migraines... what do you do?

Ok.. quick background, I used to get my 'aunt flow' BAD... every 3 weeks for 7-9 days with HEADACHES, I was rushed to the hospital a few times because of the pain (head and cramps)... I went on the pill at 18... my period became 'regular', 28 days apart, 4-5 days long... but the pill caused me to have kidney problems, and the headaches are much much worse. I've been off the pill for about 4½ years and my OBG will NOT put me on another one, because of my body's reaction to it last time (tried a few, they were all the same)... now I'm FINE with that...
I now have a 'regular' period, but I still have BAD cramps, kidney spasms (and stones) and these headaches.
I went to my reg dr about the headaches, I had one STRAIGHT for 3½ weeks... non-stop. she had me go to several specialists... what it is broken down to is that I have TMJ (which I've had since I was about 11). and the ENT told me that they are not headaches, they ARE migraines... even though light and sound don't effect them. so... what does my period and TMJ have in common? well I'm getting used to the normal migraines, I've noticed if I take midol it helps... but when I get my period my estrogen levels go up SO HIGH that the pain is unbearable... nothing works and I just sit at home and cry all day (day 1 is the worst)... so.. I got my period last tuesday, so its over... but my headache did not come until last night... now i took midol, that didn't work, i drank a whole bottle of gatorade (to re-hydrate), that didn't work, I took 3 advil, that didn't work, I ate... still nothing.

I'm at work asking my co-worker to drill a hole in my head to relieve the pain!

I can't leave until 4... I can't take alive, Excedrin or tylonal because of stomach issues and allergies (yea I'm a mess I know).

what do you do for a migraine?
I usually eat a LARGE dark chocolate bar that helps.. but I don't have any here.

WOW that really stinks and I definitely feel your pain.

I've been on Topomax for over a year now for migraines, my regular doctor prescribed it to me, but 3 months ago I asked her to up the dosage because I started to get the headaches/migraines again. So she recommended for me to go to a neurologist, which I just went to this past Monday. So now I'm still taking the Topomax which works wonders and I was also given a prescription for Imitrex to take when I feel a headache starting. I haven't taken the Imitrex yet.

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Posted by MayBride2010

oh jeez - I am so sorry to hear this. Migraines are horrible and I wouldnt wish them on my own worst enemy! I take Excedrin Migraine which helps but I see you can't take it with your stomach. Have you tried talking to your doctor about alternative medications?

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yea, they don't have any suggestions. just advil... which doesn't seem to work.
and they tell me to drink a lot more water then i currently do, and they want me to get a night guard.. I had one, it didn't work.

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Posted by megan_gallagher

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Posted by MayBride2010

oh jeez - I am so sorry to hear this. Migraines are horrible and I wouldnt wish them on my own worst enemy! I take Excedrin Migraine which helps but I see you can't take it with your stomach. Have you tried talking to your doctor about alternative medications?

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yea, they don't have any suggestions. just advil... which doesn't seem to work.
and they tell me to drink a lot more water then i currently do, and they want me to get a night guard.. I had one, it didn't work.

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I have TMJ too - but never had migraines from it - and yeah, the nightguard totally didnt work for me either.

Sorry I can't be of more help....hope you feel better soon!

Oh Wow we have very similar situations. I have both TMJ and Migraines in and around my period. The first thing that I do, in the minutes it comes on, is Midol. It helps whenever, period or due to TMJ. I have tried every other medication in the book and there is nothing that works as well. Second thing is I go in a dark room and put a freezing cold cloth on my eyes. If you can shower first it usually helps. There are a few other remedies that I can give you but i would rather not put them all on here. Sex I will tell you is a reliever of migraines as well .
I would still continue with the Midol, taking 2 as soon as the migraine begins. I get full spots so once that happens, its to late.
FM me if you want more info..
I feel for you :(

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Posted by T E R I

WOW that really stinks and I definitely feel your pain.

I've been on Topomax for over a year now for migraines, my regular doctor prescribed it to me, but 3 months ago I asked her to up the dosage because I started to get the headaches/migraines again. So she recommended for me to go to a neurologist, which I just went to this past Monday. So now I'm still taking the Topomax which works wonders and I was also given a prescription for Imitrex to take when I feel a headache starting. I haven't taken the Imitrex yet.

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i live on topomax

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Posted by Shellymd
Sex I will tell you is a reliever of migraines as well .

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lmao, I knew that- infact I was just telling my girlfriends the other night that once I get a headache I attack him...
unfortunately I'm at work (and so is he)... and because I had my period last week I was off... and I don't get paid for time off (URGH)... so I can't leave because I need the $$.

I can just imagine calling him at work and making him come here...
my co-workers faces would be worth it!

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Posted by KRISTIND

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Posted by T E R I

WOW that really stinks and I definitely feel your pain.

I've been on Topomax for over a year now for migraines, my regular doctor prescribed it to me, but 3 months ago I asked her to up the dosage because I started to get the headaches/migraines again. So she recommended for me to go to a neurologist, which I just went to this past Monday. So now I'm still taking the Topomax which works wonders and I was also given a prescription for Imitrex to take when I feel a headache starting. I haven't taken the Imitrex yet.

