Headaches Archives

MIGRAINES with increaing frequency

Follow Ups:

• Re: MIGRAINES with increaing frequency (archive) Walt Stoll 07:16:10 4/15/01 (0)
• Re: MIGRAINES with increaing frequency June.one 22:28:23 4/14/01 (0)

In Reply to: MIGRAINES with increaing frequency posted by Michelle on April 13, 2001 at 11:15:23:

Michelle,

Should you be worried? If indeed it is a true migraine then you should put your energy into motivation about what you can do to help yourself, and there is much you can do. Another factor is how worked up you are getting with these more intense occurances since that can contribute to complications.

Do you have regular eye exams?

There's been so much research and progress in treating migraines and Walt happens to have an article on the homepage about headaches in general and how to put a migraine in its place in short order.

Michelle, mine got so bad and frequent 6 years ago. Christmastide before last I was just going out to hear my son's choir sing in a small bookstore and the pain was awful but terrifyingly enough I found myself completely blind - literally - for about 10 to 15 minutes.

A GP or a neurologist might do an MRI or CT scan to rule out other problems, but if you're game there are important things you need to do one way or the other:

1. Read the article on-site about headaches; read more in the archives also about migraines.

2. Magnesium deficiency, according to many scientific studies, appears to be directly connected to the migraine syndrome. One recent study I read used test subjects with various types of headaches and were divided into groups based on what kind they had. When the test subjects got a headache they were treated with 1 gram of magnesium sulfate (I think IM but they may have had IV mag). The results overwhelmingly confirmed what other studies before it had - that the amount of magnesium available had a direct effect. Nearly three quarters of the test subjects obtained relief and the ones who reaped the most benefit were the test subjects who had migraines rather than other headaches. As for you, an appropriate magnesium supplement might help if you are deficient and can absorb the mineral. Steer clear of magnesium oxide as it is not considered well-absorbed. I don't know how much you may need but I take up to a gram in divided doses. If you can afford it and find it, there is bottled mineral water which has natural magnesium in it. I think magnesium has helped me greatly and it is processed right out of MANY of our foods (guess that's why the majority of Americans are said to be magnesium deficient).

3. Two things in one here. You probably know about triggers for migraines and you have to become serious about avoiding those. In a book I've enjoyed by Dr. Christina Peterson, she has a section on triggers that provides interesting information. I want to recommend her book to you; its called "The Women's Migraine Survival Guide".

4. Please consider whether in the last few months you may have been developing a chemical sensitivity. Are you using any new household or personal products? I urge you to not think about this for 5 minutes - - keep that one in the back of your mind for a few days or weeks. The things you breathe, touch and eat have a tremendous impact.

Hope you find something in there to be helpful. While you gather info & consider facts, be sure to try to relax in the dark and take some slow, gentle deep breaths when it happens - maybe get an eye mask - cold or hot, whichever you prefer; I've heard a lot of folks say putting an ice pack on their eyes is helpful but myself and some others seem to respond to heat. I know its miserable. I hope you look into the magnesium (give it some time). The skilled relaxation discussed elsewhere on this 'site will reduce your headache frequency and also help you learn techniques that might help you get through the headaches that you do have. Walt usually answers posts about 48 hours after they show up here so he can give you the scoop on the worsened symptoms you have. At any rate, if you think of any unusual symptoms accompanying this intensification or if you develop something out of the ordinary, you may need to see a health care professional to rule out any danger. I know its scary to experience such intense effects, hope its encouraging to you that I've lived through some headaches I thought I would die from and that the acquisition of more knowledge has enabled me to improve significantly.

June

In Reply to: MIGRAINES with increaing frequency posted by Michelle on April 13, 2001 at 11:15:23:

Hi, Michelle.

Listen to june.one (Thanks, June!)

The hot water treatment is just to give you relief until you get rid of the causes.

Let us know how you do.

Walt