Part 4

Patience, sacrifice and diligence: these three distinguishing qualities are helpful in any endeavor in life. When trying to unravel the enigma surrounding migraines … patience, sacrifice and diligence are indispensable. Don’t rule out anything as a possible trigger. There are some excellent articles on triggers on this website.

The only thing I would add in regards to triggers is that sometimes there is a synergistic pattern of not just one, but multiple triggers that exacerbates the onset and duration of a migraine. For example maybe chemical changes could sometimes trigger a mild migraine or no migraine at all – while the addition physical stress or emotional triggers in conjunction with certain foods would guarantee the onset of a migraine.

This is where the daily use of a journal to identify possible triggers is invaluable. Not only do you want to include your diet and medications but anything that is going on and how you feel about the events occurring in your life – especially when you start your doctor’s prescribed medication to treat your migraines. As a woman you might discover that while on a certain type of birth control medication attributes to the onset of your migraine. However, when you add in the stress of children (yours or others’), divorce, family problems, work, etc. to birth control pills you have a “whopper-doozie” migraine cocktail.

Part 3

The first doctor’s visit was to our family doctor. I was surprised to learn that migraines can come for a variety of reasons: Current medications, Stress, Different foods to name a few. The list went on and on. When we left we not only had a referral visit to a neurologist but more questions than answers.

When we met the neurologist he confirmed the advice that we got from our family doctor. There are many triggers associated with migraines. The neurologist wanted to do some blood work and suggested that my wife keep a journal to help identify any triggers specific to her migraine attacks. My wife was told that is equally important to write in the journal diet, sleeping patterns and everyday events as well as writing daily and not just when she felt a migraine coming on. The daily entries were vital as they could show triggers or combination of triggers that led up to the migraine. Also, when a migraine starts you probably don’t care to do anything much less write in a journal.

So we left the neurologist’s office with an appointment for a follow up visit and headed to the store to buy a journal. I was a little skeptical and was confused how in this day and age of technological advancement there was not another way. How could we cook food in 30 seconds, put a man on the moon and internet on computers and not have a cure for migraines?

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Part 2

While my wife was recuperating from her migraine I searched the internet. Upon further investigation I discovered that the onset or cause of migraines is idiopathic, meaning that triggers can be spontaneous and unknown or obscure at best.

In addition to triggers there are four phases of a migraine: the prodrome phase; the aura phase; the pain phase and the postdrome phone. Even though there are four phases not every person that suffers from a migraine experiences each one.

In my wife’s case we later discovered she does not typically experience the prodrome phase, but during the aura phase she feels a dull pain behind her left eye. Also, migraines can last from a few hours to as long as 3 days during the pain phase and be accompanied with a migraine hangover also know as the postdrome phase.

My wife gingerly emerged from the bedroom around dinnertime, which was eight hours later. We discussed her migraine and I found out that she has a history of migraines since she was very little. We agreed to schedule a doctor’s visit to see if help was available.

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Part 1

My wife has a lifelong history of migraine headaches. Before meeting her I never knew anyone that suffered from migraines. But I still remember the first time I witnessed my wife with a full-blown migraine. We were just starting our day and I came into the bedroom to let her know that breakfast was ready.

At first I thought that she had stroke and was aphasic. Her speech was slurred and she had lost some muscle control on the left side of her face. Both my grandmother and mother had strokes. “What can I do to help?” “Are you having a stroke?” I asked franticly.

She slowly lifted her finger to her lips as she looked up. “Shhh … I’ve got a migraine.” I remembered hearing that people with migraines were very sensitive to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). I quietly closed the Venetian blind and snuck out of the bedroom.

Headache Causes: Any type of sexual activity can cause a migraine headache. In many cases, the cause is simply a side effect of birth control or some other over the counter or prescription medication.

Headache Risk Factors: Sex headaches tend to effect those who already suffer from some sort of chronic headaches. Having sex multiple times in succession or having sex when particularly stressed or tense can also increase the risk of a sex headache.

Headache Treatment: Occasional headaches during sex is typically not a cause for concern but if they continue or increase in intensity, then you seek the advice of a medical professional.

Many people report having 1 or 2 headaches a month. At this frequency the headaches are referred to as episodic tension headaches. People that experience more than 15 headaches a month are said to suffer from chronic tension headaches. Chronic tension headaches are harder to treat than traditional headaches, which generally respond well to over the counter headache medicines.

While caffeine withdrawal has been shown to be a factor in tension headaches, it can also be used to help cure them. Tension headaches are known to respond well to a combination of over the counter medicine, like aspirin or ibuprofen, and caffeine. There are several over the counter medicines available that include a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and caffeine. Generally, they use a little bit less caffeine than is found in a brewed cup of regular coffee. Aspirin can have some negative side effects, so make sure to consult your doctor.

* taking too much insulin
* using certain medications
* skipping a meal
* engaging in vigorous physical activity
* drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

Diabetic individuals have an increased risk factor for a variety of other health problems that can also lead to chronic headaches as well. High blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease are just a few of the health issues that diabetics face. This reiterates the importance for diabetes prevention especially for those who have a family history of diabetes or if you are a member of one of the more high risk ethnic groups such as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, or Asian Americans.

There are many diabetes resources available on the internet if you fear that you are at risk or if you have diabetes and need additional resources. As with any chronic, recurring headaches, seek a physicians advice before attempting any course of treatment. If you think that you are suffering from hypoglycemia or may have diabetes, then ask your doctor about a diabetes screening.

Headaches and other medical problems have led many obese people to explore the options of gastric bypass and lap band surgery. Gastric bypass is the method that most people are familiar with and that has been popularized in the media both for its results and for its adverse side effects. Although this may be an option for those that are morbidly obese, it is less than idea for those who are only considered over weight or slightly obese. Instead, many are considering Laparoscopic surgery or lap band surgery. It is less invasive and requires less time in surgery. Also, recovery time is much shorter and side effects, if any, are less severe than those experienced with a gastric bypass.

As more studies are conducted, it is becoming quite evident that obesity is a major risk factor for a variety of medical conditions including migraine headaches, heart disease, and even some types of cancer. If you are obese and suffer from chronic headaches, talk with your physician and explore the options that are available to you. If exercise and a change of diet are insufficient then your only option may be surgery.

Headaches are the most common side effect reported by users of Cialis. Typically, the headaches reported tend to run their course within the first 30 minutes to an hour of onset and are not as severe as an average migraine.  Headaches can also occur if you are drinking an excessive amount of alcohol while on Cialis. If you experience a headache then you should immediately reduce your consumption.

To avoid unwanted side effects, including headaches, follow the recommended dosage and be sure to make your physician aware of any other medications that you are taking. For most men, a starting dosage of 10mg is sufficient.

Triptans are medications used to reduce the symptoms or abort the onset of a migraine headache. Since their introduction in the 1990’s, triptans have been an effective treatment for millions of migraine sufferers. Unfortunately, many are still only available as name brands and are thus very expensive. Luckily, Medicare does provide limited coverage for those that qualify.

Under the current Medicare drug plan, the following Triptans are covered. Note that you may have to meet certain pre certification criteria and there will most likely be some quantity limits.

• Amerge® (naratriptan)
• Imitrex® (sumatriptan inj, nasal spray and tablets)
• Maxalt®, Maxalt MLT® (rizatriptan)
• Relpax® (eletriptan)
• Axert® (almotriptan)
• Frova® (Frova)
• Zomig®, Zomig ZMT® (zolmitriptan)

All of these drugs are available only with a prescription and require close medical supervision.