Migraines

[wirm]

I thought this would be a good place to take about this well known issue:
I like many other people take migraines!

But my problem is finding how to stop them or even prevent them. I am own medication which I take at the first signs of a migraine and it is supposed to stop me from feeling sick etc. but it does not seem to work.

I have tried different things to see if I could prevent my migraines occuring but nothing seems to work!

Sometimes I do not have a migraine for months and other times I get them three or four times a week! But I just can't figure out what is causing them!

I am starting to think that its stress, but is this a cause of migraines?

Thanks in advance,

IP

[Fran]

IP -

I don't get them myself but I have friends who get them. One in particular I would say it was definitely stress related - every time he had something that caused him anxiety or stress he got a migraine! He also gets weird vision seeing lights that aren't there and words disappear when he is reading. He also got them cos of certain foods, which I am sure you are aware of (?). It's worth checking what you have eaten - or drunk - in the day or two before getting them. One of my kids also gets them but not very often, he gets the tunnel vision and feels sick but isn't then gets a headache. One of the things for him seems to be orange colourings they put in squash and orangeade type drinks. Have you done a web search for migraine?

I was going to say migraines are a pain, but don't suppose you'd appreciate that!

[mini]

hello again :)

I have suffered from migraines on and off for yars, if I feel I amheading towards one I put my sunglasses on, even inside, which I find helps if it carries on I take OTC medication, I got a great medication from a pharmacist once, I don't wish to post the information as it may not be suitable for the masses, it's bought over the counter I could pm the name to you and you could enquire withyur own pharmacist, I presume it may not work for everyone, I'll have to look up the name too as it's been a while.


Stree is definately a cause in my non medical opinion, all of my severe ones have been at really stressful times.

It can be food related too.

Have you seen your GP? 3 or 4 times a week must be disabling

mini

[Fran]

Another person I know who gets them described it as the pot getting full and starting to overflow. She reckoned that her migraines weren't necessarily caused by one thing but that once she had got enough of the migraine causers in her "pot", that's when she got them. As Mini says, definitely a GP job - if you haven't been recently get back down there!!!

[mini]

I am very interested in what Fran says about orange colouring, I suffered from bad migraines whilst at school the common link was the (very orange) orange juice but when I have mentioned it to others they haven't been convinced,


I find the problem with vision is the first indication oh and the headache!

[wirm]

Firstly thanks for your posts! Helping me already!

.....He also gets weird vision seeing lights that aren't there and words disappear when he is reading. He also got them cos of certain foods, which I am sure you are aware of (?). It's worth checking what you have eaten - or drunk - in the day or two before getting them. One of my kids also gets them but not very often, he gets the tunnel vision and feels sick but isn't then gets a headache.

Ok, I know when I am getting a migraine because I cannot see anything to the left or right, and straight away I run and get my tablets! I feel really sick but I have never actually vomited! It is the worst feeling, wanting to be sick but not being able to (hard to explain, you have to know what it feels like to understand) I have tried thinking about what I ate or drunk, at one stage I thought it was Coke but then when I stopped drinking it, it didn't seem to make any difference!

....I have suffered from migraines on and off for yars, if I feel I amheading towards one I put my sunglasses on, even inside, which I find helps if it carries on I take OTC medication, I got a great medication from a pharmacist once, I don't wish to post the information as it may not be suitable for the masses, it's bought over the counter I could pm the name to you and you could enquire withyur own pharmacist, I presume it may not work for everyone, I'll have to look up the name too as it's been a while.

Stress is definately a cause in my non medical opinion, all of my severe ones have been at really stressful times.

Have you seen your GP? 3 or 4 times a week must be disabling....

I think I will get myself a paie of sunglasses to carry about with me! Thanks for that one! Would be a great help if you would pm me with the name of the medication. I do keep thinking its stress but then I wonder why I would be getting stressed out!? Could I be stressed out without really knowing it?

GP has given my medication, but it makes me feel a lot worse, so I am going to him to see about changing it!

I also find that lying in a dark room helps! It was really annoying getting so many in one week! I could do nothing!

[trafalgar]

This is an interesting article....take a look
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3000136.stm

[wirm]

....I am very interested in what Fran says about orange colouring....

I did think that could be may problem when I read Fran's post but I don't drink many drinks with orange colouring!

Shame, thought I'd solved my problem.... :-/

[Fran]

But whatever it is they put in the orange colouring could also be in other things (?) ???

[wirm]

This is an interesting article....take a look
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3000136.stm

Thanks trafalgar, pitty they don't have a cure! All in the mind eh???

:-/

[wirm]

But whatever it is they put in the orange colouring could also be in other things (?) !???

Hmmmmm, interesting question that..... :-/

You got me started.... I'll have to look into that...

[trafalgar]

What about this one
http://www.millennium-solutions.co.uk/herbal-medicine-supplement/Migraine_Headache_Treatment_medication.shtml



Or this is a good one

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/migraine.html

Very informative and tells what can trigger, what to avoid, when to see doctor etc

Hope it helps :)

[wirm]

What about this one
http://www.millennium-solutions.co.uk/herbal-medicine-supplement/Migraine_Headache_Treatment_medication.shtml

For the above website:
Common triggers for migraine and tension headaches include: Stress and anxiety, Depression, Improper sleep, Changes in weather & atmospheric pressure, Missing a meal, Eating certain foods, Drinking alcohol, Over exposure to sun, Female hormones, Strong odors, Motion (in a car or boat) etc. However, in truth, virtually anything can appear to regularly trigger a Migrain attack. However, despite appearances the true underlying cause is usually related mainly to dietary deficiencies.
During 1994-96, a migraine headache study was conducted at the Loma Linda University's School of Public Health in California. The study demonstrated that inadequate diet plays a leading role in causing migrain headache, in particular it was found that a low-fat, high-complex-carbohydrate diet significantly decreased the occurrence of migraine headaches.

Conclusion: Proper diet, reduction of stress, exercise, and nutritional supplementation offer the prospect of ameliorating migraines, if not substantially reducing or eliminating them.

[mini]

I'll have to look for the name in Boots, I should be there at some point overthe next few days, your symptoms do sound very different to mine though, have you tired asking a pharmacist what they could recommend?

Would be worth keeping track of what you are eating, I know my food triggers and have to decide whether a chinese takeaway (I suspect its the MSG in it) is worth a few days of pain and sunlasses

I have just looked up MSG MonoSodium Glutamate and it is linked with migraines ???

http://www.migraine.org.uk/whatcauses.htm

[mini]

seems a good website

http://www.migraine.org.uk/ Iinked to how to treat and its whatthe pharmacist said, impressed by the site keeping independence from drug companies :)

[wirm]

Problem being that I havn't had a migraine for about a month now, kinda hard to keep track of what I eat, although I do try and do this mentally....

Like to thank you both for all the help so far! ;D

[IvanOpinion]

DW used to suffer very badly from migraines (2-3 a week) but by reading up and finding out common things that cause migraines and cutting them out she gets far fewer now. Some common causes seem to be
- chocolate
- dairy products (cheese, cream etc.)
- red wine

She does not avoid these things completely just keeps a very close eye on how much she eats (generally most migraines appear if she over-indulges in one of these - e.g. she got one just after easter - I had no sympathy because she had just polished off MY easter egg). Try cutting the above items out for 2-3 weeks and then bring them back in one at a time to see if it helps.

