★★★★☆
I get migraines less often since I've modified my diet. However, I can't control exposure to odors, changes in weather, etc. :( Slight headache noticed yesterday upon waking.
The headache progressed to full blown migraine several hours later, with nausea, upset stomach, sensitivity to light and sound. I tried ACV in water, baking soda in water (for the nausea), homeopathic remedies, peppermint tea. Nothing helped.
In the wee hours of this morning I had two separate episodes of vomiting, throwing up at least three times during each episode. I also had several good bowel movements (maybe brought on by the baking soda/water mixture). I felt a little better after the bowel movements and vomiting but my stomach still felt queasy. Finally tried to sleep around 4 a.m. I couldn't get comfortable enough for a deep sleep but dozed for approximately 10.5 hours. My headache lingered and eventually came back full force behind my left eye.
So I decided to try the cayenne pepper. I mixed about 1/2 teaspoon in a glass of warm water with a little honey (not enough to really sweeten). That was a few hours ago. My headache has dulled to a 2 from "off the charts". I'm warming more water and will drink a second dose as soon as the water is warm enough.
What I would like to mention, as we Earth Clinic "regulars" already know, everything doesn't work for everyone.
And what I have found with my migraines is that the same remedies don't seem to work for me each time.
Thankfully, the cayenne worked for me this time. I hope this information is useful to someone else. Be blessed!
Avoid MSG and Free Glutamates!
Potassium
Too much salt in blood could make nerve firing worse so potassium is an antidote. I have come across one anecdotal report who minimizes salt in their diet and it has helped significantly. So just one more thing to experiment with.
Potassium
Some things that have helped has been vitamin B2 and magnesium (magnesium oil). These helped some but still not good. I find just putting the magnesium oil on my hands and fore arms and rubbing hard until it heats up avoids skin irritation. Probably helps absorption also. I also use magtein every now and then.
I came to realize that the migraine originated from the right side of skull base between my skull and cervical. For years I have felt neck stiffness and discomfort there, but was unable to diagnose what it was. About 3 years ago, I developed chronic meningitis so wondered if may that was still there. So that complicated things.
I went to a chiropractor. My migraine calmed down more. I still had to use the magnesium oil but could sleep well. After about a month, I came to realize that the discomfort I had was pinched or compressed nerves. The chiropractor treatment wasn't helping quickly enough so I researched some supplements for pinched nerves and found that calcium and potassium is used.
I have been taking some calcium over the years, so decided to look into potassium. I have been taking a few potassium gluconate 99mg tablets for occasional hemorrhoids and diarrhea which it resolved quickly. I didn't realize it but 99mg is just 3% of fda recommended 3500 mg. So I upped my dose to 1200 mg. I took it in divided doses thru day. I found that stiffness in my neck mostly dissipated in a day. They say that people who have low magnesium are also prone to low potassium levels. I have ME/CFIDS so I have been predisposed to low magnesium. Thru experimentation, I have found, magnesium oil and magtein the best. They help the body in different ways.
Foods have less impact on my migraines also.
The only caveat I read is that if you have kidney disease (this likely means kidney failure) that you should be careful with potassium. My kidneys are fine. I am 60 year old male. I went down to a health fair and got my kidneys checked out for $10 without a doctors approval. This is convenient because I don't like using conventional doctors for anything.
They kind of hype the caveat all over the internet probably scaring a lot of people away from potassium because they assume everyone has failing kidneys and kidney disease. If you are taking prescription medications too long, I can see a lot of kidney failure occurring. I stay natural. Some people take 10 grams pf potassium a day with no ill effects.
I notice potassium wasn't listed as a remedy so something for you to research and experiment with if you have a migraine. I am not done with my own experimenting but want to get this out there for people struggling with migraines.
★★★★★
Avoid MSG and Free Glutamates!
★★★★★
Avoid MSG and Free Glutamates!
★★★★★
L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate
★★★★★
If you cannot get sublingual, taking the capsules will also relieve the visual disturbance, just a little slower to relief.
Some emergency rooms will treat a ocular migraine with a folic acid IV, also effective, but is not the best way to treat long term.
If you suffer from ocular migraines, ask to be tested for a genetic defect, MTHFR. It's likely you have this inability to assimilate folic acid, causing a myriad of problems.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
★★★★★
Magnesium
Magnesium
★★★★★
Firstly, magnesium in much larger doses than one would normally think. Even if blood levels are normal the specialist suggested that individual body chemistry may result in deficiencies at the transcellular level. She suggested any or all of:
Transdermal magnesium oil (solution of magnesium chloride and distilled water, 50:50 by volume - buy the crystals in bulk online) 10 sprays per day - may sting at first - wash off after 30 mins if uncomfortable
Ionic magnesium: 2.5 ml per day diluted in a large glass of water
Magnesium malate (better absorbed than many of the other forms taken orally). She didn't specify a dose for this but implied it can be taken up to one's tolerance level - if it results in diarrhoea, take less
Epsom salt baths. If it seems extravagant to put 1 lb of Epsom salts in the bath and then run it all out down the plughole, use a half cup in a footbath instead.
