As some may know from me whining, I get a LOT of headaches.
I have one right now in fact.

I will get them from changes in barometric pressure, if it's extremely bright outside, sinus headaches, tension headaches, from laughing too much, migraines of all kinds, and some sort of scary headache that is such an intense pain behind one of my eyes, that the eye droops and waters. Sometimes it will cause my speech to slur

I have had headaches all of my life and migraines even when I was a little girl (didn't know what they were back then). I get them if I am hydrated or dehydrated, if I've had caffeine or not had caffeine. I understand that for many people, drinking more water can help alleviate headaches but it just doesn't work for me so please don't suggest it (ibtdrinkmorewater). I have not noticed where any particular food I eat will trigger a migraine for me, but I'm guaranteed at LEAST one monthly during shark week.

I am on migraine meds and have also taken advil, tylenol, aleve, motrin, and excedrin. They can help sometimes, but Imitrex works the best so far.

TLDR: Has anyone had any experience taking magnesium supplements to help relieve headaches? I haven't tried it yet and was looking for some feedback. It is supposed to help the walls of blood vessels, which hopefully would help any type of vascular headache I get.

[Edited on February 24, 2011 at 10:29 PM. Reason : .]

2/24/2011 10:28:59 PM

Haven't taken magnesium for headaches, but if you try it make sure you get a chelated version for better absorption.

2/24/2011 10:32:19 PM

psychosomatic

2/24/2011 11:20:01 PM

Are you talking about migraines or headaches? Or both? They're two completely different things.

2/24/2011 11:36:38 PM

Quote :

"I have had headaches all of my life and migraines "

2/24/2011 11:39:11 PM

I've dealt with headaches and migraines since I was a child too, I've tried EVERYTHING from Rx to homeopathic to OTC crap (to the point of building up huge tolerances that I'm sure are unhealthy). I don't know about magnesium, have to look into that...but I can say that MAXALT (rizatriptan) is the only thing that works consistently when I have a true migraine. Doesn't work so drastically on my bad headaches but when I have one of those debilitating migraines it almost always knocks it way back to the point that i'm just dealing with a regular headache.

If Imitrex or magnesium ever begin to consistenly fail you, give maxalt a shot (or ask your dr. to prescribe it, anyway)



[Edited on February 25, 2011 at 12:52 AM. Reason : asdf]

2/25/2011 12:51:45 AM

Serious Question: Have you tried LSD?

2/25/2011 2:53:20 AM

i assume you have had a full neurological workup?

if not, start there...i recommend rhonda gabr at raleigh neurology. They have a headache clinic at their offices........folks come in all the time for magnesium sulfate infusions to help with severe migraines.

also that headache that is an intense pain behind your eye causing ptosis(eye droop) is very concerning. That's the main reason i ask if you have had a neurology workup.

we see an increase in blown aneurysms after weather systems roll through

2/25/2011 4:47:27 AM

I take everyday for sleep/relaxation/general well being. The muscle relaxant effect makes it seem plausible for headache relief.... maybe? Why not just try it? Its cheap, safe, and most people don't get enough anyway.

2/25/2011 7:00:37 AM

I've also really lucked out in that, while I've had them since I was a little kid, cheap-ass Midrin was the first drug I was prescribed and if I take it within an hour of the onset of the migraine it always works.

2/25/2011 7:29:53 AM

Quote :

"Haven't taken magnesium for headaches, but if you try it make sure you get a chelated version for better absorption."

Thank you I will look in to that

Quote :

"psychosomatic"

Shut it

Quote :

"Are you talking about migraines or headaches? Or both? They're two completely different things."

Yeah I Was talking about all types of headaches including migraines, but what I've researched so far on magnesium and how it interacts with blood vessels and even seratonin, seems to focus mostly on migraines. That one other headache I mentioned about drooping eyelids and slurred speech also really scares the hell out of me.

Quote :

"If Imitrex or magnesium ever begin to consistenly fail you, give maxalt a shot (or ask your dr. to prescribe it, anyway)"

I will look into this also, thank you!! All these headaches wear me out and I'm pretty desperate to try anything (within reason) that might help.

