KRISTINA-Re: migraines(long)

[Guest guest]

a,

I used to have daily migraines. I was still trying to work. Would get

up, dress, drive through traffic and by the time I got there, the

headache was already starting.

I had to just quit work entirely and haven't been able to even get

close to a few minutes of light exercise, much less work since.

However, the migraines seemed to decrease when I made sure I didn't

overdo the physical activity, but particularly after I was given DHEA

and low dose Cortef. Then my low thryoid function treatment was began.

Hard to know if adrenal support or thyroid helped the most, but know

that migraines can be a result of low thyroid. Have you ever been

thoroughly checked for low thyroid? Do you tend to feel cold alot,

even when others seem comfortable? Also, is your body temp. below

normal? My basal temps after waking before moving around was around

96 degrees! The normal am basal temp. is 97.8-98.2. Even if you're

blood testing for TSH, free T3, free T4 are low normal, you may be

" subclincially low thyroid " . This is very commone is general

population and especially in CFIDS community since we tend to age

prematurely and our hypothalamus and other brain functions that

control hormones are wacked out.

Do you notice that you're migraines worsen shortly before a

thunderstorm? or during the time period after ovulation through the

first day or 2 of your monthly bleeding?

Also, can be triggered by allergies-anything in the air right now that

you're particularly allergic to? Any foods this week you don't

normally eat or eat very often?

Do you remember anything that seemed to coincide with your migraines

in the past that might be a part of the problem now?

Are you in the midst of an acute infection or relapse?

My migraines tended to be triggered by:

going beyond my activity level boundaries

allergies

hormonal cycle

low magnesium

low hormones, especially thyroid

weather-esp. thunderstorms(high barometric pressure changes)

too little sleep

higher than usual muscle tension/tightness

Also, have you been tested for the Th1/Th2 immune imbalances? Just

wondered, since if you have allergies or overreact to other

substances like chemicals, foods, household cleansers,

cosmetics/perfume, etc.-this usually indicated an overreactive Th2

immune system and usually an underactive Th1 immune response.

So, if your immune system is overreactive/underactive-the migraines

might respond to working to balance your immune system(which would

calm allergic responses, etc.).

I take a preventative 1 capsule of Feverfew herb, which if taken

daily tends to significantly reduce frequency/intensity of migraines.

Can also ask a compounding pharmacy(or just take more of health food

brand) for feverfew ext. concentrate that can be used at the very

beginning of the headache symptoms and supposedly can short circuit

the headache going into full blown migraine.

These are just some ideas to mull over. I'd wonder about what the

weather has been like in past week, what allergens are high right now

in your area and where you are in your menstual cycle for past week,

and if anything has been added to diet you don't normally eat

(chocolate, milk, wheat, tomatoes,fish, food additives, artificial

sweeteners(like nutrasweet)or if you're eating more of anything

questionabe than usual or if any chemicals have changed(used bleach

to clean, different soap, perfume, household cleansers, laundry

detergent, pets?

Anything changed in your environment, especially where you spend most

of the day and your bedroom? Any new clothes back from the cleaners

(chemicals), any new carpet, furniture, or cabinets, etc.(many outgas

formaldehyde), new paint at home or anywhere you spend alot of time.

Candles? The usual ones give me

almost immediate headache.

Also, research has found that individuals with frequent headaches

have been found to have low brain and tissue magnesium.Low levels of

magnesium set the stage for migraine attacks.

The tone of blood vessels is enhanced by feverfew(herb, best if

organic so no chemicals/pesticides, etc.), as it is by magnesium. So

can take higher doses(more concentrated feverfew for acute migraine)

and daily low dose to help prevent frequency and intensity of future

headaches.

Researchers gave 25-82 mgs. of freeze dried, pulverized leaves with

the active ingredient of parthenolide content was between .4 and .6

percent. For acute attacks, take 1-2 grams of feverfew. The herb has

no serious side effects and shown to be well tolerated.

Note: I haven't had a migraine in some time now, but this week I had

the " aura " begin and took 1 mg. of Klonopin and it didn't develop

into a full blown migraine. Had a vague headache after Klonopin, but

it seemed to stop the progression and " aura " went away.

Too little sleep can also trigger a migraine-have your sleep quality

or amount of sleep been different than usual?

More stress(emotional or physical) can also trigger migraines. Any

mor stress than usual?

Chiropractic, massage, and acupuncture have been shown to assist in

headache relief. Also biofeedback, transutaneous electrical nerve

stimulation(TENS) can also help.

Hope something in here that helps, I can empathize with how miserable

migraines, especially daily ones, can be. Hope you can find what is

causing them and find effective treatment.

Good luck and hope those nasty migraines go away entirely!

K.

> HI Group,

> I was just wondering if it is common to suffer from migraines when

you have

> cfids? I used to get them occassionally and now this week alone I

have had

> three with the prodrome and everything. Anyone have any info on

this? Thank

> you,

>

> a

>

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> " Do me a favor, doc, tell me something good. " - Blair -

> ~~ The Exorcist ~~

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