I SUFFER from migranes and would like to know if anyone else does and what you yake for them.I can not pin it down to any food or allergy links ,and I've had all kind of brain tests for tumors"to my husbands dismay I can prove I have a brain" everything has been negitive.I've taken several prescription medications that do work.I'm tired of having headaches and would like to stop the prescriptions.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 07, 2000

Answers

Patty:

I have suffered from migranes for 10 years at least and the best thing I have found (I have tried prescription stuff too)is the over-the-counter med...Alieve. I take 2 of them and eat something then go to bed for a short nap. It usually works. I have found that any change in my diet or sleeping habits brings them on. My aunt has had them for years and takes a prescription pill every day just to make it from day to day...I have never been real good at taking anything that prescribed so Alieve is about the best thing for me.

Good luck and I am interested in what other people are using also.

Krista

-- Krista (nacsdc@pinetel.com), March 07, 2000.

I go to the chiopractor, and find that those visits have helped me. Usually, if I get one, it means that my neck is out of wack again (bad fall from a pony when I was a kid), and another trip will get me back to rights again. Sometimes Excedrine works for some; especially if you take it RIGHT when the warning signs hit...the lights and aura, etc. Get lots of rest and eat at regular intervals, and do your best to keep your emotions on an even keel. A lot of times, a bad night's sleep will provoke an episode. I have kicked chocolate, anything with sodium nitrate and monosodium glutimate out of my diet, and that has helped, too.

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), March 07, 2000.

I've taken imetrex,butalbital asa compound, acetaminophen w/cod#3,and over the counter meds.All may or may not work depending on I dont know what.I've even have gone to the er to be put on an iv drip with meds.I can't have msg or diet soda ,other than those 2 things i've found nothing else.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 07, 2000.

My family also suffers from migranes. So far 5 generations have been identified as sufferers. This type of migrane is caused by overproduction of the same chemical in the brain that causes manic depression, only on the other side of the brain. Most of the people in my family who do not have migrains suffer from some sort of similar mental problems. This means that once past a certain age we are almost certain to get them. Stress of any kind will agrivate this condition, so I suggest that the first thing you do is look at how much stress you are under and take ways to lower your stress levels. What we take for the migranes that we get regardless is an herbal solution called simply headage relief from natra - bio. This is very effective and got my mother out of bed where her doctor had put her with his medications. She had been there for over a year.

-- Annette Henry (j_a_henry@yahoo.com), March 07, 2000.

My chiroprator suggested Feverfew. It does not take away the pain. It will help to not get a migraine. I buy mine at Wal-Mart, but a health food store would have it too. I take one capsule (325mg) every day and it really has helped me. It might be an inexpensive, natural thing to try.

-- Cathey (uptain@if.rmci.net), March 07, 2000.

I have had migraine headaches all my life. The thing that worked best for me has been the herb feverfew. It is easy to grow in most climates (mine is western NY) and seeds are easy to come by, most catalog nurseries or even Wal-Mart, K-Mart any garden store. Mine grow even in winter under the snow. The leaf is used, very bitter, I chop a large leaf, thumb-size, and add to salad or roll it up in a piece of bread. It can cause mouth irritation if you chew it by itself. It has been studied in England for about 30 yrs. USA is starting to take notice. Some people use it daily (pill form is most convenient) but I have had good results on an as needed basis even after the pain has begun. Some say if you believe in something hard enough it's bound to work and there is no medical basis for it's success. I say, so what, if it works I don't care if its simply my belief that it will. Also try eliminating chocolate, aged cheeses and strong perfumy odors. I'd like to hear how you're doing. Gloria

-- gloria slater (gloslater@yahoo.com), March 07, 2000.

I suffer from cluster migranes that lay me up for a full day I talked to an old hippy in idewile Ca. that gave me hohoba root (i think) and a cup of strong coffee it stoped it right away Idont know if it was the root, coffee or what but they went away for 2 years but nom are back but that's the nature of the beast good luck and try your health food guru Shaun

-- shaun cornish (shaun-terri@juno.com), March 07, 2000.

The chiropractor really helps. I usually take feverfew. yarrow and catnip from my own garden. Hope you find what works for you.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), March 07, 2000.