Ivan

[vanoonoo]

my aunt has problems with certain types of dairy products (including chocolate if I can stretch the boundary of dairy that far) and caffeine being contributory to triggering her migraines - so whilst your coke theory was shot down in flames maybe it's something else with high caffeine or sugar levels?

[smellycat]

I have a migraine right now. They go from an ache or pressure in my head to a full blown migraine in about 5 minutes and I always take pills for them the second I get them. I also go through a routine when I get one to try and eliminate the causes, and often when I get one it's because I haven't done something like eat or because I have changed my sleeping habits. Migraine sufferers benefit from a regular routine and a decent amount of sleep, well I know I do! Also, does anyone else find that they just *know* when a migraine is coming? My head starts feeling strange and then I just know its gonna be a migraine and not another type of headache.

However I also got headaches and migraines because of air presure, and that annoys me so much as it's not my fault and I can't do anything about it!

IP - i'm with you on the sicky feeling. It feels like someone is strangling me constantly and I'm on the verge of being sick. I used to be sick when I was younger but I'm almost phobic of it so I'll do anything not to be. So I normally go straight to bed and try and relax. I also find putting pressure on my head where the migraine is also helps, It's always on my left side near my temple and if I inhibit the blood flow it stops that over-full pot feeling (well put).

A lot of E numbers list headaches as side effects, so really there's a lot of food out there that can trigger it. Mine generally doesn't appear to be dietary based but if I eat something swimming in E numbers and colouring then I can get one.

[Mrs Thrift]

Thankfully I only get migraines rarely now, and although I don't know what causes or triggers mine, I do know I'm more likely to get one if I'm tired and haven't drunk enough water for a couple of days.

I usually have at least my 8 glasses of water a day and if I don't hit the target for a couple of days I can really feel the (negative) difference.

When i can feel a migraine coming on I top up on water, try and relax, stop looking at the computer screen so much (that's the hard one!) and keep away from bright lights in general. !

Usually I can stop the threatening feeling of "I'm-a-migraine-and-I'm-coming-to-get-you" becoming a full blown "I'm-a-migraine-and-I've-got-you-and-you-can't-get-out-of-bed-or-open-your-eyes!" !But the threat can last two or three days. !Yuk!

[Pal]

I have no experience of migrane however I figure that you might appreciate some advice from someone who never really gets headaches. After all, perhaps I am doing something right?

My personal (probably misinformed) opinions are based on the following non-scientific observations:

- unfit people seem to get more headaches than people who exercise regularly;
- Stressed people get far more headaches from relaxed people;
- the only real time I get headaches is when I damage my neck muscles, either through sleeping strangely or doing something daft in the gym or squash court;
- One of the known side effects of many painkillers (especially codine, an ingredient in Nurofen) is headaches. When the painkiller wears off you are left with a headache which you then treat with a painkiller....
- Headaches are one of the first side effects of dehydration.

I am fairly sure that the latter point is one of the most important. I know people who complain of headaches all the time and all they ever drink is alcohol, tea or coffee, all of which are known diaretics.

The above also fits in with my grossly generalised view that women suffer from headaches more than men, perhaps because on average they tend to drink far less, exercise less and take more painkillers?

As for the difference between migrane and a headache. Is it possible that migrane is simply a stress related trapping of nerves and muscles in the neck and back of head, brought on by stress from headaches caused by some of the factors I mentioned before? Lots of people describe "feeling migranes coming on". Could it be that this is because you are stressed and so get a headache, which makes you more stressed, which in turn guarantees the migrane?

I have no idea. But if I was suffering I think I would start by forcing myself to drink three or four pints of water a day and take up a yoga class or basic aerobics to stretch myself out and help me relax.

[Sarahsaver]

I would just like to add a little known symptom of possible stroke or TIA (transient ischaemic attack) which is like a temporary stroke. HEADACHES
Even a lot of doctors do not seem to be aware of this :o
How do i know?
Started to get bad headaches which i thought were migraines in August of 2001. Before that i hardly eveh had headaches. I was hospitalised a couple of times and tested for meningitis, but it wasnt until Oct 2001 after i collapsed in my gps surgery, and spending a week in hospital, that they discovered id had a stroke, at the age of 31. If id had a scan earlier in the year it probably would have detected a blood clot in my neck, which would cause headaches and stiff neck thinking it was meningitis - i thought i was getting migraines - and i could have started on the aspirin or other clot-busting drugs.
My advice to EVERYONE would be to take the lowest possible dose of aspirin daily as a preventative measure. Its cheap and it is worth it.
I dont get headaches or migraines anymore unless i have a cold or have overindulged :-[ on the bargain Laithwaites wine!

[Fran]

diaretics.

As for the difference between migrane and a headache. !Is it possible that migrane is simply a stress related trapping of nerves and muscles in the neck and back of head, brought on by stress from headaches caused by some of the factors I mentioned before? !Lots of people describe "feeling migranes coming on". !Could it be that this is because you are stressed and so get a headache, which makes you more stressed, which in turn guarantees the migrane?



Spelling. Did you mean "diuretics", the word being derived from "urine"?

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ;)

From reading about migraine and speaking to doctor re my son who gets occasional ones and other people I know who get them, yes, some migraines can be explained by stress, but it is a very complicated subject area and is often food related also bright or flashing lights (may get migraine after travelling at night or on a sunny day). The thing is it could be a combination that triggers it, they are very hard to pin down. Some people feel "strange" beforehand and don't necessarily put it down to migraine, others have flashing lights in their vision or other visual things like zig-zags or blank bits.

[Glad]

some good points from pal
I suffer from migraines occasionally and headaches a lot
and have discovered the following things

1. found a wonderful treatment for headaches which included codeine, always worked and I was really grateful because was getting them more and more often.
Eventually I spoke to a medical colleague who thought I was probably addicted to the codeine and the headaches were becoming more frequent as my body craved it more. He advised me to cut down gradually although I just stopped taking it immediately and the extra frequent headaches I was getting have stopped

2. orange food colouring does induce my headaches and this includes cheap cheddar cheese which has added food colouring to make it that nice orange colour

3. also got headaches when going for too long without food, which were always nearly instantly resolved by eating stodge, since I have started cutting down on carbs and eating small amounts often, these headaches have also eased

4. alcohol, tea and coffee are all diuretics as Pal says, which is why you get such a bad head night after a binge, the frontal lobe of the brain becomes dehydrated 1st.
this lobe controls among other things parts of balance and morality ;D ;D
best way to deal with these headaches is lots of water, preferably before you pass out

Glads hangover cure

2 pints of water
bottle lucozade
2 paracetomol
2 evening primrose oil capsules

[caileag]

I've been reading this thread with interest - I was recently diagnosed as suffering from occular migranes, which has cheered me up no end as I was worried it was something much more sinister!

The only symptom I got, apart from a general sense of dizziness, was a loss of peripheral vision and flashy zig-zag shapes moving around in front of me. Scary, at the time, though now I know what it is and how to deal with it, I will just sit back and enjoy the light-show! ;)

I have found flashing lights (such as are found on my electric "flame-effect" fire with flickering flames) seem to set it off, though I will try to see if I can spot any food triggers.

Thanks, C.

[caileag]

Glads hangover cure

2 pints of water
bottle lucozade
2 paracetomol
2 evening primrose oil capsules

Nonononononono! ;)

You should try Irn-Bru, not Lucozade! I have no idea why but nothing comes closer to dispelling a hangover than this Nectar of the Gods!

