Hormonal headaches/migranes
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free skin care · Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:42 pm

Hi Jazzybelle & MelissaMarie,

Thank you for your input. I really like trying stuff that's natural.

One of the things I'm trying right now is an aromatherapy jar by AromaSedona. The Rosemary jar is specifically for migranes and is guaranteed or your money back. So far, it has prevented many headaches from coming on. But there were a couple that came on so fast, it didn't take them away completely and I ended up taking Advil.

My mom bought me a Pine jar for sinus issues over a year ago because I used to get sinus headaches all the time. I used it for about a month and then forgot about it. I got a sinus headache the 1st week in Jan. and realized it had been over a year since my last one. That got me thinking about a jar for migranes since the pine worked so well.

But as I said earlier, I'm trying a couple of other things as well and am still giving them time to know for sure if they are helping.

BTW- Only the Rosemary for Migranes and Marjoram for preventing Snoring (which my mom said totally works for my dad) come with a money back guarantee.

free skin care · Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:56 am

jazzybelle wrote:

...Excedrin Migraine has helped cut back on the pain tremendously.

Pssst, wanna know a secret? The active ingredients in the regular Excedrin version are completely identical to those in the Excedrin Migraine version, although the latter frequently costs a lot more. The reason: the FDA gave the manufacturer of Excedrin permission to market it specifically to treat migraines, so they dressed it up in a fancy new label, making buyers think there’s something special or different about it while they charge a couple bucks more a bottle! If you don’t believe me, check the labels sometime and compare the ingredients and dosages.

For the record, the reason that Excedrin is sometimes successful at relieving certain migraines is mostly attributable to the fact that it contains caffeine in addition to aceteomitiphen (sp!), which is the active ingredient in Tylenol.

Someone mentioned earlier that codiene-based pain meds worked best for her. It was the same for me, I took Fioricet with Codiene for many years to treat my pain and it worked pretty well for me. Unfortunately, they had to take me off of it when a routine check of my blood/lab tests showed that I had a SERIOUSLY elevated liver count, which turned out to be directly attributable to the “Tylenol” (I’m not even going to try to spell it again!) in the Fioricet. I mean, this lab result alarmed my doctor so much that he made me come in after hours so he could change my meds and put me on something else and I’ve been forbidden to ever take any type of OTC or prescription drug containing “Tylenol” because it will likely cause me irreversible liver damage.

Scary, huh?

That’s why I always sneer at the TV whenever that ad for Tylenol comes on where they say that Tylenol is the safest pain reliever you can buy OTC because it doesn’t upset your stomach like Advil can. Yeah, that’s true. Instead, the Tylenol can just destroy your liver!! Shock

free skin care · Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:37 am

Another thing to remember about Tylenol, or acetaminophen, is it's especially bad for the liver when taken while alcohol's in the system. So if you're hungover...

free skin care · Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:47 am

*raises hand*, I am the one that uses codiene, but I use fiorinal w/ codiene, which has asprin instead of the tylenol stuff, I found that the fiorinal works so much better than the fioricet ( I had to use the fioricet while on some other meds for about a yr) and the pain reduction was hugely different. I was actually shocked, so maybe some who are using a tylenol type pain reliever might want to try an asprin type and see if it helps more. Also if taking an asprin type please eat well, it can upset ur stomach and create its own problems. Caretake very sorry to hear about your liver (yikes) and yes mine is checked and so far all is well. But I will also say I take these only during a migraine and not daily.

free skin care · Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:43 pm

[quote="carekate"]

jazzybelle wrote:

...Excedrin Migraine has helped cut back on the pain tremendously.

Pssst, wanna know a secret? The active ingredients in the regular Excedrin version are completely identical to those in the Excedrin Migraine version, although the latter frequently costs a lot more. The reason: the FDA gave the manufacturer of Excedrin permission to market it specifically to treat migraines, so they dressed it up in a fancy new label, making buyers think there’s something special or different about it while they charge a couple bucks more a bottle! If you don’t believe me, check the labels sometime and compare the ingredients and dosages.

For the record, the reason that Excedrin is sometimes successful at relieving certain migraines is mostly attributable to the fact that it contains caffeine in addition to aceteomitiphen (sp!), which is the active ingredient in Tylenol.[quote="carekate"]

Whoah! I'm definitely going to check the labels next time! Thanks for the heads up, carekate! I've always paid more for it thinking there was something more *special* about it than the reg Excedrin. :P lol

free skin care · Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:52 pm

Guess no one read my post since I pointed out that excedrin and excedrin for migraine have the same ingredients.

