Day 5 of migraine, getting fed up.

I've only had one completely incapacitate me, and that was because I was overworked at the time. I couldn't get out of bed for a week, and it sent me to the hospital. Normally I try to catch them early, which is what I've been doing all week. Keeps me somewhat functional, Tylenol and cola, enough so that I'm not stuck with my head under a pillow. Little movement and sound goes a long way, but even walking upstairs to use the bathroom sets my temple to THROBBING.

You may want to visit a dentist, my friends father had horrible migraines for years, turned out it had to do with the nerves in his teeth. My father also had trouble and it turned out his jaw was out of place from a boating accident when he was a kid. Its weird what can cause them.
My fiance has gone temporarily blind in one eye because of migraines, we are still unsure as to what might be causing them, he normally needs to stay still in a dark room with an ice pack.. otherwise he gets sick. Good luck I'm sorry you have to deal with them.

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Have you researched cluster headaches?

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

Have you researched cluster headaches?

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I have not. The symptoms don't entirely match mine, but maybe I could mention it as a possibility when I see my doctor next. Do you get them?

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Originally Posted by Archimedes

I've gotten migraines in the past, even been to the ER for them. I'm frustrated because a) no one believes that I actually get them because I've never been referred to a neurologist. And b) they've never lasted this long before, three days tops. I'm now on Day 5 and getting real sick of it. I get them predominantly left-side. Anyone else struggle with migraines, have any tips for home relief?

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I remember growing up, my mother got them all the time. When she had one she was absolutely miserable to be around. lol love her to death, but i steered clear of her on those days. she said she started getting them in her early 20s so i was always kind of worried about getting them too after seeing how miserable they made her. i've had probably 10 or so in my life. nowhere near as frequent as her, but they were still horrendous. definitely not a normal headache. excedrin migraine didn't even phase them. i don't remember what it was my mom was prescribed to.. they were little pink pills. she said it really helped with the migraine symptoms, but while it made her head feel better, it also made all her joints and the rest of her body really achy.. so even though her head felt better, she was still miserable. lol if you're a little open minded and live in a state where you can get prescribed medical marijuana, i swear it worked wonders for my migraines, even when excedrin did nothing. i'm one of those weird people who don't really enjoy the way marijuana makes me feel, but if it'll get rid of a migraine and the side effects are a lot less harsh than some of the prescription pills out there, i'm all for it. i use to love the stuff, but somethin changed and i guess i kinda grew out of it. lol

I am unfortunately not in a state where medical marijuana use is an option, or else I would have qualified and applied for it months ago for depression and anxiety disorders. I was wondering if that would help.

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Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents

In my opinion, if you truly have a migraine, you would not be posting or be anywhere near a computer or phone screen. I've had my share of migraines, and when I get them I need to be in a dark, silent room with blankets over my face, cold cloth, and a puke bucket beside me.

Who knows though, I could be wrong or maybe mine are just worse.

It is IMPOSSIBLE for me to move or even do anything when I get them and 100% of the time they end in vomit.

Try drinking your weight in water in a day (not actually, but literally drink as much as possible) and see if it subsides even a little bit.

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Sounds more like spinal meningitis then a normal migraine!!! :o in respects to your left side headaches get into the doctor and have them run tests!!! Head pain chest and altered state of being are all things that you should take seriously. At very least go in and make sure your not suffering from hypertension so that if you do have a little berry aneurysm in the vasculature of your brain your not going to suffer a hemorrhagic stroke or some other complication. Not trying to freak you out, cause I really don't know your situation medically but if you are worried I would get into the doctor.

Migraines are miserable. My husband has had them since he was very young, he thinks because of trauma and stress from his father leaving. I never had them until after I had my first child, and I had a botched epidural. I wonder if that might not have contributed.

Migraines differ from person to person and episode to episode. I get severe ones, where I can function but on a much lower level. Light and sounds and even smells make things worse. I vomit usually, and unlike my husband I cannot sleep if I have one. However, I can make dinner or do a few dishes if I move slowly and carefully. I can also be on my computer briefly. These usually come on slowly, I know they are coming. Medication sometimes helps, sometimes it does not. They last a few hours to as much as 8, then go away.

I also get what I refer to as migraine bombs. These come on very suddenly, with little or no warning. They are so severe and intense all functionality ceases. I cannot stand up, sit up, or turn on my side when laying down. I vomit continually for a few hours. Lights and sounds become unbearable, smells can trigger violent vomiting or even a black out. These last for days, sometimes as many as 3 or 4. They ease off for a little while, then come back with a vengeance. The pain is so intense, death would be a welcome relief. Such episodes leave me weak and drained for days even after the migraine goes away. Medicine of any kind does not faze these migraines, and in fact can make them worse.

