First of all, I would cut down on all medications not prescribed by a doctor. This may be throwing off your natural balances. Many over the counter medications (Excedrin for example) are 70-90% caffeine, which dehydrates you.

Second, make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Dehydration is one of the leading causes of migraines. Proper hydration is a key to healthy living, as we are water based creatures.

Third, dry to drink at least a small glass of whole milk every day. I get cluster headaches and find that drinking 4oz of whole milk every (or every other) day prevents them from starting, shortens them when i do get them, and makes them less intense.

If none of these things help, try putting a cool damp washcloth on your forehead. I find my temperature rises when I am in extremely deep thought, and a cool towel can help lower your temp back to normal. Also, I heard this is great advice for anyone with Insomnia.

I am sorry that you can't find out what is really the cause of the headaches. I understand how you feel because I also get migraines as a result of sinus and stress or even allergies.

My headaches have lessened recently. I don't get them as often as I used to but the tablets you name never really have an effect on the headache except for Ibuprofen. I do not like to take it that much either. I don't know if you have tried Alieve liquid gels but they work faster than normal Ibuprofen tablets even though it is really the same drug.

A tablet that contains paracetamol would be easier on your stomach and is safer to take for a longer period of time and they usually work for me but again I do not know if it will work for you.

My advice for you is what works for me.

The minute you feel as though a headache is coming on you should take your medicine because the longer you put it off the more likely the headache will not pass and chances are you will end up taking more tablets than you would like to take.

Eat on time.

This is very important because when you put off eating on time it can cause a migraine.

Drink lots of water.

Lack of water can also contribute to migraines.

I discovered that a lot of times my headaches start at the back of my neck. A warm bath helps me to relax and then I put some Bengay or Icy Hot on and this usually brings immediate relief and I find that my headache passes sooner when I do this.

If you can get massages done this may help you significantly and your headaches may lessen quicker than you anticipated.

I have heard that acupuncture helps as well but it is not something I have tried and so I cannot recommend it.

For your sinus headaches I think I can help you out.

Get local honey, that is, honey that is produced locally in your area and take a tablespoon of honey each day. It takes some time to work but the thing about honey is that it helps you to build up immunity against whatever may be causing your sinuses to act up.

To help your sinus you can also consider using a mixture of salt and water and putting two drops a day into your nose. Drinking ginger tea helps as well as inhaling the vapor from mentholated crystals in boiling water. The trick to avoiding sinus headache is stopping the sinus from acting up.

Are you on your feet a lot?

I am and seeing that I have flat foot I can definitely get headaches when I am on my feet too long.

Try a foot soak that includes peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil. It will relax and calm you and when you relax, your tension will ease.

I hope this helps and that your headaches lessen. I know how it feels!

First, let me applaud you for avoiding narcotics because of your history. You are a stronger person than I. I don't know how you tolerate the unbearable pain. I rarely get migraines any more but I took narcotics when I did. It's the only way I could obtain any relief.

I believe your doctors may treat you differently because of your past. It's a shame and every doctor in the world will deny it. It also happens. I witnessed it more than once when I worked in the medical field.

I am going to write about some of the older drugs that were used successfully to treat/prevent migraine. Your doctors are likely trying the 'newer' ones. Of course you are aware of lifestyle changes and things you can do at home to alleviate headache. I know you don't like to take medication but with severe migraines it's going to be hard to avoid them completely.

It sounds like your doctors may have tried you on one of the SSRIs. Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, may work better. It is the generic name for Elavil and the only antidepressant proven effective for migraine. I took Elavil, prophylactically, for years. I seemed to obtain some relief with them but it's hard to tell because I was never headache-free. One of the unfortunate side effects of amitriptyline is that it makes you tired. You do adjust to it over time but the drowsiness makes it hard to stick with.

Cafergot is another medication that works well for some. It is a combination of ergotamine and caffeine. It is available in suppository form and nasal spray if you get too nauseous to keep pills down. This medication did not work well for me. It made me so sick to my stomach that I preferred the headache. That's not to say you would have the same reaction. I have heard that Migranal is a newer form of ergotamine with fewer side effects.

Other medications to ask your doctor about include Midrin, (acetaminophen, isometheptene and dichloralphenazone), Reglan (metoclopramide) and valproic acid (Depakote). Also, ask about Botox. Surprisingly , the FDA has approved Botox for treatment of chronic migraine headaches in adults. The injections are given in the forehead and neck. How great would it be if that worked? You'd be wrinkle free plus you'd only need to be treated once about every 12 weeks. I think if you also get tension or stress headaches that start at the back of your neck, Botox would be especially helpful. Most insurance companies will cover Botox now, too.

You can also find other questions and answers about headaches by typing in the keyword migraine at the top of this page. Good luck to you. I hope you find something that alleviates your headaches.

I've suffered from migraine headaches for 20 years. I usually get them about twice a month, sometimes more. I don't go to the doctor, either, but not because I won't take any pain pills, but because I don't like being looked at as a "drug-seeking patient".

