OT - Drugs for Migraines (Starlette)

[BlackSpinner]

I hoped that CPAP would alleviate the headaches. No such luck... not even a little. I guess that's why I can't say that I love this therapy. I'm envious when people say that once they started this therapy their headaches were gone. I'm thinking that for those folks it's more of an oxygen issue.

The worst of my migraines were eliminated via the knife - a full hysterectomy about 10 years before cpap. I still get some due to stress, chemicals, weather and other things but they are mostly ocular now - which means weird visuals, dizziness and all the side effects but little or no pain.

The OSA headaches were dull throbbing all over headaches that would start around 1pm and they vanished after the first night with cpap.

[hyperlexis]

You should ask about Imitrex, with the auto inject syringe. A woman I knew had horrible migraines on occasion and that was the only drug that would really help her for bad attacks. They have a tablet version, but for bad attacks she actually had to give herself the shot version into the thigh.

[ems]

I hoped that CPAP would alleviate the headaches. No such luck... not even a little. I guess that's why I can't say that I love this therapy. I'm envious when people say that once they started this therapy their headaches were gone. I'm thinking that for those folks it's more of an oxygen issue.

The worst of my migraines were eliminated via the knife - a full hysterectomy about 10 years before cpap. I still get some due to stress, chemicals, weather and other things but they are mostly ocular now - which means weird visuals, dizziness and all the side effects but little or no pain.

The OSA headaches were dull throbbing all over headaches that would start around 1pm and they vanished after the first night with cpap.

I wake up with a headache... probably 4 days out of seven. I don't just suddenly get a headache during the day. It's always the same... I wake up with one. I've always had headaches but they seem to have gotten worse with age.

Strange that your migraines were eliminated by having a full hyster... wondering what the connection is. Glad you no longer have migraines tho.

***

Hyperlexis... I appreciate your suggestion. I've heard that doctors won't prescribe Imitrex for those over 55. I guess I'll be finding out more about this when I see my doctor.

(Edit: corrected age number)

[BlackSpinner]

I wake up with a headache... probably 4 days out of seven. I don't just suddenly get a headache during the day. It's always the same... I wake up with one. I've always had headaches but they seem to have gotten worse with age.

You may want to check out autogenics to help as a preventative.
http://wellness.mcmaster.ca/resources/r ... ining.html

Strange that your migraines were eliminated by having a full hyster... wondering what the connection is. Glad you no longer have migraines tho.

Hormone imbalance. When I tried HRT if I was late replacing the patch by a few hours I would have a migraine the next day. Which is why I weaned my self off it - hot flashes are better then migraines any day.

[SleepyToo2]

You may want to check out autogenics to help as a preventative.
http://wellness.mcmaster.ca/resources/r ... ining.html

Rather than the above link, you are probably better using http://www.hscti.com/autogenictraining/autogenic.html. However, be aware that this is linked with "generators" which cost anywhere from just north of $100 to several thousand. Not sure what machine you would use for migraine, or whether you would find any benefit on your sleep apnea. I also don't have a clue on the FDA view of using such approaches for "treatment" of any disorder.

On a side note, yesterday I watched a program where a yogi "cured" a woman who had persistent migraines using ayurvedic approaches. Fascinating. The yoga seemed to help, but you would definitely need guidance from a professional on what herbs to use.

Just other things to consider.

[ems]

BlackS and Sleepy... I very much appreciate your suggestion. However, this might work for some people but I doubt would work for me. Maybe if I could control the pain (with some type of med), then I might be more inclined to try it. Massages help a lot... if I could get one every day. I just need to find a sugar daddy.

Autogenics might be something Starlette would be interested in.

[BlackSpinner]

BlackS and Sleepy... I very much appreciate your suggestion. However, this might work for some people but I doubt would work for me. Maybe if I could control the pain (with some type of med), then I might be more inclined to try it. Massages help a lot... if I could get one every day. I just need to find a sugar daddy.

Autogenics might be something Starlette would be interested in.

Autogenics, properly used, is not so much a pain control as a preventative. If massage helps you then this will help too. And you don't need any "generators" All you need is a quiet spot where you can sit for 5 minutes a few times a day. It does help to have a coach for the first few weeks to make sure your focus is right. What a relaxation method like this does is cut through the stress to prevent the "build up" that causes the tension headaches. That is why you practise through the day. Think of it like brushing your teeth to prevent cavities.
Once you get really "into it" you can use it to help "relieve" the pain but more to "push it away" rather then like what drugs do, so that it is easier to survive the headache/migraine and you don't end up "feeding the tension". When combined with drugs it works very well.

Both my sister and I have been using this method for almost 30 years. We were taught by a psychiatrist who was trained in Europe. While drugs are easier she believed that training people to learn this was more powerful in the end. At the time all the Eastern Block athletes were trained in this to give them a competitive edge.

