I have suffered cluster migranes for as long as I can remember...sometimes they come every other day...occasionally every day...then at other times I won't get one for months...I believe that they are a combination of many things...for me it does not appear to be as much food related as stress related. Of course if I'm not eating well and am depleted in nutrition, this will contribute, however that only happens when I'm really stressed. My chiropractor is very important to me when it comes to this...you see when I'm migraning the ususal culprit is the very first vertabra at the base of the skull, it is always out...of course I think that the tension in the neck pulls it out. So, if I also see a massage theripest on a regular bases it helps alot as well.(posted 9261 days ago)If I feel one coming on, I can usually cut the effects in half by getting to the chiropractor with in one hour, and or taking a strong pain reliever, musle relaxents help if you dont get to it in time, however in the USA they are not easy to come by. I am origanally from Canada where they are sold over the counter.
No doctor that I have seen has had any other suggestions, although it has been years since I trusted a doctor on the subject...they really don't know, after all, it is different from one patiant to the other. Not to mention that one migrane may be different from anouther as well.
I had one yesterday...I havnt been been eating properly for a month and was under alot of stress...working 55 - 60 hr weeks. I woke up with it. Nothing was working, then at the end of the day, I ate a good meal of easily digenstible foods, and had a couple of glasses of white apple bases wine. Boom it was gone...that does not always work though.
A cool cloth alternatly at the base of the skull and then over the eyes for 15 or 20 minutes aliviates alot of it as well.
I don't like taking drugs for migranes unless absolutly nessasary, however sometimes it is better.
I know of no other pain that is worse than a full blown migrane, and I don't know about any of you, but it is hard for people who have never had one to sympathies. I have heard such things as..."oh its not that bad I get headakes at times, and they just go away." and "It is only in your mind", "you must have a low pain tolerance" ext...
It made me feel inferier in some way, or that maybe I was making it up somehow...but then when I finally met anouther person, late in my 20's who also suffered from them, I was releived to discover that I was not a nut case! I've learned to explain the intensity of the headakes to people so they may have an understanding of them, and find tolerance for people like us. It really is an awefull burdon to bare, especially in our success oriented, never get sick, sociaty.
I have come to believe that once we are able to controle the stress in our lives and find a balance of peace within, that they will stop.
Untill then, do what ever it takes, find what is right for you, and remember that you may have to alter treatments depending on the severety of the headake.
Good luck to all of you...and thank you for all the information you have shared...I myself will try some of them...Shannon