Questions That Every Migraine-Sufferer Should Know the Answer To

Migraines are severe, debilitating headaches that can cause some peoples live to virtually stop once an attack begins. However, there are some basic things that every migraine-sufferer should know that will help them to lessen the amount of triggers that cause their migraines and manage their symptoms once an attack begins.

Could over-the-counter drugs be strong enough to ease my pain?
Usually, the first migraine and headache drugs recommended by doctors are pain relievers. Many of these medications are available over-the-counter, without a doctor’s prescription. Other headache drugs require a prescription. When taking these headache drugs, avoid excessive caffeine-containing products and other over-the-counter headache medications. These over-the-counter medications for relief of migraine symptoms include: acetaminophen, aspirin, combination of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, ketaprofen, nabumetone, naproxen, diclofenac, ketorolac, meclofenate, carisoprodol, orphenadrine citrate, methocarbamol, cyclobenzaprine, cyclobenzaprine HCL, and metaxalone Keep in mind that if symptomatic relief medications are used more than twice a week, you should see your doctor who can prescribe preventive headache medications. Overuse of symptomatic medications can actually cause more frequent headaches or worsen headache symptoms.

Am I a good candidate for prescription medications that prevent migraines?
You may be a prime candidate for preventative prescription drug medications if you have two or more migraine headaches per month, pain relievers are not working, or your migraine symptoms included prolonged visual auras and or body numbness and weakness. Preventative medications can reduce the frequency and severity of your migraine symptoms and increase the effectiveness of your pain-relievers as well. However, these medications often may cause serious side effects. Therefore, your doctor may want you to only take these before a known trigger occurs, for example. The list of preventative prescription drugs are:

• Cardiovascular drugs.
• Antidepressants.
• Anti-seizure drugs.
• Cyproheptadine.
• Botulinum toxin type A (Botox).

For the best results possible, take you prescriptions as you doctor recommends.
What are the potential side effects of the drugs you have prescribed? What can I do to minimize them?
The side effects of preventative prescription migraine drugs vary depending on the specific drug given and the patient. However, the following are a list of the most commonly experienced side effects:

• Cardiovascular drugs – Side effects can include dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness.
• Antidepressants – Side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, agitation, headaches, or loss of sexual drive or sexual satisfaction.
• Anti-seizure drugs – In high doses these drugs may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, hair loss, and dizziness.
• Cyproheptadine – mild drowsiness or dizziness, insomnia, numbness or tingly feeling, blurred vision, appetite changes, dry mouth or nose, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation.
• Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) – anxiety, arm, leg, or back pain, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, dry eyes, facial pain, flu-like symptoms, headache, indigestion, nausea, sensitivity to light, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness and stiff or weak muscles near the injection site.
Are there some lifestyle changes that might help prevent my headaches, such as exercise or meditation?
There are some changes that you can make in your everyday life that can make a difference in the number and severity of migraines that you experience. However, every person is different and must find what works best for them. Nonetheless, these are some lifestyle changes that have been seen to be effective:
• Daily Schedule – Keeping an expected daily life schedule can make a difference because excitement or stress (good or bad) can cause your migraines to flare up. Try to keep to a regular sleeping, eating, and exercising pattern for starters.
• Proper Nutrition – Nourishing your body with proper foods and hydrating yourself can make a significant difference in your migraines. Dehydration, for example, can often be a trigger for migraines.
• Dietary Restrictions – If you’ve been keeping a daily journal, you are very likely to notice specific foods that can be a migraine trigger. The more of those foods you eat, the more likely you are to experience a migraine. Therefore, limit your intake of these trigger foods as much as possible.
• Exercise Program – Exercise is great for anybody. It has been seen to be effective for migraine patients as well. However, be careful not to do too much too soon or allow yourself to get dehydrated because it may cause an adverse effect on your migraines.
• Stress Reduction – Stress is one of the largest contributing factors to migraine headaches. Incorporate relaxation techniques such as, biofeedback, meditation, prayer, and yoga, into your daily life and you should see a difference.

Tags: botox, headache, migraine, Migraine Medication, migriaine headaches, prevention medication, sid effects