Quote :

"Serious Question: Have you tried LSD?"

hah, no but PM sent pending

Quote :

"i assume you have had a full neurological workup? if not, start there...i recommend rhonda gabr at raleigh neurology. They have a headache clinic at their offices........folks come in all the time for magnesium sulfate infusions to help with severe migraines. also that headache that is an intense pain behind your eye causing ptosis(eye droop) is very concerning. That's the main reason i ask if you have had a neurology workup. we see an increase in blown aneurysms after weather systems roll through"

Thank you so much for the neurology recommendation - I am working on setting up an appointment for that but appreciate a specific person and I also want a blood panel done just to see if I'm maybe deficient in something. I'm not trying to go completely nutty/over reactive with it but something needs to change and everything I've tried so far isn't working.
Ha yeah I get headaches that will last for days and sometimes weeks that seem to be weather related, always right at the base of my skull in those pockets, usually the right one. Most of the time as soon as it rains it goes away. Today is a headachey/weathershitty day with all the rainyness and strong winds.

Quote :

"I take everyday for sleep/relaxation/general well being. The muscle relaxant effect makes it seem plausible for headache relief.... maybe? Why not just try it? Its cheap, safe, and most people don't get enough anyway."

I need to look into exactly what kind to take.

--------------------------------------
General question to those who may know:

I will be asking the doctor what they recommend, but there are all kinds of forms that magnesium supplements come in. Like lewoods mentioned above about a chelated version. . there are the "-ides" oxides, chlorides, and hydroxides and the "-ates" glucanate, oratate, and glycinate.
Hah, yeah I will also get headaches in the back of my head (right in that pocket RIGHT at the base of the skull, usually on the right side) that will persist for days and even weeks.

Thank everyone for the suggestions so far!

2/25/2011 8:18:10 AM

i feel for you with the migraines. yours sound awful (but then again, any migraine is awful!) i started getting migraines in the past 2-2.5 years and my doctor determined it was hormone related so i switched up the bc and stopped eating foods with high estrogen at certain times in my cycle. soy is high in estrogen for example

i also take maxalt when i need to, my migraines hit me fast and hard, i lose vision then i vomit a couple of times, take a 30min nap and i'm usually good as new. its weird but they almost always follow that pattern.

good luck with your treatment and i have also heard good things about magnesium, i'm sure the neurologist can give you tons of info on it

2/25/2011 9:10:44 AM

Quote :

"Serious Question: Have you tried LSD?"

One time I got a severe headache and stuff like this was wiggling all over my vision, and my vision blacked out completely a few times.



Thought someone slipped me something, then found out it was an ocular migraine. It was kinda scary when I didn't know what was going on.


[Edited on February 25, 2011 at 9:22 AM. Reason : -]

2/25/2011 9:20:16 AM

Quote :

"Serious Question: Have you tried LSD?"

I too read internet case studies linking psilocybin and LSD with cluster headache relief.

2/25/2011 9:21:22 AM

Quote :

"I need to look into exactly what kind to take."

I take Magnesium Citrate. Something like 400mg at night. Some people report some digestive issues with the citrate version... I don't know. It is a muscle relaxant and it'll relax your bowels if you take too much.

I think this sums up the chelated issue nicely:

Quote :

"Magnesium can be purchased as a dietary supplement in one of two basic forms: chelated or non-chelated. "Chelated" means connected with another molecule. In the case of magnesium, the most common chelates fall into the category of amino acid chelates. In these supplements, magnesium is attached to a building block of protein (called an amino acid). The most widely-available amino acid chelates are magnesium glycinate, magnesium aspartate, and magnesium taurate. Magnesium can also be attached to an organic acid (like citrate) or to a fatty acid (like stearate). The non-chelated forms of magnesium include magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, and magnesium carbonate. There is some research evidence that the chelated forms of magnesium (like magnesium citrate) are better absorbed than the non-chelated forms (like magnesium oxide)."

