@elisol

I've done every insane med a neuro could prescribe ... until they wanted me to try the seizure meds (yep, for migraines).

One thing I consistently do when the migraine goes full-blown-ice pick or skull-crush ... is to rub Icy Hot directly onto my scalp. Sounds bonkers (and, yep, it's kinda gross) ... but it usually helps take the edge off.

@elisol Magnesium Citrate! Long story short, I was fine tuning my vitamin stack and uh bought the “wrong” kind of magnesium for sleep, and accidentally discovered this other effect and it kicks in at low doses.

The funny part is that higher doses of magnesium citrate is known for regulating (or accelerating) other bodily functions.

@elisol
I tried much the above, and none of it worked consistently. What did work was finding a neurologist who specialized in migraines, believed I had pain, and fought with my insurance company to prescribe me an injectable drug that has given me my life back.

I wish I had an easier solution than the above.

@elisol Lightly toasted wheat bread without any “toppings”. Felt like it worked when I was a child. 🤷‍♂️

Nowadays Treo (water dissolved painkiller with caffeine) usually works if taken as soon as I feel a migraine attack coming. “Ignorin” usually works otherwise though it causes some mild nausea (way more preferable than migraine though 😅)

@elisol Wackiest? A shot of vodka. It worked, migraine gone within 30 minutes. I haven't tried it a second time. If this didn't work it would have made my migraine so much worse.

Two best solutions I've found to completely prevent migraines - Low sodium diet (less than 1500 mg per day, aiming for under 1000 most days) and getting tested for sleep disorders. CPAP machine solved so many of my problems.

Best solution to cure a migraine currently affecting me: BC powder (caffeine + aspirin) and a Diet Coke as a chaser, because BC powder tastes horrible.

2000 thru 2021 I suffered from ~1 migraine a month, sometimes up to 3 a month. 2022 onward... only had 2 so far. It turns out diet and sleep are pretty important.

@elisol

The only thing that stops it for me is Sumatriptan injectors, the old-school ones. It turns what used to be 13-24 hours of curled up in the dark hoping to die into about 24 hours of a mild headache, like a moderate hangover. It also stops the auras, which means I shoot myself, wait about 20-30 minutes, and I can read, again. It cuts down on the light-sensitivity for anything but direct sunlight -- so it's a good thing I live in the PNW where it's usually cloudy nine months of the year.

@elisol for the longest time I thought mine were related to my having decompression surgery for #chiarimalformarion. However, last year I was finally diagnosed with migraines and have had some luck with preventative and reactive medications in managing the pain.

Prior to diagnosis, I would try a hot shower, then an ice pack, then sleep if it hit (or lasted) in the evening. Focusing the temperature on the impacted area, typically the base of my skull. Other times, I would simply need to eat something carb heavy, which in my area meant toast. Spicy food helped early on before and after my #chiari diagnosis. Any excuse for some Tex-Mex.

Rarely do I reach for an ice pack these days. Hope you get some relief.