Killer headache? Migraines hike stroke risk

I'm 20 years old & I've had migraines & headaches for the past 8-8.5 years. I take over the counter medicine everyday for my headaches & a generic Midrin which has stopped working. My headaches are daily and I get migraines 2-3 times a month. Each migraine last 3-4 days. For migraines, I have to take 1 or 2 Benadryls, a Goody's (which is a power for headaches) & lay down in a pitch black room with an icepack on my head & on my neck. I have insurance but can't afford the deductible and the copay if I have to have anything major done.

I am 26 years old. I have had migraines for about 8 or 9 years now. I get at least 1 or 2 a week. During my period, I get one every day. Sometimes I go a week without having one, but that is rare. My neurologist has me taking Zonegran, an anti-seizure medication (I tried Topamax but the side effects were awful) as well as an herb called Petadolex. The Petadolex has actually made my migraines less frequent, but I wouldn't say any of the medication has caused a huge reduction in the migraines or made them less tolerable. I also take Lexapro to help with anxiety as well. That hasn't caused any reduction either, but it does reduce my anxiety.

The only thing that seems to work for me is Imitrex. This is a miracle drug. I only wish it wasn't so expensive. My insurance will only ALLOW me to have 9 pills a month. Seeing how often I get migraines, I sometimes suffer in silence and don't take my Imitrex so I can save the pills for when I am at work with a migraine. Even though there is a generic Imitrex on the market, it is still very unaffordable without insurance covering it. The cost is $200 for 9 pills (and yes, that is generic cost). My Neurologist's office has even contacted my insurance company to see if they will cover more pills, but the insurance company refuses.

Another expensive treatment that is not approved by insurance is Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. Now, I have never tried this myself due to the cost (my neurologist charges $250 per "dive"). It has been said that the worst migraine that even narcotics can not get rid of will be gone after 1 dive into the chamber. I think this is something insurance should cover.

For those days that I just have to tolerate the migraine and suffer, I usually just keep quiet. I try to sit in a dimly lit area and stay away from any excitement. If I am at home, I will attempt to sleep. I get a cold washcloth and lay it over my eyes or on the side of my face that is truly hurting the worst....wishing I could just scoop out whatever is behind my eye causing all of this AWFUL pain.

As far as other ways of coping, I try not to get stressed out. I have learned to take things with a grain of salt and enjoy my migraine free days.

This is an ongoing battle that I hope will be cured one day.

Good luck to all those who suffer with migraines.

I've suffered from migraines since I was 18. I'm now 44 yrs. old. They've gotten worse and more frequent over the last three years or so, prompting me to seek a preventative medication. I tried Topomax, which did nothing for me and had nasty side-effects. I could bare it for only 3-4 months. Since then, I decided to try Elavil in a small does, which seems to lessen the severity somewhat, and as an abortive, I use Maxalt. It's fairly strong, but needs to be taken at the first sign to have maximum effect. For me, this is often difficult, since I wake up with a migraine and so it's already too late. It's hell really because I get an attack almost weekly. At least they are like a dull throb now, and not the excrutiating stabbing pain in the temple that I used to get. Just a note - if you have a migraine that lasts more than 72 hrs without 4 of successive releife in between, then get to a doctor because that really increases the possibility of a stroke. Thank you.

I drill a hole in my skull and release the pressure. It goes pfffffftttt, then I feel better.

I wish! I usually feel like that is the only thing that could possibly help.

I take OTC meds, but, mostly, I just wait it out and try to ignore it for the days it pounds and squeezes. The aura of flashing lights can be hard to ignore if I have to work and use the computer.

For most of my life I suffered with migraines. About 3 years ago I began practicing hot yoga, a dynamic form of yoga in a heated room and my migraines ceased. As long as I maintain 2-3 yoga workouts a week, I remain migraine and headache free.

I recommend hot yoga to anyone who suffers with migraines.

I started getting migraines when I started my period. This was when I was 9 1/2 years old. Often I would lie in bed with the drapes closed and try to sleep. It would go away within 24 hours. It was not until I was in college that I realized that my migraines would come along 2-3 days before my period. I was always very irregular before I got on the pill. I also then realized that the blurry vision would often proceed the migraine.

I started taking 2 advil right when I noticed I could not see very well. The "aura" would continue to overtake my vision and then it would be over. If I did not take the advil right away and the "aura" filled my eye before I took my advil, the migraine continued its course.