There are a few things that I can take that will sometimes stop a migraine, but I have to take it as soon as I get the symptoms (blindness, flashing lights, white dots floating about, etc.). These medications are Excedrin Migraine and Aleve. However, if I get the nausea and vomiting--forget about it--there is absolutely nothing that I can do to prevent the migraine.

You need to figure out what triggers your migraines. It's mostly the same thing with everyone. This includes flashing lights--any sort of flashing lights: camera flashes; fluorescent lighting; a light that is going out; a ceiling fan that is under a light; glare from your computer screen; sun (wear sunglasses when you go out).

Also, make sure to eat balanced meals and do not wait to eat. Sometimes people who delay eating when they are hungry (or not even hungry) will have a migraine. I need to make sure that I eat even if I don't feel hungry. So I have to snack on some grapes or a granola bar between meals.

Again, you have to figure out what triggers your migraines and then make adjustments. If there is a flickering light in your classroom--this could be the culprit. If the sun is coming in through a window and bouncing off of something, this could be the culprit, too. If you are traveling and the sun is behind some trees on a long stretch of road (causing intermittent sun to hit you), you need to take a different route or buy some sunglasses that are large enough to cover the sides of your eyes. If you work on a computer and notice there is glare, you need to purchase a cover for your screen that will reduce or eliminate the glare.

There is something that triggers your migraines, you just have to figure out what.

Lastly, if you are female, you may notice that you get migraines right before your period. Start taking some pre-menstrual medication--I would actually recommend Aleve. If you happen to be on birth control, guess what? Most birth control will cause migraines--especially for women who already suffer from migraines. You would need to speak with your physician to figure out other options for birth control.

Jrachel, where did you find the information that flashing lights will precipitate a migraine? I know they can cause seizure but I've never heard of flashing lights causing a migraine headache. The only association I know of between flashing lights and migraine is that some people experience an aura immediately before the headache begins. Auras can include flashing lights. I'm just curious. I thought I knew just about everything about migraines. Maybe I don't.

GloryS1,

I suffer from migraines, so I can base this answer on personal experience as well as my work experience since I have been in the medical field for a long, long time. I have to close my eyes when I'm in a movie and there is a series of scenes with flashes; otherwise, forget about it. The same is true with flashes on a camera, blinking lights (especially florescent).

While you are correct that flashing lights can also can cause a seizure, both seizures and migraines are neurological disorders, and both sufferers have photo-sensitivity.

Look migraines up in any medical dictionary or medical resource, and you will read that one of the triggers of a migraine is bright, flashing lights. Here is one from NIH:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/00 0709.htm

I'm sure you are able to read the same on the Mayo Clinic and other medical magazines like JAMA and others.

Honestly, not many people can relate to migraine headaches, even physicians, unless they have experienced them. Nobody realizes how painful and debilitating they are unless this is experienced on first-hand knowledge--which I wouldn't wish on anyone.

I had severe migraines for years where I could barely function and I, too, have been in the medical field for a long time. I did not ask the question to make you defensive. I've read everything about migraines that I could lay my hands on and I have never seen that information before.

Edit: I don't see on the link you provided anything about flashing lights precipitating migraine although it does say bright lights might.

You say that you have been having these extreme headaches for a year and a half and that you are thirty. Does that mean you did NOT have migraines prior to being 28 years of age?

True migraines usually show up early, in the teenage years and sometimes even earlier. If you did not have migraines as a teenager, even when pre-menstrual (from the question about the cat I assume you are female) I would seriously wonder if these are really migraines or if they are due to some other cause, physical or psychological. Yes, I noticed the psychiatrist in the list above.

One fairly obvious question - did you have migraines prior to entering a pre-med program? Do you WANT to be in that program? Or is it parental or social pressure - the "you have to be a doctor or a lawyer or you are worthless" syndrome? If you cannot cope with the pressure now, could you cope with the pressure of medical school, even if you were admitted? Are your headaches a way of your body trying to tell you something?

Equally, was there some physical triggering event? Were you in an accident, auto or otherwise? Did you change the prescription drugs you were taking or add a new one? What happens if you go off the drugs for a few days - do the headaches get worse or better?

And what about changes in the rest of your life? Do you get enough exercise? Do you work out or do yoga? Do you relax and meditate or pray? Perhaps you should consider doing so.

Finally, one remedy you may not have tried is a light and sound machine. These can help some - not all - migraine sufferers, by changing - more correctly, entraining - brainwaves. One firm that carries them, and other relaxation products, is Tools for Wellness in Los Angeles. You can find their website easily. (I'm a satisfied customer.)

Thanks for your thoughtful answers. I will clarify some things.

First, yes, I'm a woman.
I was a heroin addict from age 17-28. My fam doc suggests that I had migraines the whole time but was numbed under the influence which entirely makes sense.
I used drugs to self medicate depression, bipolar, and anxiety disorders.

