try to lay as still as possible to counter the nausea feeling. Avoiding sounds, smells, motion and light plays a big part in lessening the discomfort.
9/18/09 11:10am
I love ice packs! And also sometimes an ice pop (I have some that are just fruit juice and puree frozen on popsicle sticks, they are very good), laying down in a quiet room, sometimes I turn on my audio Bible to distract me (the guy who reads has a very even soothing voice), and if its really bad I take a dose of Melatonin or Valerian Root so at least I can sleep through it.....My family laughs cause they can tell if my migraine is really bad because I have a stuffed "Eeyore" that is just big enough to hold in one hand that I usually hold onto if I'm very miserable (its very soft plush and more of an emotion booster than anything physical).
9/18/09 11:45am
I have several ice packs so i can rotate as they melt. I'm usually very thirsty for some reason so a big glass of ice water has to be near by. No noise, except a fan for white noise. Dark room. Sunglasses or eye pillow. I take anxiety med, muscle relaxor and vicodin combo and wait ...... I'm allergic to the migrain meds and doc doesn't 'approve' of other meds being offered for relieve or rescue. Hard to find someone around this area to get treatment... anyway.. there it is.
My German Sheppard always seems to know that something is up and cuddles up next to me on the bed and is very still and quiet. Very comforting.
9/20/09 5:33pm
ice packs, cold room - little clothing, heating pad on upper back, hot tea, peppermint candy to suck on, head on, laying down, spa music
10/ 1/09 1:00pm
Mostly, similar to what others have written:
totally dark room (light-blocking curtains)
no noise, period.
no draft (no wind, no fan, etc)
no sound.
no smells.
must be cool (few clothes if any, and NO binding clothes)
sometimes crushed ice melting on my tongue helps, and other times its not bearable.
A cool bathroom floor with thin towel (softer than tile) feels great if I am throwing up alot.
I use dark glasses for milder headaches, but when severe, any constant "tight" pressure around my head hurts (glasses, dark glasses, hair accessories, etc). My glasses feel tighter when I have a headache.
But, rubbing my temples and back of neck are a helpful distraction while the meds work.
Cannot fall asleep because I will get a hypnic headache unless I have taken a preventative med for hypnic two hours prior to onset of migraine. Since timing of onset is unpredictable, sleeping it off is not an option for me now, but years ago, it helped.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
By Teri Robert, Health Guide— Last Modified: 02/27/11, First Published: 09/17/09
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Can't do that it will make mine worse no smell or sound . No light only ice pack ginger-ale for the nausea or ginger believe it or not a warm blow dryer back and forth on my face/head weird I know but u do anything for a few seconds of relief.