Migraines

[Melanie]

I've had migraine headaches since the 10th grade. The main trigger seems to be stress, and I only have maybe 4 or 5 a year. Thing is, when something is going on, I sometimes get 2 or 3 close together. I'm a bit stressed right now, just with waiting for our orders from the Marine Corps to find out where we are going and the upcoming move itself (I'm going to be so sad since we love it here in Florida). Today I have the second migraine in a couple of weeks.

For years and years I took Midrin. I'd take it at the onset (eye aura) and it did a great job of somewhat aborting the headache. I never had naseau symptoms and recovery was pretty swift, especially if I had the opportunity to take a nap.

About a year ago I went to the doc for a refill and she told me that Midrin was no longer on the market. Bummer! Not sure what the problem was. :( She put me on Fiorcet and for me it's just not working....at all. I've even got naseau symptoms now as well. :ack: I've got to make an appt with her and see about getting on something else.

So, for my fellow migraine sufferers, what do you do for relief? What works for you? I'd like to hear your experiences.

[PirateLover]

Hi Mel!:mickey: I used to get awful migraines when I'd get stressed out. I don't get them any more, these days my stress now manifests in anxiety :(. At any rate I only ever took 2 migraine medications-imitrex which I hated because I got this nasty side effect with my jaw stiffening and then Maxalt. Oh my did I fall in love with Maxalt. First of all it dissolves on your tongue and is rather tasteless. This means it works it's way into your system faster. I never had any side effects and at one point I was using 2 pills a day 1-2 times a month. Really seemed to do the trick for me. Hope you find relief soon. When will you hear about the orders? Do you have any idea where they might place you? I've enjoyed your take on things being intercot's local go-to gal.

[MstngDrvnDsnyLvr]

Unfortunately, you may have to try several to find one that works.

Mine are hormonal - I get them once a month - I get the optic aura and take my med. and promptly hit the bed for a nap when I can.

Maxalt did not work for me, but treximet did but they were too expensive even with my insurance. treximet is just imitrex with naproxen sodium (Aleve) - so I can get imitrex cheap and chase it with Aleve generic.

[Dopey's Girl]

Unfortunately, you may have to try several to find one that works.

Mine are hormonal - I get them once a month - I get the optic aura and take my med. and promptly hit the bed for a nap when I can.

Maxalt did not work for me, but treximet did but they were too expensive even with my insurance. treximet is just imitrex with naproxen sodium (Aleve) - so I can get imitrex cheap and chase it with Aleve generic.

Me too. My doc actually suggested this to save money. I usually take it with a coke too (another of his suggestions). That and a dark, silent room to nap in, and I'm good in a few hours.

[RedSoxFan]

I've had migraines for years and have been on Imitrex for what seems forever. Works pretty well 95% of the time. But sometimes when I get a cluster migraine, nothing works except for time. I had a cluster migraine last week that last 4 days. For minor migraines, I will take Excedrin Migraine gel tabs. Works great.

[MstngDrvnDsnyLvr]

Me too. My doc actually suggested this to save money. I usually take it with a coke too (another of his suggestions). That and a dark, silent room to nap in, and I'm good in a few hours.
I take mine with Coke too. :D

We'll see what I get next month - having to break in a new doc - personal differences with my last one...she was an ____________ and we had a misunderstanding over an off hand remark after 6 mos. of rescheduling due to the DOC cancelling and rescheduling when I couldn't make it in....was dealing with MIL and her cancer treatments. ARGH!!!!

[MstngDrvnDsnyLvr]

Melanie - if stress is the trigger - relaxation techniques might help. Deep breathing, dark room, warm compress on the back of the neck, soft music, and even a nap.

Hope you get your orders soon and that you aren't sent to the middle of no where.

[Jeri Lynn]

I'm sorry about your migraine...they are the worst.

I had migraines for years, mostly caused by what I thought was hormonal fluctuations.

The doctor prescribed butabital for me which is a combination of aspirin, caffeine and another ingredient which I can't remember.

For the most part they worked if I took right at the onset. When I found my migraines worsening I made an appt and saw a neurologist, she prescribed Relpax.

A few years ago I was diagnosed with High Blood pressure and since I've been taking my BP medicine (which is just a diuretic) I barely have any migraine's, maybe twice a year.

I'd suggest seeing a neurologist and also see if there are some things you can do to relax during those stressful times.

Best of luck, I know what they are like and nobody should have to deal with them.

[1DisneyNut]

I have had migraines since I was 8. The first several years I would get nauseous. After years of having them, I learned to predict when I was going to have one. I can basically feel the onset starting behind my eye(s) a day or two ahead of time.

I have tried many of the migraine medications and some worked a few times but then I guess my body builds up a tolerance to the drug and it becomes less and less effective. I have found that by taking measures as soon as I can tell one is coming, I can manage them just as well without the medication. I simply start taking aleve as soon as possible and try to get as much rest as possible. Really the only thing that ever really works for me is getting some sleep. Even taking the medications when they would work in the beginning, only temporarily masked the migraine....I still felt like **** and was jittery until I got some sleep.

