Acupuncture!

Holly · 03-05-2008, 02:58 AM

I'm sure no one noticed but I was missing from the forum yesterday - I developed a horrendous migraine at work

Just when I was at the "don't know what to do with yourself soon to be vomiting stage" one of the physios offered to do acupuncture on me! I couldn't have cared less what anyone did to me at that point, I couldn't even open my left eye and was retching - so she stuck me on a trolley and stuck some needles into me.

It was amazing! Within half an hour the pain and nausea had eased, it did make me feel very dizzy (normal side effect apparently). I couldn't get up for a while (actually a couple of hours though it didn't feel like that) but it did ease ewnough for me to drive home - before the acupuncture I was stuck at work as there was no way I could drive. It did come back in the evening and I had to go to bed with an ice pack and a bucket beside the bed - wishing I knew how to do it myself.

I'm really impressed - has anyone else had acupuncture?

I'm still very fuzzy and have a niggly pain in my left eye so I'm not likley to be around much today

suga · 03-05-2008, 06:41 AM

Holly - I haven't had accupunture but have heard it supposed to be very effective. I have suffered with chronic migranes though and would get maybe 2 a week, with approximately 3 weekends per month - being spent in my bed.

Do you know what causes the migranes?

Hope you are feeling better. Thinking of you.sugax

Mollz · 03-05-2008, 09:41 AM

Aww, sorry you were so poorly

I did notice that you hadn't made any posts, but thought you were just busy.

My Aunt had acupuncture for her back and said that it was the best thing she had ever had. I too suffer with really bad migranes, so it's good to know that something works for them (I find that tablets hardly touch them).

Holly · 03-05-2008, 11:20 AM

I find one big problem with tablets (I do have prescription only codeine from my GP) and that is that, unless I catch it really early, I tend to throw the tablets back up before they take effect.

I've no idea what triggers them, I can't find any foods etc that I seem to react to. I think stress is the cause - it's been a strssful week for me. I do find that if I haven't eaten - say I don't eat til late when I've got up early or miss lunch - then that will sometimes trigger an attack. I'm lucky that they seem to be a little less regular at the moment - I haven't had a full migraine since before Christmas and last year I was getting one or two a month usually.

I've been fuzzy headed and tired all day which is a pain

Catja · 03-05-2008, 12:15 PM

I noticed you were missing but didn't want to PM you in case I was prying

Technically migraines are caused by a restriction in blood flow through the blood vessel I think but as for what triggers that, who knows.

When I was a teenager I had a series of bad ones like you described and apparently this is quite common but they then go away but come back in later life, so hormones are a big factor.

I find stress a major contributor and constantly gritting teeth but coffee and chocolate have never triggered it.

Acupuncture works well for specific things and specific pain but not for others according to the latest research.

Hope you are feeling better soon, you have all my sympathy as I know what its like.

souffle · 03-05-2008, 01:16 PM

Big D has migranes and finds the Imigran (sumatropin or something) work very well as long as you take one at first sign. Nuts start him off! The pills do make him sleepy for about an hour but then they are very effective.
He also had acupuncture for back pain and it was great until the GP stopped doing it due to lack of funding

**Spuds Mum** · 03-05-2008, 01:26 PM

Oh poor you Holly. Like Big D I suffer migraines and take Imigran, which I can honestly say has changed my life. Its not a miracle cure, but I can usually get relief very quickly with it rather than just wishing someone would put me out of my misery (and Im only slightly exagerating here). Like you, stress and not eating regularly seems to be one of the causes, along with hormones playing a huge part too.

I get sleepy too after taking Imigran, but not so bad that I can't continue at work (after a fashion, as long as I nod and say yes to my staff they dont complain). But the best bit is that they work in about 15 minutes for me. (ETA - the tablets - not the staff lol)

Souffle, does Big D get them on prescription? I am thinking of going to the Drs to see about asking him to do them as I buy them from the pharmacy and at £8 for two tablets I'm getting more stress migraines from the stress of spending that amount of money!

Sleep it off Julie, and take care of yourself x

Holly · 03-05-2008, 02:00 PM

Thanks guys, I've thought about Sumatryptin - I think I might get some OTC and see how I go with them. I know you can also get an injectable version on prescription which may be better for me as I frequently vomit my tablets back

I'm feeling better tonight but still a bit sleepy so early night for me (I've slept for about 16 hours out of the last 24

).

souffle · 03-05-2008, 03:12 PM

Yes he does have them prescribed and on repeat. Gosh i never knew they were so expensive spud's mum.

They really are great. He gets the blinding one eye shut headaches and they do work rapidly. He takes a 1hr nap and then is normally fine. I make him take one as soon as he says his head feels thick and I see the droopy eye! Bet that sounds lovely eh!

**Spuds Mum** · 03-05-2008, 03:17 PM

ooo I get the droopy eye too, and everyone else can see I am getting one almost as soon as I can feel it. I am definitely going to the Dr then, as recently my migraines have come back with a passion, and I have spent a fortune on them - I could have bought 20 more hamsters for the amount Ive recently spent on Imigran!

Thanks for the info Souff, that is fantastic news and at least means I wont be wasting a Dr's appointment.