Here's the advice i give to all of my patients...what works for some does not work for all, but the most common denominators in either bringing on migraines or making them worse are: Dehydration Fatigue Caffeine(chocolate,coffee,tea,colas, some over-the-counter meds) Menstruation Cigarette/cigar smoke,nicotine patches alcohol, and more often, red wines MSG in Oriental food Preservatives in things such as barbecue sauce aged cheese

There are many herbal and OTC (over the counter) medications that work..unfortunately, it's a process of elimination.Women who take BC pills often get relief when they no longer take them, other women benefit from going on them for awhile.It's a real dilemma, but I always suggest starting with avoiding those common things above which are associated with MOST, but not ALL migraines. It also helps to keep a diary of foods you have eaten right before and during a migraine, hoping to find a pattern there that is individualized.For those with a migraine aura, this is a little easier to do.It's hard to think when your head is pounding.Beware of medical folks who offer a quick fix of medications without going through this process..the drugs are good if and when you need them, but it is always better to find out the triggers that are specific to your problem, then perhaps you will need less intervention and be able to have some control over these things.If you want to try herbal remedies, check with your pharmacist first..some of them will interact with other medications you may be on, just like prescription drugs.Good luck, hope this helped.

-- Lesley Chasko (martchas@gateway.net), March 07, 2000.

Wow I never imagined such a response. Today has been a very bad day ,and with 4 kids it tough. I'm about ready to try anything.I will pick up some feverfew .I also did a web search and 1 site was linking ibs with migranes.I am also making another drs. appointment I cant stand many more days like this.Thanks everyone

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 07, 2000.

All of you probably tried this already but yet nobody mentioned it. When my husband would get migranes, one of the things that seemed to help was ice at the back of the neck. Seemed to cut the pain in half.

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), March 07, 2000.

Patty: Reading these posts almost gave me a panic attack!! Those are most pain I've ever had. Three times a week when I was in my twenties. Once I was blind on the whole right side for 3 hours. Anyway this doc noticed my neck was stiff. I had to re-learn how to relax my neck then it vanished. All day long I had to keep concentrating to keep it loose. He said the tension was cutting off the blood from my eyes. Worked for me. Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), March 08, 2000.

Just knowing there are other people who understand what I;m feeling helps .Sometimes you think I'm nuts or everyone thinks your nuts. If you 've never had a migrane you cant understand.Today is a better day , no headache yet .Thanks again

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 08, 2000.

Patty-- As you see, there are unfortunately many others who can relate to your pain. These posts made me feel very lucky, as I no longer get migraines, but I used to. We have three generations of migraines in my family, and my siblings still suffer from them. I can't recommend my "cure", but it may be interesting to someone.

I had viral meningitis when I was 21, which is rather old to have meningitis. I didn't go to the hospital, of course, because I thought it was just another migraine. Finally, my boyfriend couldn't stand to see me curled up in a ball anymore, and I went in after 2 days. I was hospitalized for a week or more (can't remember most of it) and sick for three more weeks and doped up on morphine (no complaints there).

It has now been 9 years, and since then, no migraines. Not even a headache that could approach that level of pain. So, you see, I think the viral infection in my brain killed enough brain cells that I don't suffer from migraines any more! I would describe the meningitis pain as comparable to giving birth 24 hrs a day for three weeks, and just as exhausting. (And I gave birth at home twice, of 4, and three boys were over ten pounds)

I wish you success and speed in finding a useful strategy against your migraines. And a good babysitter, so you can crawl into bed when you've got one!

-- Rachel (rldk@hotmail.com), March 08, 2000.

Patty, I took a Seventh-Day Adventist vegetarian and health class. They recommended a hot foot bath and at the same time putting an ice pack on your forehead. I tried it once and it helped some, not completely, but when you hurt that bad, some is better than none. Hope you feel better. Does the weather affect you headaches? It does mine, right before a big change in the weather I sometimes get a terrible headache.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony@yahoo.com), March 08, 2000.

Definitely consider how much water you drink each day, dehydration is a frequent cause of headaches/migraines in my clients. Try massage therapy along w/chiropractic. Massage releases and relaxes tense soft tissue. Chiropractors work with bones. They are complementary treatments.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@hotmail.com), March 08, 2000.

There are four gen's of migraine sufferers in my family. I get them, but not nearly so bad as my sister. I find the info on the chemical on one side of the brain interesting. It's definitely a possibility, considering some of the characters in my family, that those of us suffering from the migraines may be the "normal" half!!

I've been on every drug imaginable. I have found one that works, but it's a prescription drug, and I try to avoid it (don't like taking them or paying for them!) It's called Novo-naprox. These work when you have an 8 on a scale of 1 - 10. For a 12 -- I've taken a nasal mist drug called Imitrex. It works. Don't drive. AS a matter of fact, don't do anything involving anything that could hurt you.

