headaches and migraines

[jessica31876]

So Im curious how can you tell the difference between just an ordinary headache and a migraine. My head will hurt so bad I feel like it is going to explode and it escalates and escalates with the pain just getting worse. I take tylenol and it helps a little but not much. I cant deal with light or noise even the sound of water splashing or the phone ringing or a fan running. I need absolute total silence. The last few times its escalated until I threw up and then it started to ease alot. Im pretty sure its migraines because that is exactly what would happen with my son only his went away around the time he was 5/6. Mine have only been the last few years and only occasionally and the getting sick with them has only been a few times when I am unable to lay down in a cold dark room and avoid all sounds/lights etc. From what Ive heard and what alot of people I know who deal with them tell me there isnt alot that can be done. Alot of them suffer through despite being on medications. Any info on them would be great. I need to see a dr. and will when I can afford it but unfortunately that probably wont be for another 3 or 4 months when we start getting caught back up from a few really bad weeks

[Teresa]

Definitely sounds like migraines....I'm so sorry you're dealing with them, they're awful!

I tried medication when I was getting them a few years back and had success with Amerge, but hate taking meds and stopped. The migraines came back. Ended up in the hospital with one and my ER doc suggested I take a regular multivitamin, a B-vitamin supplement and a magnesium supplement...the headaches went away! Apparently there are lots of studies showing magnesium helps (and as with anything, those that say it doesn't). But, it's a natural way to try and help yourself without drugs.

My other suggestions would be to keep a food diary and see if you can figure out any triggers and make sure it's not your eyes from too much computer time :) (also my problem!).

Hope you can get to your doctor and figure this out for sure soon!
Teresa

[ColleenSwerb]

My only suggestion would be that when you feel a headache coming on, take tylenol and then either down a coke really fast, or drink a cup of black coffee. Lots of times the caffeine helps open up the capillaries in your head which are what cane cause a migraine.

I take a preventative med for mine, and thankfully it keeps them at bay.

[aggiefamily]

I agree with trying to figure out if you have a trigger for them. For me it is allergy related. If I am not on my allergy medicine and get exposed to certain grasses I will get a migraine.

[Kat Stokes]

Stress is a huge trigger for my migraines and that sounds like what you are having. I'm sorry! I know they are so very painful!!! Try Excederin Migraine. It helps mine!!!

[jessica31876]

stress I think is defenitely contributing. I am allergic to alot of medications so I have to be careful what I take. I have really bad reactions to nearly every prescription pain medication I have ever taken so I dont know if migraine meds are anything like them but any narcotic type pain reliever causes nausea, itching, hives, heart racing and breathing difficulties for me. Another reason I kinda stick with tylenol even with pain that is a little more severeStress is a huge trigger for my migraines and that sounds like what you are having. I'm sorry! I know they are so very painful!!! Try Excederin Migraine. It helps mine!!!

[Tracie Stroud]

Yep, it definitely sounds like migraines. I've only had a few of them, but I pretty much always know when it's not just a headache. I hope you get some answers!

[EveRecinella]

I get cronic headaches, so I feel your pain! I need to go see my DR., but I just never have time. I just had one Sunday that was a killer and finally had to just lay down with the curtains closed, door shut and rest for an hour and that seemed to help.

[pbumbaca]

I just dealt with a 5 dayer and sounds like you are getting migraines to me. I used to take a preventative med but stopped because the neuro said that you shouldn't take them for too long. I think I need to start up again as I have been getting them more frequently lately. I hope you can get to the doc soon and get some help, migraines stink!

[newfiemountiewife]

I hate migraines. They are so bad. I have not found out what my triggers are, even after 15 or so years of getting them. They seem totally random. I do notice I get them occasionally when the weather fluctuates severely, which is why my head is exploding today....we went from warm and sunny to cold/super windy/pouring rain in just a few hours.

[scrappinsweetie]

my dd has migraines and she is on a preventative med. sleep is her big trigger and stress. we did the food diary for a month and no corelation there. anyway it sounds like you have migraines. i would def see a dr. another thought, are your teeth messed up? we found out in august that cass' teeth were horribly messed up. as in baby teeth that would never come out on their own and other problems. the ortho is pretty sure that is a contributing factor to her migraines. it is a long stab in the dark on the teeth bc it isn't that common, but he really thinks it is a factor with hers.