How many of you get migraines? I feel like my nervous system is so sensitive that they get triggered over almost anything. I tried tracking barometric pressure changes through an app but I would get migraines from such minor fluctuations the app said I shouldn't have any issues.
The migraines often come with nausea, sinus pressure, slight congestion, and weird sensory stuff like feeling I'm being pulled to one side of my body.
Curious if anyone else is dealing with this and if you found any solutions.
Hi,
I have lived with chronic vestibular migraine (VM) for 15 years. I have recently found out that this is related to my having dysautonomia as well. I am very easily triggered, but have found some ways of remaining functional.
Number 1- thing to do is keep a migraine diary and try to figure out what your triggers are. They are different for everyone.. can be weather, hormonal flux, foods (MSG, tyramine, glutamine, citric acid, food additives), some medications, dehydration, stress, not sleeping or eating on a regular schedule, illness, new glasses, loud noise, perfumes/ scented products, chemicals used for cleaning or bug spray, flashing or bright lights, flourescent or LED lights, phone or computer screens (imperceptible screen motion/ dynamics or flicker), etc...basically anything that can change the routine that your very sensitive brain is used to. You cannot avoid all triggers all of the time, but minimizing them helps. Also be aware that it can be hard to id triggers because they accumulate over the course of approximately 3 days. You have a migraine threshhold, and the more triggers you are exposed to, the closer you get to the limit. Once you get past the limit, you have a migraine, which can last for days, weeks, or months, depending on how often/ long you are constantly exposed to triggers.
Number 2- find a neurologist who specializes in migraines. Only they will be familiar with VM and all of the weird neurological symptoms that can accompany it, as well as which treatments work best for VM. For example, abortive medicines that work for painful migraines, like triptans, do not often work well for VM. NSAIDs (Aleve or ibuprofen) work best for me. (BUT DO NOT TAKE NSAIDS MORE THAN 2 DAYS A WEEK OR YOU COULD GET REBOUND MIGRAINES...not to mention ulcers, liver or kidney problems from too much NSAIDs) You should also have an MRI to be sure you only have VM.
Number 3- If you get triggered easily, a preventative medicine may be what you need to be functional. It will raise your migraine threshhold and help prevent you from becoming as triggered. I take a beta blocker called Nadolol. It has worked well for me (most of the time) for 12 years, along with a combo of avoiding environmental and food triggers AND getting regular cardio exercise. According to a couple of drs I have had, 10- 15 minutes of cardio 5 days a week is just as effective for raising the migraine threshhold as a medication. I ride an excercise bike (recumbent) whenever I can. My cousin who has VM also just exercises and he is able to work, etc. most of the time. Unfortunately, none of the drugs he has tried work for him.
Here is a list of some of the different medications that are used off- label as migraine preventatives and an example of a drug in that class that I have either tried or know of it being used as a migraine preventative. Note: not all of the drugs in each class serve as a preventative because each has their own specific biochemical action in the body and it is believed that the causes of migraine are different in different people: (USA medicine names)
beta blockers (nadolol), calcium channel blockers (verapamil), tricyclic anti-depressants (amytriptyline, nortryptline), gabapentin, SSRIs (zoloft), anti-seizure drugs (topomax, depakote)
Also, my neurologists have had me try magnesium glycinate and riboflavin...neither worked for me. I do not have a magnesium deficiency, so that's probably why. I would see a dr before trying large doses of any of these supplements on your own. If you decide to take magnesium, be careful. In large doses it is a muscle relaxer and it can negatively affect the heart rate and ejection fraction= heart attack. I do clinical research and have an MS in nutritional biochemistry. I do not believe vitamin supplements should always be considered safe when taken over the RDA. They are just as effective as drugs and can interact with drugs and health conditions. Please be careful.
Things my neurologist tells me to always observe to avoid migraines: get enough sleep AND go to bed and wake at same time every day; avoid getting dehydrated, drink plenty of water; and always eat breakfast, have carb and protein for breakfast. Also make sure you are eating at regular intervals, so that your blood sugar is not fluctuating too much. The brain prefers to run on glucose, so low blood sugar can be a trigger. Also, some hacks for getting rid of headaches w/o drugs that work for some: hot shower w/ water running on your head and neck for 5- 10 minutes, ice pack on forehead AND hot pack on base of skull/ neck..or you can switch position and put heat on forehead and cold on neck.
Good luck and I hope you find a solution that works for you!