A lot of people have posted that they sleep better after using magnesium at night. I found it kept me awake so I use it earlier in the day. Everyone's different.
So far so good - 3 weeks and no migraines, despite a number of potential triggers.
In addition she recommended 400 mg/day of Vitamin B2; and 1000 IU Vitamin D3 (I would suggest not to take this dose long term - perhaps have a break in summer).
And at first sign of an acute attack to take some form of gastric protection such as 10 mg Domperidone or 20 mg Omeprazole before any painkillers.
I hope this helps.
★★★★★
5-HTP
Second, supplements are regulated by the FDA by the same standards as foodstuffs. Hospitals report any problems w/ bad food or supplements from sick patients the same as drug interaction or overdoses, and these reports are monitored for public safety. Also many or most supplement manufacturers are standardized and inspected by oversight companies like GMP which is overseen by the FDA as well as WHO. So yes, nutritional supplements ARE regulated for safety.
5-HTP
I am also leary of 5 htp after doing research on it.. Actually the last doctor who I didn't like said I should take it for anxiety.. she also gave me a supplement with L lysine, 5 htp and folate and L tyrosine in it.. the 5htp is 150 miligrams.. I am a bit scared to take it as I have read good and not so good things with 5 htp.... I also meditate and use essential oils.. maybe just stick to that.. I also try and get sun and take vit.D..
5-HTP
★☆☆☆☆
WARNING!
5-htp is a precursor to serotonin, which means your body will take 5-htp, convert it to serotonin and it in theory will act like Imitrex. Though that's where the awesomeness ended for me.
I have a few major warnings for anyone interested in 5-htp:
1) You cannot use it if you are pregnant
2) You cannot use it with many anti-depressants
3) You cannot use it within about 24 hours before or after you use Imitrex. Both anti-depressants that increase serotonin and Imitrex that imitates serotonin used with 5-htp that creates even more serotonin can cause a serotonin overdose and can be fatal.
4) I did more research on it and it turns out that 5-htp is a chemical by-product of L-tryptophan, which is responsible for making serotonin in our bodies. They used to sell tryptophan supplements but after many people started developing eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, an incurable muscle and blood disease, from these supplements, as they were tainted, they banned the sale of tryptophan supplements in the US. (This happened mainly due to one large manufacturer going cheap, but who's to say this won't happen again with 5-htp??)
There have already been a few cases of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome being caused by 5-htp supplements to date and that got me thinking: "Is taking this 5-htp to hopefully have a cheaper more 'natural' form of Imitrex worth it?" I decided it wasn't worth it.
I just want to warn those who are thinking about taking 5-htp that just because it's natural doesn't make it safer, and just because they sell it doesn't mean it's guaranteed safe. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA and only get any attention once a lot of people get sick from it. Use the information we are given to make the best decision for you. I ended up finding that Mint essential oil works really well for me and with no serious side effects. (or any at all for me)
I hope this helps someone, it would have been nice to have this all written for me when I was researching it. :)
★★★★★
I have suffered from migraines since I was about 5 years old, though after puberty they had become frequent and often unbearable.
After going to a neurologist who confirmed that I have migraines and not just headaches he prescribed Imitrex, it works amazingly, though I just don't like taking medicines (especially expensive ones! ) if I don't have to.
I have tried every remedy on the earth (at least it feels so! ) for migraines and everything I tried either never worked or worked once, maybe, and never again.
Then enter mint essential oil. I use either spearmint or peppermint and rub it on where it hurts, and voila, no more pain. It can take a few applications, but so far it knocks out most headaches/ migraines for me. It's amazing, I have cut back on my Imitrex use by at least half. I have been using it undiluted, however I have read this can cause adverse effects and can make it so my skin develops a sever sensitivity to it. I will from now on try diluting it with almond or jojoba oil and hope it still works as well. Because if I had to stop using mint oil because of my bad judgement I would be kicking myself for the rest of my life. Either way, I am in love with Mint oil, it works amazingly well for me. I have also had success drinking a mint tea for headaches, but not for migraines, I think it's too weak for that.
Oh, and they types of migraines I get are typically hormonal, non-aura. Occasionally they are allergy triggered, and rarely offensive smells (like strong B.O. or perfumes) . I do not drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
This is just to maybe help those who know what triggers their migraines, maybe if it works for me, it will work for you if you have similar triggers.
