Migraine Headaches

Canada
March 6, 2007 12:48am CST
Do you suffer with migraines? How old were you when you first started getting them? What sort of medication do you use for them, or do you have other alternatives that help with the pain? I've been getting migraines since I was about 8 years old, although I wasn't actually diagnosed with them till I was 12 years old. I've taken a variety of medications for them, and I think one of the pain medications I took called Fiorinal helped for a good many years. Usually if I get a migraine I will start off with sensitivity to light and noise, and sometimes see sort of little lights/stars. So many things can cause a migraine from various foods, food coloring, weather-barometric pressure, stress, chocolate, hormonal changes etc. For years I hardly ever had a week when I didn't have migraines. Sometimes they would last a day, while other times they would go for days on end. A few times they've been so bad I've had to go to the ER to be put on IV medication. When I have a migraine, I generally find an ice pack will help numb the pain for awhile so I can get a little rest. Now I take Maxalt when the migraine is just starting and it will usually help, but there are still those times when I just have to rest and sleep it off. How do they affect you?
1 person likes this
1 response
Amber
@AmbiePam (93743)
• United States
8 Mar 07
I had my first migraine at 8 years old. Since then, I've had many years of frustration with migraines and the treatments available. Last year alone, I went to the ER 8 times because my prescribed migraine medication failed to get rid of it. I usually wait 5 days before giving in and going to the ER. I keep thinking the meds have to work, but sometimes they don't. Zomig ZMT 5mg worked best for me over the long run. My insurance no longer pays for that, so I take Amerge. Amerge takes much longer to work, but it has so far managed to get rid of them eventually. When I feel a migraine coming on I'll try over the counter medicine first, but what also helps is to put a tight headband that encircles your forehead and the back of your head, on immediately. That way you actually have something holding your head together when it feels as though it is going to fall off.