I have gotten good at catching them but if I wake up with one, I am done for the day. I cannot even lift my head that day or I would have piercing pain in my skull.

I have had the headache since I was 8 or 9 at that age it was triggered by hormones, now foods, weather fronts, stress, etc. They occur at least once a week with up to 4 times a week. OTC drugs mixed with caffeine help with most if I can catch them in time, if not dark room-ice packs-pillows on my head (sometimes the cat sits on the pillows and that adds more pressure and helps). If it is a bad one it can last hours to several days. Dreams of drilling open my head just to relieve the pressure .... The worst part is that I have passed them on to my daughter. She has them every few months however they are being more frequent as she gets older. Others dream of finding a cure for cancer, I dream of finding a cure for migraines.

I had a stroke when I was 43 after having suffered from migraine with aura since my early 20's. Prior to the stroke, I viewed the migraines as a minor inconvenience. I had them about 4-6 times a year, and the visual aura was always more disturbing than the actual headache. I was able to treat the headache with ibuprofen and an hour or so in a dark room. After the stroke, I was found to have a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) which I've since had closed. I take Verapamil, Nortryptaline, and Magnesium every day to prevent migraines and it works well. I wish I would have known about the link with PFO's and migraines because I definitely would have had it closed earlier and may have prevented the stroke. I am writing in to urge everyone with migraine, especially if you have the aura, to take your headaches very seriously. See a neurologist. Get checked for a PFO. Take medicines to prevent the headaches. I lost some of my vision & will never get it back. I wish that I had known to take more preventive measures before my stroke.

I can't remember a time when I didn't get migraines!

People who don't get them, just don't understand what it's like.

I used to get them in several different forms, now I only (!) get two kinds;

the "Hammer to the side of the head" and the "Blinding, searing, crushing, throbbing, wish your head would just go away" kinds.

I've found that Ibuprophen or a similar compound helps take the searing edge off of the headache, aside from that, it's just a waiting game.

It's amazing the levels of pain a person can get used to enduring, I just wish I didn't have to!

I used to take Butalbitol (sp?), but it knocks me out too much and I have to be able to function, even with a migraine.

I'm thankful that none of my sons have shown any signs of getting them, I wouldn't wish them on anyone!

Good luck to all of us!

Ron

I've had migraines since I was little( but never knew it). My PCP gave me Imitrex & Zomig when I felt the signs of the migraine coming on. I get all the common symptoms. The aura, nausea, bluriness, etc. The only thing that would help would be to be in that cool, dark room and go to sleep for several hours. The drugs my PCP helped with those symptoms but I would get a migraine "hangover". We ( my PCP & me) finally decided to get me to a neurologist since I was getting the migraines 2 times a month. One time brought me into the hospital. The neurologist tried me on this medication called Topamax which has been a wonder drug for me. In almost 3 years , I've only had really 4 bad migraines. I am so thankful I have good healthcare insurance.

I get so mad when people think "it's just a headache". Migraines are not just a headache!

In an effort to assist/help anybody, even my worst enemy, who suffers with migraine, I give you my story in the hope that it will at least give you some comfort that you are not alone.

My headaches started around the age of ten and recall wishing that there was a way to end the pain. I hesitate to continue with this for fear of trigering another headeache!!

The headaches continued, maybe one a month or six weeks or three months until the age of 30 with a clear run until the age of 45 after which the headaches were sporadic and the pain less severe.

I am now 77 and get maybe one or two in a two to four week period BUT - NO PAIN, just the discomfort ot the "aura". A brief rest and I'm active again. I suspect that some of my current experience is due to my ageing eyes coping with newsprint, computer and TV screens.

I don't know if this will help anybody. I thought an ageing perspective might help

Regards

PS. I have never taken prescription medication for migraine.

I've suffered from Migraines since I was 13 years old...

I remember my first one - lasted 4 days during summer vacation to my grandparents - that was almost 4 decades ago - my grandmother FREAKED OUT! She couldn't figure out why a perfectly healthy, extremely active 13 year old girl could be just leveled like that.

Last year (March 22nd - I remember it vividly!!) one flared up...then my right side went numb....oh yes, I ended up in the hospital. Inititially, they were thinking stroke, but all the tests were negative for stroke. My neurologist finally labelled it Hemiplegic migraines, which are the agony of a full blown migraine coupled with stroke like symptoms. We have the misery of feeling like our head is going to explode plus all the numbness and neurological symptoms associated with a stroke...just NONE (thanksfully) of the permanent effects of the stroke. I also have the "aura" effect associated with the Basilar migraine...that one lasted ELEVEN days....it was the worst I've ever felt in my life!

