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Original poster

Can we prevent having a migraine??

39 replies

Rainbowlou1 · 02/09/2015 23:22

mu daughter has suffered severely with migraines for 6 years-she is now 15 and touchwood has not had one for about 6 months.
She was having up to 8 a month with 1-4 days off each time, mri scans ruled out anything 'bad' even though she had swelling behind her eye.
It was so bad at one point we had education welfare threatening me with court action!
Anyway, we were under the care of a consultant and between us all we figured out that her triggers were extreme excitement(parties, xmas), upset and tiredness..she got an aura with them and they followed the same pattern each time without fail.
This brings me to next week-we are now discharged from clinic (hooray!) But my daughter has a big drama production next week, mon-sat 7-10pm on her first week back at school, plus one of her lovely friends who was performing with her sadly died 2 weeks ago so it's all a bit upsetting for them- I'm getting so anxious about her getting a migraine with all the tiredness and excitement etc. Not because I'll be disappointed if she can't perform (well I will a bit but it's not about me!) but because she has worked so hard for this she will be utterly gutted if she can't take part.
Is it worth her taking any extra vitamins, supplements etc to help boost her energy or to help calm her?do they work or if you're prone to migraine will you get one regardless??
She hasn't mentioned these to me by the way this is my anxiety!
Any advice or help is very appreciated!every time she gets excited about it I feel really worried for her as I'm remembering all the lovely occasions she has missed out on in the past..Sad

OP posts:
coveredinsnot · 02/09/2015 23:25

Have docs not prescribed her any medication? I take a tablet thay dissolves on my tongue and stops the migraine in its tracks. Can't remember what it's called but I know my gp was reluctant to prescribe it and it's expensive. What about some stress management strategies? What does she do to unwind? And to help her manage the stress?

Original poster
Rainbowlou1 · 02/09/2015 23:32

We fought for that exact same medication and we were eventually given it bit the minute she gets that 'aura' she cannot have anything in her mouth without vomiting..
To unwind she reads, walks the dog and is actually very good at just chilling!but with everything going on next week I'm worried she won't be able to chill out...maybe it's just me panicking!x

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Finola1step · 02/09/2015 23:35

My dsis has been a migraine sufferer for many years. She now swears by drinking lots of water throughout the day. It does seem to be helping as her attacks are far less frequent.

Frusso · 02/09/2015 23:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Rainbowlou1 · 03/09/2015 00:13

Her initial knowledge that she is going to have one is when her eyesight blurs, then she has intense headache, vomiting between 1 and 5 times then sleep for as long as she need...she doesn't have (as far as I know) a precursor to the aura...
Getting so worked up
On her behalf I'll probably need up with one at this rate! They have dominated so Much of her life and prevented so much I just don't want her to miss out on this amazing time in her life..

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Original poster
Rainbowlou1 · 03/09/2015 00:13

And I will make sure she has lots
Of water!!
Thank you for your replies x

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ThreeFrazzledFandangos · 03/09/2015 00:17

Mine are linked to dehydration, stress and perfumes (airports and flights are a delight for me!)

I have to keep on top of the dehydration. I can head off most migraines with lots of water.

That said I've had 3 in the last month after none for about 3 years as I'm a knob and don't always look after myself!

ouryve · 03/09/2015 00:21

Mine are dehydration, poor sleep and hormones.

The boys' are cheese and chocolate.

Some things are easier to avoid than others. AFAIK, there is no magic vitamin pill that compensates for trigger exposure, but there are medications which can offset common, unavoidable triggers.

Why is your DD taking part in this production when this sort of stress is a known trigger, anyhow? Is it completely unavoidable?

ouryve · 03/09/2015 00:24

Oh yes - certain perfumes are a big trigger for me. Most just give me a more straightforward sickly headache, though.

Original poster
Rainbowlou1 · 03/09/2015 00:26

Maybe that's what I'm concerned about and feeling anxious about too-that by allowing her to do so many rehearsals, perform so much, and so late on school nights am I not looking after her properly??i can't wrap her in cotton wool but she will be so upset if she can't do this after 5 months of practice..early (as possible) nights and lots of rest in between plus water I think is the way to go x

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Todayisnottheday · 03/09/2015 00:29

If stress is her trigger talk to the gp about a low dose beta blocker. I use them to stop my migraines and can also take them as a course if I get a persistent run of them. If they agree she should start them asap as they do take a bit of getting used to. Beta blockers have been used for migraine prevention for a long time now and there's some good feedback but many gps are sticky about them.

Original poster
Rainbowlou1 · 03/09/2015 00:32

Ouryve the level of commitment needed for this production wasn't actual very clear when she first signed up To this through her drama club..but it is now. Commitment and something she enjoys very much with her new friends-something she hasn't been able to do in school....she loves it and had made so many friends but in hindsight if I had known what was expected i possibly wouldn't have allowed it.
She hasn't had a Migraine in months so maybe she won't have one At all, I'm just trying to prepare for the unexpected as it were
X

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Original poster
Rainbowlou1 · 03/09/2015 00:34

Todayisnottheday thank you and we have a Lovely and understanding gp so thank you will speak to her xx

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CrazyBoo · 03/09/2015 00:38

I'd suggest not starting any new vitamins/supplements just now - maybe after this busy period is over, you could try a magnesium supplement (just search for the right kind for migraine prevention), but adding anything different now could cause more problems.

