ericf (04/29/83)
#N:inmet:11200001:000:1453 inmet!ericf Apr 28 11:07:00 1983 I don't know if this has been brought up before, so please forgive me if it has. I have been suffering from migraine headaches for 12 years or so. Their occurance is not what I consider the high points of my life. It's more the case that I want to have my head removed to alleviate the pain. The doctor prescribed Cafergot, which has no effect other than to upset my stomach more severely than what the migraine itself causes. I know there are a lot of migraine sufferers around, and some of them are a LOT worse of than I (I get migraines once every three months on the average, though I had a record of 3 within two weeks). My question is: what do you do about it? It seems that medical science isn't making much progress in relieving migraines. Does anyone know of any preventive measures? Anything to make an episode less painful (or shorter?) I've done a lot of reading on the subject, but it seems that no factors come into play to trigger a migraine (e.g., food may or may not be a factor, since I've gotten headaches after having eaten a variety of foods. SEVERE stress can sometimes be a definite factor, but I usually get an attack while I feeling pretty good). Anyway, if anyone could mail me some helpful suggestions, I'll summarize to the net. Anything specifically in the Boston area I could look into would also be appreciated. "May brains hurt" Eric Feigenson harpo!inmet!ericf decvax!cca!ima!inmet!ericf
dyer (05/02/83)
There is evidence that beta-blocker drugs such as propranolol (Inderal) may have a preventative effect against recurring migraines. Beta-blockers, while not to be used casually, are pretty safe, and have been used in millions of patients for all sorts of diseases. There are some contraindications, such as asthma. Check with your doctor. Steve Dyer decvax!wivax!dyer
martin (05/09/83)
Migraines can be caused by a variety of things, and Eric touches on some of them -- food, stress, excitement. Add sinus pressure, which is a principal element in the migraines I suffer. When I first approached my doctor about migraines, he prescribed an *ergot* drug, but admitted that medical knowledge on the problem is lacking. He suggested that it was primarily my responsibility to understand what was triggering my sessions, and we could look for a solution from there. I began a diary of migraines; at each one, I would think back over the previous 2 or 3 days, and try to recount what I had eaten, any high or low emotional points, etc. It has been a great help, since those details are quickly forgotton; unless you are having migraines every day, you may not see the patterns. I get migraines infrequently now, but I when I do, I see the aura coming more clearly than I used to. For me, a half tablet of sinutab is usually enough to remove one of the triggers; a mild headache, or just a blah feeling is usually all I have to endure.