I think I've had my first one over the last couple of days. I've had knives stabbing the back of my eyes, dizziness, the light hurts... I saw my doctor today and he said it's either a migraine or something viral.
He's given me some pain killers/muscle relaxant called "mersyndol" which is working a treat right now, but will make it hard to work tomorrow coz it's making me as high as a kite! I'm loving the stuff!!!
Posted by logan5 (Member # 1467) on :
It bothers me that doctors treat symptoms rather than causes. It also bothers me they prescribe drugs which will not solve the problem (if there is one) just screw up the body's chemistry.
Not sure if I've ever had migraines. I get thumping pressure headaches that make me feel like I'm going to be sick - does that count? I take Aspirin only. Usually works!
Posted by buffalo-girl (Member # 7498) on :
hey stitch that doesn't sound good you should really have testing done to find out the cause of the headaches! bill was having those symptoms only he had double vision with it also in the left eye and ended up having a brain anuerysm nothing to mess around with take care and be careful with those pills!! i get headaches but not migraines mostly sinus with me so i usually take extra strenght tylenol as i am allergic to aspirin! on another note thursday morning i am going to buff general again for another injection in my discs but this time the facet joint i am hoping it helps the pain in my lower back and leg so i don't have to have surgery on my back. which i refuse to have anyways but if this will help the pain i will be happy!!
Posted by EJ Loves Takashi (Member # 7767) on :
When I was 11, I had brain surgery for a tumor I had had. Recovery was easy, the scar is cool, my hair grew back fast, but the backlash from it all isnt so easy. I am deaf in my right ear, have an extreme sensitivity to processed food, and buildup up scar tissue that causes migraines. Strangely enough, crying makes the scar tissue swell and bring on a migraine! Good thing I am not much of a crier!
anywhoo, I have tried many different medications to no avail. Plus the side effects of the medication were very undesirable.
I know everyone has a different experience that anyone else. But here are some of the things that seem to help me:
Cold shower over my head to alleviate pressure plenty of rest each night un processed food (seems to help everything for me) Having someone squeeze my pinkies. (call me crazy but it seems to help, a holistic healer taught me the trick, its a combo of rough squeezing and rubbing) caffeine free (easy to avoid when I don't eat anything with preservatives) Green tea the scent of lavender (I will fall asleep with a migraine with lavender next to me, and typically wake up in less pain.
I hope you can find what works well for you. I believe nothing will ever take away the entirety of the migraine, but any little bit helps.
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
Last year I had two solid weeks of severe headaches, which on a daily basis, came on out of the blue and very quickly ( I was literally out of commission for the full two weeks). I went to a walk in clinic and the doctor sent me right to emergency...they ended up doing a CAT Scan and stuck a needle in my back to draw blood from my spine (looking for a blood clot on the brain). Thankfully didn't find anything and they went away eventually. When I went to see a specialist afterwards, he noted them as cluster headaches...not migraines. Still occasionally get the same headaches...always at the back of my neck...need to immediately lay down and usually take Advil. * Headaches seem to be one of those things that Doctors can never really seem to fix...suffers usually just have to suck it up and move on. * I wish good health to all Rewinders!
Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
EJ I have a friend with a very similar life. She has a benign brain tumor that caused a stroke but they can't remove it. She does so many of the things you do ie: no processed foods, no chocolate.....which is so unimaginable to me lots of sleep green tea etc...
I had almost the same thing at Kev happen...had the horrible headaches, migraine medicine didn't help....they ran all the expensive tests and I believe they are sinus headaches....I still get them but not as frequently as I was.
Posted by Stitch Groover (Member # 2895) on :
Kev, I had cluster headaches about 10 years ago, it was a severe headache that kept moving around in my head every few minutes. I was given some meds but I had a severe reaction to them that caused massive diarreah.
I went back to the doc today because the pain hasn't stopped even after trying some Nurofen Plus (ibufrofen and codeine), so he gave me some Panadeine Forte, which is much stronger. I was able to work today thanks to those pills. The doctor said my blood pressure is slightly high, which is really unusual for me, and he wants me to go get my blood pressure tested again when the headaches are gone, just to see if one is causing the other.
Posted by EJ Loves Takashi (Member # 7767) on :
Muffy, I hope your friend gets through this ok. Hopefully the tumor doesnt cause any more damage and she can move on with life. Once you first make the transition to an unprocessed and caffeine free diet, you feel like you will crack any second. I dont deny it, I went through the drive thru a few times and broke down, and almost instantly, I felt ill. I have gotten to a point where something processed causes muscle aches, headaches and I turn into the HULK! I am just downright moody! hahah (ok worse than my normal crabbiness)
I make almost everything I eat, and have found travel to be easy. I pack a cooler, or dont hesitate to ask a server about special foods. But chocolate is my kryptonite. I can never pass that up. Someone once sent me the most amazing box of Godiva chocolate...I ate dang near all of it in one sitting. Shortly after the headache came on, but it was well worth it!
If you ever need a good recipe or something for your friend, let me know. I would love to help in any way I can.
kevdugp, I have heard of cluster headaches before. Never understood them, just that people who get them tend to get them suddenly and very intensly. I hope there is something to alleviate your pain.
