Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New profile posts
Latest activity
Internet Search
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
General Discussions
The Watercooler
Who knows about headaches?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="susiestar" data-source="post: 551064" data-attributes="member: 1233"><p>Sending gentle hugs to Duckie and to you, TM. It is really hard to watch your child suffer through a migraine when you can do little about it. </p><p></p><p>Migraine mgmt can be VERY difficult. Over the last decade I have been rather upset when docs either want to start topomax (topiramate) or even depakote or lyrica before they even discuss a headache diary, possible triggers, food triggers and other ways to prevent migraines. I find it strange to start with medications that have a lot of serious side effects and are incredibly expensive for most families when there are older, better known, vastly less expensive medications available. These less expensive, older medications often work as well or better if used properly and have side effects that we know TONS more about and we know are generally far less severe. All medications involve risk, but do they have to jump to the higher-highest risk medications before they try the better known, lower risk medications? </p><p></p><p>A lot of the best ways to handle Duckie's migraines depends on what is triggering them. I think you have taken very good steps to outline some of the triggers for this latest one. One thing to be aware of that seems counter-intuitive are "let down migraines". These happen after a stressful event occurs. If there is a lot of pressure you often do quite well during the event (a move, a party, first week or two of school, going back to school after a busy weekend, etc.... AFTER the event you feel the relief of not having that pressure/stress (even if it is a good thing like your birthday or a party or whatever) and your body just goes sort of haywire. Then you end up with a migraine and it is an awful one. I used Occupational Therapist (OT) have a migraine every Mon or Tues all through sixth and seventh grade. There were no medications available back then, at least not that we knew of. It was awful. </p><p></p><p>One way to help prevent a let down migraine is to make sure that there is SOMETHING that Duckie MUST do after a stressor. No spending the day in bed or lounging and watching tv. She needs to go and do something, or clean the garage or whatever, or help you with a project. This won't get rid of all the let down headaches, but it can reduce the number of them that plague you.</p><p></p><p>I could go on, but think some practical tips might be more helpful right now. I know you put an ice pack on her neck and that was good. So was the darkened bedroom. If her room does not have blackout curtains, get some. Walmart had some called "Eclipse" curtains for $10-$15 per panel. These are lined to block out all light. You could also get fabric that blocks all light and use it to line curtains if the ones at WM dont' suit. </p><p></p><p>When she has a migraine, some smells or all smells may make things much worse. If she doesn't like it normally, she will loathe it during a migraine. I find smells are more likely to make me vomit than anything else during a migraine. Odors CAN be a migraine trigger. They are for me in a HUGE way. </p><p></p><p>Sounds may also bother her. I know a lot of people wth migraines who cannot tolerate anything that beeps or makes a high pitched sound. During a migraine many people are vastly more sensitive to sound. To me it often feels like a sharp nail is being driven into my head - that is how sound feels to me. esp high pitched sounds. </p><p></p><p>Audiobooks may help her get through a migraine. They give you something to focus on. Meditation can also help and there are guided meditations to help you learn how to do this. </p><p></p><p>Rice bags are amazing during migraines, in my opinion. You can keep them in the freezer in a ziploc or you can heat them in the microwave. I only use them hot, but they are fab, esp over my eyes. The heat is soothing and the bag keeps the light out. While they are often sold at craft fairs, you can make them easily at home. In a pinch, grab a tube sock and fill it with rice. Tie or sew it shut and heat it up or freeze it. The sock won't last as long because the rice will work out through the knit fabric and any worn areas. I find ones made wth woven fabric last longer than ones made from knit fabric. At least in oru house. </p><p></p><p>You can make your own cold packs using two ziploc type bags, NOT the kind with the slider thingy though. Put approx 1 c water and 1 c rubbing alcohol together in a sandwich bag. Put that inside a quart size freezer bag and freeze. It won't harden and is a quick and easy cold pack. </p><p></p><p>One thing that can be super helpful is to put the ice bag on your head and a hot rice bag under your neck. or you can reverse those, depends on how you react to heat and cold. It is often far more helpful than either the hot or cold pack would be alone. </p><p></p><p>When we have to travel more than about 45 min from home, I take a rice bag wiht me. I can heat it at almost any gas station and it can be a huge help. If you are somewhere that you cannot do this or don't have a rice bag wth you, get a 20 oz soda or a 2 liter soda. Toss the soda or drink it fast or put it in something else. Clean the bottle as best you can if you want to, then use the tap or the hot water on the coffee maker and fill the bottle with hot water (or cold water if you want/need cold - use the water function from the ice maker or soda fountain if possible. Seal the bottle and it will work as a hot or cold pack utnil you get home or to where you can do somethng else.