However, I have found that inhaling an herbal mist of herbs such as mint or lavendar can work.

You might also try looking at your diet. So many people eat "processed" foods now, that few even know what "processed" really means. My definition is anything that didn't grow that way. If it comes in a box, it's bad news. About a year ago I cut out 99% of processed or pre-packaged foods from our diet, avoiding anything with preservatives, and coincidentally, have only had one migraine in that time (I used to get them two or three times a month).

-- Tracy (trimmer@bsi.sk.ca), March 08, 2000.

Does anyone know if feverfew is safe to take while pregnant? I have been having nasty migraines almost every day or two since I've been pregnant, right at the base of my head where it joins the neck. Once they set in they are so bad they they make me sick and I can't keep anything down, so the blood sugar drops which makes the headache worse.. It gets to be a vicious circle if not stopped right away.Tylenol helps if taken right away, but I would rather not be taking this so often when there is a baby developing.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@transport.com), March 08, 2000.

I too had horrible headaches until I got pregnant with my first child. It took a while but I finally figured out that the problem was an allergy to Aspartame- aka Nutrasweet. During my pregnancy I eliminated all chemicals in food or any food that was processed at all. I did not realize how much nutrasweet I consumed until I cut it out of my diet completely. Now I won't touch the stuff, not even in gum! Good Luck-- Chris

-- Chris Dehne (mdehne@ccpl.carr.org), March 09, 2000.

I too can not have any nutrasweet it not only gives me a headache but makes me moody. Smells can also trigger one "strong perfume ,burning trash,mold". I think stress is a killer .One of the reasons I've chosen this life style is to raise our own food and avoid alot of the chemicals.I don't even buy feed with anything added.Thanks again.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 10, 2000.

Patty, I've had migraines since I was eight years old. Foods can trigger them, but nothing is really consistent. Two things that I am gun shy of though are red wine and chinese food (msg). Most of the time I have noted that they occur with stress and hormones. I have tried many medications. The most recent and fairly successful has been Zomig. It basically works like Imitrex but without the rebound symtoms. As I get older and have had children they become less frequent. They often occur in cluster groups for months at a time. During this time, my physician will prescribe a very low dosage of Corgard (blood pressure medication). He tells me that this is also a preventative medicine for migraines. It is very successful in getting them back under control. You must be under a physicians care though for instance I have normally very low blood pressure and you may risk it being too low. Recently, after years of not being able to take plain aspirin I have had a great deal of success fending off a headache by taking two as soon as I can feel it coming on. Then i follow it up with ibuprofen (later in the day) and a strong cup of coffee. My experience is that everyone is different and you just have to find what works for you. Also, it changes as I get older, just like which side of my head feels like it will split open! A good cold wash cloth over my eyes seems to help me relax. Hope this helps. Thanks for the question. I never knew about the dehydration aspect of it. Next time one hits I will drink several glasses of water and maybe that will help...you never know! Jennifer

-- Jennifer (jkmills@freewwweb.com), March 10, 2000.

My Dr. also wants to try prevenitive meds now that I stopped nursing .One of them is a low blood pressure med ,but this concerns me because mine is also very low. Know that you've mention things I guess I do know some more of my triggers,diddo wine and add beer to.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 10, 2000.

Patty, if you are pregnant or nursing be very careful of what you take. When I was pregnant I couldn't take anything. Fortunately my last child is now 15 months and she will be my last. The headache relief from Natra - bio should not be taken under those conditions. Your dr. can also do some kind of test to see if your migraines are hereditary like mine are, but I don't know what they are. The diagnosis was made before I was old enough to get them. Smells are also a triger for me and I avoid anything with a strong smell (manure dosn't count). A good way to find out exactly what your trigers are is to keep a diary. Hard to do when your eyes are about to explode, but it does help to pin down what to avoid. Good luck!

-- annette (j_a_henry@yahoo.com), March 11, 2000.

Patty-- I thought i would write and tell you my answer! Have not read it, My sister and i have headaches all our lives my sister took the doctor approach i took the natural approach. And i seen to have found the answer so my sister is now doing the natural approach. i took feverfew for several years and it helped a little but the best thing that has helped is progesterone cream. You can get it at the health food store and its a cream and you can rub it anywhere on you r body and it is absorbed. It is really a Miracle hormone. Doctors where always telling my sister that it was hormones and nothing they could do. This cream really does work!!!! I have several friends who have had migraines all there live and they started using it and it has really changes there lives!!! Hope it helps

-- Sarah (CBE@Dellnet.com), March 12, 2000.