Stitch, I hope all turns out well, and you find something that works for you. Keep an eye on your blood pressure ok. That makes me nervous.
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
Regarding my headaches, there may be a link to diet pop. I was always a big pop drinker (Pepsi)but have gradually managed to ween off of it. Went through a period recently where I was drinking Diet Pepsi and ultimately had a bout of headaches....could be the aspertame? Anyway, trying to stop drinking pop at all...but it's been hard. Also, since having a child, I seldom drink alcohol anymore (can't watch a kid with a hangover...not properly anyway...they deserve better), but still have some drinks on occassion when our parents babysit for the night...my point...alcohol will often create an onset of headaches as well...not just a hangover, but a few beer or couple glasses of wine...bam...a headache. * Most definitely will avoid rum...with Diet Pepsi...which was always my favorite!
Posted by logan5 (Member # 1467) on :
It's amazing how much the food we eat can affect things like headaches. EJ's list is great (though the cold shower has the reverse effect on me). Obviously she has to eat that way, but even someone that doesn't have to who gets headaches regularly will benefit from changes in their diet.
[ 13. February 2010, 16:24: Message edited by: logan5 ]
Posted by EJ Loves Takashi (Member # 7767) on :
Logan your right. Sometimes even a small change can make a huge difference.
Pop and even diet pop (soda) is very unhealthy. I used to drink it like crazy a few years back. I then read the ingredient list.
Phosphoric Acid- Can be used for rust removal Aspartame - being found be the FDA it can cause a series of problems including headache, muscle aches, convulsions and vomiting. A study is being conducted into aspartame poising. Natural Flavors- what are those flavors? Where did they come from...the companies are not required to list the series of flavors they are talking about. But everyone knows, just because it is natural doesnt mean it is good for you.
I could go on an on about this stuff, but it is way off track.
For anyone who suffers from migraines and just overall tiredness (still tired with proper rest) I bet you would notice a big change in just a week of eating and drinking well.
Dont get me wrong, even though I know some things are bad for me, I love them. And if I were locked in a room with 50 cheeseburgers, I would give in to temptation and eat my way out! I just made this lifestyle change to be able to enjoy my days feeling good.
Posted by EJ Loves Takashi (Member # 7767) on :
if anyone wants to give my crazy eating habits a try, I plan out my daughter's and my meal plans for a week at a time. I can send it to anyone if they want to have a better idea.
I am cheating this week and I am very excited about it! Bring on the cheap valentines candy...yum!
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
It's frustrating how simple the remedy to better health is...eat a bit better...and exercise a bit more...yet, why is it so hard for people to master? Certainly a peek into the world of any other addition...smoking, drugs, alcohol, gambling...something in your brain urges you to continue the habbit, even after serious consequences...poor health, broken families (re alcohol, drugs, gambling)...it's really a shame. We're also trying to do better...healthier meals and more exercise....my biggest motivation is wanting to set a good example for my 3 year old son...young kids will ultimately mimic your behaviour, so it's a great responsibility.
*EJ...I'd like to see your meal plan if you don't mind. Struggling to find healthy alternatives for my son...he's quite a picky eater.
* Sorry long winded, but one more thing. Has anyone ever gone to a naturalpathic doctor? Me and my wife have and have garnished some pretty decent results. Basically, you go in, blab about any and all ailments you have, and they reccomend a natural remedy. They also strongly suggest a diet based solely on your blood type...this info is readily available on the net.
Posted by Stitch Groover (Member # 2895) on :
Your right about that Kev. We just bought some new plates, specifically because they have a large rim, therefore a smaller flat surface, so our portions are smaller but our minds don't notice! This summer we've tried to avoid soft drinks, instead we bought a Bamix with an ice crushing attachment and make lots of fruit drinks with a good helping of crushed ice. Also terrific for a yoghurt/banana/berry smoothie for breakfast.
I'm overweight, I always have been, but it's not like I eat for the sake of eating. I don't eat a lot of fried foods, I only have small meals, and I drink a couple of litres of water a day. I work 2km to work a couple times a week. It doesn't matter what I do I can't lose any weight. The blood type diet sounds interesting, I might just check that out.
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
Yeah Stitch...the blood type diet is not necessarily just for weight loss, but primarily to address any ailments that may be addressed to specific foods...ie stomach problems, energy...right down to skin conditions (decrease foods that are acidic, for example). Some of the lists of foods not to eat are actually pretty extensive and maybe overwhelming at first glance...but we've always used them as "ideals" and simply eat more of the reccomended foods, and decrease, as much as possible, they foods they reccomend to avoid. Beef, for example, is on my list of things to avoid, however, that doesn't mean I'm never eating a hamburger again...just not one every day!
Posted by logan5 (Member # 1467) on :
Stitch, remember that overweight/underweight is worked out on 'averages'. Some people will be 'over', but that's right for them. The body tends to hold a baseline weight level which it will always return to - which may be 'thin' or 'fat' or 'average'. Fluctuations will be temporary. All you really need to do is eat healthily and exercise regularly, and your body will settle where it feels right (even if it isn't where you want it to be).
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
lots of sleep green tea etc...