-sojourner- I currently take Trazadone and Depakote. I tried Elavil, and had 2 blissful headache-free weeks. Then they came back along with some side effects.
I doubt Medicaid covers Botox, but at this point it doesn't hurt to ask. I'm pretty desperate.
Also, I drink at least 4 16oz water bottles every day. Besides 1 cup of coffee in the morning, all I drink is water. I'm not vegetarian, but eat mostly organic. In my own research, I just learned that chocolate, cheese, and wine are big headache triggers. I don't drink, so I will stay away from cheese and choc for a bit and see.
I do the saline/nose thing (netiPot). I will also try honey. Spring's coming, and my allergies are pretty wicked.

I have been on the Depo birth control shot for 3 years. I chose this because I get manic (from bipolar) during PMS. On the shot, I don't have periods at all, so I avoid those symptoms. BUT, I just got my shot done last week and for 3 straight days I was in tears from migraine pain. I will def talk to my doc about this when I go back in May.


-AuntCoffee- As for school, I am going for a degree in acupuncture. Specializing in chronic pain management and somatoform disorders. I need a bachelor's in anatomy and physiology and a doctorate in psychology. I have 5 years left. It is very difficult. It is very stressful. But I love it. It's my passion, and I'm doing it of my own accord. No pressure from family. I want to be able to help people that have been dubbed hopeless or helpless. Kind of like myself :)
That was a very good observation by the way. It makes sense.

I wish I could afford regular acupuncture because it helped tremendously with my addiction recovery as well as my anxiety and sleep issues. I'm pretty broke though, so I take what my crappy state insurance gives me.

-GloryS1- I haven't done specific research, but flashing lights, whether subtle or strong, will send me into a migraine tailspin. I'm wondering if certain migraine disorders are linked to epilepsy. It's worth looking into.

Please let me know if you have anymore thoughts considering the extra info I've given. I'll make sure to click on the 'Best Answer' thing for one of ya when we're done here.
Thanks again. I appreciate your time.

*

The best help I ever got for my migraines was from a doctor of eastern orthodox. He told me what was going on in my head (the pain) was a reflection of what was going on in my stomach. To make a long story short once I started treating my stomach my headaches began to go away.

I never went to another doctor after that instead I stopped eating the foods I loved, cheese, chocolate, coffee and milk. At the first sign of a migraine I would take something to soothe my stomach such as Mylanta. I also did a lot of walking as lying down or sleeping would increase the pain.

Bright lights and florescent bulbs were also a problem for me and to this day I spend no more time under fluorescent bulbs than is necessary.

I can offer you some good news. It seems that migraines tend to diminish or go away altogether sometimes in your 30s. I wish you all the luck in the world getting this under control and leading the life you have planned out for yourself.

Good luck Hon,
Elaine

PS I do eat all those foods I love today just not all at once or in large quantities.

Congrats on your successful recovery from heroin. Are you on methadone? You don't say.

Headache is one of the first side effects listed for the Depo shot. It sounds like you have already figured out that you get worse migraines immediately following your Depo shot. Maybe you should try the IUD. Some contain hormones and some do not.

I learned something from this post. Both you and jrachel say that you get migraines from flashing lights. I have never heard that before and I have talked to a lot of people with migraine and researched them.

It is recommended that people with migraine keep a log of everything they eat. Then you can go back and determine which foods you might be sensitive to. Aged cheese and chocolate are common triggers but there are many more. Nuts and cultured dairy products as well as caffeine are known to trigger migraine as well. Also, MSG often precipitates migraine which is why many migraine sufferers can't eat Chinese food.

Good luck with your schooling and career. It sounds like you have got your life in order. I hope you get your headaches under control, as well.

Paradoxvoid, I have heard that also concerning cheese chocolate and alcohol. I never drank either but I found out that neither cheese nor chocolate acted as triggers for me. Hopefully you will find out soon if it is one of them or both. It does sound like it could be more than one thing triggering the headaches.

I really hope you find out what the cause is or at least that you get some sort of break from them sometimes.

There is another option that I have heard of and that is Ginseng. Apparently taking Ginseng regularly can help to cure or lessen migraines significantly. Again, like acupuncture, I do not know much about this. Perhaps you can ask a physician about this and see what he/she has to say about it.

Thank you for the award, Paradoxvoid. I truly hope you get some relief.

I just wanted to add that like you I can't afford to get massages. Sometimes a kind family member does it for me but most times I do it myself. I have found a way that works with my feet. I don't know if I can explain it clearly but by placing one foot side up on the ground and putting the other foot side up on top of it in the other direction creates pressure that brings relief.

Massaging the Icy Hot near the temples and behind your ears also helps a lot and in order to massage your neck effectively you should use your right hand to massage the left part of your neck and your left hand to massage the right part of your neck. Also try lifting your arms and massaging the places where your shoulder joins your arm as well as your arm itself. If you do things like tote grocery bags home then it could cause stress in your arms and then go straight to your head.

Again, I hope that you get some relief and that something works out!