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=75

2/25/2011 10:19:51 AM

I have migraines too. I have had the exact same headache that you describe, pain behind the eyes, dropping eye, waters. Exactly the same. I know the feeling, and I recommend Treximet for the pain.

My migraines seem to be related to barometric pressure as well. My doctor prescribed me a beta-blocker as a preventive medicine, which lowers your blood pressure slightly, and could possibly prevent migraines from triggering. However, Sinus infections seem to be the cause for me. I have a deviated septum, which is very common, which allows bacteria to have a field day in my sinuses from time to time. For whatever reason, whenever the pressure changes, my sinuses are sensitive to it and the passageways narrow, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria, and the eventual sinus infection triggers re-occurring migraines. While initially I didn't notice anything, because the infection had not set in yet, once the bacteria were trapped inside my sinus, the subsequent barometric pressure changes created a bacterial incubation environment, and the sinus pressure became unbearable.

90% of sinus infections are mistaken by medical professionals for migraines. The symptoms are almost identical.

I was prescribed Treximet, which is simply Imitrex (85mg sumatriptan) and Naproxin Sodium (500mg). This combo knocks the pain out flat. This treated the symptom, but did not address the cause, which appears to be sinus-related. Also, keep in mind, the medications that you take to stop the pain, can actually be causing the next headache if overused. Medication Overdose Headaches (MOH) are not understood by the pill-popping majority. It is important to remember to take triptans, and any painkilling medication very sparingly, as rebound headaches will occur from taking the same medication in a row for days. The body adapts to the painkiller and reacts to it with a withdrawal headache (sounds bizarre, but it's true). Based on your description, I believe you could have sinus issues and MOH issues. It's possible that you may need to get a CAT scan and MRI to prove it, but try the treatments first, and if they fail, then get the tests.

Generally speaking, use the 2-on-5-off rule to avoid rebound headaches. During your off days, take a different medication, like acetaminophen, aspirin, caffeine. Avoid using any of these for more than 2 days in a row to prevent rebound headaches. I recommend seeing an ENT to rule out sinus issues with a CAT Scan. Then see a Neurologist to rule out other issues. In my case, I don't get migraines often, as they are triggered by sinus infections. Approximately once a year, but when I do, it can lasts for weeks.

Currently I'm on augmentin, to treat the sinus infection, and my headaches have slowed down to a near stop, lending to the hypothesis that my migraines are sinus triggered, as the weather is still crazy as fuck right now, but I'm no longer getting migraines now. I'm also not taking the beta blockers, which rules them out as prevention.

Regardless, what works for me, may not work for you:

Try a beta blocker to prevent migraines
Try Magnesium as a preventative as well, but don't overdo it
Examine your sleeping patterns, as sleep apnea could be a cause.
Try massaging your lower neck during the headache, and examine whether or not moving around makes the pain worse. If so, it's probably an actual migraine, if not, it could be a rebound headache or tension headache
Try some cardiovascular exercise everyday
Try a nasal rinse/saline solution every morning to prevent sinus infections, if needed
Create a headache journal, log everything (food, sleep, weather, medication taken recently)
See an ENT for a CAT scan of your sinuses and nasal steroid + antibiotic for sinus infection if needed
see a Neurologist for an MRI, if medication for your sinuses don't make any difference
Adhere to the 2-on-5-off rebound headache rule, and alternate medications, as this could be a cause of persistent headaches

I hope everything works out.

[Edited on February 25, 2011 at 12:28 PM. Reason : -]

2/25/2011 12:09:34 PM

if your headaches are often skullbase i location google chiari malformation and see if the symptoms match yours


also, occipital neuralgia : i have this and its not fun

2/25/2011 12:19:02 PM

TroopofEchos


I would go see a specialist, preferably a general neurologist or a headache specialty trained neurologist to help you. You are doing a lot of the right things, and it honestly sounds like you are having "Cluster Headaches" which are a migraine variant that affect parts of your brain related to the trigeminal nerve, which is why you have the eye drooping/watering/etc. If you have been having these for years, there is probably nothing to worry about. They may get an MRI to rule out anything like structural or blood vessel malformations that could potentially be treated or alter treatment strategy.

