usvi-on-line
Migraines - A long Post, But It's My Baby Girl
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greyhoundmom
- Posts: 978
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:06 pm
- Location: Columbia South Carolina
I've been getting migraines for 30+ years now. I used to suffer so much just like your daughter. I finaly went to see a neurologist a few years ago and he gave me Zomig nasal spray. It's great if you can't keep anything down because it gets sprayed up your nose.It gets rid of my headaches within 5-15 minutes.(15 minutes for the really bad ones)
I will say the bad part about the spray is that it drips down the back of your throat in the first couple minutes but the relief is totaly worth it. I just chew a piece of gum to get rid of the taste.
It's amazing how many people suffer from this.
I will say the bad part about the spray is that it drips down the back of your throat in the first couple minutes but the relief is totaly worth it. I just chew a piece of gum to get rid of the taste.
It's amazing how many people suffer from this.
Wow, I am glad I stumbled across this threat. I can’t believe how many of us there are. Also, only recently, I have learned how many others have similar symptoms and theories. I wrote the following after reading greyhound’s post and just am shocked at how many of us have come up with the same theories. It really makes me wonder about what we are putting in our bodies--is it diet soda? processed foods? Could it be that we are putting something in our bodies that our bodies are more sensitive to in our monthly cycles?
First, and foremost, I feel so badly for Jennifer. I have been “there”. I was slightly older when it started getting them and my theory is that my migraines started with puberty. In time, I knew they were coming on but I didn’t have any idea what to do about until years later. I use to call it feeling “sick” in my eyes and neck. Given how many of my Aunts get migraines I can’t believe that no one could tell me what was going on.
Without a doubt I think it is hormonal and I also think it is sinus’ related. When I was younger I thought it was natures way of making me rest. Until I learned how to alleviate it I would go from being so uncomfortable that I couldn’t sleep---to vomiting----to sleeping for hours----to waking up feeling weak but without a headache. I don’t remember what I took the early days, maybe tylenol? But if I were anyway close to the vomiting stage there was no way I could keep any medicine down and I was in for a miserable 12-24 hours.
She couldn't walk straight, couldn't see, numbness all through her arms, could barely talk above a whisper because it hurt so much.
My arms haven’t felt numb but there are times that my face hurts so bad that I don’t want to talk or make and sudden movements. When I was younger I did get nauseous often. But now that I know the symptoms I can normally keep it from escalating to that point.
Here is what I am doing. First, my doctor put me on progesterone. Today there are so many hormones in our food that we can easily become estrogen dominant. Initially, that is all that I needed but for the past 6 months I have started to get them again. I go for my regular appointment in a month and I hope to check my levels again to see if maybe my progesterone is dipping too low. I hope so because that would be an easy fix.
For the past few months I have started taking claratin D trying to keep the migraines from coming.
If I feel a migraine coming on I take excedrine migraine and go for a long walk swinging my arms as much as I can and doing a few neck rolls. I came across this by accident. I was so miserable that I couldn’t stand being in bed anymore so I went for a walk. I went on a mile trail in our neighborhood. I was vomiting a lot in the beginning. By the end of the walk my head well enough that I could sleep. The only thing I can figure out is that my muscles are tensing causing the migraine and swinging my arms and doing a few neck rolls make the muscles relax.
So, now when my neck feels stiff and my eyes are sore I know that I have a migraine coming on. If I able, I try not to take anything and just go for that walk, swinging my arms madly and doing neck rolls. A lot of times that does the trick. If it doesn’t I take an excedrine migraine and use an ice pack on my eyes and neck and try to take a nap. Often that does the trick.
Your daughter is young and she may not be able to recognize the symptoms--but you might be able to. If she is rubbing her eyes or neck ask her how she is feeling. If you determine she is not feeling good try to get her to take that walk. I don’t really like taking medicine if I don’t have to. Then observe. If she still seems to be experiencing the migraine try the excedrine, or an ice pack, or giving her a very light massage. The hot tub has helped too. Vicks has not cured it but it has helped a little when I use the ice pack or hot tub or before I take that walk.