</p><p></p><p>i hope some of this helps. I am so sorry Duckie has these headaches.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="susiestar, post: 551064, member: 1233"] Sending gentle hugs to Duckie and to you, TM. It is really hard to watch your child suffer through a migraine when you can do little about it. Migraine mgmt can be VERY difficult. Over the last decade I have been rather upset when docs either want to start topomax (topiramate) or even depakote or lyrica before they even discuss a headache diary, possible triggers, food triggers and other ways to prevent migraines. I find it strange to start with medications that have a lot of serious side effects and are incredibly expensive for most families when there are older, better known, vastly less expensive medications available. These less expensive, older medications often work as well or better if used properly and have side effects that we know TONS more about and we know are generally far less severe. All medications involve risk, but do they have to jump to the higher-highest risk medications before they try the better known, lower risk medications? A lot of the best ways to handle Duckie's migraines depends on what is triggering them. I think you have taken very good steps to outline some of the triggers for this latest one. One thing to be aware of that seems counter-intuitive are "let down migraines". These happen after a stressful event occurs. If there is a lot of pressure you often do quite well during the event (a move, a party, first week or two of school, going back to school after a busy weekend, etc.... AFTER the event you feel the relief of not having that pressure/stress (even if it is a good thing like your birthday or a party or whatever) and your body just goes sort of haywire. Then you end up with a migraine and it is an awful one. I used Occupational Therapist (OT) have a migraine every Mon or Tues all through sixth and seventh grade. There were no medications available back then, at least not that we knew of. It was awful. One way to help prevent a let down migraine is to make sure that there is SOMETHING that Duckie MUST do after a stressor. No spending the day in bed or lounging and watching tv. She needs to go and do something, or clean the garage or whatever, or help you with a project. This won't get rid of all the let down headaches, but it can reduce the number of them that plague you. I could go on, but think some practical tips might be more helpful right now. I know you put an ice pack on her neck and that was good. So was the darkened bedroom. If her room does not have blackout curtains, get some. Walmart had some called "Eclipse" curtains for $10-$15 per panel. These are lined to block out all light. You could also get fabric that blocks all light and use it to line curtains if the ones at WM dont' suit. When she has a migraine, some smells or all smells may make things much worse. If she doesn't like it normally, she will loathe it during a migraine. I find smells are more likely to make me vomit than anything else during a migraine. Odors CAN be a migraine trigger. They are for me in a HUGE way. Sounds may also bother her. I know a lot of people wth migraines who cannot tolerate anything that beeps or makes a high pitched sound. During a migraine many people are vastly more sensitive to sound. To me it often feels like a sharp nail is being driven into my head - that is how sound feels to me. esp high pitched sounds. Audiobooks may help her get through a migraine. They give you something to focus on. Meditation can also help and there are guided meditations to help you learn how to do this. Rice bags are amazing during migraines, in my opinion. You can keep them in the freezer in a ziploc or you can heat them in the microwave. I only use them hot, but they are fab, esp over my eyes. The heat is soothing and the bag keeps the light out. While they are often sold at craft fairs, you can make them easily at home. In a pinch, grab a tube sock and fill it with rice. Tie or sew it shut and heat it up or freeze it. The sock won't last as long because the rice will work out through the knit fabric and any worn areas. I find ones made wth woven fabric last longer than ones made from knit fabric. At least in oru house. You can make your own cold packs using two ziploc type bags, NOT the kind with the slider thingy though. Put approx 1 c water and 1 c rubbing alcohol together in a sandwich bag. Put that inside a quart size freezer bag and freeze. It won't harden and is a quick and easy cold pack. One thing that can be super helpful is to put the ice bag on your head and a hot rice bag under your neck. or you can reverse those, depends on how you react to heat and cold. It is often far more helpful than either the hot or cold pack would be alone. When we have to travel more than about 45 min from home, I take a rice bag wiht me. I can heat it at almost any gas station and it can be a huge help. If you are somewhere that you cannot do this or don't have a rice bag wth you, get a 20 oz soda or a 2 liter soda. Toss the soda or drink it fast or put it in something else. Clean the bottle as best you can if you want to, then use the tap or the hot water on the coffee maker and fill the bottle with hot water (or cold water if you want/need cold - use the water function from the ice maker or soda fountain if possible. Seal the bottle and it will work as a hot or cold pack utnil you get home or to where you can do somethng else. i hope some of this helps. I am so sorry Duckie has these headaches. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
General Discussions
The Watercooler
Who knows about headaches?
Top