Migraine Headaches Support Group

Hi. Well I finally broke down and decided to join a support group online because I just don't know where to turn. I had headaches as a child and they went away when I was a teenager. I was 24 when they came back and I'm now 32. Been pretty steady for 8 yrs. I've been on every medication known to man it seems. Currently I'm on Amytriptyline and/or Nortriptyline. They work OK but they are not preventatives by any means. I scheduled another appt with UW med center neurology which is in 5 weeks from now of course. I pretty much feel like I want to give up and I don't know what to do. The headaches send me into deep depression. I'm very depressed right now and I feel like there is no solution. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

I went and bought that rub on stuff called "Head On" Not really a preventive but works great for me for tension headaches. I had to do something because I am 34 weeks pregnant, I did not want to take anything medication wise and the headaches were horrible. All ya do is roll it on your forehead. After about three or fours days the headaches stopped completely. Not sure if that might be the same for you or not. I hope so though.

john3694 welcome, I'm not sure I understand this. You say you take Nortriptyline and it works but not as a preventative. How do you take it? I was given it as a preventative and for me it worked but only for awhile. I was on a small dose and when it quit working I didn't want to increase because I didn't like the side affects.

Kardie

I know that "headon" stuff. Just rub in all over your forehead and at temple areas. When I use it I add a little aromatherapy to calm my anxiety. I use Head Aide that includes lavender, spearment, rosemary, marjoram, basil, and vetiver (?). Just dab on temples and wrists and lay down. It is good for those that can't take meds or like me, I have taken the whole medicine cabinet and still have a migraine and I just need to do something different.

A calcium/magnesium supplement may help. Calcium help to relax the muscles and magnesium is a huge help for headaches (migraines). Most people are deficient in magnesium so you might find it a big help to you.

Valerian and chamomile are herbs that help you to relax and also help to ease headache pain. Try a tea with one or both of these. Valerian doesn't smell too good so it may be best taken as a supplement.

You might also check into some stress management techniques. If you are getting tension headaches, this might be the reason. Also, consider getting your thyroid checked. Even a very mild thyroid imbalance can cause big problems.

Hi Kat- I take oral magnesium for headaches. Do you recommend oral pills or a transdermal application. I did not know about calcium. I will look into that supplement. I also take butterbur, feverfew, b-2. I don't know if they are helping much. Jayne

John~Are you taking any other medications? Does your doctor have you on any daily preventives? I've had chronic daily migraines for 7 years now. My Neuro has me on a couple preventives and I also have medications when a headached comes on and then I have Imitrex for the migraines. I also take Vit-B2 (Riboflavin). I know what you mean about being depressed; it can get very depressing at times. I've had a hard time finding an anti-inflammatory drug that works for when the pain starts. Believe me I have a very long list of all the meds. I have tried and didn't work at all or stopped working. I take it one day at a time.

I have a lot of headache- depression issues and the two seem to feed one another. (I actually take Elavil as an anti-depressant not for headache prevention.) I don't know if you see a psychiatrist but if you don't I would recommend it. Although they are seperate issues they feed one another and for me having a psychiatrist that understands my pain issues has made all the difference. If they could medicate your depression better you may see some headache improvements. Even if you don't (like where I'm at now) having the mental health support is essential. Too many people say the depression is because of the pain and do nothing about it. Even if it is from the pain, people should get help rather than suffer emotionally as well.

For the tension, I have done biofeedback many times. It works if you work it. I tend to be great in the office but don't do it on my own. It has potential though.

Kristin

In my case, the liquid magnesium is the most effective. I take a 18% Magnesium Solution made by a company called Cardiovascular Research Ltd. I purchase it from a place called Pain & Stress Center and they mail it to me. It doesn't taste very good, but I can get past that to reduce the pain. I take one teaspoon, four times a day in water.

You do need to build up gradually because a sudden increase in magnesium will cause diarrhea. However, the liquid is easier for your body to absorb, so it is more effective. If I run out of liquid I take capsules.

Sometimes you have to experiment with different types of magnesium to find the one most effective for you. Doses should be around 400-500 mg a day initially (once you've built up to it) for about two to four weeks. Then if you want to, you can cut back until you find the level that isn't effective anymore. This will tell you how much your body needs each day. I personally still need the full amount. You can also add 20 mg of Manganese Picolinate each day to help the magnesium work better.

Magnesium is also good for your heart and blood pressure (among other things) so taking it daily can help with a whole bunch of health issues.

Hope that helps.