I'm new to migraines, can someone please tell me how to stop the pain?

Question:

Elizabeth, I certainly sympathize with you–both for the headaches and for the lack of medical possibilities. We complain about having to go from doctor to doctor for help, and trying medication after medication with mixed results, but guess we are fortunate that we have those options at all! There are probably still some things you can do for various degrees of relief, some of which JM mentioned below. I use the dark, cool room–sometimes using ice on the area of pain–or on the back of my neck. I also have used the heating pad or a hot damp towel if the cold isn’t working. If you find it difficult to relax in order to sleep, or if you think the headaches may be stress related, try listening to soft music turned very low as you lie down. I also sometimes find biofeedback techniques very helpful–here again you can use any music or nature sounds without any words, and just mentally place yourself in a relaxing place (beach, mountains, wherever you like) and slowly relax each part of your body, beginning with your toes. If nothing else, it can help you relax from the stress that comes after fighting a migraine for days or weeks! If you have access to vitamins and herbal preparations, you might try taking Magnesium, Feverfew, or St. John’s Wort. I have tried the first two, with no noticeable results, and am trying the last one beginning today. It also has Magnesium in it, I think. I hope that you find relief soon. I know how it feels when they drag on endlessly! Barbara – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi my name is Elizabeth, and i’ve been having migraine headaches everyday for the past week. I’m not on any prescription meds yet because i’m unable to go to a doctor (i’m living in moscow russia ) I was wondering what i can do to help stop the pain. Its driving me crazy. I would appreciate any information anybody can give me. ***WOW*** You definitely have my sympathy! I have a rough enough time having prescriptions available! There are a number of coping techniques that have helped me in the past, before I was correctly diagnosed with clusters. Most of these techniques help with either migraines *or* clusters, but not both: Ice packs on my temples cool, dark, quiet room to lie down in (migraines, NOT clusters) slam a cup of coffee, and a couple of cigarettes (clusters, NOT migraines)*see note at end* lie down in the bathtub, and have the shower pouring on me (clusters, NOT migraines) If you catch it early enough, sometimes strenuous exercise helps, sometimes it hurts . . . unfortunately no way to tell beforehand . . . Banging your head against the floor . . . for clusters . . .

Response:

Hi my name is Elizabeth, and i’ve been having migraine headaches everyday for the past week. I’m not on any prescription meds yet because i’m unable to go to a doctor (i’m living in moscow russia ) I was wondering what i can do to help stop the pain. Its driving me crazy. I would appreciate any information anybody can give me.

***WOW*** You definitely have my sympathy! I have a rough enough time having prescriptions available! There are a number of coping techniques that have helped me in the past, before I was correctly diagnosed with clusters. Most of these techniques help with either migraines *or* clusters, but not both: Ice packs on my temples cool, dark, quiet room to lie down in (migraines, NOT clusters) slam a cup of coffee, and a couple of cigarettes (clusters, NOT migraines)*see note at end* lie down in the bathtub, and have the shower pouring on me (clusters, NOT migraines) If you catch it early enough, sometimes strenuous exercise helps, sometimes it hurts . . . unfortunately no way to tell beforehand . . . Banging your head against the floor . . . for clusters . . . I hope something here helps . . . ***note*** Due to the long-term deleterious effects of smoking, I can’t recommend it for someone who doesn’t smoke, but if you do smoke, nicotine is a potent vaso-constrictor. Caffeine is also. But be careful, either/both can cause rebounds as well as ameliorate the current pain. I’ll say an extra prayer for you. Elizabeth

Live Long and Prosper J. Michael Phillips

Response:

First, are you sure they are migraines? Have you had these before and been diagnosed? If not, you should try to get a medical opinion, I would think. I don’t know what you have available there, but here are a few ideas: Avoid triggers you think may bring on a migraine: smells, bright lights, fumes, certain foods, caffiene, erratic sleeping habits, etc, etc, Nonprescription Advil, Motrin, or Ibuprofen (I think these are all the same) can sometimes help if you use it early enough in the migraine. I don’t know the maximum dosage. Another one that comes to mind is Aleve. (I can’t remember generic names or dosages. Anyone, just jump in here with more accurate info.) If the migraine seems to be connected with sinus pain, then antihistimine/decongestants sometimes provide a bit of relief. Some people find that caffiene (or caffiene + pain reliever) can help to relieve a HA. (Personally, my migraines seem to be less severe after totally quitting caffiene.) Natural methods: A long hot shower raining down on the aching head. Exercise (for some people, this tends to make things worse, however.) Massage of shoulders, neck, and head. Good luck Melinda .

Response:

Hi Elizabeth. Welcome to the NG but I am very sorry you are suffering with the headaches. A thought…. If you are having difficulty getting meds in Moscow, do you ahve access to an acupuncturist? I know that some things seen as "alternative therapies" in the West are sometimes seen as more "orothodox" in the East. Acupuncture doesn’t work for everyone but it did for me. I am now several months HA free after suffering for a LONG time. Kind regards, Helen S

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