Sunday, February 12, 2012
Monday, November 09, 2009 Aura1986 asks

Q: Any suggestions for non-prescription ways to prevent pre-migraine auras?

Lately I have been having pre-migraine auras, followed by a migraine hangover, but no migraine. I am currently in medical school, and it will be really difficult later on in my career if suddenly I can't see while I am performing surgery because I have an aura. I don't want this aura problem to prevent me from becoming a surgeon. If anyone has any suggestions for how to prevent auras I would really appreciate the advice. Thank you!

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11/10/09 9:45pm

Hi Aura1986 -

 

Unfortunately there isn't any way to completely prevent auras. They are part of the Migraine process and even if you are having acephalgic (no headache) Migraines, they're still Migraines. There are over a hundred medications which are prescribed as Migraine preventives, and they are generally recommended if you have 3 or more Migraines per month. While very few of us can prevent every Migraine, even with an effective preventive, it is possible to reduce the number of them quite a lot. Taking a Migraine abortive drug at the earliest sign of aura can also shorten the process.

 

Many of us also find that regular relaxation or meditation, together with lifestyle changes like making our sleep and eating patterns more regular, can reduce the frequency of our Migraines. I write a lot about these issues on my site Free my Brain from Migraine Pain and would be happy to have you come look.

 

If you want non-prescription preventives, there are a number of nutritional supplements which are effective in reducing Migraines. I know of nothing "natural" that can stop a Migraine once it's started. You can find the supplements used as preventives listed in Migraine preventive medications - too many options to give up! Please remember that, "natural" or not, these substances are drugs. They have potential side effects and potential interactions with each other and prescription medications. You should always talk to your doctor before taking them.

 

Good luck to you! I hope you have some luck in reducing your Migraines.

 

- Megan

 

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