Migraine
03-14-2005, 12:31 PM
#11
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: VA
Posts: 2,532
[quote name='Baldy' date='Mar 14 2005, 10:31 AM']Read the ingredients on the OTC migraine bottles. Mostly aspirin and caffeine.
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I'm sure you weren't directing this at me, but I'll respond just in case.
I have surely read the ingredients of all the OTC migraine meds. And yes, generally they consist of acetaminophen (not aspirin) and caffeine. This is because caffeine acts as a vaso-constrictor in the brain and is thought to counteract the vaso-dilation that occurs at the migraine's onset.
Nevertheless, this fact in no way invalidates my previous assertion that managing caffeine intake is a key step in eliminating migraines. If anything, it emphasizes the fact that caffeine has a very powerful effect on blood vessel activity in the brain. Once you've got the migraine, popping a caffeine pill is the least of your worries, isn't it?
Read about it here: Migraines 1
And here: Migraines 2
Study up! Ignorant, ugly and headachy is no way to go through life, son!
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I'm sure you weren't directing this at me, but I'll respond just in case.
I have surely read the ingredients of all the OTC migraine meds. And yes, generally they consist of acetaminophen (not aspirin) and caffeine. This is because caffeine acts as a vaso-constrictor in the brain and is thought to counteract the vaso-dilation that occurs at the migraine's onset.
Nevertheless, this fact in no way invalidates my previous assertion that managing caffeine intake is a key step in eliminating migraines. If anything, it emphasizes the fact that caffeine has a very powerful effect on blood vessel activity in the brain. Once you've got the migraine, popping a caffeine pill is the least of your worries, isn't it?
Read about it here: Migraines 1
And here: Migraines 2
Study up! Ignorant, ugly and headachy is no way to go through life, son!
03-14-2005, 12:38 PM
#13
Super Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 5,425
I've done reports on headaches in general, several types, as school projects when I was a kid. I do research my own ailments as much as possible, from asthma, to migraines, to the effects of fallen arches on the rest of the body; and I always ask any doctor I visit as many questions as possible, to the point of annoyance. So I'd like to discount the "ignorant" portion. Now ugly and headachy, still working on those.
I was just pointing out as a general statement (not directed at anyone) that if you don't have excedrine migraine or advil migraine available, it may help to drink some caffeine at the onset of a headache. It helps me at times.
The downside is that I drink Mountain Dew a lot, neurologist told me to either never stop having a daily caffeine intake, or don't drink caffeine at any regular intervals that would cause withdrawal.
My *known* triggers are caffeine withdrawal and missed meals or prolonged hunger. Most of the time it seems just random.
I was just pointing out as a general statement (not directed at anyone) that if you don't have excedrine migraine or advil migraine available, it may help to drink some caffeine at the onset of a headache. It helps me at times.
The downside is that I drink Mountain Dew a lot, neurologist told me to either never stop having a daily caffeine intake, or don't drink caffeine at any regular intervals that would cause withdrawal.
My *known* triggers are caffeine withdrawal and missed meals or prolonged hunger. Most of the time it seems just random.
03-14-2005, 12:53 PM
#14
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: VA
Posts: 2,532
[quote name='Baldy' date='Mar 14 2005, 01:38 PM']The downside is that I drink Mountain Dew a lot, neurologist told me to either never stop having a daily caffeine intake, or don't drink caffeine at any regular intervals that would cause withdrawal.
My *known* triggers are caffeine withdrawal and missed meals or prolonged hunger. Most of the time it seems just random.
[/quote]
Sorry about the ignorant crack. I must be getting cranky. Just getting over the flu.
I agree with your neurologist's statement, but it relates only to caffeine withdrawal headache and does not address caffeine intake as a migraine "trigger." In my experience, it is not simply "caffeine" which may or may not trigger a migraine, but the CONSTANCY of your caffeine intake. Back when I would drink either NO caffeinated drinks or MANY caffeinated drinks in a day, I would get more migraines. For several years now, I limit myself to one nice strong cup of coffee per day and have largely eliminated all other intake of caffeine. If I don't get my cup of coffee, I'm still going to get a withdrawal headache, but my incidence of migraines has reduced dramatically.
