Some background. She's 55, in superb health..runs daily and works out often. Never smoked, hardly ever drinks, never done any drugs, and avoids most medicines if possible..
Doctors these days are prescribing seizure medications. I have a friend who uses this type of med and she is doing well.
Some years ago - Italian researchers used dilute preparations of red pepper... in the nostrils.
When I had migraines years ago ... I used Darvon (banned now), hot wet towel compresses over the eyes and a rolled up towel under the next - lie prone - arch neck with the rolled towel in a dark room. Worked for me.
CO Q 10, Fish oil, magnesium, grape seed extract, riboflavin
My sister has MS with many problems, one of which is migraine headaches, she will be on this program plus Noni drink. She has to be hospitalized when these headaches occur , so she is looking for any relief.
No msg, avoid it. also available is cranial manipulation.
Exercize only mildly, check for hypertension, yeast infection, inhaling mold spores.
Once, about 10 years ago, I was in Doha, Qatar on business and felt a classic migraine coming on.
With my eyes spotted up, I went into a chemist shop (drug store) and asked for something to help.
The chemist gave me an over-the-counter drug called Paracetum (not paracetamol!) It worked wonders! The migraine was halted in 15 minutes or less!
This is a type of drug called Nootropic sp?, which apparently causes increased oxygen flow to the brain. In many places in the world it’s used to increase alertness and is called a “smart drug” because you think more clearly, I guess.
You have to order it over the internet, as it’s not sold over the counter in the U.S.
I keep some around for the rare migraine, but haven’t had to use it for several years now, thank goodness.
Avoid artificial drinks like fruit punch.
If I feel one coming on, I eat anything with peanuts in it like a Payday or even peanut butter.
500 mg of Niacin. Non flushing kind. Tell her to strap in and hold on for the first couple of days and to research what the flush is doing. It’s very beneficial but can be uncomforable and downright scary if you don’t know what to expect. Gradually work up to 500 mg twice a day. It’s done wonders for my daughter’s migranes.
Make sure you’ve tried chiropractic as least once.
As a DC, I’ve had patients that didn’t respond, but at least a few who had permanent cures.
As usual lots of good advice here. yes stop the excedrin migraine and stay away from goody powders— I have found that I can stop a migraine in its tracks with a couple of 87 mg baby aspirin chewed up as soon as the little “sparklies” start in the lower right field of vision. I recommend the headache diary to discover triggers and when all else fails... go to e.r. for iv decadron 10 mg,benadryl 25 mg, and reglan (10 mg).(works for 90+ % of people) You can try these in oral form, though taking it this way is much slower.
There are a number of prescription non-narcotic medications that treat the actual cause of migraine, not just relieve the headache. A visit to a Board-certified neurologist would be able to confirm the diagnosis and obtain treatment.
I forget whether my wife took ginger or mint...
Inderal (a beta blocker) and Neurontin (anti-seizure) both, at separate times, worked for me at the wicked migraine time in my life. Ask the doc.
It is possible that your girlfriend is getting the migraines from Menopause. The change in hormones can do it. I would suggest she not only talk to her Neurologist but her Gynecologist as well. If she has not seen a neurologist, please get her to see one. Migraines have so many causes and certain really bad diagnosis’ have to be ruled out. In truth, the Neurologist has to confirm that they really are migraines to begin with... then there are countless treatments. It may take some time to try/experiment with different medications; however, some really do work.
Imetrex. Comes in a nasal spray or pill form. I had them so bad I couldn’t function for days. One spray and it was gone. I didn’t care for the metallic taste, but was worth it for relief. They went away when I went through menopause.
Duradrin, works better than anything I have tried including Imitrex. It is an older migraine med and will need a prescription. The pharmacy may have to order it as it is not widely used now.
Many have given you excellent advice, but here is my 2 cents worth. I was having migraines for about a year, several times a month for days on end. They finally did a CT and found that I had a sinus infection in the ethnoid? that was not causing any other symptoms. Spent another 2 months on antibiotics that still didn’t help. Finally did surgery to “rotor rooter” the sinus out, haven’t had a migraine in 8 years.
Imitrex, a cold compress and laying down in a dark room (no sunlight) for a few hours typically did the trick. If I didn't get relief after two hours taking the first Imitrex I'd take a second.
A few times the migraines were so bad I'd be throwing up, tunnel vision/seeing nothing but spots, ears ringing, sensitivity to light, the whole nine yards. When I got those it was ER time for a shot of adrenaline and something else (forget what they used to give me) to knock it down.
Yeah, migraines suck.
If her symptoms are just a migraine (no tunnel vision, dizziness, ringing in ears) try some Excedrin Migraine with a cup of strong coffee to accellerate the absorption and have her lie down in a dark room with a cold compress on her forehead. Limit the noise and see how she is in an hour or so. If the symptoms don't let up or get worse consider getting something stronger through your doctor. Migraines can get out of control pretty quickly and get worse in a big hurry if you're not careful.
Best of luck.
Get at least 16 oz. of Gatorade®, any flavor will do, and drink it as fast as you can.
I can't recall where I heard about this remedy, but it does work for me...and I have some real doozies.