I don't get migraines very often, but I got one last night. It started like they always do, with visual disturbances. Usually I can head them off with sudafed, ibuprofrin and tylenol. I don't have any tylenol and the other two didn't work. I finished making dinner and told dh and the kids, there you go--you're on your own and took a nap. It dulled it, but it's now coming back. I have five kids besides my own two today and even them just talking is driving me up a wall. The baby's mom (9 months) did say if it gets worse to call her and she'd come get him. I've taken 800mg ibuprofin already. What else can I do/take? I have sodas, but they're all diet. I don't think there's any regular out there with caffine in it. I do have some hot tea (green and herbal). Right now it's that dull, background pain, except when I cough or bend over. Yes, my sinuses are still messed up and I'm sure that's part of the problem. I'm on round three of antibiotics. What else can I try? Cold compresses, where? Back of the neck? Forehead? Years ago I was perscribed imitrex for migraines (I got them more frequently then) but it didn't work. Thankfully the baby is being very good right now and I've got the 3 and 5yo's watching tv (the 6 and 9yo aren't here yet, Randy's still in bed and Robin's finally leaving me alone for a few minutes). All I really want to do is go back to bed. Ugh Suggestions??? tia

By Heaventree on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 10:39 am:

Sorry you're feeling crappy. This always works for me:

2 ibuprofrin x 1 can of regular coke. If you're out of coke try coffee.

By Hol on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 10:44 am:

Oh Sweetie, I'm so sorry. Migraines can be SO awful, especially when you have to be "on deck" for everyone else. It does sound like your nasal problems are at the root of it. Maybe, down the road, you might want to see an ear, nose and throat doctor and see about nasal surgery. If you are on round three of antibiotics, you may have nasal polyps, or some other sort of obstruction. My DH and DD have each had the same sinus surgery three times because they keep growing polyps back.

Anyway....that doesn't help you today. The other isuue could be..is Aunt Flo visiting right now? I used to get awful migraines at that time. I used to work in a pharmacy, and I discovered an herb called Feverfew. It was literally a God send. It constricts the blood vessels (when you get a migraine, it is because the blood vessels are dialated too wide) and, along with Ibuprofen, knocks it out. It is safe, unless you have high blood pressure, but then if you do, you shouldn't take Sudafed either.

With all those kids there,though,you probably can't go out and get some. Is there a neighbour or friend that could get it for you? The only other thing that I can suggest, that worked for me is HOT compresses on your forehead and over your eyes while lying down. I know they say cold, which makes more sense because cold constricts the blood vessels, hot opens them. But I found the hot compresses soothing, and cold too jarring. Of course, the best thing, but it doesn't sound like an option right now, is sleep in a darkened room.

I wish I could come watch the kids for you, so you could lie down. ((((HUGS))))

By Heaventree on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 10:50 am:

You can also try this:

How to Use Shiatsu for a Migraine Headache

Even though step 5 is for nausea I find it helps give temporary relief from headache pain. There is a pressure point just between your thumb and index finger on the top of your hand. Use the thumb on the opposite hand to squeeze down on this area.

By Sandysmom on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 10:54 am:

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I've heard migraines can be horrific. (((hugs)))

By Jackie on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 11:01 am:

I am sorry you are going through this.

Imitrex is my friend. I always try two excedrin migraine first. Then if that doesnt work, one 100mg IMIITREX ALWAYS works. They have become my bestfriend.
I feel so bad for you, having a migraine and having all those kids.
I hope you get some relief soon.

By Tarable on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 11:24 am:

I use a cool wash rag on the back of my neck helps sometimes. I agree that the cold compress is too jarring and I can't use that. The other thing that seems to help me a lot is to wear sunglasses if you can't have the lights off. I do this at work a lot when I have to finish something before I can go home and sleep it off. Anything that helps you not strain your eyes from light.

The other thing that I have found to work when I have a migraine that is sinus related is taking Alkeseltzer Cold medicine. the kind you drink. It seems to work faster than the pills.

Also you could try some Aleve if you have any around. Sometimes it helps relax me and when I have a migraine my muscles in my back and neck tense up awful.

Good Luck and ((((((HUGS))))))

By Cat on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 11:40 am:

Thanx, everyone. I did find a soda that wasn't diet or caffine free (Sunkist orange--not my first chioce, but it helped). The pressure point also helped, Heaventree. Thank you. It's getting better but still there. I especially notice it when one of the kids yells. The mom of the 6 and 9yo is also my chiropractor and she said to call her later and she'd come by during her lunch and adjust me if it wasn't gone. She also said to push drinking water. Hopefully it'll be gone soon.