We used to have some Danish colleagues and would experiment on them, feeding them various Scottish foodstuffs and observing the results - haggis was good, tripe fair and Irn-Bru made them wince! However, the morning after our "Which beer is best - a analysis of 20 contenders" experiment, they consumed at least a litre each. ;)

Seriously, it must work in the same way as Lucozade - rehydrating, lots of sugar, useful vitamins and minerals and a strong enough flavour to cut through the badgers-sett type taste in your mouth. ::)


C.

[Pal]

Glad's post is interesting because one of the things I realised I missed out from my list was headaches induced by people not eating enough. Again, something that women suffer from more than men?

Might another cause be lack of sleep? No doubt we all know that ache you can get behind your eyes when you are overtired, and perhaps that, combined with bright or flashing lights could induce a migrane headache? Combine that with stress (which is why you might not be sleeping)....

I did forget to mention that I occasionally get very bad headaches from alcohol, the cure for which is sleep and never drinking again, ever. I also get really bad headaches from eating too much ice cream too quickly.

The cure for that is too horrific to contemplate.

I knew when I typed it that I had spelt "diuretics" wrong, however I couldn't be arsed to spell check it. Luckily no-one was picky enought to bother pointing it out eh? ;)

[Glad]

well done pal
a whoole poste with no speling misteaks

[wirm]

Firstly I would just like to say thanks! I never thought that so many people would respond (I should have known better ;) )

I don't know where to even start replying because so many people have added their post!

I know this is helping me and I can only hope that it will help everyone else!

I know that the first time I lost vision to the left and right and then finally took a migraine, was scary, its hard to describe, but when your young (15 at the time) it can be scary when this strange thing is happening to you and you have no idea why, it can be very scary!

I know thanks to you all that i have Migraine with Aura (classic migraine). I can "feel" when a migraine is coming on, it is hard to describe so I won't do it here, but it is the strangest feeling....

I am going to try the sun-glasses suggestion..anyone know where I can get cheap/good one's on the net?

Thanks everyone!

[Glad]

there is a thread about sunglasses here ip
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Wanna;action=display;num=1082846574

[trafalgar]

OH great , just reminded me I broke mine and since we are gonna have a belting summer , I'd better get some new ones ;D ;D

[wirm]

Thanks glad. I suppose I should have checked before posting! Typical! lol

[Ratty]

I get one (sometimes two) migraines a month, which is a fair improvement on the previous 2 to 3 a week.

As soon as I get the "pinking shears" effect on my vision, I take this foul (but seems to work for me) combination: !

Two Diareze (or similar)
Two Gaviscon (nothing else seems to work as well...)
Two Nurofen Plus
And at least a litre of water

I then just get a mild headache and slight billiousness. !Things that set me off include: !colours (don't wear yellow at me!), flashing light (a classic trigger for me is sitting in the car or a bus on a sunny day and getting intermittent flashes of sunlight through the trees and houses), smells (especially "ozone" perfumes like CK One), but thankfully not that I've ever noticed, red wine OR chocolate!

I did notice a vast improvement in how many migraines I was getting when I lost 2 1/2 stones and started drinking a minimum of 2 litres of water a day, however...

Good luck with sorting this out.

Ratty

[plumpmouse]

One of the known side effects of many painkillers (especially codine, an ingredient in Nurofen) is headaches. When the painkiller wears off you are left with a headache which you then treat with a painkiller....



Nurofen does not contain codeine. Nurofen plus does but normal nurofen contains only Ibuprofen. Headaches associated with painkillers are generally a problem who take painkillers daily not every so often for a migraine

My advice to EVERYONE would be to take the lowest possible dose of aspirin daily as a preventative measure. Its cheap and it is worth it.



No, no, no, no. Aspirin is NOT suitable for EVERYONE. Aspirin should not be used by children under 16, asthma sufferers, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, haemophilliacs, anyone taking anti-coagulants and cetain other medicine ( pescription or pharmacy medicines) unless your doctor has prescribed it for you

My advice to EVERYONE would be to see your GP or Pharmacist before taking aspirin!!!!!!


Ipfreely I have a friend who swears by yoga. She use to have migraines and now does not suffer at all. Good luck and hope they improve

[wirm]

.......flashing light (a classic trigger for me is sitting in the car or a bus on a sunny day and getting intermittent flashes of sunlight through the trees and houses).......

I don't seem to get migraines from that, more, stronger headaches, but they are not strong enough to be migraines!

IP

[Pal]

Nurofen does not contain codeine. Nurofen plus does but normal nurofen contains only Ibuprofen. Headaches associated with painkillers are generally a problem who take painkillers daily !not every so often for a migraine


I know that Nurofen used to contain Codeine. Perhaps they took it out when the publicity about it giving you headaches came out (it was about 6 years ago)?

Strange how it is still included in Nurofen plus though.

[arkonite_babe]

IP, if you aren't sure if any foods may trigger a migraine attack, try keepng a food diary, my brother had to do this and it was found that his trigger foods were chocolate or anything with a chocolate derived substance and sunset yellow food colouring found in orange juices and squashes. I kn ow it sounds like a pain to do this, but once you get into the knack of writing your diary after a meal, it will soon become second nature. Let me know how you get on.

[plumpmouse]

I know that Nurofen used to contain Codeine. Perhaps they took it out when the publicity about it giving you headaches came out (it was about 6 years ago)?



Sorry to disagree but would have to say I think that is incorrect again. Checked with the pharmacist I work with today ( been a pharmacist since 1971!!!) and he says that nurofen has never contained codeine.

There is another prescription only medicine called codafen which is ibuprofen and codeine.

[Janis]

My migraine career began after reading in a moving car. I believe migraine sufferers also tend to get motion sickness. Over the 30years since, I have noticed some other causes.

Going without a meal which can either leave me with an all-day normal headache or become migraine. Try not to miss a meal however small.

Over-exercising especially when combined with lack of food gave me 2 in a week. Never liked exercise much and never got a good buzz from it. (Needless to say I am fat). Similarly trying to carry on when feeling ill with a virus and not resting has also brought some on, including when I was pregnant. Some authorities say migraines disappear in pregnancy but I had 2 in one pregnancy.

Getting overly excited when looking forward to something special. Means I have to try not to do this, so I am often accused of being a bit miserable.

Bright lights, like flashing, sunny days in winter when the sun is low and in your face, or coming through the front door glass and reflecting off the shiny parquet floor. Nice days often mean the curtains are closed.

Luckily the old chesnuts the medics trot out about chocolate cheese and red wine dont affect me. A lot of women are affected pre-menstrually, on the pill or during menopause, implying a hormonal cause in some but again, not affecting me.

For my dad it was stress and psychological triggers. I think that for everyone there may be a different cause and for many a multitude of causes, making it difficult to work out exactly what your own trigers are.

During a migraine i do notice that in the 5 to 8 hours of torture, (its too severe to be called simply a headache) I pass unusually large volumes of urine, as if fluid has been building up for a while and triggers it off perhaps.

I also have noticed that other symptoms experienced depend on the side the migraine is located. I cant remember which is which but one side produces nausea and vomiting if I take even a sip of water, follwed by no post migraine after effects.

