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Original poster

Any natural remedies for migraines?

30 replies

TheOriginalFAB · 17/09/2011 17:40

I was diagnosed a while ago but tbh was in denial. I am now accepting the doctor was right. I am having daily migraines and more than one a day. I am on other medication so unsure what I can take - paracetomol does nothing - and keen to try natural and none drug methods. The pain is so bad I feel sick. Any suggestions are gratefully received.

OP posts:
Ooopsadaisy · 17/09/2011 17:46

I know it doesn't really answer your question, but DP had hypnotherapy.

He (and I) was very sceptical but it is amazing. No more migraines after 4 hour long sessions. He has normal headaches like everyone gets but no more lying in bed for days on end/sickness etc ...

It cost 4X £75.00 per hour, plus a bit of time off work.

It's changed his life.

Sorry to hear you are suffering. I hope you find the answer that works for you.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 17/09/2011 18:00

Thank you. I am planning on having some osteopathy soon so maybe that will help but right now I am in pain and can't bare any noise.

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 17/09/2011 18:13

Feverfew is supposed to work and also a visit to the chiropractitioner may help. You have my sympathy as I also suffer from migraines but not as frequently as you. I hope you find some relief soon.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 17/09/2011 18:15

Thank you. I am confused as to why I have them now when I never did before.

OP posts:
JarethTheGoblinKing · 17/09/2011 18:18

SSRI's can help with migraines - I know you said you want a drug free option, but taking a low dose SSRI might be a good option (as opposed to migraine drugs or lots of codeine/ibuprofen)

Have you had your eyes tested recently?

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 17/09/2011 18:47

If by SSRI's you mean anti depressants I am already on those as well as amitryptaline.

My eyes have got worse as I am wearing my glasses all the time I am in the house and I think I have got too reliant on my glasses. I have had a test when I was due one but I am not sure when my next one is due tbh.

OP posts:
JarethTheGoblinKing · 17/09/2011 18:49

Have you changed them recently? I found that when I was coming off citalopram I got terrible migraines, thankfully this has eased.

Sounds like you need an eye test though Confused

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 17/09/2011 18:59

I have had my ADs changed but was diagnosed with the migraines before that. TBH I feel like I have lots of little niggles at the moment but all tests have come back fine.

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BecauseImWorthIt · 17/09/2011 19:02

Have you worked out what your triggers are? Key ones are chocolate, cheese, red wine. Not eating can trigger one too.

If you feel one coming on, then you must take whatever medication/remedy you choose immediately. Your system shuts down with a migraine, so the drug won't be absorbed.

But TBH, if you're getting them daily then you should really be seeing your doctor. You should be on proper medication for them.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 17/09/2011 19:13

I have no idea and have just been blaming noise and stress tbh.

I am on amitrptiline for them I think, as in the doctor who diagnosed them prescribed the amitryptiline.

OP posts:
BecauseImWorthIt · 17/09/2011 19:15

If you're getting them this frequently, and you're already on medication, please go back and see your GP again.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 17/09/2011 19:16

Agree with BIWI about triggers, is there a pattern to when you get them? Time of day/during a certain activity/certain amount of time after eating etc.

Def think you should go back to your GP though.

Have you considered beta blockers?

Tyr · 17/09/2011 19:17

Feverfew worked for me and my mother. We had to take them for a couple of months before the migraines stopped but they haven't been back since.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 17/09/2011 19:20

I plan on a trip to the doctor as I have various symptoms, have had blood tests which were fine, but I still have daily pain and other issues and I can't go on like this. My emotional health is taking a kicking at the moment and my physical health being low doesn't help.

OP posts:
BecauseImWorthIt · 17/09/2011 19:23

The next time you feel one coming on, take the strongest painkillers that you have, have a cup of coffee and go to bed straight away, in a darkened room.

BecauseImWorthIt · 17/09/2011 19:24

NB the coffee is important as it helps the drugs to work better, and also helps the blood vessels in your neck to widen rather than constrict.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 17/09/2011 19:26

I never drink coffee, would it make the pain worse? And quite often the kids are the cause here so can't leave them to go to bed.

OP posts:
BecauseImWorthIt · 17/09/2011 19:28

It ought to help with the pain. If you don't drink coffee, substitute it for Coke (as it has lots of caffeine in it).

How old are your kids? Can you not even go and lie down for 20 minutes?

valerian · 17/09/2011 19:28

That hypnotherapy experience is amazing. Anyone else heard of hypnotherapy being so effective for migraines? I haven't even read about it, I don't think.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 17/09/2011 19:29

They are 6-10. They don't know how to be quiet and would only fight.

OP posts:
SybilBeddows · 17/09/2011 19:34

feverfew works fantastically for me. Literally, I only have to eat a leaf and have been known to swipe some from random people's front gardens when desperate. (When I was at school I used to keep leaves pressed in my hymn book!). I generally use tincture or the herbal capsules now though and that is probably wiser if you are on other medication.

good luck.

I have never heard of hypnotherapy for migraines but given that for some people they are stress-induced, ie caused by the mind at some level, it seems entirely possible that for those people they could be prevented by the mind as well.

Tyr · 18/09/2011 01:23

Sybil,

How do you tolerate it in its raw form? I once got a bag of it to make tea with and tried everyhting to make it palatable. Not even liquorice tincture worked. It was vile

TheWisdomOfSolomum · 18/09/2011 02:26

I'm a sufferer too, although mine are mostly hormonal. I don't know about natural remedies but I've recently heard about Botox being used, so I'm going to look into that.

DoubleNegativePanda · 18/09/2011 03:39

My mother recently had the Botox treatment, I'm sorry to report the migraines have worsened since. Apparently she had an adverse reaction.

We have had fabulous results with feverfew. We take it in capsule form, and mom also made a "migraine tea" that had feverfew and something else I'll have to ask her about for you.

The best results I've had are from acupuncture. My god, it was like a miracle. I highly recommend looking into it.

Ooopsadaisy · 18/09/2011 08:45

Re - my earlier post about hypnotherapy.

DP says that the hynotherapist taught him some thought processes to go through when he felt a migraine coming on. (DP's migraines always started with the flashing light experience).

Following the actual sessions themselves the hypnotherapist claimed to have influenced DP's mental attitude to his migraines so that the techniques he prescribed would help in future.

We thought "yeah, right" ..... but it worked!

As with all of these types of treatment they do not work for everyone.

This all took place about 6 years ago and it is still working now so is not a short-term fix.

I would certainly urge anyone suffering to at least consider hypnotherapy.