Good morning, Patty. I just happened to run across something in one of my natural-healing-type books and remembered your question. It says vitamin B-6 can stop a person from having migraines. It's worth a try. I don't get headaches but I do take b-complex faithfully and think it's just a "wonder" vitamin.

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), April 07, 2000.

Patty, I just saw your post about low blood pressure medication. I am coming off of a three day headache just now and boy do I feel great! When hubby asked me how I felt today I said great...but it doesn't take much after constant pain for three days. I wanted to tell you that I was on Corgard for two years (not pregnant or nursing). It really did help control the headaches. I went in every three months for check ups. If nothing else it helped get them under control. After suffering for years it was such a relief. It may be just what you need for a while. I did want to get them under control, but not be on any medication. Finally I quit taking it and have been able to manage them fairly well. My doctor encouraged this...he is very preventative oriented with healthy diet etc. He suffers from migraines as well and is very sympathetic. If I have another out of control flare up though you can bet I'll be back in his office to find out his recommendations. I was spending on average one day a week driving the porcelain bus with dry heaves! My young children learned to follow me to the bathroom to give me a washcloth. I don't want to go back there ever again! The dosage is so low that it doesn't generally intefere with blood pressure if monitored and prescribed correctly. I'm glad you posted this question because I will be trying some of the natural remedies suggested.

-- Jennifer (jkmills@freewwweb.com), April 07, 2000.

I am a headache looking for a place to happen. A couple of months ago I had this killer headache for a couple of days. I had taken everything I could find around the house, nothing dented it. I ran across some homeopathic stuff I had gotten for PMS that had headaches listed. I took one and my headache started to diminish, and I took another one (it said you could take one every 5 minutes) and within in 15 minutes my headache was gone. Except for a couple of times since then this stuff has worked miracles for me. I have some other homeopathic stuff that says for migranes and it helped when the PMS stuff didn't. I have since started keeping a log of how often I get headaches, what I take, and also am keeping a log of what I eat and drink to try and determine if something is triggering them. I have not tried the feverfew, but will give it a shot. Headaches are truely from hell and people that don't get them just have no idea where you are coming from.

Blessings

-- Judy Murray (jmurray@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu), April 08, 2000.

My husband suffers from migraines -- for a long time he was having about one a week, and having to spend a whole day in bed, sometimes two (fortunately no three-day ones). He still has one once in a while, but not so often or as bad usually. The first thing that helped him was a really packed multi-vitamin twice a day. I know it wasn't placebo effect because he wasn't taking them with any idea that they would help his migraines, just because his mother bought them for him. But after a few weeks we noticed that he was hardly having any migraines anymore. He took the vitamins for a while, then slacked off and the headaches started coming back until he was put on blood pressure medication -- he does have high blood pressure, and is often stressed out -- just his personality. And it's possible that caffeine is a contributing factor -- he doesn't drink nearly as much coffee as he used to. I'll have to ask him about the dehydration theory -- he isn't home much so I don't know if he gets enough to drink.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 12, 2000.

I have migranes since I was 16 and will 51 next month. I have tried evrything from herbs, chiropractor you name it. I also have fibromyalgia which makes it worse. If herbs work for others I am glad for them. But for me, it's the doctor's office, a shot of demerol and phenegrin(sp) and cool cloth over my eyes. Mine center on left side and I vomit uncontrolably so have several times been sent to hospital and hooked to iv. My mother had them all her life and her father as well. My middle daughter now is having them,

-- Susie*Ks (goodartfarm@msn.com), April 25, 2000.

Patty, A sufferer of migraines for about 12 years. Have had the i.v. treatment the "dope",scans for brain cells,acupuncture,chiropractor, nero drs.,g.p.drs,dentist for tmj,internist,infact everyone but the local witch dr. So... Now I take Imatrix,Zomig, with hot hot hot wash cloth(s)on the forehead. Plus sometimes a unit called "T.E.N.S." which runs into the $600.range. Its battery powered. It uses patches with the electrodes,much like a small shock of jucice. Do not hook to a normal 12 volt battery. Its uses only a low 9volt battery( $6.00) each. None of the homeie stuff worked.