★★★★★
My migraines were directly linked to not drinking enough water. I could be gettting a migraine and drink a huge glass of water and it would stop within minutes. No 'hangover' from it either.
Peppermint Oil
Re; Migraines
Solution to classic migraines...I had them since 17 years old. Need to use dilation nutrient...I use either B3 (niacin) in quantity to feel a flush in scalp, face and upper torso...if too much aspirin can relieve itch. I later found that the herb "feverfew" taken five times weekly at two tablets per day can also be a great dilator. The theory is that some genetic types use up more B3 and under pressure or other triggers the capillaries around the eyes collapse in a cascading effect...so supplement with a substance that can neutralize the genetic flaw. I take the niacin three times weekly...usually 250 mg will produce the flush. But a "newbie" should start with 50 mg and work up next day until the flush is obtained. If taken after a light breakfast the effect is greater and faster. You don't need to take both at the same time.
That is my theory and in practice I have no more classic migraine headaches UNLESS I fail to take the niacin/feverfew for a few weeks. Then ...bam! ...migraine time and I curse my stupidity for running out of the preventative.
Progesterone Cream
★★★★★
Peppermint Oil
★★★☆☆
WORKED TEMPORARILY
One other thing.....never put your vinegar in the fridge, the mother is a living thing and the cold will kill it.
Alka Seltzer
★★★★★
Oil Pulling
★★★★★
I had no expectation of it affecting the headache, just thought I should get it in while I had some down time. But before I could even finish the 15 minutes, my migraine was GONE!
Makes me sad that I've suffered migraines for so many years and have also known about oil pulling, but never tied them together therapeutically. Either way, I can't wait till I get another migraine so I can see if it was a fluke, but by the way I feel and how quickly it just went away, I'm inclined to think I have stumbled upon something that works great, at least for me.
I hope those of you with migraines will also give it a try! It's worth a try! Incidentally, I was using an organic, first cold pressed sunflower seed oil.
I wish you all the best : ) I'll update next time I try it...
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
There is no doubt that my weekly 3 day migraines were caused by congestion, and a lack of digestive enzymes . At last after 15 years of suffering here is my sucessful and natural remedy answer and no more migraines at all!
Eat 3 meals a day and if hungry between or after meals only raw fruit.
The last meal must be finished by 7 pm if you go to bed at midnight to allow at least 5 hours to elapse between the last meal and going to bed. (to allow the liver to cope)
Eat 90% raw food, ie 2 lettuce based salads a day organic if possible, and sprouts for protein eg lentil sprouts, chick pea sprouts , mung bean sprouts, and alfalfa sprouts. 5 cups of sprouts give 50 gr protein. Breads made from raw sprouted wheat with chick pea sprouts dried 8 hours in a dehydrator, raw vegetable juices eg carrot, spinach and celery, dried and fresh fruit and soaked (for 8 hours) and rinsed nuts and seeds which can also be made into nut or seed milks. also 2 tablespoons a day of seaweed if you can eat seaweed. Salad dressing can be with raw organic apple cider vinegar or lemon and raw organic cold pressed olive or sesame oil and unrefined seasalt. As many avocados as you like
If you eat something cooked then take immediately afterwards natural enzymes eg natural pills made from natural pineapple and paw paw or papino , about 6 times the dosage on the bottle
Walk at least 1 hour a day to oxygenate the body and improve circulation
Drink at least 1 litre of mineral water a day - never tap water
Avoid sugar ie sacarose, brown or white- instead have raw honey
Avoid sweeteners instead have stevia
Avoid coffee and black tea instead have red tea(Puerrh tea)
Avoid processed cheese (specially blue cheese it is a certain migraine) instead if you must have dairy then have fresh cottage cheese Avoid dairy yoghurts and milk instead have nut and seed milks and cheeses made at home.
Avoid meat, eggs, poultry and fish instead have sprouts, nuts, seeds and seaweed Cooked legumes and grains also give me migraines but sprouted no problem. Good luck this works!
Personally I can't eat more than a quarter cup nuts a day.
★★★★★
Feverfew and Butterbur
Re your husband's migraines, I take two feverfew five days a week to fight off migraines... and often take niacin (the flushing kind) a few times weekly.
You are correct in using as a preventative...if he takes when migraine is already underway, little help.
I've been on Niacin for ... I guess thirty years, and feverfew for ten.
Never caused stomach upset for me.
Niacin and Feverfew are natural dilators and if your husband's migraines ...which you think may come from the brain injuries... are the cause of the migraines, the dilation of the capillaries staying open may well act to keep blood flowing properly.
