I know this has been discussed before, but I'm looking for some info. For anyone that gets these or has in the past, what triggers them for you? I used to get them, after we left Panama and moved to Maryland almost 5 years ago. I got them for about a year and then they went away. Well I've gotten two this week. One on Tuesday that lasted pretty much all day (dulled it with tylanol and motrin) and one that was starting this morning, but it took the same meds and avoided it for the most part. I can still feel it, but it's very mild. My migraines are always preceeded by vision problems--seeing spots or waves that look like heat coming off the pavement--ykwim? My head doesn't actually start hurting until these "spots" go away. I've been trying to think if I've eaten something different this week or done anything differently. So what are common triggers besides the obvious ones I know,MSG and wine (I don't drink)? Any thoughts? Years ago I was prescribed Immetrex and it didn't help. Like I said, the tylanol/motrin combo helps but I can still feel it. TIA

By Jodie on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 03:48 pm:

excessive noise, loud music, too much chocolate and even excessive exposure to bright lights will do it for me. Coincidentially enough I've had a bad bad migraine last few days off and on. I haven't been able to post as even the computer screen brightness was intolerable. I've been nauseous and dizzy. Sitting in a cool dark room with soothing meditation music, some strong herbal tea, tylenol and about 8-10 hours of sleep is what helped me out.Sometimes xanax helps .Nothing else works. This combo has worked in the past and so I always stick to that.I get these a bit after the holidays every year . DH even schedules some time off knowing my migraine is bound to happen. Thankfully a few days once or twice a year that's all. I've heard some people get migraines every week even. That must be terrible.
And yes my migraines are preceded by a weird deja vu kind of feeling of impending doom, like something is about to go wrong kind of a feeling.
I hope you feel better soon.A big hug coming your way. I wish they would come up with better ways to pinpoint the exact mechanism of migraines for all people and medicnes too. The current medicines don't really work for every type of migraine.

By Trisa on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 03:49 pm:

My hubby gets these. In fact he has had them since he was 8 years old. One thing that triggers his are being over tired. he gets them very bad. he gets sick and gets VERY cold and needs tons of blankets. His mother told me when he was a kid the doc told her to put him on b-12 and that milk and dairy should be avoided. He takes Aleve when he feels one coming on. We have had many vacations ruined because he will get one. I am sorry you get them to. They are awful.

By Pamt on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 03:52 pm:

Cat, I had them from the time I was 2 until 18. My last severe one was the summer after my freshman year in college. My mom said when I was little I would be happily playing on the floor one minute and then fall over grabbing my right eye and crying in pain the next. I had them about once a month in elementary school. With my migraines I would always have the visual aura (twinkling lights for me), severe sharp pain behind my right eye, and more often than not, nausea. As a child I used a phenobarbital suppository whenever I had one. Then, I would sleep it off in a cold, dark room. I think hormones had to factor into mine somehow, since I have had very few migraines since I went through puberty and none in adulthood. I'm kind of worried to see if they come back with a vengeance when I go thru menopause. As a child, lack of sleep was my only OBVIOUS trigger. If I spent the night at a friend's house or went to a slumber party, we could guarantee that I would have a migraine the next day because I didn't get enough sleep.

If I were you, I'd keep a journal of what you had to ate, how much sleep you have had, and where you are in your menstrual cycle and then you might begin to detect a pattern. You also might want to visit the doctor b/c now they have sooo many different, good medicines for treating migraines. That are certainly painful and no one can truly understand how a "headache" can be so excruciatingly painful until they have experienced one themselves. I can't imagine being a mom and having to function with a migraine. Hope you get relief soon!! ((Cat))

By Dananivyboo1 on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 04:01 pm:

I've suffered from migraines on and off for years. I will be there for about a month where I would get them every other day and then for like 3 months I dont get one. I'm not big on taking medication but if I do I take Bayer and I believe that has been the best to help me with my migraines. Other things I have done is just relaxing in the bath with nothing but candles on. Bright light will trigger it more ofr me. So even if you dim or shut off lights in the room or close your eyes.

I used to also see a chiro cause he would adjust my neck, give massages and I would get them agian for a few months. If its vision for you limit the things that make your eyes strain. like I cant look that the computer or watch tv too close. etc

By Kernkate on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 06:01 pm:

Try excedrin (sp?) migraine. I have taken then and they to me work wonders. I have suffered migraines for years and do not like to take medication. But these really do help me.
Just like Pam I got the visual aura (twinkling lights.) Such a scary feeling.
Try the excedrin and see, its nothing that will hurt ya.
Good luck I know the feeling of a migraine.

By Mommyathome on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 06:12 pm:

Stress gives me migraines. I had a migraine so bad when I was a senior in the highschool that I lost control of my speech. It was very scary and I had to go to the ER. I haven't had one THAT bad again, thank goodness
I like excedrin migraine as well.

By Cat on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 08:26 pm:

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. Pam, I like the idea of a journal of what I'm eating (not that I want to know--not good for the "diet"! lol). I know sleeping it off helps (or at least has in the past). Sometimes that's just not an option, though. I was in the commissary (military grocery) this morning when the spots appeared. I had the hardest time reading my grocery list (couldn't see it with the spots)! I kept wondering how I was going to drive home. Thankfully they went away not five minutes before I left. Today's just ended up being a dull pain behind my eyes. I keep waiting for it to come back. I hope it doesn't. Tuesday's was awful! Bad thing was I had to take my 8yo for a strep test and flu booster so no rest for the weary. I tried to get the ped clinic to give me something, but all I got was a flu shot! lol I did see a chiropractor because my neck was hurting (started hurting Monday afternoon--couldn't turn my head to the right for some reason). I'll talk to her again on Monday (she's one of my daycare parents). I'll also have to get some Excedrin Migraine. Sounds like good stuff. I had a friend when we lived in Panama that would get 2-3 migraines a week and she'd end up in the ER every 2-3 weeks. I took her once and they gave her something that she reacted to and I had to run down the hall and tell them "Toni's having trouble breathing!" Boy, they can move fast in the ER when they need to! Scary.

Thanx again for all the thoughts (and hugs!). You gals are the greatest.

Oh, btw, coming out of the commissary this morning it was cold (about 40*) and very windy, so with the wind chill it was even colder. That really seemed to help. Is that odd?

By Babysitbarb on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 08:30 pm:

I only seem to get them in the fall. I have allergies and there's something about the wet ground and until we get a real hard frost then I get them off and on. Last fall was the worst year ever.I have Imitrex that Im to take but sometimes that's not enough, usually I have to take a couple Advil with the Imitrix also. My doctor gave me permission to do this las t fall. He says I wait to late to take the Imitrix and I try just the Advil and by that time it's to late.