IIRC these are treated very similarly to migraine for abortive therapy although I think there may be different drugs used in prophylaxis. Best advice I can tell you before you go see a specialist though is to cut all caffeine and nicotine, make sure you're not having rebound headaches from pain relief medicines you take chronically, and if you are on other medicines like oral contraceptives, etc, be sure to ask that those aren't causing this or try to switch to a different formulation.



[Edited on February 25, 2011 at 2:28 PM. Reason : ]

2/25/2011 2:27:02 PM

i used to see dr. freedman at raleigh neurology all the time before i started going to unc. i think he specializes more in multiple sclerosis & myasthenia gravis, but i know he's a good doc & a likable guy.

2/25/2011 5:07:51 PM

+5 for the neurologist workup. I just learned in patho that headaches with the accompanying symptoms you have been describing are beginning signs of many different neurological disorders- some genetic, some environmentally related, some viral triggered. I would get every scan within reason done, especially with the ptosis and slurred speech. I'm wondering if something is malfunctioning with one or several of your cranial nerves?

This may be out on a limb, but have you also gotten a full workup for your other systems (in particular endocrine, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal)? These might reveal other facts or symptoms that could help a specialist connect the docts.

And about the trigeminal nerve- a classmate of mine's husband had debilitating headaches for years, and turned out his diagnosis was trigeminal neuralgia. I believe they ended up blocking or partly severing the nerve so he could function.

2/26/2011 4:02:26 PM

Thanks everyone for all the input so far!! Sorry it's taken me a little bit to get back to this thread.

I should mention that I get migraines in addition to a brazillian other kinds of headaches. It's just the migraines and the scary, eye-droopy, possible cluster/braintumor/neurologic dysfunction ones that scare me the most.

I also worry that my other meds interact in a way that could be causing at least some of these headaches. I'm embarrassed to list them, but in the hopes that someone might know something I am currently on BC, xanax 1mg, wellbutrin 150mg, and imitrex 100mg.

Stimwalt - I get sinus infections several times a year, chronic sinusitis. Since I have so many different kinds of headaches I try to match meds with what kind it is (i.e. I only take the migraine meds when I KNOW it's a migraine). Usually I also try to tough it out since I get so many in the first place and if I'm at work I don't have the array of meds with me. I will definitely keep the MOH in mind. I know that's happened to me with oxycodone, hydrocodone, and most acetaminophen meds. I generally try to stay away from acetaminophen if I can just because I don't want to do damage to my body from taking too much. I don't want to do damage by taking too much of anything, but it's hard when it just, well . .fucking hurts! Especially when they last for days and days. I don't sleep well at all, which is a shame because I love sleeping. I have terrible nightmares that I wake screaming from or I will have panic attacks either just as I'm falling asleep or as soon as I open my eyes in the morning. Moving around when I have a migraine is not an option. I have to get to a dark, cool, QUIET place when I can and lay down. It hits me really hard with nausea and I get visual auras. Hearing any sort of sharp, metallic noise makes me feel like I will hurl on the spot.

brainysmurf Yeah the skullbase ones are the ones that will last for days and sounds more so like the occipital neuralgia vs. chiari malformation but I will ask about both of those just to be thorough. This doc is going to get a list

wolfAApack I am looking for a specialist and also want to get a general examination done to make sure I'm not deficient in something. I quit smoking, sometimes I will relapse and maybe have one, but I work too much for social activities that would encourage it so that helps I am trying to get the caffeine under control. I do not drink coffee every day and I no longer have a soft drink every day (I cut back from a can a day). Baby steps!

se7entythree You're the second person who's recommended that Dr., I am trying to get an appointment set up. Thank you!