Today we know they're hereditary...my grandfather and my mom both suffered from them....and yes, sadly I have passed them on to my 14 year old son. He began getting them when he was 12 - I was heartbroken. He takes depakote...nasty little medicine - he has to have blood work done every 2 weeks to ensure his liver functions are stable. I have for decades now lived with them as a inconvenience in my life, but I have learned to suffer through them. I get at least 2-3 a month that are just NASTY... and at least 2 a year that are completely incapacitating. I've tried several "scripts"over the years...but all stop working within about 3 months of use. So it's on with life...I just maintain the status quo and try and do EVERYTHING within my power to make sure my son won't suffer as I have for years.

I am almost 53 and have had migraines since I was 16 at least twice a week. 3 1/2 years ago my sister read where artificial sweetners could cause migraines. I have taken over the counter medication as well as prescriptions that would only work ocassionally.I sat and thought about when I usually got migraines and realized that I almost always got them over the weekend. This always happened when I would go out to eat and I always had either a diet cola of iced tea with nutrisweet. Once I though about it I realized that I very seldom had a migraine during the week. I have never missed work due to a migraine. Three years ago in October 2005 I quit drinking any diet sodas and any drink or food with any type of artificial sweetner in it. I have not had a migraine since. I'm not saying that this will be true of everyone with migraines, but it sure helped me.

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I have had migraines at least once a month since I was a teen and luckily mine have not been so severe that they make me throw up. I do have to lie in a dark quiet room though when one strikes. I started taking 4 advil 200 mg tablets about 10 years ago to counter the pain and it always worked wonderfully. However, recently I had to have a colonoscopy done and it revealed that I have severe scarring of my colon from what my doctor said was prolonged Ibuprofen use. My Dr. has advised me to never use Advil again. Luckily I have not had a severe migraine since I stopped taking Advil since Tylenol does virtually nothing for me. I am a little nervous about what will happen when a severe migraine stikes.

i got my first migraine at age 28 when i was in okinawa, japan, and a major typhoon (hurricane) blew in. since then -- 20 years -- i have found that drops in barametric pressure are triggers for me, as well as chocolate and garlic. i get at least 1, sometimes 2, migraines per week, and for yeas they were very debilitating, as others have notice. a wonderful doctor (who also got migraine and so was sympathetic and on the lookout for new treatments) found imitrex for me in the mid 90s. i used imitrex (which literally changed my life, in that -- like the person above -- the headache was gone or under control in a couple of hours). now, i use relpax, which has fewer side effects for me than imitrex did.

i was pain free for the *entire* 9 months i was pregnant with twins (which may have been hormones or the fact that i was *not* stressed, as my doctor told me to stop working b/c of the risks associated with twin pregnancy). now that i am approaching menopause, i find that the headaches really cycle -- they go away for a few weeks, then i get them daily. again, maybe fluctuations in hormones.

exercise, regular sleep patterns, lots of water, and easy yoga help as well.

I started getting migraines at age 7. My mother would tie a men's tie around my head VERY tightly and give me children's tylenol. This still works for me now, 30 years later (with much stronger medications), and it also works for my 13 year old son, to whom I've passed on this horrible trait. I've been through the tests, which never reveal anything, to countless doctors, all of which have different ideas of why they occur and how to correct them. Currently, my doctor has me on daily Beta Blockers to try to prevent them. I haven't been on them long enough to tell you if they work but I'll try anything at this point. I have also taken Imitrex and Relpax rescue meds which work about half the time. And then there's good old Vicodin with has very little effect anymore. At one point a Dr. had me on Fiorinal with codiene and caffiene. It worked beautifully but I cannot get another Dr. to prescribe it because it is apparently highly addictive.

I don't have all of the standard side effects, only the flashing lights and my pain is from temple to temple, not only on one side, which is standard Migraine form. These varied symptoms have lead to various diagnosis from cluster headaches to migraines. I get them 4-6 times a month and they last 3-4 days each. The only triggers I know for sure are alcohol (any kind, but particularly brutal with wine or champagne) and crying (the act of crying, not necessarily stress induced).

