This post goes out to fellow migraine sufferers. As someone who has experienced regular migraines for her entire adult life, I feel your pain.
My migraines started 10 years ago, and although the headache itself isn’t always severe enough to put me in bed for hours, my migraines are always accompanied by an aura–visual abnormalities and blind spots that last for about an hour–as well as nausea.
When I first started having migraines, I visited a neurologist and, at her suggestion, began taking a fish oil capsule and 400mg of magnesium glycinate daily. My migraines never went away, but at their worst, they only came every couple months, so I never bothered seeking further treatment.
Four months ago, however, I was hit hard. Out of nowhere, I suddenly began having migraines a couple times per week. It was terrible. I considered making a doctors appointment, but I decided to try a few things on my own first.
I had read online that migraine sufferers are often deficient in vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Since B2 supplements are relatively cheap, I bought a bottle and began taking 200mg twice daily. Within a couple weeks, my migraines had completely stopped, and I haven’t had one since. For what it’s worth, I also take a women’s multivitamin and a vitamin D3 capsule each day.
For those of you who suffer from migraines or know someone who does, I would love to hear if you have any remedies to share.
*These suggestions are based on my own experiences and should not be considered medical advice.
I will definitely try the riboflavin. I started getting migraines about 5 years ago. No aura but nauseous and pretty much can't function. My poor husband has had chronic migraines since he was about 8 years old. He gets a migraine about once a week on a good week. He has tried all different methods. He has been told about Botox injections but it would take a ton of injections and he just doesn't want to do that. We will try the riboflavin.
I am very fortunate to have a good honest doctor. In fact, he is the doctor that a lot of other doctors see for themselves. He told me that the Botox injections were garbage and a huge money-maker for the neurologists at his hospital…but that if he was caught saying that outloud, he’d be fired. I ended up doing PT to help strengthen the muscles in my shoulder blades to bring the tension down from the muscles in the neck. Over 12 weeks, it really helped a lot…but I need to do the neck excerxisss regularly. I have heard great things about riboflavin and magnesium as well. Mag doesn’t touch my migraines, but I’ll try adding the riboflavin.
I usually get the cluster migraine. It is over my left eye. Sometimes they are severe and accompanied by nausea. I put some Vicks on the area and take an aspirin. I get them occasionally. Thank You for the information.
Marilyn
Haven't heard of using Vicks, but I've heard of using peppermint oil, so it makes sense that Vicks would help as well.
Ellie
I really feel for you Ellie. I too know the pain of debilitating headaches. I also get the aura and it comes on very suddenly. About 8 years ago, I began taking vitamin d and vitamin b and though it was not for migraines that I did this, mine have lessened. I have no remedies to suggest. I still find myself spending 3 days down with a migraine, but it is very seldom now. My sympathies with anyone experiencing this. Eileen
I'm glad to hear yours have lessened, Eileen. Having a migraine for 3 days would be tough. I have had repeats one or two days later but have never been down for three days straight. I feel for you!
Ellie
I have been getting migraines since I was 14 years old up to twice or more a week and I tried changing what I eat like less chocolate and process foods.it helps some times plus I take meds.to help get rid of them.not fun to have.
I'm sorry to hear that, Stacey. Multiple times per week is tough. 🙁
Ellie
I have a neighbor that gets quite a few headaches (she didn't say migraines but think you could try this anyway) and the Dr said she needed to wean herself off of so many painkillers so she researched and came up with turmeric. She takes turmeric pills when she feels a headache coming on and she says it's amazing how much turmeric does for pain! I don't hardly get a headache so haven't tried it for myself but thought I'd mention it in case anybody wants to try it.
That's very interesting, Candi. I have read about taking turmeric for pain, but it's always good to hear a personal success story. Thanks for sharing!
Ellie
I use Turmeric daily as an anti-inflammatory.
My sister struggled with migraines several times a week for years and a friend told us about a daith piercing and since she has go it she hardly ever has migraines. I would also recommend seeing a chiropractor.
Haven't heard of a daith piercing or seeing a chiropractor for migraines. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
Ellie
I have suffered from migraines since approximately 7 years old, typically get them about once a month accompanied by severe nausea. Have never really bothered to seek treatment because of the frequency. I don't bother to take anything over the counter because I will (Sorry for tmi) throw up before it has time to work. The only thing that really helps is forcing myself to throw up (again, sorry) because it helps the nausea to pass and then applying ice where the pain is worst. My mom just got me this for Christmas and i actually can't wait to try it. 😂
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FGWLDR6/ref=pd_aw_lpo_121_tr_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=242HP8D29FJ9WA0PM9ST
What a clever product! Ice always helps me, but it's always a struggle to keep the ice pack in the right place. Thanks for sharing. Hope it helps you!
Ellie
I am so sorry to hear this. In November, I temporarily lost vision in my right eye (about 1 minute) and felt dizzy after a vibration in the floor. The next day, I started feeling that way again, my arm started tingling, and I was unable to respond to questions posed by my co-workers. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance and after weeks of consultation and many tests, it was determined that I was likely having a rare form of tunnel migraines in which I lose consciousness. My doctor prescribed an emergency medication to take only at the onset of symptoms, but I have only taken it once. I am taking B-12 and Magnesium, and the only occasion that I have had a migraine since beginning these supplements was on the morning that I forgot to take them. I'm so glad they are working for you, too!