AntiMnifesto My co-worker actually had surgery done for trigeminal neuralgia a few years ago. She now has a plate in her head and some gauze to take the pressure off of the nerve and is constantly paranoid something is going to touch her head and move the gauze. I plan to get whatever work-up, blood panel, scan, and test done that I can. I'm 28 years old and I'm tired of the constant pain, interference with my work, and things I've missed out on because my head hurts so bad I can't function. It pisses me off, I hate sounding whiny and like I am throwing a pity party because boo hoo I have a headache but I just hope people can understand how much it actually hurts. :-/


I'll keep people updated and if anybody thinks of anything else, I'm open.
Again, thank you all so much for all the advice, suggestions, and just lending a general ear.

[Edited on February 27, 2011 at 2:23 PM. Reason : .]

2/27/2011 2:20:28 PM

I have migraines specifically from food triggers. I no longer eat onions, pineapple, wine, aged cheeses such as blue or feta, pepperoni, nuts, etc.

http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/triggers-specific-foods

2/27/2011 4:42:12 PM

well, if you need a neurosurgeon recomendation

allan friedman is the best, i would trust him to cut my head open.

2/28/2011 2:47:22 PM

Couple things..

You don't have Trigeminal Neuralgia. I did research for 2 years on TN and it is classically sharp, stabbing, electrical, and intermittent pain lasting a few seconds to a few minutes at a time affecting the face and mouth...not really the typical headache distributino unless its in the V1 part of the nerve providing sensation to your forehead and eyes. IDK about the chiari malformation. Sometimes you can have a decompression done for it but do NOT get neurosurgery for your headaches unless they are coming from TN (not), Arterio-venus malformations (not likely), intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri in medical terms..a real possibility if you're over weight at all and on birth control). If they're worried about that they need a lumbar puncture with an opening pressure, which is basically diagnostic if taking off fluid relieves the headache. If thats the cause, you can have a shunt placed to cure it, but often losing weight and stopping BC cures it, and there are medicines specifically for it that you can try before surgery.

Also, if you have ever had a CT scan or MRI previously you would know if you had a chiari IIRC.


As far as the general exam goes, there are some basic labs that a specialist will do but you should go see an internist as well if you're worried that your other medical problems are causing this.




[Edited on March 2, 2011 at 12:38 AM. Reason : ]

3/2/2011 12:33:41 AM

I never thought I had TN, I just mentioned that my co-worker had it. Thanks for the info though, it is appreciated!
I have not had a CT or MRI done, I have been filling out paperwork for a GP because due to my insurance I have to be referred to go see any sort of specialist.

I had one of the scary headaches yesterday - this one started out with sinus pain and pressure on the left side of my face hurting down into my teeth (which is typical for me with a sinus headache). It morphed into concentrating behind my left eye, which started to puff up, droop, and water with intense pain behind it and over my eyebrow. Then I couldn't fucking see out of my left eye and my speech started to slur. I had to get someone to take me home from work, I couldn't see to drive. I also was getting sick throughout due to severe nausea. I took note of anything I had to eat or drink that day, weather, any stressors, meds taken (which was nothing aside from what I take daily), sleeping habits whatever I could think of to try and keep track and to take with me when I get my appointment made. I slept for 5 hours once I got home and it went away for the most part but felt like it was going to come back. Sure enough, it came back last night.

I still feel really "off" today, there's pain behind my eye and the left side of my head. I still can't see very well and there's nausea. General malaise.

Irritated that they are happening faster than I can get paperwork/insurance/work straight so I can go see a damn Dr. Sorry, irritable in general today. fffuuuuuuuuuuu

3/3/2011 9:31:25 AM

Just an update for those who may care

I have an appointment for a neurologist on 5/6 at Raleigh Neurology after going to the ER for massive pain - against my will. A co-worker dragged me there because she said my pupils were dilated. I'm glad she did though and she's a great friend for doing so. The referral from the ER was actually the mitigating factor in being able to GET an appointment over there. I had been trying for weeks.

I am scheduled to see Dr. Gabr
She interestingly used to work at GSK, developing the compound that would become Imitrex so I am looking forward to talking with her.