When the migraine occiurs on the opposite side, I feel very hungry and feel the need to eat lots, especially carbohydrates. No sickness but I do get speech difficulties for days after and never feel right as if I had a tiny stroke. Cant string words together or talk properly. Also get a hangover headache for days which is never as bad as the migraine.

One tip I would like to pass on to new migraine sufferers is take care with medications when you have a migraine. Your stomach seems to slow down and doesn't empty as normal. Any tablets are not absorbed and so you get no relief. So you might be tempted to take more out of desperation and the headache may make you confused and take way too many. When your digestive system returns to normal, any drugs start to become absorbed so if you did take a large number of painkillers you could inadvertently overdose yourself as they are all absorbed at once. I have never found anything to be of use, and often find they are vomited up.

Keep checking from time to time with GP to see if there are new treatments. Everone is different and has to experiment with treatments.

Many people are helped by complementary therapies like reflexology. I practised it and trained therapists for a while and found it helpful to many students and their clients with regular treatments. Someone I worked with used to take the herb feverfew to prevent them. However I dont know i what form you take it, you would need to consult a qualified herbalist.

I wish people would not refer to them as headaches, because they are so much more than that, affecting brain function, digestive function and for some people co-ordination and movement. You cant see or think properly. Its very debilitating.

[elfmay]

like most of you caffine, citrus, chocolate, red wine etc, didn't affect my migranes but after a serious bout of totally debilitating migranes which caused numbness down one side and speech difficulties I saw a great nuerologist and between us we concluded the cause (in my case anyway) was artificial sweetners, aspartame in particular! I cut them out totally and now only get the odd one now and then, I literally mean about 2/3 a year!and they are nowhere near as intense.
I would definately recommend giving it a try, but check the labels of EVERYTHING it turns up in all kinds of foods and drinks. A glass of diet coke makes me feel like I've drunk a vat of jack daniels

[Pal]

Sorry to disagree but would have to say I think that is incorrect again. Checked with the pharmacist I work with today ( been a pharmacist since 1971!!!) and he says that nurofen has never contained codeine.

There is another prescription only medicine called codafen which is ibuprofen and codeine.

Fair enough. I must have been looking at a Nurofen plus packet then because I distinctly remember looking at the ingredients after the publicity came out.

[Pal]

Have any of you migrane sufferers been to see a decent chiropractor to get your neck and spine realigned?

I still can't help but think that migrane is more likely to be linked to the nervous system, muscular-skeletal factors and stress.

I don't have any back or neck problems but I go an see a chiropractor once every three months or so and love it. It really loosens my spine and neck up and I'd recommend it to anyone. There is nothing like having every joint in your spine go "pop" at the same time! ;D

[ac]

i go to a hands- on- healer for my complaint, and NO i'm not being rude. ;D

;)

[wirm]

Thanks Pal! I'll do just that!

[tru]

Every now and then, I feel a bit sick and dizzy. My right eye goes a bit blurry, well not so much blurry but like I'm looking through a kaleidascope. Someone told me this was a migraine, but I thought they made you feel really ill? The light doesn't bother me either. I stand still for a few seconds and it goes away, it doesn't stop me from doing anything either. Is there such a thing as a mild migraine?

[tru]

Thanks Sheel :)

The symptoms don't last as long as 15-60 mins though.

Now I can say to my boss "I'll have to sit down for 30 seconds, I'm having an aura" ;D

[rachpoppy]

Hi all

I've suffered with migraines since the age of about 15/16. To start with I used to get 2-3 a week at which point the Doctor put me on Betablockers. This didn't help at all!
Gradually the migraines decreased in frequency apart from both times when pregnant where I was getting them every day for the first 20 wks or so!! :(
I know my migraines are mainly caused by a hormonal problem but I do tend to get them when I get tense ie Christmas shopping, staring at the computer screen etc.

I've found that the best possible medication for me is either Syndol or Propain. And as I used to work for Boots, believe me, I've tried everything!!!

Both of these contain paracetamol and another ingredient which is a muscle relaxant. I find these extremely effective if taken early enough. See my ciao review at http://www.ciao.co.uk/Syndol_Pain_Relief__Review_5422335

Obviously with any medication you need to make sure they're suitable for yourself though before taking.

Another one of my little quirks that I use is when I have a tension headache or a full blown migraine I rub Vick or a Menthol Cone onto my forehead (avoiding eyes!) and around my temples. This just helps to take the edge off the pain a little bit. They sell menthol cones at Boots. You just have to ask for them as they're kept under the counter!

Hope this helps.

[Lillibet]

I've had migraines since I was 7 years old with various degrees of frequencey & intensity throughout my life. They almost always seem to happen the week before or week of my period (Sorry, doesn't help you guys I know ::) and stress is a big trigger for me. I also avoid eating any combination of stronge cheese, chocolate, red wine & salty foods (i.e Marmite!) in the same day as I find one of these on it's own is fine but a mixture can coincide with a migraine. I used to think too much Coke was a trigger too (sorry, can't remember which other poster mentioned this) but that seems to have lessened it's effects on me in recent years. Tunnel vision, flashing lights & nausea are only the beginning, it's the 6 hour crushing headache that follows that is the killer for me :'(. A few things I have found to help : Co-Dramonal (sp?) which is a stong combination of Codeine (which incidently is a derivative of cocaine, hence why too much causes more headaches!) & ibuprofen; a teasoonf of glucose or sugar right at the start of the symptoms (don't ask me why, a pharmicist suggested it years ago & it seems to work if taken early enough); keeping as still as possible in a dark room until the light show is over. When the headache kicks in all I wantot do is s-l-e-e-p ???

I never knew migraines were associated with travel sickness, that would explain a lot in my case thoguh! More than a one hour car journey? No thanks!

[Leia_Stephens]

I have migraines quite regularly and when I go out I almost religiously take my tablets with me.

When I get vision interference I take 2 tablets, which normally "kill" a migraine :)

Like others, yes, I find it best to lie down in a darkened room and relax. More often than not after taking my tablets in a couple of hours I feel more or less OK :)

Leia

[elfmay]

Hi all

.


Another one of my little quirks that I use is when I have a tension headache or a full blown migraine I rub Vick or a Menthol Cone onto my forehead (avoiding eyes!) and around my temples. !This just helps to take the edge off the pain a little bit. !They sell menthol cones at Boots. !You just have to ask for them as they're kept under the counter!

Hope this helps.
try rubbing tiger balm on temple area (health food shops etc)

[Paul Varjak]

My employer reminded me that an angram of migraine is:

IMAGINER

Do you think they were dropping a subtle hint!

[Paul Varjak]

Bobbin,

I have just read your posting on MIGRAINE. The trigger factors for your symptoms, the symptoms themselves, and the conclusions you have drawn over the years.

They completely mirror my own experience!

What you have not said is if you get any visual symptoms ('Jagged' halos stc.). Personally, I do not get these. The reason for this is partly, I think, because the halos are pre-cursors of the headache and my headache usually presents itself on waking in the morning.

On the six or so occasions in my life when I have seen jagged halos, they have never been followed by a headache.

As for migraines affecting your thinking, that is the worst symptom of all! It affects all relationships (business and personal). My thinking is affected for days (or even weeks) after an attack and, as I can have 2-4 attacks per week for several weeks at a time, you can imagine what effect that has!

When I haven't had an attack for several weeks I begin to feel 'normal'' again but have learnt that this seems to be a pre-cursor for yet another attack!