Wow, that's quite scary! I'm glad you were able to find something that helps.
Ellie
I was instructed by my doctor to take vitamin B2 (riboflavin). 400mg daily to help prevent.
That's exactly the amount that I take. Has it worked for you?
Ellie
Where have you gotten 400 mg? The most I could find was 50 mg…
Most vitamin stores sell containers of 100mg capsules. (I take 2 at breakfast and 2 at dinner.) If you don't have a vitamin store nearby, you can order online from sites like Vitacost.com and Vitaminshoppe.com.
Ellie
Yes it did help. I could purchased at CVS in 100 mg and online.
Hi,
Did you mean B12? I've been taking B12 for about 3 years on the advice of my chiropractor. He also said to get the chewables for quicker/better absorption. I can count on one hand how many migraines I've gotten since taking chewable B12 compared to one every 6-8 weeks without fail for over 30 years. I praise the Lord for the relief through such a natural remedy after trying all kinds of things! For the record, I also get monthly adjustments, which I also think helps in more ways than one.
Glad you have found something that helps! That's definitely something to praise God about. 🙂 I take B2, but I have also heard that B12 can help, as well. It all depends on what your body is deficient in.
Ellie
I have also suffered from migraines- mine mimic some stroke symptoms, so I try to do what I can to avoid them. More than one doctor told me about foods sensitivities, which you can research online. It helps to remove a certain food for a time and then re-introduce to test that particular food and see what happens. I have found that my trigger is MSG- monosodium glutamate,which is a neurotoxin and has a host of other names. You find it in so many common foods- bouillon cubes & broths, for instance, almost all processed food and much restaurant food as well. Eliminating MSG from my family's diet has been a huge blessing as we have saved money and gotten so much healthier making almost all our food from scratch.
Yikes! Never heard of migraines that mimic stroke symptoms. You poor thing. 🙁
I, too, try to stay away from MSG. I haven't found it to be a trigger food for me, but the fact that it is a trigger food for many migraine sufferers is enough of a reason for me to stay away from it. Lol. Has eliminating MSG eliminated your migraines?
Ellie
Thanks for your sweet response! Yes, if I stay away from msg, I am fine. It has made it just about impossible to eat out, but that has been a blessing on our health and the budget. 🙂
It's wonderful that you were able to find the cure for your migraines! Yes, I agree that eating out is very difficult if you can't have MSG. Whenever I eat at a Chinese restaurant (the vast majority use MSG in their sauces) I always ask if they have anything that doesn't contain MSG. Some do, and some don't.
I'm grateful to have you as a reader!
Ellie
Caffiene withdrawal gives me a bad head ache. I like coffee! I did drink coffee in my 2nd to 4th pregnancy and now I read, P;regnant women should not drink coffee or tea due to its caffeine content, which has been linked to low birth weight, heart problems and behavioral problems later in life." (Which of course makes me feel guilty and bad.)
When I was in my early 50's I started seeing flashes of light in my peripheral vision. I went to a hospital clinic and was referred to the vision department for an eye exam. This was a form of (age related?) eye condition that can be very serious. My eyes were ok. But my point is for people not to assume what their problems are without also getting checked out. It might be something different than one suspects from the symptoms. Also masking symptoms with pain killers can be a mistake. My son had abdominal pain and the Doctors gave him pain killers. At home again he was still in pain. It was his astute older brother who told me to order a taxi and we slid him into the backseat. At the hospital they determined his appendix was burst and he went into emergency surgery. He survived and is grown up. Problems with health can be confusing and not even Doctors are always correct. My attitude was to become intimidated and shy to go back with my ailing son cause I'd been once and given pain killers. It was the brother who had a better attitude and knew a right and timely response was urgent. Getting it right is important. Don't give up or ever be intimidated! Now there is something about a very serious ear infection in children, could be that if they complain of an ear ache. Has anyone else heard of that?
May say don't dismiss children with an ear ache, not just an ear ache. But also affects adults who can care for themselves.
In some cases, mastoiditis may result in the development of a brain abscess or other complications involving your skull. The symptoms of these conditions include severe headaches and swelling behind your eyes. This swelling is known as papilledema.
Maybe mastoiditis.
"Prognosis. With prompt treatment, it is possible to cure mastoiditis. Seeking medical care early is important. However, it is difficult for antibiotics to penetrate to the interior of the mastoid process and so it may not be easy to cure the infection; it also may recur."
"Mastoiditis is a bacterial infection in the mastoid process, which is the prominent bone behind the ear.
This disorder usually occurs when untreated or inadequately treated acute otitis media spreads from the middle ear into the surrounding bone—the mastoid process. Most mastoid infections are caused by pneumococcus bacteria. Inadequately treated mastoiditis can result in deafness, blood poisoning (sepsis), infection of the tissues covering the brain (meningitis), brain abscess, or death." (http://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/middle-ear disorders/mastoiditis)
This isn't a remedy really… just something I do for some relief. It seems to be the only thing that helps me feel a little better when I have a migraine. Heat up a beanbag (I have seen people make them with rice) and put it on the back of your neck. My beanbag is long and about 4 inches wide so it goes across the back of my neck nicely. Then I lay in bed in the dark until I feel better.I'm sorry to hear you had been getting lots of migraines, they really are horrible!