Good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Peggy

-- Peggy Jackson (pangusg@netscape.net), June 17, 2000.

My father's side of the family has had migrains for years. My sister and I suffer greatly, but there is hope! My grandmother 'grew out of them' when she was 50, as did my dad. Only 39 yeas to go for me. I go into a dark room to try and sleep off my migrain, although I find it doesn't always help. My doctor did suggest taking Riboflavin, which is Vitamin B2. (There is no gluten or lactose so the pills won't start any migrains, if those are trigers for you). My doctor prescribed taking two in the morning, and two in the evening from the 100mg bottle. I use Jamieson. I will be honest, they did not work for my sister, and work off an on for me. They helped my dad enormously. I've told others, and it has helped them. All this vitamin will do however, is try to relieve pain, and you may not have as many. This is NOT a cure, it will not get rid of migrains all together, it is merely a preventative. Keep a diary of the foods you eat, you could be surprised. I found out one of my trigers is gluten; now I eat rice flour bread. Also, chicken, and red meat. My sister gets them from citrus fruits! I learned on "The View" today, that putting a cold compress on your forehead and putting your feet in warm water could help. The estrogen levels will change, and can help the relieving of the migrain. Apperantly, humans have a natural morphine in their bodies, and doing the above will release that morphine. I am not a doctor, but these things may just work for you. Suffering with you, Catherine

-- Catherine M. Dorkin (cmdorkin@hotmail.com), March 02, 2001.

I am only 17 years old and have been suffering frome migranes since the age of 10. I ahve found that chocolate, cheddar cheese,(other cheese seems to be fine), and bananas,also the weather patterns, and my menstrual cycle contribute to these headaches. i find that imitrex worked but i am currently taking another drug that is made to fight headaches associated with pms.i find that these work wonders. the imitrex sometimes did not work but with this new pill i take one and 2 or 3 hours later i can function normally and the pain is gone! with no side effects. it also helps keep them from comming back because i found that with imitrex they would sometimes return and then it would mean a trip to the hospital. i am not sure on the name of my miricale drug but i will check on that and post it here for you as soon as i can. good luck!!

-- Laura (Myst7@hotmail.com), March 05, 2001.

I suffered from migraines from the time I was a child up until I was 20. Part of the time I was on dilatin to help prevent the headaches. When I had the warning signs (auras, etc.), I would take tylenol to try to short circuit the cycle. Then I would take midrin (sp?) or fiornial for the pain. Some things are common triggers such as aged cheese, red wine, msg, artifical sweeteners and colors, chocolate and caffaine. Caffaine is supposed to be a big trigger, but it is also supposed to help once a full blown headache hits. I know for me once the headache came on, a pepsi (or other type of caffine/sugar) would sometimes help relieve the pain - if I could get it down before I started vomiting and passing out. If you vomit alot, flat ginger ale at room temperature helps calm the stomach better than water. You should try keeping a daily diary of everything you eat and when, as well as times you exercise, sleep, etc. Triggers can also be things other than foods, such as a certain smell or color patterns on a tv or computer. As for cures, the only one I know of is the one that cured me - prayer.

-- Connie (Lilragamuffin@yahoo.com), March 05, 2001.

the medication i have been using for my migraenes that come with my period is called amerge. ask your doctors about it if you are interested. it is a prescription and is quite costly, but it woks wonders for me. good luck Laura

-- Laura (myst7@hotmail.com), March 08, 2001.

I have a question... My dad used to suffer from migraines but is now getting the Aura's without the headache, does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you. My boyfriend also suffers from Migraines regularly as well as asthma, any natural thoughts on that? -Sara

-- Sara Coughlin (faiiryprincii@hotmail.com), March 28, 2001.

I am so sorry for you people that have migraines on a daily or otherwise routine schedule.. I can recall having 3 of them in my entire life and the pain was near unbearable...even Tylenol w/codeine didn't touch it.. Mine came on after eating dill pickles and having the added stress of family members moving in with us..also think cheese was a culprit too... I cannot imagine having to deal with them on a regular basis and you most definitely have my sympathy and I sure hope you can find relief...those 3 I had were enough to terrify me.

-- Lynn(MO) (mscratch1@semo.net), March 28, 2001.

