[tynme]

Quickly:

I have been suffering from migraines since I was pregnant 3.5 years ago. They are getting worse, and more frequent. I can't tie it to any food or other constant. Medications are not working(I've tried 5 med's so far, Imitrex (oral and nasal), Maxalt, Tomax (I think?), Flova (don't remember the name, but it's close), and one other. They aren't working.I get them about once a week. The last one I had drove me to the hospital it was so bad. I had an MRI yesterday, waiting for results. The Dr. wants to put me on Propranolol. My BP usually stays around 100/70-120/80. I also have Hashimoto's, which has been regulated for the past six months with levothyoxine. I am nursing a 3.5 year old. Any input on this? Is this med safe to take? Any other ideas? I did go see a chiropractor, and actually two days after I had him was when I had the migraine from H**. I went back to him, and he wants to wait and see how things go before he adjusts me again. Any advice, or ideas? I'm desperate. Migraines take up a full day, then it takes a full day to recover. I can't keep wasting two days a week, and I can't deal with this pain anymore. TIA.

 

[tynme]

Anyone?

 

[Buzzer Beater]

I wish I could offer more than hugs and a little understanding! I've got migraines too, and know what it's like to be robbed of time like that. Imitrex and now maxalt don't work for me either... my last round of migraines (only lasting about ten months or so) just went away on it's own. I have never found out what triggers them, even when keeping a food diary. What type of doc are you seeing?

 

[tbednarick]

I started getting migraines again after I had my boy. He's 2.5 and still nursing. I'm having great luck with magnesium. I had been supplementing with a cal/mag/potassium combo, but after connecting some dots (removing caffeine helped alleviate the migraines, headaches occurred around ovulation and ttom and I read that caffeine and menstruation depleted magnesium) I decided to add an extra dose.

The info I read said to take the extra mag apart from calcium. It's been a week and I've been able to have caffeine every day with no headaches. Last time I tried to drink coffee for several days in a row, I had a migraine by the fourth day, even mixed half and half with decaf. Pure heaven.

I know this doesn't answer the question about Propranolol, but I hope it's helpful.

T.

 

[ASusan]

Another one who can't comment on the Propranol, but I will give you my experience. For years, I had migraines that responded fairly well to MaxAlt. And then I got lupus. And then I had side effects to my lupus medication. And I went to an acupuncturist. Six months of weekly treatment, and I no longer had lupus, migraines, AND I had better menstrual cycles and got pregnant.

Would you be willing to try acupuncture (with Chinese herbs, if possible)? If not as a completely alternative treatment, then perhaps in addition to what you are already trying?

 

[Marnica]

I second the magnesium and acupuncture/chinese medicine suggestions!

I know a ton of people with migraines. NONE of them have any consistent luck with any allopathic solution which is basically drugs.

I know many people who have responded favorable to alternative solutions

 

[funkymamajoy]

I've taken propranolol for migraines and it worked great. I wasn't nursing at the time (I didn't have kids yet) but maybe someone has Dr. Hale's book and can look it up for you. Yoga and chiropractic has also helped me since then.

 

[Yulia_R]

these two are known to cause migranes.

About a year ago we switched to raw milk and at first (while it was cleansing my body) my migranes got worse and more often. Now I barely have them.

 

[tynme]

I've never had a spinal block or epidural. I do take Magnesium to help with my restless leg syndrome. They also aren't related to my cycles at all. I went to a chiropractor, the next day had the worst migraine, then I had a small one the day after, and I haven't had any since. Tomorrow will be one week...so I'm kinda hopeful...Acupuncture will be the next step. Sigh. This sucks.

 

[croleRN]

My migraines were worse prior to my pregnancies - but my "cure" - (not completely - but it is rare that I get one.) Was mega doses of vit B2. (riboflavin) I was being treated by a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic Headache clinic. His explanation was that the riboflavin strengthens the mitochondria of the body's cells to better adapt to stresses placed on our body.
The other thing that helped - that was SOOOOO difficult. Was to go "cold turkey" off any pain medication. He gave me a plan of action -
Pain scale 0-10:
1-3 - Dark room; rest; hydrate
4-7 - Indocin (strong anti-inflam.)
8-10 - Self injection of DHE45 (old migraine med.)

If those didn't work - I was to go to ER.
I had to use the injections 2-3X; ER trip once; and the Indocin a couple dozen times until I was nearly free.

I had tried every thing you have mentioned including massage therapy, anti-convulsants, a different BP med, midrin; an anti-deppresant - you name it I tried it. The B2 seemed to be my key.

Good luck - I wouldn't wish that on anyone.