Try the tie thing and take a nap - sounds silly but I swear by it! Let me know how it works for you!

My earliest migraines were just after puberty, but in my early 20s, they got much worse. The first auras hit in my mid-20s, and now include (when they're very bad) aphasia, too -- loss of 90% or so of my verbal abilities. It makes perfect sense that migraineurs suffer increased stroke risk, given how stroke-like are some of our regular symptoms.

None of the prophylaxic drugs work for me, although the vasoconstrictors do make my circulation better. OTC remedies haven't been effective for 20 years or so (I'm 51, now). So I take Fiorecet (butalbital, caffeine, codeine) when they hit (too often) and sleep if I can (too seldom). Since I am a college professor, I just get through my classes and hope for the best.

As one of your other posters pointed out, the worst migraines are the ones we wake up with. Those are the ones where you know it just won't get any better.

I have had migraines for 40 years and have not found much of anything pharmaceutical that helps consistently.   However, when I do have a "killer" migraine, one that interferes with my eyesight and balance, I have found that strong coffee with a small amount of food helps more than any medications.  If this doesn't work, trigger point massage usually does.   

I try to prevent migraines by avoiding MSG, milk chocolate (dark chocolate is not a trigger for me) aspartame and getting plenty of sleep.   I always wear sunglasses in bright sunlight or glare conditions.  I have more migraines since I changed jobs and work in an office where I am not allowed to turn off the overhead lights. 

I am a 33yr old male and have had "Migraine with aura" for as long as I can remember. It peaked in HS when I was getting 1-2/wk, but I'm down to about one every few months now. My best way to "cope" is to avoid them altogether by knowing and avoiding my triggers: staying up late or sleeping in, increasing or decreasing my caffine intake dramatically, drinking any amount of alcohol...even consuming too much iron at once (I can't eat more than a few tablespoons of spinach at a sitting). Regulating stress is another preventative, which I do through Zen mediation at my local Zen Center, biofeedback exercises, and [on the other end of the spectrum] bringing work with me on vacation. But when I do get a Migraine, my prescrip of choice is Midrin. The Triptans make me flush uncomfortably and they don't always do the job. Beta and Calcium Channel Blockers are daily preventatives that I find less effective over time and had negative impacts on my creative thinking skills (I earn my living creatively, so this is a bad thing). And of everything else that Neurologists have tried on me, they're unreliable, expensive (~$15/dose), or both. Midrin is a sloppy fix for the occassional sufferer, but it's cheap and I know it will work. Take two Midrin, hole-up in my bedroom, sleep for 3-4hrs, then I'm back to "normal".

I've often speculated that I'd be at increased risk of stroke -- during aura onset or in the throws of the pain, now could you not? -- but now it seems we've more than speculation going against us (or for us...depends on what side of the Migraine you're on).

I started suffering from migraines when I was 17. I went through years of 4-5 times a week, migraines lasting no less than 24 hours. My migraines consist of pain either behind my left eye, or less frequently behind my right eye. Picture a screwdriver twisting behind you eye for 24 hours. I get aura before an attack, and am very sensitive to light. Oftentimes get nausea and vomiting. I feel like there are two versions of me. Me without a migraine (a happy, lively person) and me with a migraine (a miserable, depressed person). They have affected my quality of life significantly.

OTC medications do absolutely nothing. My life was pretty much on hold for years. So many days spent in bed with a bucket next to me for puking. I started taking Imitrex around age 26 which would take most of them away, except since mine were so frequent, I couldn't take the Imitrex for each one or else the it would not work as effectively, and in fact, would cause rebound headaches. Also, I am terrified at the long term effects of taking that medication so frequently. I've tried taking preventative meds (blood pressure meds, Topamax, etc.) but none have been effective.

I am now 33 years old. Recently, I read a book by David Buchholz called Heal Your Headache: The 1-2-3 Program for Taking Charge of Your Pain. It consists of stopping your pain medication and eating a diet avoiding trigger foods (caffeine, chocolate, citrus, red wine, MSG and all of its hidden names, and many other foods.). I'm not going to lie... it's REALLY hard because the diet is pretty restrictive and MSG and all other forms of it is in literally almost everything that's not fresh food. But... I have decreased my migraines by around 75%, and I've only been doing it for about 4 months. The only time that I usually will always get a migraine or two is around my period. Also, during and after the holidays, I went off the diet and I suffered for it... big time. As restrictive as this program is, I am willing to try ANYTHING to help myself. I don't want to just accept being a victim of this debilitating disorder for the rest of my life. This program might not work for all sufferers, but it has worked for many many people, which is why I decided to give it a try. If you are serious about helping yourself, I highly recommend it. But remember, you have to do it full force for it to be effective... believe me, I tried to half-ass it and it doesn't work that way.