Naturally, I offer this in the hope that it helps alleviate some suffering. People are different and what works for me may not work for you. But I would urge you to try to regulate your caffeine intake.
My *known* triggers are caffeine withdrawal and missed meals or prolonged hunger. Most of the time it seems just random.
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[/quote]
Sorry about the ignorant crack. I must be getting cranky. Just getting over the flu.
I agree with your neurologist's statement, but it relates only to caffeine withdrawal headache and does not address caffeine intake as a migraine "trigger." In my experience, it is not simply "caffeine" which may or may not trigger a migraine, but the CONSTANCY of your caffeine intake. Back when I would drink either NO caffeinated drinks or MANY caffeinated drinks in a day, I would get more migraines. For several years now, I limit myself to one nice strong cup of coffee per day and have largely eliminated all other intake of caffeine. If I don't get my cup of coffee, I'm still going to get a withdrawal headache, but my incidence of migraines has reduced dramatically.
Naturally, I offer this in the hope that it helps alleviate some suffering. People are different and what works for me may not work for you. But I would urge you to try to regulate your caffeine intake.
03-14-2005, 01:04 PM
#15
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 5,425
Yeah, I drink 2 (occasionally 3) cans of Mt. Dew a day (no coffee) at work. So I'll typically get a headache on Saturday, since we don't regularly have soda at home. I guess we're on the same page.
03-14-2005, 01:14 PM
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 9
I think I have a brain tumor, I smelt burning hair at random times last week. Or maybe I'm on the verge of having a heart attack, I drink like 10 cups of coffee a day. My rapid heart beat and edginess are gonna get the best of me
03-14-2005, 01:24 PM
#17
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: VA
Posts: 2,532
[quote name='red_blast' date='Mar 14 2005, 02:14 PM']I think I have a brain tumor, I smelt burning hair at random times last week. Or maybe I'm on the verge of having a heart attack, I drink like 10 cups of coffee a day. My rapid heart beat and edginess are gonna get the best of me
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I'm sure you're fine. Do you have long hair? Just quit playing with the lighter. And cut back on the coffee a bit. Have you tried herbal tea?
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I'm sure you're fine. Do you have long hair? Just quit playing with the lighter. And cut back on the coffee a bit. Have you tried herbal tea?
03-14-2005, 01:37 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Garland, TX
Posts: 224
Ugh. I'm getting one now. I've been getting them all my life, even when I was 5. Massive pain, sensitivity to sound moreso than light, nausea, and vomitting when I was younger.
Excedrine has never worked for me, I take it and feel nothing. What has worked for me, oddly, is the generic advil you can get. Usually simply says "Ibproufen" on the bottle, assuming I spelled that correctly. My usual triggers are stress and lack of sleep.
The best medicine, I've found, is sleep. Unlike the above post, I don't take nyquil or anything. Just lay down and rest your eyes. I find that a 1 or 2 hr nap is much more effective than a full 6-8hr sleep, as that much sleep in a day will give me a migraine for OVER-sleeping.
Excedrine has never worked for me, I take it and feel nothing. What has worked for me, oddly, is the generic advil you can get. Usually simply says "Ibproufen" on the bottle, assuming I spelled that correctly. My usual triggers are stress and lack of sleep.
The best medicine, I've found, is sleep. Unlike the above post, I don't take nyquil or anything. Just lay down and rest your eyes. I find that a 1 or 2 hr nap is much more effective than a full 6-8hr sleep, as that much sleep in a day will give me a migraine for OVER-sleeping.
03-14-2005, 01:50 PM
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 9
I agree, sleep is the best thing for a migraine. The only problem is finding time to take a nap. I find that putting up a dark curtain over the window so light can't get in, keep it quiet in the room and then crawl into bed.
I have tried the basic ibuprofen(advil) and acetaminophen (tylenol) and they didn't do a thing for me. I'm suprised they would even take the edge off a migraine.
I have tried the basic ibuprofen(advil) and acetaminophen (tylenol) and they didn't do a thing for me. I'm suprised they would even take the edge off a migraine.