As far as home treatments. Since no two people get them the same, what works for one may not work for another. For me these things help the common migraines: A hot shower. Turn the water pressure down very low but as warm as you can bear it. Let the water flow over the side where the pain is greatest. Keep the bathroom as dimly lit as possible and quiet. If you keep the water down low enough, you can usually get a good 15 minutes or so like this. Move slowly and do not turn your head suddenly when you get out. If you can lie down on the side where the pain is greatest right out of the shower and not move for a minimum of 45 minutes, this sometimes breaks them.

Feverfew. This is an ancient herb used to treat headaches and migraines. It helps reduce duration and intensity, but needs to be taken regularly to achieve control. I doubt it would help you now.

Vomiting. Yes it's gross, but it generally helps for reasons I don't pretend to understand. If you have not vomited since you got the migraine, with enough discipline you can make yourself do it and that may bring relief. If you cannot make yourself vomit by concentrating, and I admit few people can, try eating a small amount of something heavy and see if that upsets your tummy enough to let it happen. This method is NOT for everyone, and I do not recommend taking any form of medicine to force vomiting.

If you feel tension in the neck and shoulder on the same side as your migraine, sometimes a good massage to loosen things up can bring relief. But be advised to be gentle or you may make things worse. On your upper temple, between your forehead and hairline is a small indentation. Usually if you have a migraine, if you rest your fingertips on this spot you can feel your pulse there. GENTLY massage this area with your fingertips. Do not use much pressure. Do this for 10-15 minutes, then slowly stop. If done correctly, this ends my husbands migraines 95% of the time.

I've never been to a neurologist either, but no one doubts I have migraines. Maybe you should look for a different doctor, one who listens to you and can help you.

Gale

I get horrible headaches that can last days. My doctor believes I'm getting more than 1 kind of headache, including migraines, sinus headaches, and I think she also meant others but only mentioned those 2. Not knowing for sure what is going on makes it especially hard to treat.

Here's what helps me:
1) - Limit caffeine, or ideally eliminate it except as a headache treatment. This eliminates the caffeine withdrawal headache. It also means your body REALLY responds to a cup of coffee or similar dose of caffeine, which makes it a more effective headache treatment. It was really hard for me to give up caffeine, but REALLY worth it.
2) - Stay hydrated. A lot of Americans walk around in a semi-dehydrated state. You might not feel thirsty, but it can be enough to cause or worsen a headache, and lots of other health issues as well. Drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day. That is in addition to other fluids. Doctors will tell you that 64 ounces of fluids is enough, but I've found making sure I get plenty of pure water has made a big difference for me.
3) - If you think there is any possibility there is a sinus component to your headaches, get your sinuses under control. Those saline nasal rinses may sound gross, but they aren't really that bad once you try it, and I've found it helps my sinus problems a lot. I think I don't get sinus headaches any more.

Now, when I get a headache, often a dose of caffeine such as a cup of coffee or a soda makes it go away. Sometimes it comes back in several hours once the caffeine wears off, but at least I had several good hours. When I get an especially bad headache that doesn't go away with the caffeine and either some tylenol or advil, then I have a few other steps that help. First I take a long shower which helps me relax (eliminate possible stress component) and the steam helps with any possible sinus component. Then I find the darkest, quietest place I can, and lay on my back with towel rolled up under my neck. If the room is not dark enough, I'll put something over my eyes too. I don't know what the towel under the neck does exactly, but it was something recommended to my mom many many years ago, and it does seem to help at least sometimes. I also sometimes try hanging my head off the side of my bed at various angles, but I think that only helps with sinus headaches so altho it used to help me sometimes, it doesn't seem to any more.

One other thing I've heard lots of people suggest, but I have never bothered with, is keeping a diary to try to find what triggers your headaches. A lot of people that get migraines apparently can link them to certain triggers, such as certain foods.

I think I'm finally getting it to ease off now. I've been able to stay functional for the most part, although not anywhere near as high-functioning as usual. Turning my head and changes of altitude were miserable, and even things like blinking brought on shuddering pain. I mostly rested, read, tried to stay hydrated and medicated with 650s of Tylenol and glasses of cola every couple of hours. Naps, too, lots of naps. Fingers crossed I will have officially kicked this ting by tomorrow.