Make sure your daughter gets as much sleep as she can, has a good diet with junky food minimised, and has her meds with her at all times. She could even just take some paracetamol if she starts to feel a bit off. I always carry sweets, paracetamol, my migraine meds, something salty, and something for nausea. I usually take the migraine med with the nausea med (if all else fails).

All the best Flowers migraines really suck!

ouryve · 03/09/2015 00:43

I can see how you would be caught out by the commitment level, actually. It tends to be something that's discussed halfway through the rehearsal period, rather than when getting people to sign up and commit!

I had my first big one for over a year, at the weekend. I rarely get an aura so the first I tend to know is waking up in the early wee hours with javelin arse and a splitting headache and then emptying my guts everywhere the next morning. Even then, it's not clear that it was one until I can't string a sentence together the day after. I was at my mum's and couldn't work out how to turn the hob on and forgot how old DH was.Blush

Original poster
Rainbowlou1 · 03/09/2015 00:54

Thank you crazyboo will lay off the supplements and keep her hydrated and in early as can bedtimes etc!
Ouryve that sounds awful you poor thing-hope they're not very often??they are horrid x

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Clara66 · 03/09/2015 11:16

Hi there, my dd had migraines similar sounding to your dd which are now much improved. She was recommended daily Magnesium supplements (as mentioned by crazyboo) by the national migraine centre - specifically magnesium malate as this is absorbed better than other types. You can also get a magnesium oil to spray on your skin.

In case of an attack, DD also has domperidome (anti sickness) plus standard paracetamol or equivalent which the NMC recommended to be taken with a sugary drink (maybe fizzy) - I believe this helps with sickness. If that all fails she moves on to Maxalt Melt.

Good luck!

Homebird8 · 03/09/2015 11:29

I find keeping my blood sugar from dipping helps. If I get aura I take two paracetamol, drink a glass of fruit juice (or Ribera with sugar in it) and something sugary like a mars bar immediately followed by something slower releasing. With closed eyes and sleep I can usually be ok in a couple of hours without getting a bad headache. The eating drinking can usually be done in ten minutes and then I lie down and rest.

Hope it doesn't happen for her and that her production is wonderful after all their work and their sad loss. Keeping steady blood sugar along with good hydration certainly can't hurt.

Original poster
Rainbowlou1 · 03/09/2015 11:34

Thank you for your suggestions-I've not heard of using magnesium so will look into it.
Funnily enough she had a letter today from migraine action offering her free membership!

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coveredinsnot · 03/09/2015 11:39

Epsom salt baths are an amazingly relaxing way to increase magnesium levels in your body. I have about 3-5 baths a week and my migraines are much better as a result. All you need is 1 or 2 generous cupfulls of Epsom salts (I buy 25 kg bags of it from Amazon for about £20) and stay in the bath for about 15-20 minutes. Magnesium is very easily absorbed through your skin and I think this would also be a fab way for your daughter to really unwind before bed. Sleep is soooooo much better after one of these baths! Excellent for skin too. You sound stressed as well -maybe you could both try it? Most women are magnesium deficient which can cause so many problems.

Original poster
Rainbowlou1 · 03/09/2015 12:00

Funnily enough I do use Epsom salts in the bath myself and it does really help with sleep-never thought to use them for her Blush mind you she jumps in the shower to save time so ill get her to bath next week!x

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MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 03/09/2015 12:30

DD1 has discovered that Coke and McCoys Ready Salted Ridges can ward off a migraine (those crisps have one of the highest salt contents we've found), for her it seems to be a combination of the salt and caffeine. Her trigger is mainly dehydration through not drinking enough water two days previously though, which took a while to work out.

Original poster
Rainbowlou1 · 03/09/2015 13:01

Cole and crisps?!my ds would love that to work for her!!Grin

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howabout · 03/09/2015 13:10

Full sugar coke and crisps works for me too.

TelephoneIgnoringMachine · 03/09/2015 13:12

Definitely check out Migraine Action. I get awful migraines & since discovering magnesium & high dose B complex supplements a few months ago, my life has dramatically improved. Gone from 10+ per month, to 1 or sometimes none in an average month.

Hydration is important, as is getting sufficient rest & relaxation. Also, try to identify all her triggers. I have a restricted diet as I can't have caffeine, or MSG at all, can't tolerate anything more than trace amounts of soy or lactose, and can't really manage alcohol. If MSG is a known trigger, then avoiding red meat is a good idea, also check out alternative labelling for MSG. Also it's prudent to keep an eye on sugar intake - spikes & crashes or prolonged extreme hunger can (for me) precipitate an attack.