Best explanation of migraine that I have ever found, to help non-sufferers understand

[schrodingers_cat]

I'm at home today with one, post-imitrex, pre-relief, and found this site. I plan on printing this and giving it to all that need an education on this damn PHYSIOLOGICAL disease. I've listened to one too many people tell me that "I shouldn't stress so much", or that all I need to do is give up chocolate, coffee, cheese etc., etc.. As a menstrual and barometric migraineur, I'm sick to death of crackpot advice from people who think of migraines as a "bad headache".
<steps gingerly out of rant booth and seeks dark room>

anyway, check it out:

http://www.migraines.org/myth/mythreal.htm

[ThomCat]

1. That is an awesome site.

Thank you so much for posting this.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

2. another couple of sites for you...

www.helpforheadaches.com

www.mymigraineconnection.com

Excellent migraine info! And the 2nd one has a forum for migraineurs to come together and share experiences, vents, or whathaveyou...


-slammed by migraines this week in North Carolina, aka ncrainbowgrrl

[schrodingers_cat]

4. Thanks for the links, ncrainbowgrrl

I haven't tried some of the medications they list on that site. They are:
Topamax (topiramate)
Imitrex (sumatriptan)
Midrin
Relpax (eletriptan)
Maxalt
The Topomax looks like an interesting possibility - have you tried it? As I'm aging, they are going from 1 a month to 3-5 a month, so I've got to try soemthing new. The imitrex is working less than it used to. I also saw the contact information to get in on testing of that magnetic field device that I keep hearing about - I may try to get in on that.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

8. I have tried that particular medication.

For me it was a bust. But others on the migraine forum at mymigraineconnection.com have had it work, and it's their wonderdrug!

As for me, I'm still tweaking meds...I have a great abortive. (frova) Unfortunately, the preventative side of the house hasn't been as easy to nail down. :eyes: But, we'll get it right eventually.

:hug: to another migraine sufferer.

[flamingyouth]

3. I'm also a barometric and menstrual migraineur.

I think I have a few food triggers too (tomatoes, possibly).

I had a horrible attack a couple of weeks ago. It lasted about five days and I'm still feeling the effects of it, in fact.

[schrodingers_cat]

5. flamingyouth, I know that post-migraine haze....

I wish you a long respite from that 5 day marathon migraine. I think we all can appreciate the impact of those attacks on our worlds - it's just so hard to explain it to others, so hard to get through it ourselves.

[flamingyouth]

6. I hope you're feeling better too.

And I agree, it is hard to explain it to others. My dad still doesn't understand why I have to take a pill (Topamax) every day for a "headache" when I don't have one.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

7. Try using "Migraine attack" instead of migraine headache

or "Migraine Disease." ... 'cause that's what it really is...

Glad topomax works for you! It was a BUST for me... Just had yet another med adjustment appt today. ( :rolleyes: ) It's "fun" to be one of the more difficult migraineurs to treat...

[Warpy]

9. Longest one I ever had lasted a little over 3 days

and marked the last time I was stupid enough to drink alcohol, one of my triggers. That was 30 years ago.

Getting old has been wonderful because the hormonal trigger isn't there any more, although I did have a bad one the one and only time I tried taking an HRT pill.

This town has banned indoor smoking, so that's another trigger gone.

I now have one maybe ever 3 or 4 months, and I can live with that.

I always had a hangover after one, usually lasted at least a day or two and was almost as bad as the pain was. I couldn't concentrate on anything.

[DemBones DemBones]

10. With any medical condition, those who don't have it, don't understand.

It doesn't do any good to explain it to them, in my experience. There are some people who just have the mindset that if people "really try" they can stop having whatever it is they have. Often they have worked their way through some minor problem that is easily cured by simple exercises so they think everything can be cured just as easily.

They'll tell you that you should stop taking your meds and take vitamins and herbs. Or exercise more. Or learn to relax. :grr:

I'm about ready to start asking people where they got their medical degree when they offer unasked-for advice.

[ThomCat]

11. Any fool who tries to tell me that supplements and herbs

would solve health conditions immediately gets written off as a total wacko.

Especially because I'm a vegan, I eat a large amount of my food raw and organic. I use a lot of fresh herbs. And my diet is much more varied than most people's. I almost certainly already get more vitamins, minerals, and trace amounts of all kinds of extra goodies than they do. I've still got my disability anyway. What the hell do they know?