Migraines

[Colby]

Although my client was told she could not be put on birth control at one point - because of her migraines and migraine meds - the OB has changed her mind and put my client on the pill (the patch).

In my case the pill made my migraines worse. I started off not having any ever - changed birth control a few times (I hated the patch!) and went back on my original pill - had migraines 2-3 days every week (starting on Tues or Weds. I did Sunday start) after that.
Once I was off the pill I would get one right before my period and now I get one then and right before ovulation.

I agree with Moogie303 - the tests can't say unless they connect the fluctuations with the migraines. If they tested her hormones on the days of the migraines and then on the days she didn't have a migraine - that might show something. A headache diary is a good idea.

 

[Abdiel]

Hormone Level Test

Thanks, as always, for your very helpful replies!

Is it true that there is no test for hormone levels???

I have found out via another therapist - who has taken it - that there is a hormone level test available. It is called a hormone pallete, or something like that. Tests for estrogen and progesterone. Saliva samples are taken at home 10 or 11 times throughout one month. The test is ordered and administered by a Homeopathic Physician. The results are then determined and read by the Homeopath. Whether this test is acknowledged by an OBGyn is another story (...as the story goes with many non-traditional alternatives).

 

[Pompal 09.]

let me add that there are other factors which can be adding to her migraines. a migraine is induced by various controllable and uncontrollable triggers. uncontrollable triggers would be weather patterns and menstual cycles and controllable triggers are things like bright lights, chemical smells, alcohol, aspartame, and foods that are known vasodilators such as fish, some chocolate, aged cheese, and foods which contain nitrates and/or the radical vasodilator MSG. the frequency and severity of migraines for one person depends on how many triggers an individual must experience before a migraine is induced. the combination of triggers is different for each person.

migraines are not caused by stress, depression or other pyschological disorders. migraines are a neurological disorder.

i suffer from migraines and they are worse than anything i've ever experienced in my entire life. first i lose my vision. then i vomit. then i get the headache pain which completely knocks me out for at least a day. it's difficult to talk, to move or even breathe. i have pinpointed some of my triggers with the most important being bright light and certain chemical smells. sorry, i could go on and on about migraines. migraines are one of the most misdiagnosed, mistreated and least understood diseases.

massagehound, make sure your client is seeing a migraine specialist. they'll be able to help her the most. here is a really great link that has some faq's that have some great answers. she may find something really helpful to her here. i think #3 is the best question and answer on the site. http://www.migraines.org/commfaqs/commfaqs.htm

 

[Pompal 09.]

What a find! I love this place!

A friend of mine has just informed me she gets migraines on a regular basis right before her period. I told her I thought massage might be able to help her, and would check into it. Then I stumble into this thread, and have more information than I ever imagined!

Sorry that it's around such a miserable topic, and that so many of you suffer from it, but maybe it will help someone else get some relief. Thanks, folks.

 

[Arwen]

Sleep patterns and migraines

I read the following migraine treatment in the book "Massage During Pregnancy" by Bette Waters. The author is an experienced midwife and said she's found this technique to be highly effective with her clients. It's a home care technique. Since the migraine-sufferer is usually unable to function well during the headaches, they'll need to enlist the help of a friend or family member. I print off these instructions for my clients with migraines, and tell them to put it up on their fridge. Then, when they have a migraine, they can direct their helper to the instructions. Here's the technique:

The client should sit in a comfortable chair. Her friend or family member should then prepare a foot bath with very hot water. (Not hot enough to burn -- but hot enough that she'll need to ease each foot slowly into the water.) At the same time, friend/family member should place an ice pack at the base of client's neck . Client should relax in this position for at least 15 minutes. The combination of hot and cold therapy is supposed to be very effective at relieving the migraine.

Another note for client education regarding migraines: Irregular sleep patterns have been known to bring on migraines. It's important that migraine sufferers neither undersleep nor oversleep, as both can bring on an attack. It's most effective to go to bed and wake up at the same time 7 days/week, getting 8 hours each night.