Coping with migraines: Had botox... - National Migraine...

National Migraine Centre

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Coping with migraines

10 Replies

Had botox treatment 4 weeks ago with 31 needles. Still getting migranes everyday but intenseity has reduced a bit. Still on my meds,the depression side of these bad heads scare me and making it very tough for my husband to deal with.

Hoping 2nd treatment improves it more

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10 Replies
Robsny profile image
Robsny

Have you ever tried changing your diet? It is really helping me. Try removing sugars, most especially chocolate, all alcohol. Give it a try.

Ursinia profile image
Ursinia in reply to Robsny

I have taken out nearly all sugar and all alcohol as a preventative but although less I still get them. I would love to live without them, it's been 31 years since my first one and I so envy people who don't suffer with them!

MaryF profile image
MaryF

Does anybody in your family have autoimmune disease including thyroid? MaryF

Have tried changing diet and no alcohol and anything else. Apparently my problen is called migraine associated vertigo which means it is a vestibular problem. They say this is common but I dont know anybody else that is like me.

seawarrior profile image
seawarrior in reply to

I've tried leaving all sorts of things out of my diet for three months at a time but it never helped.

I had an attack of BPPV last year, (Benign, Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) in May last year. I got over the worst of it but it has left me with some balance difficulty and now, one of the signs of a migraine coming on is that I feel dizzy and my balance deteriorates even more. My neurologist has made no helpful comment about it.

Yorky64 profile image
Yorky64 in reply to

I can really sympathise with you. I have had migraine from an early age about 8 years old. I am 65 now so it's been a long time and hasn't got any easier. Started with bad headache and vomoting. At around 18 year old turned into vertigo balance probs. After seeing ENT consultant diagnosed with Ménière's disease. Then after many years decided it was vestibular migraine. I am at the moment just in the aftermath of being in bed for three days and after nearly 3 weeks after the attack still feeling foggy headed and off balance. Never seen a migraine specialist or taken melds other than beta blockers ( they gave me a headache lol) and amitipaline which made me dopey. Like you I don't know of anyone who has this type of migraine. It make me feel very isolated. Not tried diet changes, where do you start?

Yorky64

Margauxjean profile image
Margauxjean in reply to Yorky64

I have the same length of migraine since age 5. We are the same age, but mine are classic., I take too many Triptans and my insurance in the US is now refusing to pay.

There are certain foods that trigger migraine, which have a chemical in them called tyramine These include: chocolate, aged cheeses, alcohol, MSG, nuts, all chemical additives in foods, i.e., Sodium Nitrate, etc.. Avoid all of these-- nuts and cheeses do not bother some so experiment. SUGAR feeds off migraine. Avoid refined sugar and read all labels: mayonnaise has sugar in it, some vinegars, all processed foods, most packaged foods. A bit of pure maple syrup, honey and molasses is ok but not much. Best wishes for improvement. I am in despair up against a wall when my triptans run out. Take care!

MigraineDoctor profile image
MigraineDoctor in reply to

Hidden you also need to have your potassium and sodium balanced and the amount of water you drink at the optimal amount. I have a migraine group that specializes in teaching how to do that (participation in the group is required but it is free or you can have private consult). The group is awesome, loads of great questions pop up and are answered either by me or by the admins or some of the more senior members. We have many MAV members with all problems resolved. You find the group here if interested: facebook.com/groups/2191824...

To date we had over 4000 people going through the group from being totally disable to back to work and travel moms and pops... Currently we are about 1400 give and take as that changes every day.

Angela

babs1234 profile image
babs1234

There are so many different triggers and so many different migraines it really is frightening. I suffer with cluster and the odd aura migraine. Bright sunlight is one trigger for mine also oranges and tomatoe based sauces to name just a fraction. They say its trial and error but it takes so flaming long. I've also got gut problems and certain foods are kicking that off. I have been told there could be a connection between the two. I know how you're feeling and wondering if there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have just joined the world summit migraine group. Another expense but you do get to hear the interviews with the worlds top migraine specialists. So far only listened to one. I will let you know how much I benefit from this new venture. Good luck xx

SouthFloridaLady profile image
SouthFloridaLady

This is a good example of Migraine Triggers.

uhs.berkeley.edu/sites/defa...

Common headache triggers include:

• Stress or strong emotion

• Nuts and peanut butter

• Smoke, perfume or chemical

orders

• Bright lights

• Aspartame artificial sweetener

• Sardines, anchovies, picked • herring •

Low blood sugar

Chocolate

Sour cream or yogurt

Lack of sleep or oversleeping Caffeine (although coffee can also relieve a migraine)

• Weather changes

• Red wine, champagne, beer • Cured meat (e.g. hot dogs,

bacon)

• MSG

• Freshly baked yeast products

• Eye strain (if you wear

glasses, make sure your

• • •

prescription is current

Keeping a headache diary helps you to determine which factors might influence your headache pattern. The diary allows you to list date, duration,

trigger factors, treatments and time until relief of headache. Bring the diary with you to your medical visit to help your clinician determine treatment options. A sample headache diary is included on the back of this handout.

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