I do get the impression that some of my headaches are rebound headaches from my constant popping of excedrin. I don't know how to break the cyle though...

free skin care · Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:31 pm

Awe Mtview, don't take it personally. I think some people tend to skim when there is lot's of info and sometimes miss stuff. Wink

As far as the rebound headaches go, I would imagine it would be like coffee headaches where you would have to just slowly start cutting back on the amount of caffiene. Could you try switching to a pain killer that doesn't have caffiene every now and then to wean yourself?

free skin care · Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:51 pm

Hi cloe,

I just needed to whine Laughing

I guess I can try tylenol or aleve. I couldn't take my excedrin all last week before my outpatient procedure. I can only take tylenol if needed.

Boy, it was so hard...

free skin care · Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:36 pm

Hi Mt,
I think we all need to whine every so often, feel free.

free skin care · Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:45 pm

MelissaMarie,

Thanks Cool

free skin care · Thu Feb 09, 2006 10:22 pm

Someone please explain/describe what a rebound headache/reaction is. I've been sick off and on all week, and Excedrin just couldn't do the trick today.

This is definitely hormone-related because I've been getting hot flashes and chills as well.

I'm afraid to make any plans!!!

free skin care · Thu Feb 09, 2006 10:52 pm

m.april,

Here's a description from the web.

Rebound effect is the tendency of a medication to effect a return of the symptom being treated when the medication is discontinued or when it is no longer effective. Medications with known rebound effect should be withdrawn gradually or in conjuction with another medication which does not exhibit rebound effect. In extreme cases, the symptom will be more pronounced after the medication is withdrawn than before it was used.

An example is the use of highly potent corticosteroids, such as Clobetasol for psoriasis. Abrupt withdrawal can cause a much more severe case of the psoriasis to develop. Therefore, withdrawal should be gradual, diluting the medication with lotion perhaps, until very little actual medication is being applied.

Another example of pharmaceutical rebound is a rebound headache.

free skin care · Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:18 am

I just can't believe the conversation here about this. Amazing! There is a very good product line in Canada that I've been using for several years now. And they have a roll on headache/migraine relief gel that some people are happy with. Read the testimonials under the PMS and Menopause gel item. The company put acne testimonials under the wrong item. I haven't used this item in particular but the Gardeners Dream Cream on my hands or anywhere is just to fall in love with. A bit under the nostrils at night and the scent of lavender and other true essential oils (there is nothing fake here ladies) and I fall asleep instantly. Check it out!
http://www.aromacrystal.com/prod_gels.asp

free skin care · Sun Feb 12, 2006 12:29 pm

Suzie,
I tried a roll on peppermint thingie, it did absolutely nothing, except help a bit if I didnt move (I find peppermint oil under the nose works alot better). Also on the rebound headaches, some woman, although not as common as men, actually get cluster headaches, which are not rebound but just part of the process, so I think I'd talk to my doctor and see if yours are actually rebound or if they are cluster. (cluster meaning they come in numbers, one right after the other). When migraines are terribly bad it isnt uncommon to be effected for a few days by them. Everyone is a wee bit different with these horrible things, so def if one is suffering from them, a trip to the doctor is in order. Alot of people can get sinus headaches and mistake them for migraine, as they are quiet painful, but if you suffer from sinus headaches, a sinus type med will clear them up faster than say something for migraine. Good luck.
Melissa

Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:20 pm

Hi there, I was looking for info on EstroSense and this came up! It is very helpful, but it would be good to have your hormone levels checked by blood test - Dr.- to make sure your estrogen is too high, because that is its job, to level that off, relieving heavy bleeding, headaches and other annoying/debilitating symptoms. The 'sinus migraine' headaches that has to do with my monthly cycle (and I still have the headaches, even tho I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago!!-kept my ovaries) can be helped with a hot compress over your forehead, and one around the back of your neck, 'magic bag', is a long 'bean bag' that you can put in the microwave to heat up and use, - a husband that runs for that when you wake up with a doosey - awesome!! or run a hot tub and submerse your head, only keeping your nose out, and let the heat disperse the headache. The only other thing that helps,- and I've tried Advil, the migraine one doesn't do it! -is a good cup of Tim Horton's coffee, for those of you who don't have that around, get a coffee that has an extra dose of caffeine (Starbucks isn't strong enuf- dark roast beans have less caffeine) Midol has caffeine as an active ingredient, but you're getting into other chemicals then again. The dehydrating affect that coffee has, takes the pain away!!!(Its the only thing that works for the post-epidural headache as well) good luck, bon chance, K.