I have suffered cluster migranes for as long as I can remember...sometimes they come every other day...occasionally every day...then at other times I won't get one for months...I believe that they are a combination of many things...for me it does not appear to be as much food related as stress related. Of course if I'm not eating well and am depleted in nutrition, this will contribute, however that only happens when I'm really stressed. My chiropractor is very important to me when it comes to this...you see when I'm migraning the ususal culprit is the very first vertabra at the base of the skull, it is always out...of course I think that the tension in the neck pulls it out. So, if I also see a massage theripest on a regular bases it helps alot as well.

If I feel one coming on, I can usually cut the effects in half by getting to the chiropractor with in one hour, and or taking a strong pain reliever, musle relaxents help if you dont get to it in time, however in the USA they are not easy to come by. I am origanally from Canada where they are sold over the counter.

No doctor that I have seen has had any other suggestions, although it has been years since I trusted a doctor on the subject...they really don't know, after all, it is different from one patiant to the other. Not to mention that one migrane may be different from anouther as well.

I had one yesterday...I havnt been been eating properly for a month and was under alot of stress...working 55 - 60 hr weeks. I woke up with it. Nothing was working, then at the end of the day, I ate a good meal of easily digenstible foods, and had a couple of glasses of white apple bases wine. Boom it was gone...that does not always work though.

A cool cloth alternatly at the base of the skull and then over the eyes for 15 or 20 minutes aliviates alot of it as well.

I don't like taking drugs for migranes unless absolutly nessasary, however sometimes it is better.

I know of no other pain that is worse than a full blown migrane, and I don't know about any of you, but it is hard for people who have never had one to sympathies. I have heard such things as..."oh its not that bad I get headakes at times, and they just go away." and "It is only in your mind", "you must have a low pain tolerance" ext...

It made me feel inferier in some way, or that maybe I was making it up somehow...but then when I finally met anouther person, late in my 20's who also suffered from them, I was releived to discover that I was not a nut case! I've learned to explain the intensity of the headakes to people so they may have an understanding of them, and find tolerance for people like us. It really is an awefull burdon to bare, especially in our success oriented, never get sick, sociaty.

I have come to believe that once we are able to controle the stress in our lives and find a balance of peace within, that they will stop.

Untill then, do what ever it takes, find what is right for you, and remember that you may have to alter treatments depending on the severety of the headake.

Good luck to all of you...and thank you for all the information you have shared...I myself will try some of them...Shannon

-- Shannon Arrington (shansworld1@juno.com), April 14, 2001.

I would say the best ways to know about migranes are: Family history if any, and specialist diagnosis. I had both to help me. The clincher was the specialist actually. It appeared my migranes really came on after surgery and wouldn't leave, but to my releif finally someone found I wasn't crazy! I have taken a variety of prescription medications all help some and then loose their usefulness. I was on Midrin for many years. Currently on Averge. The past year has taken me through many kinds of meds. Unfortunatly one would work a couple of times and then on the 3rd or 4th no longer work. Talk about a big pain, but you have to go through this to learn what helps. No OTC works for me and glad for those of you it does. They seem to be a life long thing to deal with. We can be thankful for one thing - at least it isn't something more life threatening even though there are times I would rather die from the pain I have. Best of luck to you all.

-- B. Jessen (jessenbear@ccis.com), April 24, 2001.

Hi! Patty...I am not a migrane suffer,but I do have a friend that has had a migranes 24/7 for over a year!I can not even imagine how terrible that has to be! She has been to all kinds of doctors,to pain clinics, done all the meds, with no help at all! I am not sure what meds she is taking now, but I do know she is taking oxicotton,,and I think she is addicted to it. She has tried to get off of it before,but went back.Have you ever heard of this as a cure,?.. or just a cover up for the headache???

-- Patty Jensen (pjensen49@yahoo.com), October 30, 2001.

patty,

I've had migraines on and off for about 10 years. I'm 37 years old.

I've had fewer since I began to eat more healthily. Excedrin Migraine usually helps if I catch it early enough.

Otherwise, the chiropractor helped me out once in a really neat way....he put me on oxygen. In just 15 minutes the headache was gone and didn't come back. NO drugs. Just oxygen.

-- LBD (lavenderbluedilly@hotmail.com), October 31, 2001.

Hi I'm 14 and i've had Migranes for about 3 years. I've had alot of tests run on me and was given alot of differnt pills, but they still can't find anything wrong. My Migranes last from a day to one week sometimeseven two. But i've come to find that going to a chiropractor helps. now i have only have my migranes once or twice a week.

-- Stephanie Hofman (hot_devil_chick_69@yahoo.com), April 05, 2002.