Incidentally, as a child, I found I got travel sick when reading in the car. And the symptoms of travel sickness are very similar to migraine. Nowadays, I find that if I read when I go to bed then I will get a migraine in the morning - but only if reading for relaxtion!

Are you sure that you're not getting Cluster Migraines?

[Paul Varjak]

As a male, I guess I am more likely to be a sufferer of cluster headaches and the 'cycle' of my headaches is cluster-like.

But I do not get the intense pain behind the eye that is supposedly typical of cluster headaches.

Although I normally have pain and can feel nauseous (less so these days), occasionally I have no pain at all but just feel odd, unable to think properly.

Whatever particular symptoms I have in an individual attack I always have an aversion to light and want to curl up in a little 'ball'.

[shelly]

Hi all.I have only just noticed this thread whilst looking for something else. Anyway just wanted to say that my GP said my migraines were caused mainly by stress.Just before I got married I was getting one a week,I didn't feel stressed at all,my plans were on track but my GP said you don't always realise you are stressed,its almost a subconscious stress.The only food I noticed gave me a migraine was butter but now I eat that I can't believe its not butter and I am fine.My symptoms are pretty much the same as everybody elses but I didn't notice anyone got numbness like I do.When I am getting one my symptoms are.....I can see a kaleidoscope for a while.....I can't speak properly.........I feel very confused.My nose,right side of my face and right arm goes numb and if I try to read I can't see blocks of words.And thats all before the pain hits me like a sledgehammer!My GP said that mine sounds like a very severe migraine as the symptoms are very extreme.Apparently a migraine is caused by the lining of the brain becoming swollen.I have to go straight to my GP at the onset of one as my symptoms are also similar to that of a mild stroke.I have never been tested for this though.I find the best thing to do is take 2 paracetamol and two ibuprofen (these 2 are safe to mix) straight away at the onset and try to sleep.This doesn't always work though and I can be wiped out for 2 days or more.Thankfully just lately I haven't had one.(Probably jinxed myself now though saying that!!).Someone mentioned on page 2 about seeing a chiropractor to get neck realigned.I would say be very careful...I recently was seeing a physiotherapist for a back and neck problem and as soon as I mentioned migraines she said she could do limited neck work with me as manipulation of the neck could do more harm than good.But if you see a specialist they should know what they are doing.

Hope this helps someone.I know reading the other replies helped me a bit.

[jason69]

I thought this would be a good place to take about this well known issue:
I like many other people take migraines!

But my problem is finding how to stop them or even prevent them. I am own medication which I take at the first signs of a migraine and it is supposed to stop me from feeling sick etc. but it does not seem to work.

I have tried different things to see if I could prevent my migraines occuring but nothing seems to work!

Sometimes I do not have a migraine for months and other times I get them three or four times a week! But I just can't figure out what is causing them!

I am starting to think that its stress, but is this a cause of migraines?

Thanks in advance,

IP

stress related migraine - here's a money saving tip - www.migraine-relief.co.uk it's great to help with the pain of migraine and as its a one off purchase it will save you loads of money in buying other things or medications.

[jaybee]

Thanks for that excellent link. I'm sure it will help a lot of people. Actually though I find that my migraines respond better to heat on the head and neck - cold actually makes it worse :'( I use a wheat bag (which you can heat up in the microwave). I'm sure we'd all try anything to get rid of the pain.

[Cm2rdm]

I new to the site - my first posting actually! :D I suffer from migranes - I first suffered really bad, when i was going through alot of stress in life. (just moved out of home). I was rushed to hospital once, as they thought i had mengitous once,but was just a severe migrane. I was told by my doc to come off the combined pill straight away and this can cause these. Now on mini, don't get them as much - more when i've eaten too much sweet or cheese. I actually had one this morning, and I had alot of cheese yesterday and lack of sleep.. but Migraleve seem to help me they hit the spot straight away.
I usually suffer from flashing colours and blury vision, feeling sleepy and sick! They are horrible things, my mum used to be worse than me, i remember - so is it hereditory?!! ???

[macchicken]

im affected by anything fizzy and orange (tango, orangeade) also if the atmosphere is heavy and realy sweet foods, jellybabies taste soooo good but if i eat even one ill be in migraine hell for days!! think its the e numbers

[jason69]

After carrying out my own research into migraine it is a known that stress can be a major trigger factor for a migraine.

A proven method to help this is cold and dark therapy with some painkillers. But fed up of taking drugs I found a product on www.migraine-relief.co.uk which gives me the cold and dark therapy without the pills.

Its as it says, fast and effective pain relief. And very soothing and therapeutic.

Worth take a look. I take mine to work, keep it in the staffroom just in case.

[reubenpeckham]

I'm not sure whether I've had migraines or just severe headaches in the past, but I've managed to get control of them now.

I found that lack of fluids & dehydration was often a trigger for me. Drinking tea, coffee, carbonated drinks and obviously alcohol could cause dehydration so now I tend to steer clear and just make sure I continuously drink water throughout the day. Cheese and chocolate are both other well-known headache triggers.

When the headaches did occur, I have found a cheap supermarket pain killer (Extra power pain relief) which seems to be available in all the supermarkets (costs about 60p for a packet of 16) the only remedy that would help. This contains a combination of paracetamol, caffeine and aspirin and for me is massively superior to the far more expensive pain killers.

[Judi]

MrJudi has just come back from the doctors. Some of you may know that a couple of weeks ago he scared the life out of me when after an argument with our daughter he went numb and had pins and needles all down his one side that lasted for 24 hours. It scared him enough to see a doctor eventually but the doctor has sent him for tests although he suspects it maybe migraine. This has suprised us, as he doesnt suffer with nausea or headaches. Do any of you have numbness/pins and needles down your side when you get attacks?

[Judi]

my gran always had migranes after eating certain foods, and she had numbness and pins and needles, although it was usually in her right leg. hope that reassures you a little. best wishes to Mr Judi,

take care 160.

Thanks 160, you have made me feel a whole lot better. Hes had his blood tests, and has to wait for a CAT scan appointment to come through so we shall know soon enough if its anything more sinister.

[16011996]

i'm glad. My gran had blood tests and an MRI scan, but they couldn't find anything, apparently the neurologist said it was to do with the nerves being extra sensitive because of the migrane.

[jason69]

Hi Sheel

Yes it is the migracap I use. Its had rave reviews and I would recommend it to fellow sufferers who find cold and dark therapy of benefit to them during a migraine attack.

Interesting that you have found it on the pharmacy2u site. I've used that site and not noticed migracap on there, but saying that i haven't looked as i purchased through the company direct.

Going to buy another for a relative as a Xmas prezzie, see where i can get the best deal!

[16011996]

my gran found cheese, nuts and cocoa set her off.

[16011996]

my gran hated giving up cheese, so loved it. ::)

[perryash1]

Hi there,
I have suffered from migraines for nearly 20 years, flashing lights let me know one is on the way!, I have been prescribed all the medications to stop it at this stage to no avail, I too feel sick and go numb down the opposite side of my body to the pain in my head, then the pain really starts and nothing will reduce this, then when I feel I can face the world again, or my children anyway i seem to get very confused, not being able to speak properly, knowing what I want to say but not being able to get the words out which is very frightening. Last year at last I was refered to a neurologist who did all the tests, eyes and ct scan to which nothing showed( thankfully) he then put me onto a medication called Sodium Valporate, which is used for epilepsy, and bingo no more migraines!!!!!!! I can now live a normal life and am thankful for this, after about 6 months I was slowly weened off of the medication, so this is worth a try.