Good luck. I feel so badly for her. I hope it gets better for her. It doesn’t seem like the Doctors really know how to cure it or what causes it. All we have here in these posts are a few desperate people trying different methods for relief. Something that works for them may not help me at all and vice versa. You are going to have to just keep experimenting. Also, what works for your daughter one time might not do the trick another time. Just keep experimenting until she feels better.
I really am interested in exploring what I eat and seeing if that helps. I would like to quit taking claratin D. I don’t mind taking progesterone--it has done a lot of positive things for me.
Gina
First, and foremost, I feel so badly for Jennifer. I have been “there”. I was slightly older when it started getting them and my theory is that my migraines started with puberty. In time, I knew they were coming on but I didn’t have any idea what to do about until years later. I use to call it feeling “sick” in my eyes and neck. Given how many of my Aunts get migraines I can’t believe that no one could tell me what was going on.
Without a doubt I think it is hormonal and I also think it is sinus’ related. When I was younger I thought it was natures way of making me rest. Until I learned how to alleviate it I would go from being so uncomfortable that I couldn’t sleep---to vomiting----to sleeping for hours----to waking up feeling weak but without a headache. I don’t remember what I took the early days, maybe tylenol? But if I were anyway close to the vomiting stage there was no way I could keep any medicine down and I was in for a miserable 12-24 hours.
She couldn't walk straight, couldn't see, numbness all through her arms, could barely talk above a whisper because it hurt so much.
My arms haven’t felt numb but there are times that my face hurts so bad that I don’t want to talk or make and sudden movements. When I was younger I did get nauseous often. But now that I know the symptoms I can normally keep it from escalating to that point.
Here is what I am doing. First, my doctor put me on progesterone. Today there are so many hormones in our food that we can easily become estrogen dominant. Initially, that is all that I needed but for the past 6 months I have started to get them again. I go for my regular appointment in a month and I hope to check my levels again to see if maybe my progesterone is dipping too low. I hope so because that would be an easy fix.
For the past few months I have started taking claratin D trying to keep the migraines from coming.
If I feel a migraine coming on I take excedrine migraine and go for a long walk swinging my arms as much as I can and doing a few neck rolls. I came across this by accident. I was so miserable that I couldn’t stand being in bed anymore so I went for a walk. I went on a mile trail in our neighborhood. I was vomiting a lot in the beginning. By the end of the walk my head well enough that I could sleep. The only thing I can figure out is that my muscles are tensing causing the migraine and swinging my arms and doing a few neck rolls make the muscles relax.
So, now when my neck feels stiff and my eyes are sore I know that I have a migraine coming on. If I able, I try not to take anything and just go for that walk, swinging my arms madly and doing neck rolls. A lot of times that does the trick. If it doesn’t I take an excedrine migraine and use an ice pack on my eyes and neck and try to take a nap. Often that does the trick.
Your daughter is young and she may not be able to recognize the symptoms--but you might be able to. If she is rubbing her eyes or neck ask her how she is feeling. If you determine she is not feeling good try to get her to take that walk. I don’t really like taking medicine if I don’t have to. Then observe. If she still seems to be experiencing the migraine try the excedrine, or an ice pack, or giving her a very light massage. The hot tub has helped too. Vicks has not cured it but it has helped a little when I use the ice pack or hot tub or before I take that walk.
Good luck. I feel so badly for her. I hope it gets better for her. It doesn’t seem like the Doctors really know how to cure it or what causes it. All we have here in these posts are a few desperate people trying different methods for relief. Something that works for them may not help me at all and vice versa. You are going to have to just keep experimenting. Also, what works for your daughter one time might not do the trick another time. Just keep experimenting until she feels better.
I really am interested in exploring what I eat and seeing if that helps. I would like to quit taking claratin D. I don’t mind taking progesterone--it has done a lot of positive things for me.
