For numerous years I was disabled with migraines which happened almost daily. The condition went undiagnosed since the accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea and diarrhea) led my doctors to believe I had some kind of repeating virus.

One particularly disparaging neurologist, renowned for his lack of bedside manner, clung to the belief  headaches originated in my sinuses, prescribing a saline rinse twice daily, without success. For folks with sinus troubles, a saline rinse ranks well among the safe, cheap natural curatives, but an x-ray or CT scan should be taken to eliminate the possibility of a structural problem.

Several medications and procedures were time-tested, including Botox injections to my forehead. Natural remedies like homeopathy, Reiki, and massage weren’t adequate to the stop the pain in my head.

A neurologist eventually realised that a combination of medications including a preventative dose of Depakote at bedtime, Promethazine as needed to relieve nausea, and Zomig.

Depakote works as a prophylactic, or preventative, medication, cutting back the frequency and severity of attacks. It should be noted that Depakote induces considerable weight gain, and should not be taken by pregnant women.

Zomig is most efficacious if it’s taken at the start of headaches. Fortunately for me, Masshealth provides excellent prescription coverage, as Zomig is too expensive to buy out of pocket. Zomig is part of a class of medications called triptans, which includes Relpax, Maxalt, Imitrex and Amerge. Triptans work by raising your tolerance to migraine pain, and are taken to abort, rather than prevent the migraine. While highly effective in alleviating headache symptoms, triptans should not be regarded as a cure; if the duration of the headache exceeds the effective period of the medication, the patient can end up suffering so-called rebound headaches.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or Naprosyn are usually more effective in providing relief for tension headache than aspirin or Tylenol.

Various factors can trigger migraines, including bright light, stress, lack of sleep, and certain foods, such as chocolate and garlic. In my case, the primary trigger seems to be artificial fragrances. The doctor advised that fragrance hypersensitivity might be prodromal, which is to say, symptomatic of the onset of a migraine. Fragrance sensitivity may be a social disablement, as a lot of people use either scented shampoo’s, makeup, or aftershave.

I’ve discovered becoming overheated (like having too many blankets in bed) could additionally trigger or exacerbate headaches. A variety of headache called the exercise-induced migraine has been recognized in recent years. Headaches brought on by sexual activity usually have a vascular component. Treatments for headaches of this variety include NSAIDs, applying a cold compress to the forehead, and lying in a dark, quiet room.

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