[John_M_Business]

I used to get them more often, starting off as a minor pain and developing into a full-blown head-numbing vision-distorting pain-overload...

I finally found why it happened for me: water!

If I get dehydrated, a migraine starts... and grows... and grows. If I recognise the signs, then pain relief can work - however if I don't see them early enough, the only way I can release myself from their grip is sleep.

So, I drink water more frequently now, and it really helps.

[jaybee]

I can relate to that! Generally we don't drink enough water and it can cause all sorts of problems.

[16011996]

i not had any for a while,but am drinking 2-3 litres a day. not getting spots the same either. :o

[acupples]

Just to add my bit about migraines.... orange, chocolate, cheap red wine (bloody typical...) and stress seem to cause them. Stress-related migraines will usually come on after the stress is over, I believe this is known as a 'weekend' migraine. I often find myself euphoric and feeling really hyper before a migraine. I've had a few come on when using my new LCD monitor too, it's really bright, which I suspect doesn't help.

In terms of duration and severity, mine are short and sharp, and lying down for a few hours usually clears them, but you feel pretty drained for the next few days. My usual remedy is to take a couple of Ibuprofen as soon as the fortification spectra and scotomata appear, and immediately take a Zomig nasal spray thing - I highly recommend these to anyone with severe migraines, they act really quickly, and if you have an understanding doctor (they cost about 13 quid for two...), they can really help.

Jaw clenching and teeth grinding has been associated with migraines, due to vasoactive compounds released by the muscle, which cause all the vessels to contract and dilate and cause those headaches which we all love so well.
Andrew

[La_Fenice]

..........and immediately take a Zomig nasal spray thing - I highly recommend these to anyone with severe migraines, they act really quickly, and if you have an understanding doctor (they cost about 13 quid for two...), they can really help.



I've been taking Zomig in pill form for several years now and find it really good. Usually one pill at the onset of a migraine and within half an hour its manageable. Didn't realise it came in spray form...is it better than the pills do you know? Shall have to have words with the doc about this :)

[margaretclare]

I've been taking Zomig in pill form for several years now and find it really good. !Usually one pill at the onset of a migraine and within half an hour its manageable. !Didn't realise it came in spray form...is it better than the pills do you know? !Shall have to have words with the doc about this :)


Hi my new niece

Anything taken by nasal spray will have a quicker action, so might be advantageous. Taken in pill form it passes through the stomach and into the bloodstream that way...my daughter L who had very severe migraines was told that at the start of a migraine the stomach 'shuts down' so anything taken that way won't be absorbed. That's why, whatever you take, it's important to take it as quickly as possible at the start of a migraine.

Aunty Margaret used to be a nurse and a midwife.

Best wishes!

[La_Fenice]

Hi my new niece

Anything taken by nasal spray will have a quicker action, so might be advantageous. !Taken in pill form it passes through the stomach and into the bloodstream that way...my daughter L who had very severe migraines was told that at the start of a migraine the stomach 'shuts down' so anything taken that way won't be absorbed. !That's why, whatever you take, it's important to take it as quickly as possible at the start of a migraine.

Aunty Margaret used to be a nurse and a midwife.

Best wishes!


Hello Aunty M


Ooooh, wonder why my GP never suggested the nasal spray? Shall make an appointment to go and see about it a.s.a.p. I was just really pleased to find something that actually worked that I never looked into it any further. It was soo brilliant to go from having 3 day attacks where all normal life ceased to being able to zap 'em out within half an hour or so, (well, most times).

It's amazing the things that you find out on this site :D

Love from La_F

http://jm.g.free.fr/smileys/bukiet.gif

[acupples]

The nasal sprays work a lot more quickly, because the drug is absorbed through the mucous membranes in the nose directly into the bloodstream, and avoids first-pass metabolism by the liver (which happens to tablets), so there's a higher dose available quicker. The reason some GPs don't prescribe them is mainly down to cost - the GP picks up the bill for nearly 40 quid for a six pack, compared to probably 2 or 3 quid for the tablets. GPs are moneysavers too! I asked for them because I was getting a lot of migraines before my final exams, and didn't want to have a large blind spot and squiggly lines while trying to write exam answers. I think the drug company advises you to try Zomig (or another similar drug) in tablet form before moving on to the nasal sprays, due to the slightly increased risk of side effects with the larger dose. Oh, and it's not terribly pleasant having pressurised powder squirted up your nose, and it tastes a bit funny, but it sure is preferable to having a migraine. In summary... if your migraines are controlled on normal Zomig or a similar tablet, then there isn't too much of a reason to change; however, if you're in a situation where you need to quickly stop a migraine, ASAP, then it's nice to have one of the nasal sprays at hand
HTH
Andrew

PS, nobody should buy Migraleve - it's just paracetamol and an anti-emetic (stops you puking) in a fancy packet - it's much cheaper to buy these pills separately

[La_Fenice]

Thanks for that extra info acupples...certainly does help..will might sound as if I know a bit about it when talking to the doc

Cheers ;D

[Mecoconuts]

I usually take a couple of Migraleve at the 1st sign of a migraine, but what i've noticed is my migraine is 100 times worse if i lie down. I usually have to sit up in bed in the dark which seems to ease the pain greatly.

Has anyone else found this ? ???

[malcolmord]

very useful thankyou

[floppy26]

Wow!!!

Lots of good sugestions here... will have to try some of them...

I've been getting migraines for the past 23 years and nto quite worked out how to avoid them. Like many, i can go for months without getting them, then start getting 3 or 4 a week. Here's how i ease the pain (try anyway)...

- Normally resort to 4 x 200mg Cuprofen tablets which tends to work if i havent left the migraine too long to settle in

- Try to eat so that i knowits not been caused by lack of food

- Avoid flickering lights (flickering and Flourescent lights tends to trigger mine)

- I try to fall asleep in a quiet/dark well ventilated room...Head under a cool pillow...

Some might think my next suggestion is wierd BUT it works for me 9/10... When i have a migraine in evening and cant sleep, i go for a walk and buy some 'Airwaves' or 'Extra' chewing gum - Strong vapour chewing gum ... and control my breathing whilst out walking for about half hour. This tends to lesten the pressure inside my head!.

Last year i had a killer of a migraine... i walked for about 90 minutes in the end, ended up taking my shoes and socks off and walked around the streets barefoot... this worked a treat... the coolness of the pavement and the hard surface acted as a 'reflexology' and eased the pain enough for me to be able to get to sleep and sleep the migraine off...

I hope someof you find this helpful.
I have tried nuerous migraine tabs in the past and with very little effect...

There's never an instant cure... If anyone has any advice for Mouth ulcers kindly let me know... i get these as often as i get migraines!!!

Floppy :-[

[jaybee]

That's certainly some different suggestions. I definately find that heat (applied to neck and / or head) seems to help mine.

[jack_pott]

Isn't it interesting how many migraine sufferers there are on this site, and how few responded to my thread about migraine and the dvla. Do I take it that I'm the only migraine sufferer to report it to the dvla?