I have been taking magnesium supplements about an hour before I go to bed, 400mg.
I HAVE noticed a slight decrease in some of the headaches I get and it also had the unexpected (at least to me) benefit of making me sleepy. I have trouble getting to sleep as it is. It does give me some bizarre dreams and makes me talk in my sleep. Maybe I have always talked in my sleep but now it is waking me up! Sometimes they are nightmares and I will wake up screaming, but mostly I wake myself up laughing and the other night I had a dream I was being chased by a bear but woke myself up making bear growling noises lol wtf.
Maybe I was dreamin' of bear stuffs

4/29/2011 8:06:09 AM

Quote :

"I've also really lucked out in that, while I've had them since I was a little kid, cheap-ass Midrin was the first drug I was prescribed and if I take it within an hour of the onset of the migraine it always works."

FML. Midrin doesn't exist anymore. Doc put me on Cambia. It's nearly $30 a dose (as compared to Midrin, which was $4 for a bottle of 30) and it tastes like bleach (it's a powder). On a positive note, I had to take it today for the first time and it worked almost instantaneously (like within 10 minutes).

5/3/2011 7:30:42 PM

Neurology appointment went well
I have an MRI and an MRA today at 3:10

Basic summary of my first appointment:
All of the headaches I get except for the scary neurological one are actually migraines or migraine variants. I had to answer her questions for a good thirty minutes so she could get all the details of frequency, where it hurt, how long, etc. There is not a damn thing I can do about the ones related to the weather and barometric pressure aside from move. Also, with the severity of my migraines, the vessels constrict so much that it produces all of the symptoms of a stroke just without the blood clot. That scares the shit out of me

She was not happy that I was on BC pill saying that the number one cause of migraines, aside from lack of sleep, is estrogen. Not sure what I'm going to do about that. She gave me a list of preventative supplements to take - magnesium (which I already am), riboflavin, German butter bur, and ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10).
She looked at my pupils and said they were gigantic.

She is going to wait until the results of the MRI and MRA to decide if she is going to put me on a daily migraine preventative. Got a prescription for Ativan and an anti-nausea pill that won't make me drowsy so that I can take it at work.

Supposed to decrease stress (haha) and increase sleep. Basically avoid eating chemicals - MSG, preservatives, and aged products. . like good cheese, wine, and soy sauce.

I am nervous about the MRI/MRA, never had one done and I don't like tight places.

I just hope we can get it figured out. I have a follow-up appointment the 18th.

5/10/2011 12:49:27 PM

So my MRA and MRI came back clear.
I went off of BC for about 2.5 months and kept a headache calendar.
I had a follow-up appointment yesterday and I told her that on or off BC didn't make a damn bit of difference for my headaches.
Tomorrow night I will start a daily preventative, Topomax. I will also stay on the magnesium and vitamin B supplements but I am giving up the Coenzyme Q-10. I didn't see where it helped and I gave it a shot for three months. That shit is expensive and I don't have enough money to take stuff that doesn't work

God I hope this helps! I am hopeful.

I went in and she says: "Do you have a headache right now?"
"no, why?"
"You look AWFUL."
"thank you"
I got a short term scrip for some ambien because I had not slept in the past 72 hrs. I got SOME sleep and am looking forward to going to bed here in a little bit.

[Edited on July 21, 2011 at 9:36 PM. Reason : stuff.]

7/21/2011 9:31:33 PM

omg topomax

that one gave me terrible headaches and got to where it made my face and hands numb/pins and needles for a week straight before I stopped it


I'm glad they haven't found anything yet and I hope you've been feeling better lately. I've been having some killer headaches from the heat recently.

7/22/2011 7:42:32 AM

Oh God
Well good to know that's something to look out for?
I was told the biggest thing is that certain drinks would "taste funny" . . . i.e. drinks with artificial sweeteners.
She is tapering me up to 75mg

7/22/2011 8:35:35 AM

^^don't tell her that kind of shit

7/22/2011 9:02:05 AM

lolz I'm like cadwackle with bad news sometimes
it's ok. I shall just pay extra attn

7/22/2011 9:09:50 AM