Gina
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
I began suffering from migraines when I was in 6th grade…awful, debilitating headaches. By the time I was in my mid-20s I had been through the rounds with several neurologists. All they would tell me was that some people have migraines and aside from medication nothing could be done. I tried numerous medications and in the end found one that made me really tired and dizzy but made the headaches go away. I complained to my neurologist and she basically told me that this was my lot in life and I had to choose between the crappy side effects or the headaches.
Then a few years ago my husband suggested that I try a chiropractor. At first I went to a traditional chiropractor and she helped me somewhat but I would only feel better for a little while and be back within in a couple days. After awhile she suggested I try another chiropractic technique called the NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) method so I switched doctors and my results have been nothing short of miraculous.
The NUCCA method involves a very gentle and precise adjustment of just the C-1 vertebrae. I don’t have migraines anymore and my life is completely changed.
One of the ways NUCCA is different than other methods is that you only get an adjustment if your C-1 is out of alignment. Other chiropractic techniques involve moving bones all the time, but with the NUCCA method you only get adjusted if you’ve lost your adjustment. The longest I’ve held is 4 months, but my chiropractor has patients who have held their adjustments for 3 years! NUCCA also involves an extremely precise adjustment whereas other methods move bones but don’t necessarily put them back into just the right spot.
I cannot say enough good things about this method. We NUCCA patients tend to be very passionate about this type of treatment because of how much it has helped us. Another forum poster (Cypressgirl) had severe back pain for decades and I talked her into going to a NUCCA doctor and she too is ecstatic with the results.
You can read more about the NUCCA method here:
http://www.nucca.org/patients.php
And find a NUCCA doctor here:
http://www.nucca.org/find_doctor.php
Then a few years ago my husband suggested that I try a chiropractor. At first I went to a traditional chiropractor and she helped me somewhat but I would only feel better for a little while and be back within in a couple days. After awhile she suggested I try another chiropractic technique called the NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) method so I switched doctors and my results have been nothing short of miraculous.
The NUCCA method involves a very gentle and precise adjustment of just the C-1 vertebrae. I don’t have migraines anymore and my life is completely changed.
One of the ways NUCCA is different than other methods is that you only get an adjustment if your C-1 is out of alignment. Other chiropractic techniques involve moving bones all the time, but with the NUCCA method you only get adjusted if you’ve lost your adjustment. The longest I’ve held is 4 months, but my chiropractor has patients who have held their adjustments for 3 years! NUCCA also involves an extremely precise adjustment whereas other methods move bones but don’t necessarily put them back into just the right spot.
I cannot say enough good things about this method. We NUCCA patients tend to be very passionate about this type of treatment because of how much it has helped us. Another forum poster (Cypressgirl) had severe back pain for decades and I talked her into going to a NUCCA doctor and she too is ecstatic with the results.
You can read more about the NUCCA method here:
http://www.nucca.org/patients.php
And find a NUCCA doctor here:
http://www.nucca.org/find_doctor.php
Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
- Mark Twain
- Mark Twain
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cypressgirl
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:42 pm
- Location: houston
Teresa convinced me to try a NUCCA Dr. for my back pain. I was a total skeptic, but after a few months, it has totally changed my life. I didn't have migranes, I just hurt from my head to the tip of my tailbone, and out to my shoulders. UGH!! It has been a total blessing to my life. My doctors are amazing. There are only 2 in the entire Houston area, and they are 20 min. from my house. THANKS TERESA!!!
As far as that awful experience in the ER....that's just the way it is. If you need immediate medical help, call 911...your in. Otherwise, watch the folks eat fried chicken.
As far as that awful experience in the ER....that's just the way it is. If you need immediate medical help, call 911...your in. Otherwise, watch the folks eat fried chicken.
Another vote for NUCCA. I am glad it helped you Cypress.
I did check it out. The closest one is over 2 hours away. I can't get away during the workweek very often. I could swing it a couple of time. Otherwise, I am not sure if I will be able to make it work.
Cypress, how many appointments did you need? Do you still need to go for check ups?
