Anyone deal with migranes? (MRI, hormones, dental, teeth)

[Hoosier]

I need some help understanding and dealing with migranes. I've researched medical websites over the past year and what they offer just isn't helping. My wife has severe migranes on a regular basis. Does anyone else deal with this? If you do what have you found to be triggers? How have you dealt with it? What is the best thing a spouse can do to help during a migrane? We've been dealing with these pretty nonstop for close to a year. The doctors have her on every med imaginable and it's only getting worse.

[vpcats]

There are shots also. Has she gotten any? I don't really know about all the latest and greatest but migraines are very very debilitating.
My husband suffers from occasional migraines. Not frequently. Maybe 2 or 3 a year. Some of those I actually think are an excuse for not dealing with me about something, or when he doesn't want to complete a "project" at home and I am on the war path. :-))
Serious, for him.... he makes a cup of strong cuban coffee (espresso will do too) and puts lemon and sugar in it. Goes to sleep. No lights, no sound. Covers his head with a pillow. When he wakes up, it's like it never happened.

[yogini]

Check out this book...

Heal Your Headache
by David Buchholz

I know a lot of people who have used it to help understand and manage chronic migraines/headaches and they swear by it. Hope it helps

[Nea1]

Has she been on Relpax?? That has helped me. I get atleast 5 a month , worse during my monthly. What I have found is head massage when when starts to come on. Usually my husband will brush my hair, it really helps circulation. I have been dealing with them for atleast 20 years, started when I was in highschool. Usually if no one is home to help me I take my meds then I lie down in a very dark room and try to sleep it off.

[Nea1]

Originally Posted by Hoosier_guy

I need some help understanding and dealing with migranes. I've researched medical websites over the past year and what they offer just isn't helping. My wife has severe migranes on a regular basis. Does anyone else deal with this? If you do what have you found to be triggers? How have you dealt with it? What is the best thing a spouse can do to help during a migrane? We've been dealing with these pretty nonstop for close to a year. The doctors have her on every med imaginable and it's only getting worse.

Also has she had an MRI??? If not demand one. It turns out my mom has MS. She also suffered terrible migraines for years.

[Nea1]

Know your triggers

A trigger is something that can cause a migraine. A trigger can be anything, from an aged cheese to getting your period. As you can see below, there are several types of migraine triggers.
Food and drink triggers:

*

Foods and drinks that contain additives, such as MSG (MonoSodium Glutamate). Plus artificial sweeteners.
*

Chocolate.
*

Aged cheeses, like cheddar and parmesan (processed cheeses, such as American, are usually okay).
*

Alcohol.
*

Caffeine withdrawal caused by cutting way back on caffeine. Or suddenly not having any caffeine at all. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea and most soft drinks.

Hormonal and atmospheric triggers:

*

Sudden changes in hormones before or during your period.
*

Weather changes, such as falling temperatures. Or changes in humidity.
*

Changes in air pressure, for example, when you are flying in a plane.

Stress and sleep triggers:

*

Being worn out from too much activity, lack of sleep, or even too much sleep.
*

Stress and worry during or after a stressful event.

To find out what your migraine triggers are, keep a migraine diary. Then share your diary with your doctor at you next appointment. Doing this will help you and your doctor find out what triggers your migraines.

[pidge77]

Originally Posted by Hoosier_guy

I need some help understanding and dealing with migranes. I've researched medical websites over the past year and what they offer just isn't helping. My wife has severe migranes on a regular basis. Does anyone else deal with this? If you do what have you found to be triggers? How have you dealt with it? What is the best thing a spouse can do to help during a migrane? We've been dealing with these pretty nonstop for close to a year. The doctors have her on every med imaginable and it's only getting worse.

You'd be surprised how many promblems are caused from Anxieties/stress!
I'd bet all that medication is no good for her either...

[pidge77]

Also caffeine can trigger migraines!

[Racelady88]

In addition to watching what you eat, there are maintenance medications that help.

My personal food triggers are: yogurt, cashews, yellow cheese, cocoa, and red wine.

I avoid those like the plague.

I also take Topamax, an anti-convulsant that seriously reduces both the frequency and severity of the attacks. When they come anyway I take Maxalt. Both of these are very expensive, but insurance does pay for them.

As far as what a spouse can do to help I would have to say make no sounds or smells. Sounds funny, I know. When I have a migraine I can smell an ink pen 3 rooms away & it makes me nauseous.

I also would be demanding an MRI & an EEG.

[movingoutofCA]

She should go to a DO. It's a Dr that deals with the skeleton and will help get rid of migranes. Your skull is made up of 22 bones that actually move. Slightly, only a Dr who learned, can feel. And if you bump your head, or grind your teeth, or had a dental visit, your bones can be jammed up or moving in the wrong direction. They will adjust your bones and you will feel so much better. I go and it's great. Look in your medical coverage book of Dr and look for one that has DO after the MD and call them and ask to be seen for migranes.