[SleepyToo2]

Ems, unfortunately, I am not sure that there is any med that can fix your headache - that was the message from the program I saw yesterday. The ayurvedic approach worked with someone who was really afraid of what might happen if ... the approach the yogi took was to have her realize that there is really nothing to be afraid of, and to really relax. A combination of things, including the use of music that she loved, really helped her. Within about 3 to 3.5 weeks her migraines had stopped. Between filming ending and completion of postproduction she also had not had one migraine. It seems that there are a combination of things that trigger and aggravate migraines in each of us. The challenge is to open our hearts and our minds to the alternatives, and find someone who can teach us what we need. Maybe they will either turn out to be your sugar daddy, or work with you to find ways of addressing your challenges without one - at least for the time being!

BlackSpinner, thanks for the clarification - sounds intriguing! I was just a bit put off by the statement on the page that I looked at that said if you don't use the right words you can get into trouble, and you need to learn to turn off the relaxation. So, do you just go through the script and the canceling each time?

[ems]

Autogenics, properly used, is not so much a pain control as a preventative. If massage helps you then this will help too. And you don't need any "generators" All you need is a quiet spot where you can sit for 5 minutes a few times a day. It does help to have a coach for the first few weeks to make sure your focus is right. What a relaxation method like this does is cut through the stress to prevent the "build up" that causes the tension headaches. That is why you practise through the day. Think of it like brushing your teeth to prevent cavities.
Once you get really "into it" you can use it to help "relieve" the pain but more to "push it away" rather then like what drugs do, so that it is easier to survive the headache/migraine and you don't end up "feeding the tension". When combined with drugs it works very well.

Both my sister and I have been using this method for almost 30 years. We were taught by a psychiatrist who was trained in Europe. While drugs are easier she believed that training people to learn this was more powerful in the end. At the time all the Eastern Block athletes were trained in this to give them a competitive edge.

Now I'm very intrigued and will look into this. I've heard of similar approaches, but not this. I'll start reading about it. Sleepy's site looks a little easier to follow.

Sounds a bit like meditating to me... with a twist.

[BlackSpinner]

BlackSpinner, thanks for the clarification - sounds intriguing! I was just a bit put off by the statement on the page that I looked at that said if you don't use the right words you can get into trouble, and you need to learn to turn off the relaxation. So, do you just go through the script and the canceling each time?

That is why it helps to have someone coach you. Yes the cancelling is almost as important as the relaxation itself. Especially once your body/mind learns the relaxation part, if you don't cancel you walk around like a zoned out ancient hippie. Now this effect is very useful if you are having a migraine and are in your darkened room, but not if you need to do something. Also it is believed that the going in and out of "trance" mode, which changes your blood flow is one of the things that benefits the headache/migraine issue.

The using the right words; Think about it, you are building a new habit, a new coping skill. Words are triggers. It is sort of like programming a computer when you use stuff like this and every word, every space, every tone is important. Kind of like a Microsoft update on Tuesdays, if they screw it up nothing works right anymore.....

I use the very simple script "My xxx is very heavy" and I cancel by taking a deep breath and bring my clenched fist to my shoulders. That is the routine I learned and it is very effective for me. Each segment last one minute, unless I chose to go deeper into trance and stay there.

I also use this method for going into deep trance for spiritual practices, in which case I don't do the cancelling until I am finished and then I may be do it several times to make sure I am fully grounded back in Ordinary Reality.

[BlackSpinner]

Now I'm very intrigued and will look into this. I've heard of similar approaches, but not this. I'll start reading about it. Sleepy's site looks a little easier to follow.

Sounds a bit like meditating to me... with a twist.

It is very much related to meditation without any of the spiritual baggage that often comes with that. Adding a spiritual dimension is up to you and can dramatically increase the emotional benefit, if that works for you, but is is optional.

[Starlette]

I hoped that CPAP would alleviate the headaches. No such luck... not even a little. I guess that's why I can't say that I love this therapy. I'm envious when people say that once they started this therapy their headaches were gone. I'm thinking that for those folks it's more of an oxygen issue.

I'm with you on this quote ems.

Predominately, I get the migraines from:
Dehydration
Not eating soon enough
Not masking up for the night
Wearing myself out

[ems]

Starlette... I'll share once I've seen my doctor. I've never been to a neurologist who specializes in headaches... so I'm anticipating an interesting visit.

On Autogenics...I've done quite a bit of reading about it over the last two days. For sure one has to make a full-time commitment to it. A coach would definitely be helpful. I've tried it a few times and keep losing track, which makes me very frustrated! I suppose I'm looking for that magic pill, which I don't think is happening anytime soon.

To everyone in this thread - I wish you a healthy, happy New Year

[bilgerat57]

I'm surprised to hear about that side effect from the fiorinal. That's the first I've heard of. My pain management specialist chose this because it was so mild. My pulmonologist is talking with my pain doc, so we're good there. Fiorinal does come without the codeine too.... Good luck!

[BlackSpinner]

I'm surprised to hear about that side effect from the fiorinal. That's the first I've heard of. My pain management specialist chose this because it was so mild. My pulmonologist is talking with my pain doc, so we're good there. Fiorinal does come without the codeine too.... Good luck!

All drugs come with side effects for some people. Maybe my dose was higher? But then I react to many things in odd ways. The whole family is like that. My youngest sister reacts to meds that make most people sleepy by becoming wired. Predisone made me nauseous when most people get ravenously hungry.