Migraine

General Blog
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For those dealing with migraines, I’ve found out the following:

  1. Here’s a really good overview on some of the natural methods to prevent migraines. Many have similar reduction rates as prescription medicines, so it’s a good starting point. I like his overview. He’s the leader in fibromyalgia, which is an overall fatigue/pain disorder which includes considerable migraine probs. Good overview of the study results, and I implemented much of the strategy he recommends. I find in the US that buying from swansonvitamins.com and vitaminshoppe or amazon.com keeps the prices reasonable.

  2. finding a headache specialist neurologist is VERY helpful. You can try googling your state name and the phrase “headache center” to find ones in your state. Migraines, like all neurology issue, it helps to get the latest info and the headache use new tools like botox. Botox is likely NOT covered by insurance and is very pricey.

  3. The following herbs are clinically shown to reduce the frequency and/or intensity of migraines: the daily amount shown is based on the clinical studies done.
    -butterbur (make sure it’s a safe version such as pentadolex butterbur since it naturally has toxicity/pestaicde issues),(75 Mg 2XD)
    -magnesium 600 MG day
    riboflavin (B2) 400 MG day

  • fish oil (pill or liquid (make sure mercury free) - excellent for vitamin D and overall health (dry skin, good mood, etc)

  1. consistent good sleep is very helpful. If you get lots of weekend-only headaches, wake up, drink your coffee, and eat just like you do on the weekday and see if these go away. This change, while annoying, got rid of many of my headaches

  2. ‘rebound headaches’ are a huge migraine issue. If you use tylenol/advil or prescription migraine/headache stopping meds (called ‘acute’ relief), your headaches get worse. If so, talk to a headache speciality neurologist to taper off. I limit myself to just 2-3 times a month to prevent this from happening again.

  3. exercise is an ‘antidote’ to migraines but can also cause them if intese or too much. some people can take a short walk at the beginning of a migraine and abort it. light stretching can too. Try it out and see if it helps. if you can do 30 minutes cardio 3-4 times a week, you

Talk to your neurologist before adding any natural herbs/etc esp if you’re on any medicine. It usually takes about one month to see if adding an herb works for you. Track your migraines to see what works to reduce them helps you to learn what works for you best.

I personally take the following daily:
B complex (enzymatic therapy brand), add 300 MG B2 (total 400 MG B2), multi-vitamin), 400 MG magnesium (started at 600), pendtadolex butterbur 50 MG 3X day (for another month then will reduce to 2X day). I took feverfew at first and it was very helpful but I eliminated it due concerns about it being stronger than other options and to confirm the others were ‘enough’. Magnesium is GREAT since it helps with muscle spasms as well. Recommended dose is 600 MG (but maintenance of 200-400MG is fine). B2 works for general cellular enegy production and the studies were done using 400MG daily at breakfast (note: turns your pee bright yellow like asparagus so don’t be surprised).

  1. biofeedback is very effective but may be hard to find and relaxation activities in general are wonderful. A specialist trains you to recognize stressful negative body reactions and to correct them. I couldn’t find any near me, though the neurologist suggested it I haven’t tried it and used other stress reduction techniques

  2. accupuncture may or may not be effective. I found it great for increasing sensation in my leg post-AVM bleed, and it’s hard to tell with the migraine. Proven to work for pain relief in general, to incease circulation, for anxiety and for mood/sleep. In studies (they use fake needles or fake points) it’s not conclusive yet, but may be due to study design versus actual usefullness.

I like the herbal options, since they seem to work better over time, which to me says they’re probably correcting an underlying problem. Stress and dehydration are universal migraine triggers, so reducing these are good priorities. If I get an aura, I think of what I’m grateful for, take deep breaths, stretch my neck if it’s stiff, and if I can, put some ‘happy’ music. Works more than it doesn’t, and it’s free!

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Thanks for this. I have some things to try !

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Hi Sharyn. We have a lot of new people on here who might find this blog interesting!

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thx, barbara. its's been awhile so there's more info now

first, butterbur really can be amazing, and often you'll know in a few weeks which is nice. Second, if you buy take a spray bottle (small) and add drops of lavendar pure oil (i buy Now version for about $8 i think), it's a really relaxing scent, and if stress is causing migraines, can actually help and is super cheap. first, makes a great air freshner in itself. Second, spray in the air when you feel stressed, and it's a natural relaxant.

For anyone with migraines, the first thing to try is butterbur. If it works, it works really well.

I also find that I simply can't get super-angry anymore, it isn't worth the result. yet, i can't change the rest of the world either. So, I try to notice immediately that my anger hurts me more, and just let it go. With practice, it's really effective...

blessings to all!

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Thanks for this post. I think I may be having atypical migraines. My neuro DR wants me to have a 24hour EEG to make sure it's not seizure activity. I get a slight headache, vertigo, dizziness, brain fog, impaired cognition, photophobia. it seems to last for days- esp the brain fog. I'm interested in the butterbur--def give that a try. thanks again! Nina

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hi nina, hope it helps!! My migraines are nothing like you see on TV commercials, more as you describe well. I get the visual auro 10-20 minutes before with cloudy vision, bright dots or zig-zag, but the migraine itself is just mild tension headache but it's the dizziness, nausea, light extreme light and sound sensitivity. These are all migraine symptoms too. as a women, it's common during 'that time' if you track it, you'll likely find it more likely and/or worse.

Btw, I tried a combo from NOW vitamins of butterbur w/ feverfew, and seemed better than butterbur alone. After a month or so i switched back to just butterbur and noticed I had better luck with the combo. The key thing with butterbur is it DEFINITELY made my migraines less severe, thank God. I buy my vitamins on amazon since prices are better and stick with brands like NOW and enzymatic therapy and swanson vitamins for good quality/price combo. good luck wiht the EEG, smart idea to be sure. let me know how the eeg turns out. be well!