Also, getting around the same sleep every night (7-8 hours) is crucial for me. Too little or too much will trigger a migraine.

Good luck to everyone who is dealing with migraines. They straight up suck. No ifs ands or buts. Be proactive... don't give up on finding help for yourself, however that may be.

First migraine I remember was somewhere between the ages fo 8-10. Was jumping on the trampoline in the back yard like I had for every day I could remember prior to that, when it felt/sounded like something was clicking in my head every time I landed. It was painful, so I stopped, but thirty or so minutes later I had a powerful headache.

When I was younger, I didn't get them as frequently as I do today. I remember having them, but I don't remember the circumstances. Nowadays, I either have visual or olfactory aura symptoms (That's sight or smell, not me incorrectly calling olfactory vision) 30 or so minutes prior to headache onset, and they'll last anywhere from a few hours to days. I think the longest migraine headache I had was 4 days.

I try to reduce everything that I am sensitive to and, if at home, sleep. Over the counter pain medications don't work for me, whether it's for the pain or for the sleep aid of the pm. When at home, I take a benadryl, a cold shower while 'massaging' my head, neck, and ears, and listen to bainaural beats programmed for headache reduction while lying down with as much light blocked and pressure on my head from pillows. When I'm not at home, I wear sunglasses and do my best to deal with it until I am home. When at work, I let everyone I work with know so they'll (hopefully) catch the hint and be quiet as much as possible, put out the lights (I work in a computer lab), and take off as early as I can. I've stopped trying to take sick days because there are only a certain number of days you can say you're home for a certain illness before you boss gets tired of it....

I have suffered migraines since age 18. Became heavily dependent on over the counter medication which contains codeine and caffeine. Pethedine injections weren't helping and prescribed medications had dreadful side-effects.

When my intake of Syndol reached 30 tablets a day I decided to do something drastic. Found that inducing violent bouts vomiting by drinking lots of water helped temendously, but was not the best solution - eventually even a sip of water had me purging.

I Found that, besides the well-known triggers, the following also caused havoc: Peas, garlic, onions, bananas and coconut. However, lighting also upset my vision so I threw out ALL energy-saving globes and joined Weighless to correct my eating habits. Even though Weighless contains a lot of dairy - it has not made a difference and my tablet intake OVER ONE MONTH has been reduced to 8 tablets a day.

Once I stop smoking it should go down to ZERO. Although smoking is great trigger - I have still found a difference by just changing my diet and lighting at work, home and even at my church.

I also wish all migraine sufferers the best as it is a personal problem being triggered differently in each case. However, the excutiating pain is the same for everyone.

I got my first migraine when I was 12 years old. Back in the 70's the only medication you could take was a good old aspirin. With an upset stomach to begin with it was hard to keep them down. I suffer from the aura first, then the headache and numbness. I use Imitrex nasal spray at the first onset of the aura. Usually I have a rebound headache but do not even consider going without the Imitrex, I would be in bed all day instead of a couple of hours. I do not take a daily medication, did for years and really affected my balance and energy levels. Have found that as I approach menopause my headaches have decreased. When I was pregnant ( had four kids) I never had a single migraine. Have learned what foods will set off a migraine as well as stress. Everyone is different with what can trigger headache but we will all agree, they hurt like hell and can really affect the way you live your life.

About six years ago I started getting debilitating headaches weekly, then just about daily for the last year or so. Although I've only had auras and nausea once, other aspects sounded like a migraing from being only on one side of the head to light sensitivity.

Through a series of fortunate events, I discovered my trigger (and, hence, my "cure") about 5 months ago; Capsaicin. You know, the chemical that makes hot peppers "hot".

I don't know why they started, as I have loved hot foods since high school and was not prone to headaches until I was in my mid-thirties, but they *did* start, they *did* get worse (progressing from every few weeks to almost daily over the course of about six years) and they *are* caused by capsaicin.

If you think this could be you, check out my blog which has some history about this (first post is at: ) My blog is about other stuff, but capsaicin intolerance/allergy has taken it over in recent posts...