What is migraine?

Migraine is not just a bad headache that can stop you in your tracks. It’s a disabling chronic neurological disease with a range of symptoms and possible approaches to treatment.

Common migraine symptoms include :

• Moderate to severe head pain

• Head pain that causes a throbbing, pounding or pulsating sensation

• Head pain that gets worse with physical activity or movement

• Nausea and/or vomiting

• Sensitivity to light, noise and/or smells

• Nasal congestion and runny nose

Fckthat, migraine is not just headache, it’s the “Ultimate Headache” with intensified pain and throbbing and sometimes a heartbeat of your head and/or temple area of your head and some people get them mixed up with sinus or an allergy headache and it can literally put you on your back. Keep in mind, you can totally prepare for a headache by having hydration and foods heavy in potassium like rice or a baked potato. A shoulder massage can help the pain.

Know your triggers

Migraine triggers can cause migraine attacks, and can vary per person. Identify what may cause a migraine and try to avoid them. Menstruation, travel, work, flashing lights, stress, and social events are common triggers. See a medical professional if you think you could possibly be suffering from migraines.

Fckthat, it is pretty common for sufferers to get an aura, this is usually a guarantee that a migraine is coming soon. Try to catch the headache before it turns into a migraine as it comes in stages. Try to catch it before it takes off.

Chronic migraines

Chronic migraine impacts 3-5% of the American population. It is defined as experiencing 15 or more days with headache pain per month for more than three months.

Fckthat, chronic migraine is unbearable and will send you to the ER fast as you can say, “Take me to the hospital” or “HELP” and a prayer and that is about all you can say.

How is migraine diagnosed?

Migraine is genetic. There is no test to diagnose migraine, instead, your doctor will gather your symptoms, conduct a physical exam and review your personal and family medical history. Your doctor may also order a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a CT (computed tomography) scan to rule out any other conditions.

Fckthat, if you are scared stiff of small or tight spaces like MRI machines and CT scans, or a claustrophobic there are MRI’s that you can sit instead of laying down and forced in the machine for 5 hours. It feels like 5 hours but the test is about 20-30 minutes… that’s too long for a claustrophobic .

What is a migraine cocktail?

How to make it stop 🥃

This cocktail has nothing to do with liquor okay, a migraine cocktail is a combination of medication that people can take to treat severe migraine. The migraine cocktail may contain anti-inflammatories, drugs that alleviate nausea and vomiting, and medications that specifically target migraine. Doctors administer these medications in hospitals or the ER, although over-the-counter (OTC) migraine cocktails are also available. The cocktail usually works within a hour. It can be administered by injection or IV. If that does not work medications like valproic acid used for epilepsy may be used and works for severe migraine in 10-15 minutes.

Migraine Cocktail ingredients include :

• NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) : Helps reduce inflammation, Ketorolac (Toradol)

• Acetaminophen : This pain medication can be useful together with NSAIDs.

• Antiemetics : Alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with migraines, paired with antihistamine. Metoclopramide (Reglan) or Prochlorperazine (Compazine) 

• Antihistamines : Diphenhydramines (Benadryl) helps restlessness or akathisia (restlessness)

• IV Fluids : People experiencing severe vomiting as a result of migraine can become dehydrated. Dehydration itself can also be a trigger. Doctors may recommend IV fluids.

• Magnesium Sulfate : Some migraine cocktails may include magnesium supplement, may also help with pain and migraine aura in the ER.

• Dexamethasone : A type of steroid, and reduces inflammation in the body. May help prevent migraine from coming back after initial treatment.

What is life like for a person with migraine ?

As a person living with chronic migraine headaches, also known as a “functioning migraine sufferer” which means migraines occur so often that a person can function in pain and every aspect of your life can be impacted. Maybe your migraine attack last for days, or weeks hindering your ability to succeed at work or spend time with your family. Or else, the sensitivity to light, sound and noise, means skipping out on social gatherings altogether.

Call to Action

(Please use common sense)

Fckthat, instead of paying an ER bill,try any combination of these meds use only one of the type of med for symptoms not all below as one could overdose, try this recipe for a homemade ER strength migraine cocktail this is what I do to get rid of a migraine :

• Benadryl (1-2 tablets)

• Goody Powder or BC Powder (2 packets)

• Tylenol (2-4)

• Advil or Motrin (3)

• Green Apple Gatorade or Coconut water (electrolytes)

  And/Or

• Watermelon juice(electrolytes)

• Dramamine (2 tablets)

• Caffeine 8-16 oz.(strong coffee or energy drink)

• Cannabis