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i live on topomax

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I've never heard of any of those... are there generics? I don't have Rx coverage and Rx's are expensive... I'll try and bring that up to my dr.

i have been suffering with migraines for going on 11 years...

i always suggest going to a neuro, just to be safe...always better to be safe then sorry...

i did the topomax/maxalt thing and some shots of potassium for a while and it really worked...then last summer it was so bad i was in the hopsital...a whole new round of meds that were not helping...

i go (went ) to this amazing accupuncturist in smithtown (if uyou want his info, FM me) he is a little expensive (bec my insurance doesnt cover accupuncture) but COMPLETLEY worth it!!!!!!! my migraines have been much better than they wrere (i still get them but not half as bad) and he helped me alot with allergy related migraines!! (who would of thught feta cheese could throw me over for a week!!)

it, for me, was better than taking meds day-in and day-out (which did help) and soemtimes still do!

i just really preferred this! I cant wait to get back to him!!!!!!!!!

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Posted by megan_gallagher

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Posted by KRISTIND

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Posted by T E R I

WOW that really stinks and I definitely feel your pain.

I've been on Topomax for over a year now for migraines, my regular doctor prescribed it to me, but 3 months ago I asked her to up the dosage because I started to get the headaches/migraines again. So she recommended for me to go to a neurologist, which I just went to this past Monday. So now I'm still taking the Topomax which works wonders and I was also given a prescription for Imitrex to take when I feel a headache starting. I haven't taken the Imitrex yet.

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i live on topomax

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I've never heard of any of those... are there generics? I don't have Rx coverage and Rx's are expensive... I'll try and bring that up to my dr.

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ask for samples....maxalt was $35 a PILLL.....

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Posted by megan_gallagher

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Posted by KRISTIND

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Posted by T E R I

WOW that really stinks and I definitely feel your pain.

I've been on Topomax for over a year now for migraines, my regular doctor prescribed it to me, but 3 months ago I asked her to up the dosage because I started to get the headaches/migraines again. So she recommended for me to go to a neurologist, which I just went to this past Monday. So now I'm still taking the Topomax which works wonders and I was also given a prescription for Imitrex to take when I feel a headache starting. I haven't taken the Imitrex yet.

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i live on topomax

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I've never heard of any of those... are there generics? I don't have Rx coverage and Rx's are expensive... I'll try and bring that up to my dr.

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yes, they have generics of Topomax which the nuerologist just wrote me a prescription for, which he said is no different, just will be a little less expensive

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Posted by dreamerchic33

i have been suffering with migraines for going on 11 years...

i always suggest going to a neuro, just to be safe...always better to be safe then sorry...

i did the topomax/maxalt thing and some shots of potassium for a while and it really worked...then last summer it was so bad i was in the hopsital...a whole new round of meds that were not helping...

i go (went ) to this amazing accupuncturist in smithtown (if uyou want his info, FM me) he is a little expensive (bec my insurance doesnt cover accupuncture) but COMPLETLEY worth it!!!!!!! my migraines have been much better than they wrere (i still get them but not half as bad) and he helped me alot with allergy related migraines!! (who would of thught feta cheese could throw me over for a week!!)

it, for me, was better than taking meds day-in and day-out (which did help) and soemtimes still do!

i just really preferred this! I cant wait to get back to him!!!!!!!!!

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yea I went to a nuerologist too.. and i had a CAT scan on my brain and xrays and balance tests (I get dizzy spells too)... ::sigh:: why can't this just be easy!
like in CA (my MOH's aunt is a nurse out there) before they put you on BC they run all these tests, so this could have been avoided um... 7 years ago! they have diff pills out that way (I don't understand why NY can't get them) but like they have ones for girls that get BAD cramps, ones for girls who get BAD headaches, acne,hair problems, weight problems, etc.... so they more or less give you a custom BC pill to help you!

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Posted by Aug07OFCbride

simple suggestion, but make sure you are drinking a good amount of water. i tend to get migraines when im not drinking enough water. i know yours is connected to other stuff but being hydrated cant hurt.

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Oh I'm dehydrated.. I know I am, that's why I drank a HUGE bottle of gatorade today...
but it still hasn't helped

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Posted by EsquireBride

I take excederin migraine, which I know you cannot take, but one of the primary ingredients is caffeine. I saw a neurologist once for my migraines and he gave me a trial of some prescription pill which actually didn't work as well as my over the counter stuff. But he also said that since excederin migraine is essentially like a lot of caffeine, try drinking a cup or two of coffee in a short time span because that may have the same effects.

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I've heard that too... but I can't drink coffee anymore because of stomach problems, but I'm a tea-aholic... that's all I drink is Tea!
it ends up the caffeine is horrible for my kidneys, but I actually haven't had a kidney stone since I went against my dr and switched to an all tea diet (drink wise, not food)... but tea dehydrates you so its a lose lose situation!

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Posted by megan_gallagher

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Posted by Aug07OFCbride

simple suggestion, but make sure you are drinking a good amount of water. i tend to get migraines when im not drinking enough water. i know yours is connected to other stuff but being hydrated cant hurt.

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Oh I'm dehydrated.. I know I am, that's why I drank a HUGE bottle of gatorade today...
but it still hasn't helped

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just gatorade or water too?

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Posted by Aug07OFCbride

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Posted by megan_gallagher

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Posted by Aug07OFCbride

simple suggestion, but make sure you are drinking a good amount of water. i tend to get migraines when im not drinking enough water. i know yours is connected to other stuff but being hydrated cant hurt.

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Oh I'm dehydrated.. I know I am, that's why I drank a HUGE bottle of gatorade today...
but it still hasn't helped

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just gatorade or water too?

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Yeah, I have heard that gatorade works too. Sometimes snapple work for me too, but again it is probably all due to the caffeine!