[Savvy_Sue]

If anyone has any advice for Mouth ulcers kindly let me know... i get these as often as i get migraines!!!
Anbesol. Liquid, available OTC from the chemist. Best thing I've ever found. Although it would be worth mentioning to dentist next time you go, especially if they regularly occur in same places, maybe a ragged tooth catching? And to GP ditto in case there is some infection?

[Savvy_Sue]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/2005_03_tue_01.shtml - I heard this about the time the forum started crashing, and though I thought I'd posted the link I can't find it now. Not a cure, but some research going on into possible causes and treatments related to otherwise symptomless hole in the heart.

[Savvy_Sue]

Isn't it interesting how many migraine sufferers there are on this site, and how few responded to my thread about migraine and the dvla. Do I take it that I'm the only migraine sufferer to report it to the dvla?
Couldn't say, Jack. Not a migraine sufferer, responded to that post because of my own experience of reporting something to the DVLA - btw it took them 3 months to write back and say it was OK to keep driving, which was what I'd been told I could do anyway, so I was more fortunate than you in not being in doubt.

But as a non-migraine person, I wasn't sure from your post about the DVLA whether you had 'normal' migraine (if there is such a thing) or some fancy kind, because you were talking about 'auras'.

Why don't you post a link to that DVLA post here and see if you get a better response now?

[jack_pott]

Last september I had to apply for a new photo licence, so when the form says have you ever had vision problems I rang the quack to ask if I need to report it. He just told me to ask the DVLA, saying "it's not my job to give medical opinions". I rang DVLA, and had my licence confiscated on the spot by a telephonist who asked "what's an ocular migraine". A letter arrived by return of post telling me it's illegal to drive and to send my licence back in the envelope provided. That was four months ago, and all I've had since is "it's waiting for assesment". When I complain about being without the car, they say I'm still entitled to drive, my licence has not been deleted from the computer. When I ask them to confirm that in writing they refuse. I've shown the letter they sent to the police, and they say not to drive unless the DVLA confirm what they've told me in writing (pretty obvious really).
When I rang in november I was told that Iwas on a priority list, and would be hearing within days. When I rang back a month later I was told that there's no such thing as a priority list.

[pickle]

Something that really works for me (which a chemist told me to try years ago) is to take three aspirin (not paracetamol or other alternative). Take them as soon as the symptoms appear - i think it has something to do with thinning the blood. I also tried it on my husband (who infrequently gets them) and it worked for him too. Worth a try?

[pickle]

Just another thought. My recent migraines i think were triggered by cleaning products esp. bleach, paint etc. , when i switched to using bi-carb and vinegar they stopped (it could have been co-incidence?) When i was younger they seemed to be triggered by dark chocolate and malt.

[Savvy_Sue]

Last september I had to apply for a new photo licence, so when the form says have you ever had vision problems I rang the quack to ask if I need to report it. He just told me to ask the DVLA, saying "it's not my job to give medical opinions". I rang DVLA, and had my licence confiscated on the spot by a telephonist who asked "what's an ocular migraine". A letter arrived by return of post telling me it's illegal to drive and to send my licence back in the envelope provided. That was four months ago, and all I've had since is "it's waiting for assesment". When I complain about being without the car, they say I'm still entitled to drive, my licence has not been deleted from the computer. When I ask them to confirm that in writing they refuse. I've shown the letter they sent to the police, and they say not to drive unless the DVLA confirm what they've told me in writing (pretty obvious really).
When I rang in november I was told that Iwas on a priority list, and would be hearing within days. When I rang back a month later I was told that there's no such thing as a priority list.
this isn't going to help a lot, but I think I'd be finding out who to make an official complaint to!

I suppose I was lucky in that no-one said "You have a brain tumour" before I talked to my consultant, and it was only after that that I contacted the DVLA. Consultant said to contact both DVLA and insurance co., but that I could tell them there was 'no cerebral deficit', and that therefore I was OK to carry on driving, at least until after my op. after which there is an automatic period of not driving. Maybe if I'd phoned the DVLA first they would have nabbed my licence first and asked questions later!

[jack_pott]

this isn't going to help a lot, but I think I'd be finding out who to make an official complaint to!


Alastair Darling, BBC Watchdog, Jeremy Clarkson, my local MP.................

Their website says that if they haven't done anything within 90 working days they'll write and say why. The 90 days are up tomorrow, so we''l see. I'm not holding my breath, last time I quoted their website at them they just denied it.

The DVLA have asked for my hospital records, but there aren't any. I've never seen a consultant, so I'm expecting to have to go on an NHS waiting list for months before I gat my licence back.

The problem is finding support, I even rang the migraine association but they had no advice, or relevant experience. There are 6 million migraine suffererers in the UK, and I've not found any evidence of any of them being banned from driving. I think I'm just the only mug who had the integrity to ring and ask what to do. Rather naively I thought I was going to be put through to a doctor or somebody with some medical knowledge who could advise me whether it needed to be reported.

If you look at the DVLA website the list of ailments is so long it will include most ofthe population. If my experience is typical (there are 70,000 on the waiting list) then there's little wonder that people stick their fingers in their ears and go "la la la la" when I ask for advice.

The neighbours are fishing as to why I'm not driving, but I'm trying to keep this confidential, or else even if I get my licence back I'll be the irresponsible **** who's driving when medically unfit.

I've yet to find out what this is going to do to my insurance. The DVLA have sent a letter banning me when no doctor has ever said I'm unfit, and then told me over the phone that I'm not banned. If I have to report it to the insurance my premium will go up for no reason, but unless I can get the DVLA to acknowledge that I never was unfit in the first place I'll have no choice.

[Savvy_Sue]

Alastair Darling, BBC Watchdog, Jeremy Clarkson, my local MP.................
I think my agent of choice would be my MP. Generally I have found that if the MP writes to anyone on your behalf, much jumping happens. I'm sorry if you haven't found that yet.

To add to your list of people who might take this up: Radio 4's You and Yours.

Will have to add this to my list of pre-op questions: do I have to send my licence back to DVLA, and if so will I get it back as soon as consultant clears me to drive, or can I just Not Drive?!

[jack_pott]

Their website says that if they haven't done anything within 90 working days they'll write and say why. The 90 days are up tomorrow, so we''l see.

Well well well, guess what dropped through the letter box on the morning of the 90th working day:

Dear Jack Pott,
In order to re-apply for a driving licence you will need to complete the enclosed forms.
You may find it helpful to check with your doctor(s) that you are now able to satisfy the required medical standards for driving before submitting any re-application.

So, it's taken them four months to decide that it's not their decision, and bounce me back to the doctor who said "It's not my job to give medical opinions", and referred me to the DVLA in the first place.

Four months, and I'm right back where I started.

I've just spent 15 minutes arguing with the quack on the phone. He still insists it's not his responsibility to make a decision so he's faxing the job back to the DVLA this afternoon. He kept on asking if I'd had any more migraines since he last saw me, so I can see where that's leading. If I get my licence back I'll end up having to report every new migraine, and losing my licence for another 4 months each time.

I also rang Direct Line, they won't even give me a quote for insurance without a reference from the DVLA.