free skin care · Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:05 pm

My bf suffers from migraines though it's not hormonal. I'm getting him MSM to try for various reasons but one being it helps with headaches and migraines.

free skin care · Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:41 pm

mom2tommax wrote:

Magnesium and B2 and B3. My herbalist recommended them. There are several studies about hwo and why they work. Do a YAHOO search to learn more.

My Naturopathic Doctor recommends Magnesium and B6 Complex for headaches, menstrual pains, etc.
That's what I've been taking in the place of Midol and Advil now.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:27 am

I started suffering terrible migraines when I turned 40. They almost always co-incided with my period. For 2 or 3 days I would just lie in bed and everytime I tried to get up I would vomit. As my periods were REALLY heavy as well, it was a nightmare. One day, I got talking to a chinese doctor who told me that nearly all migraines were caused by damage to the neck.What happens is that because your body holds more fluid when you start your period, the extra fluid presses on the nerves that are damaged and causes the migraine. He asked me if I had ever had a whiplash injury, but at the time I couldn't think of any. It was much later when my friend reminded me of the time we had gone to a theme park, and went on a ride that literally zoomed us down so fast it threw my neck back, and I got a really bad headache and pains shooting through my head. This went after a few hours and I forgot about it, but when my friend reminded me I realised that my migraines started not long after, so now I'm convinced they were caused from this, I must have had a whiplash without realising. So if any of you fellow sufferers have had a similar injury, that's probably what's causing them.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 4:13 pm

Do any of y'all take a migraine preventative medicine? I got a concussion is 2004 and have had problems with migraines ever since. My neuro says if you take a triptan more than three times a month you're supposed to take a preventative. I haven't had any luck with the triptans but my preventative is Topomax which makes its so I have about one a month instead of a constant migraine. I'm not thrilled about taking Topomax but I couldn't deal with the constant pain.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 4:19 pm

Hi all,

Just a warning for people who takes excedrin on a regular basis. I am scheduled to have endoscopy next month due to my nausea. The specialist is concerned that I may have ulcer from my excedrin habit Sad

Just want to rant on the price of migraine medication. My dr gave me relpax samples and also a prescription. I found out it is $40 copay for 9 pills Shock

I am just going to keep begging for samples.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 4:53 pm

You should really talk to your doctor about a preventative med. I know Paxil is one and so is Topomax and there are lots of others. They really help. You won't have to take as many of the triptans so those samples will stretch out. You might get a cheaper copay with a med that more people take like Paxil or something. Just a thought.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:04 pm

world~of~mirth wrote:

You should really talk to your doctor about a preventative med. I know Paxil is one and so is Topomax and there are lots of others. They really help. You won't have to take as many of the triptans so those samples will stretch out. You might get a cheaper copay with a med that more people take like Paxil or something. Just a thought.

I didn't know Paxil helps with headaches Shock

My husband used to take them for anxiety and my coworker had severe withdrawal symptoms when she stopped paxil.

Thanks for the info. I am taking relpax when I have exhausted all otc options. They are my last resort...

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:14 pm

Paxil withdrawal is only severe is you go off suddenly, at least that is how it worked for me. You have to be weened off slowly.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:15 pm

Paxil requires serious commitment. When you first start, you are literally sick for a week. Getting off it is no fun either. This isn't for migraines..mor elike for those with serious depression. I took them for a year. Never again. Not worth it unless you have clinical depression & no choice but to get help.

Now for migraines, mine too started at 40...zomig. They're magic. One pill & it's over.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:25 pm

I didn't personally experience any sickness from the paxil. It was prescribed by my neuro to prevent migraines and it worked. Everybody is different though but there are a lot of different preventative meds to help a person with frequent migraines and it would better than popping lots of OTC pain relievers and getting ulcers and rebound headaches. You also get the benefit of doctor supervised care rather then trying to figure out what works on your own. Just my two cents.

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