Migraine

Hi. I was also diagnosed of migraine headaches. My doctor already explained the triggers (PMS, caffeine, etc) and I feel I'm missing one. To cope up with the situation, I was prescribed to take fioricet. Works for me. I'm still working on what exactly triggers it and maybe it's with my sleeping habits. I want to AVOID it if possible. Any other triggers that you may share that are unusual?

Thanks.

nancy

Good Morning Nancy,
Welcome to the forum. You will find uncommon support and information here that is wonderful.

Here is a LINK to a number of articles on migraines and understanding them better.

Regarding TRIGGERS, there are many that could impact you and one of the best things you could do is keep a migraine diary. This will help you zero in on your triggers. Lack of sleep is one of mine. Of course mushrooms and red wine together are too!!

I find the choice of firocet an interesting med to give you. Is that for rescue or for an acute migraine? Prevenatives, Abortives, Rescue Meds, What Are the Differences would be good for you to look over. Fiorocet is what I use for recuse and is a medication that can easily lead to medication overuse headaches. Not pretty I assure you. Have you tried abortives? Are you able to take them? Some people can't is why I ask.

Nancy I don't want to overwhelm you with too much info at one time. I hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if there is more we can answer for you.

Cindy

Hi Nancy,

I'm going to talk a little bit about triggers, but also put your post in the introduction folder so everyone can see it, ok?

Cindy gave you wonderful information about triggers, so I won't repeat that. One of the best things you can do is keep a Migraine diary. This is an easy way to see what is and isn't working for your Migraines. We have a free downloadable version HERE. As a matter of fact, I started keeping one again and was quite surprised to see the results. I will be bringing it with me to my doctors appointment next week.

Fioicet is part of a group of drugs called barbiturates. It is best used as a rescue medication for Migraine disease. This means it is taken when our abortives (like Imitrex) fail or we cannot take them due to other conditions. If we take fioricet, or other certain prescription and/or OTC medications more than two to three days a week, we run the risk of getting Medication Overuse Headache (MOH.) If we have MOH, no preventive on earth will work. You can read this article for more information:Medication Overuse Headache - When the Remedy Backfires

If we get more than three Migraines a month it is time to talk to our doctor about prevention. There is more evidence that Migraine is a progressive brain disease and may cause silent brain damage. Here are two more articles for you: Is Migraine a Progressive Brain Disease? and Yes, Migraines Can Cause Brain Damage.

Let us know what other questions you may have, we are here to help.

I have to second Cindy on keeping a migraine diary. And about the Fiorocet. Unless triptans are contraindicated for some medical reason, they really should be the first line of attack.

My two triggers I know about are citrus fruits and weather systems. Even keeping a detailed mig diary I still don't know where all of migs come from.

Since food triggers are common, you might want to try an elimination diet. It isn't fun, I'm not going to lie. But it is a very effective way to idenitfy food triggers.

Good luck!

Hi, Nancy! Welcome to the forum!

One other tidbit about that Fiorinal is that it cannot actually do anything to stop the migraine process. All it can do is mask the pain. Even though you might feel better, because the pain is lessened, the migraine process itself is still running in the background. Did you doctor not prescribe any kind of abortive medication to try first?

Hi, Nancy, welcome to the forum. We are glad you found us.

Please take a few minutes to look at the Start Here folder, so that you get the most out of your forum experience. Then, take a look at this article:

• Learning About Migraines and Headaches - Where To Start

Keep the questions and experiences coming. We are glad you joined us.

After 15 yrs of having migraines, last week I just found out "figs" was a MAJOR trigger for me (after eating 1/2 box of Newton Fig Bars.

Pookie,

I'm so sorry you discovered a new trigger, but, at least you're aware of it now. I just wish it wasn't something so yummy!

I get migrines.....I have had them since I was 17 Now I am 28. For me it is Can tomatoe sauce, bannanas, red meat, only ground and aged, aged cheese, . Chocolate, all of these have triamines in them.also Stress,

I started taking 300mg, of Magnesium/Calsium everyday, B vitamins, coconut water, and a little ginger powder everyday for over 2 years and have not had one migraine.

When it feels like I am getting one I take my vitamins, and slam down 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder....

Daily I eat 1/8 teaspoon ginger powder helps to thin the blood and work as an antiinflamitory.......also helps platelets not to gather together , which is another way to get a migraine when the all collect in the back oh the brain in the blood vessels..

Sorry for my spelling it it horrible...........