Tarable, maybe I'll stick my glasses (transitions lenses) outside for a minute to get dark. They take about 5 minutes to lighten up again. If that works I'll dig up a pair of sunglasses. Trouble is, I can't see very well without the correction (I have pretty bad astigmitisms).

It is a little better. That, I'm thankful for. Every little bit helps.

By Enchens on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 12:26 pm:

I would have suggested quite a few of the same things that were already suggested. If you can get Maxalt prescribed, you take it at the first sign of a migraine. I had a couple of samples from my doc, and they worked pretty well.

Also, I have my husband massage the area of pain until it's gone. I'm usually in a dark room, laying on the couch. That helps a lot.

Also, doing Yoga, if time permits, has helped. I know some people who take a class have actually commented that they get less headaches. I tried it once, I have a tape, while I was getting one, and it went away.

I would definitely try a cold pack on the area as an immediate relief effort.

Anyway, just a few more suggestions for you to try.

By Kaye on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 01:15 pm:

I found cool rag on the back of my neck and warmth on my feet helps...strange.

Also peppermint oil rubbed into the temples.

By Tsa on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 01:42 pm:

Go to a Chiropractor. In the mean time put two tennis balls on either side of your neck right under your skull and lay on them. You would be surprised how much that will help. But if you've tried the medication and that didn't help then it must be a chiropractic problem.

By Cat on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 02:57 pm:

Thanx again, everyone. It's mostly gone now. I only feel it when I move too fast or cough, and even then not all the time.

Tsa, I know I need to be adjusted. There's one spot in my neck that's been bothering me since last week and then I kind of slid down some snow/ice covered steps on Sunday so there's some in my lower back that's out. We were actually at my friend's house (the chiropractor) for New Years Eve but she didn't want to adjust me then because she'd had a few drinks. I should have had her do it yesterday, but it slipped my mind until it was too late. Oh well. She'll get me in sometime today.

I do want to say that you guys are all great for all the suggestions and support. It's great having this place to come to, knowing someone will always be here. Thank you all, again.

By Hol on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 10:40 pm:

The warmth on the feet helps because it draws the blood away from the head and TO the feet.

Migraines are just miserable, and the nausea that goes with them is almost as bad. ((HUGS))

By Hol on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 11:05 pm:

Soaking the feet in warm/hot water has the same effect.

By Heaventree on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 11:16 pm:

Cat, glad you are feeling better. Next time you go shopping prepare an emergency migraine kit. A case of Coke and a large bottle of Advil along with all the other wonderful ideas suggested. Hide it in the basement where only you know the location!

By Tsa on Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 12:43 am:

So, glad you are feeling better.

By Cat on Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 07:52 am:

Heaventree, I bought tylenol last night! lol I do need to get some sodas. I'll do that this weekend.

By Karen~admin on Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 09:11 am:

Chiropractic might help a lot. Also, I use Maxalt for mine and it works like a charm. Barring that and other suggestions, something that always helped with mine years ago was to tie a bandana or scarf tightly around my head and put ice on the side the migraine was on. I had one while visiting my inlaws a few years ago, and I spent 2 days in bed taking Lortab, and I was nauseous and in so much pain. A friend of my MIL brought me some *very* strong, cold, black coffee. I drank it, she massaged my temples, and it really helped a lot.

Migraines are truly miserable. I use to get them 2 or 3 times a week. Hope you feel better today!

By Heaventree on Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 10:05 am:

Cat, I don't know if you get migraines regularly but Tylenol won't even touch mine. I have to use Advil. You might want to have a variety of pain meds on hand to see which one works best for you.

I find that sometimes the next day after a migraine, I get what I call a "migraine hang-over". I just don't feel right. How are you today?

Also be careful with your meds you can get a rebound effect from taking too much pain medication and end up with a headache all over again.

By Cat on Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 10:34 am:

I don't get them often. Not even once a month. In the past, 800mg of ibuprofin, 1000mg Tylenol and a sudafed have worked. I didn't have any Tylenol in the house yesterday morning, though. If I get another one in the next few weeks I'll see my doctor because that's not the norm for me.

Today I feel okay. I've felt off for weeks, probably because of the augmenten I'm on for the sinuses. It just makes me feel kind of yucky, ya know? I'll probably end up seeing an ENT in the next month or so. I really don't want to go the sinus surgery route. I've known lots of people that have done that and more than half didn't work. I already know I have a deviated septum and there are two cysts in my left front sinus. We'll see.

By Nicki on Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 02:22 pm:

Glad your headache is better, Cat.:-)

By Hol on Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 11:39 pm:

Heaven - Tylenol has always been useless to me, too. And, that is a good way to describe it...a migraine "hang over". It DOES leave you feeling like you went ten rounds with George Foreman.