Gina
I did check it out. The closest one is over 2 hours away. I can't get away during the workweek very often. I could swing it a couple of time. Otherwise, I am not sure if I will be able to make it work.
Cypress, how many appointments did you need? Do you still need to go for check ups?
Gina
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
Hi Gina - overall my health has improved and I get sick less often with NUCCA care. I definitely believe in NUCCA even for those who don't have chronic pain issues. NUCCA allows proper functioning of the central nervous system, which is good for everyone.
As for how often you'd go, it depends on how well you hold your adjustment. I have a complex case so I go a couple times a month...other people only go a couple times a year. At the beginning you'd likely have 2 or 3 appointments within the first couple weeks and then depending on how you're doing they'd most likely drop off significantly in occurrence after that.
There is another method called the Atlas Orthogonal method that is similar to the NUCCA method but not quite as precise. It would be my second choice if I didn't live near a NUCCA doctor, though I know my doctor has patients who come from a couple hours away because of the benefits they've gotten from NUCCA, and I used to travel nearly an hour to see my chiropractor.
Here's a link about Atlas Orthogonal:
http://atlasorthogonality.com/PatientSite/aboutAO.html
As for how often you'd go, it depends on how well you hold your adjustment. I have a complex case so I go a couple times a month...other people only go a couple times a year. At the beginning you'd likely have 2 or 3 appointments within the first couple weeks and then depending on how you're doing they'd most likely drop off significantly in occurrence after that.
There is another method called the Atlas Orthogonal method that is similar to the NUCCA method but not quite as precise. It would be my second choice if I didn't live near a NUCCA doctor, though I know my doctor has patients who come from a couple hours away because of the benefits they've gotten from NUCCA, and I used to travel nearly an hour to see my chiropractor.
Here's a link about Atlas Orthogonal:
http://atlasorthogonality.com/PatientSite/aboutAO.html
Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
- Mark Twain
- Mark Twain
I just called two local NUCCA practitioners in the Chicago suburbs. One of them is the fully accredited (45 minute drive)type, the other is level 2 (4 miles from home).
The initial and second visit include Xrays and are fairly expensive, but the follow up visits are close in price to the chiro I see now who does acupuncture and BEST on me.
I can't count on my Blue Cross/Blue Shield to cover this, they turn down almost everything I submit and I have to fight with them. I'd like to give this a try though, seems like I'm in more pain as time goes on.
The initial and second visit include Xrays and are fairly expensive, but the follow up visits are close in price to the chiro I see now who does acupuncture and BEST on me.
I can't count on my Blue Cross/Blue Shield to cover this, they turn down almost everything I submit and I have to fight with them. I'd like to give this a try though, seems like I'm in more pain as time goes on.
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
We just moved from the Chicago suburbs so I can definitely give you doctor recommendations. I'm pretty familiar with all the NUCCA doctors in the area. I'm not sure where you live but my doctor for the past few years is in St. Charles...here is her website:ifloat wrote:I just called two local NUCCA practitioners in the Chicago suburbs. One of them is the fully accredited (45 minute drive)type, the other is level 2 (4 miles from home).
The initial and second visit include Xrays and are fairly expensive, but the follow up visits are close in price to the chiro I see now who does acupuncture and BEST on me.
I can't count on my Blue Cross/Blue Shield to cover this, they turn down almost everything I submit and I have to fight with them. I'd like to give this a try though, seems like I'm in more pain as time goes on.
http://www.1stplacechiropractic.com/
Don't worry about the levels the doctors have reached...it doesn't mean much...my doctor from the link above is probably one of the best NUCCA doctors in the country and she only did Level 1.
Dr. Barone in Schaumburg is good...so is Dr. Fedeli in downtown Chicago. Dr. Dickholtz Sr. is my doctor's doctor and the one who inspired her to become a chiropractor because he helped her so much...he's probably not taking new patients though, he's in his mid-80s. He's really involved with NUCCA research.
If you want more info on my doctor in St. Charles let me know, I know her well and she's really great.
Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
- Mark Twain
- Mark Twain