[pickle]

Sorry i didn't comment before but i can't even think about the DVLA without blowing a fuse after they put my passport in the regular mail to mail it back to me after assuring me it would be posted back securely (after it took me 4 months of a nightmare to get my passport renewed i was not happy) and this was just to change my address (as i'm a foreign national). Luckily it managed to make it through the mail this time. I can't say it surprises me that they did that to you. I would see if there is an ombudsman who covers the DVLA so that you can have a formal investigation into the unreasonableness of the timeframe and why such an onerous timeframe is considered acceptable to them. How can people be expected not to drive if they are reliant on a car for work or other activities? 90 days is outrageous (plus the rest still to come). That's the only thing i can think of at this stage, sounds like you have exhausted almost all the avenues. Good luck.

[Savvy_Sue]

I think your GP is also being unreasonable. He may not always be able to give an opinion on whether someone is fit to drive, but at the very least he should be referring you to someone who can. Can any of the migraine associations now help with guidance on who should decide your fitness to drive?

I know when my uncle surrendered his licence (not voluntarily! but old age and ill health were taking their toll) he was told he would have to travel to a special assessment centre and take a driving test before getting it back again. We were fairly sure by the time he reached the centre he'd be too tired and unwell to drive safely in any test ... But for someone who has occasional problems, you should romp it - unless you have to travel on a day when you have a migraine!

Are you keeping a record of how regular / frequent / long your migraines are? Do you get enough warning to stop driving before you can't see? Obviously if they're very frequent or come on too fast to do anything, you'd be a menace, but you're not giving that impression ...

[jack_pott]

I think your GP is also being unreasonable.

Are you keeping a record of how regular / frequent / long your migraines are?

Do you get enough warning to stop driving before you can't see?

It's the GP who's at the root of the problem, not the DVLA. This isn't the first time, I've had this attitude problem from the NHS for the last 35 years.

I've only had TWO migraines in my entire life (46yr). The doctor who diagnosed the first in 2003 said nothing about being unfit to drive. It was only in September last year that I had to fill in a form for a new photo licence, and wondered what I should say when it asks if you have ever had visual feild problems. I rang the GP, and that's when I got the "ask the DVLA, it's not my job to give medical opinions"

An ocular migraine is one that causes visual disturbances, but without the headache. It starts with a small shimmering patch that looks just like the pixellation that they use to hide someones face on a TV picture. Slowly over a period of 15 minutes the patch grows larger, and then over the next 15 minutes it shrinks and disappears. And that's it, gone, until the next time, no other symptoms. My two were about 10 months apart, which is about typical I gather. They were both at home, whilst sitting in the armchair too. In the extremeley unlikely event that I had one whilst driving, the onset is so slow and obvious that I could pull over and stop the car 10 times over before I lose enough visual feild to be a hazard. That's why I continued to drive for over a year after my first migraine. I'm not being irresponsible. If I thought that someone was going to suddenly switch the lights off one day as I'm driving down the motorway I wouldn't need the DVLA to tell me to stop driving.

It's interesting that everything I know about migraines, ocular and otherwise, is what I've read in the library and on the internet. I've had nothing whatsoever other than the name "ocular migraine" from the NHS. It was self evident when I saw my GP, that he had never heard of an ocular migraine. He virtually said so once before pulling himself up mid-sentence.

It's made me wonder what diagnosis I would have got if I'd originally seen my own GP, instead of an out of hours duty GP.

[Savvy_Sue]

It's the GP who's at the root of the problem, not the DVLA. This isn't the first time, I've had this attitude problem from the NHS for the last 35 years.
Time to change your GP? I do hope you can get to another if you can't drive ... but even if you can't, I think I'd be prepared to pay a few taxi fares to sort this out! It sounds outrageous!

Does this site (http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/CY/nm/index/family_parent/health/frequently_asked_questions_about_health.htm) help?

(http://http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/CY/nm/index/family_parent/health/frequently_asked_questions_about_health.htm)

[Savvy_Sue]

Have been trawling around the DVLA website. Tell me, have you done a search there for migraine? Says surprisingly little.

It seems to me that you have valid grounds for a serious complaint against both your GP and the DVLA. On this page of the DVLA site:
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/dmed1.htm#4
there is a link to 'At a Glance Guide to the Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive' - A Guide for Medical Practitioners'

So clearly DVLA expect your GP to give you some guidance. And equally clearly, DVLA does not have migraine as a 'surrender your licence or else' condition. Unlike having a hole drilled in your head ...

[jack_pott]

Time to change your GP?

What makes you think it's just one? The current GP's only been there a year or two, I've had this attitude problem from the NHS for 35 years.

[savvy]

Conclusion: Proper diet, reduction of stress, exercise, and nutritional supplementation offer the prospect of ameliorating migraines, if not substantially reducing or eliminating them.
Hi wirmy
Only just spotted this thread! My step family suffer badly from migraines, their triggers being choc/red wine/caffeine, whereas mine are completely different!
I usually get them due to stress/weird lighting/bright sunlight/exercise/bad posture. I don't feel sick, but people lose limbs and facial features, and words disappear on paper - that's my first sign, then the Predator sign appears!! Wavy lines a bit like in the Predator film!! THEN comes the wacking headache that knocks me out!!

I was told by my old chiropractor that when you have 3 of triggers occur, a migraine ensues, and an old lecturer of mine studied reflexology, she showed me how to massage the base of my big toes and thumbs (if you cant get to your toes!!) to relieve it as soon as you know one is about to happen - I have always used this and since have been able to prevent most of them and if not, bring the phases on faster and thus get rid of it quicker, making it more manageable. Does Feverfew work??

[wirm]

Wow! I never realised how big this thread has got! I had lost it for ages!

Good news I havne't had a migraine in ages. must be nearly a year! Heres hoping for more migraine free years to come! :)

[JayS]

Hi Wirm and fellow migraine sufferers

Here is something new in the field of migraines:

http://www.divernet.com/news/stories/pfo190105.shtml

As my husband is a regular migraine sufferer and compulsive diver, he is going to see our GP about being screened for this...we'll let you know what the outcome is.

As you can see from the article, this does not apply just to those who dive and have migraines though, the information just came out of some diving research.

Jay

PS we are a whole family of sufferers, my husband and I suffer, and our two sons have suffered since being very young children.:(

[Luis]

Migraine sufferer.

Signs of impending Migraine for me:

Blood red left eye
Very pale
Fatigue
Stiff neck

Symptoms of my migraine:

Headache (obviously)
Nausea
Vomiting
Collapse
Left sided weakness / tingling (been hospitalised for this twice!)
Visual disturbances inc blind spots, flashing lights
Neck becomes immobile

Trigger Factors for me

Hormones (biggest factor)
Dehydration
Stress
Lack of sleep
Eating too much junk
Caffeine

Things that help an attack

Pretty much nothing once it's started (sorry)

Things that have successfully led to fewer attacks

Changing the pill I was on (now on Prostap injection to stop hormones working for a completely different reason, but has helped the migraines no end)
Chiropractor - aka migraine magician - worth every penny
Cut out caffeine
Drink more water

Hope this helps

Luis.

[Krisp]

HI all

This is my first post!

I am now 2 and a half weeks into a 4 week detox diet. I am not taking in anything other than fruit, vegetables, pulses, water and herbal teas and have cut out caffeine, meat, fish, sweets, crisps, junk food and so on. I am pleased to say I've not even had a headache during this time, let alone a migraine. I'm planning on reintroducing tea/coffee and so on to see if I can if I can i.d. the trigger. I've been very stressed at work, but seem to be coping better than when I was drinking gallons of tea/coffee.

Best of luck to everyone else!