I would suggest learning to predict them a day or two in advance and start taking measures to mitigate them as much as possible.

I have also experienced the same thing as Jeri Lynn. I was diagnosed with prehypertension slightly high blood pressure. My doctor put my on blood pressure medication and I haven't had a bad migraine since. I have had a couple of mild ones and they were back when I first started taking the blood pressure medication.

[Jillirose]

I recently was introduced to Accupressure to relieve stress/anxiety. I have been reading up on it and it seems to help with a variety of symptoms. I just googled 'migraines, accupressure' and there are a lot of hits, including some videos.

[BrerGnat]

OMG, Mel, we are twins! I could have written your first post, except my migraines started when I was about 4 or 5 years old!!! I am SO upset about Midrin being taken off the market. The reasoning for is is that the sedative ingredient did not actually have FDA approval, and the medicine was being used to make a type of street drug, so, rather than spend money to have the FDA go through the approval process, and then having to make the drug a "controlled substance", the companies that manufactured it (only three, and all in the U.S.A.) just gave up and stopped producing it. It's a shame, because it was my miracle drug.

I have three meds right now. Imitrex, Fiorcet, and some leftover Midrin that I am hoarding like a squirrel (I am saving those for the doozies).

Like another poster, I am using the Imitrex along with Aleve (2 gelcaps) to mimic Treximet (which Tricare won't cover for you because it's expensive). It works if you can catch the migraine at the very beginning.

When I have the kind that just won't quit, I usually just go into the doctor for a shot of Torodol (it's an injectable heavy duty NSAID, and it usually works). When they get REALLY bad, I end up at the ER for demerol (usually once every 2 years or so). My gauge for going in for an injection is if it's been over 48 hours and I am at the point of tears from the pain, I go.

I also have a standing prescription for Flexeril (a muscle relaxant). I take this along with some Aleve right before bed when my migraines lead to neck tension/stiff muscles. Usually, if I'm at the end of a long migraine, taking the Flexeril and Aleve at night will knock the rest of it out.

I feel your pain. I really do. Migraines are the worst. Mine are mostly hormonal, but stress is a major trigger for me as well. When we moved here, I had a headache every day for about 6 weeks. :(

[floridamom]

I feel your pain, literally. I started getting migraines preceded by the aura when we moved to this area in 2007, and attributed them to hormones/stress. While the headaches are bad, what is worse is that they are always accompanied by extreme nausea and vomiting. (Sorry if that's gross.)

My doctor ordered an MRI to rule out anything more serious, and the only thing that it showed was sinusitis. My sinuses had never been an issue prior to this, and I considered it more than a coincidence that this all started after moving to a new (more rural) area. So I started taking Zyrtec during high allergy times, and it has really helped reduce the number of migraines-- I only get 2-3 per year now. (Of course at high stress times.) I was also prescribed Imitrex and an anti-nausea medication to take at the onset of symptoms.

Recently I saw a retinal specialist for another issue and he suggested that some of things going on with my eyes could also have something to do with the migraines. So there's a chance that the changes I have made for the benefit of my eyes will also help with the headaches as well. We shall see...

Good luck with finding some relief to your migraines. I see lots of ideas on this thread.

[Melanie]

The reasoning for is is that the sedative ingredient did not actually have FDA approval, and the medicine was being used to make a type of street drug, so, rather than spend money to have the FDA go through the approval process, and then having to make the drug a "controlled substance", the companies that manufactured it (only three, and all in the U.S.A.) just gave up and stopped producing it. It's a shame, because it was my miracle drug.

Stupid abusers. :mad: It really was my miracle drug as well. I got up this morning and the lingering effects are still there, and that NEVER happened with Midrin. Many times, if I got a headache early in the morning and took Midrin, I could even go about doing things that evening. It worked that well. :(


The doctor prescribed butabital for me which is a combination of aspirin, caffeine and another ingredient which I can't remember.


Yes, these are the ingredients in Fioricet. :unsure:


these days my stress now manifests in anxiety :(. At any rate I only ever took 2 migraine medications-imitrex which I hated because I got this nasty side effect with my jaw stiffening and then Maxalt. Oh my did I fall in love with Maxalt. First of all it dissolves on your tongue and is rather tasteless. This means it works it's way into your system faster. I never had any side effects and at one point I was using 2 pills a day 1-2 times a month. Really seemed to do the trick for me. Hope you find relief soon. When will you hear about the orders? Do you have any idea where they might place you? I've enjoyed your take on things being intercot's local go-to gal.

I have anxiety symptoms as well, although not so bad these days. They started back when we found out we were moving to Japan six years ago. My heart started doing these flip flop things and I'd freak out about it and then it would get worse and go into a full-fledged panic attack cause I didn't realize what was going on. Thankfully, I've only had 3 such attacks, and now can will them away because I realize what's happening. While we were living in Japan, I started with some other symptoms such as numbness in my hands and feet, etc. Funny what stress/anxiety will do to your body. While I had stuff going on such as my hubby being gone all the time and my mom's health declining back in the States, my overall trigger was the fact I am so fearful of flying. I haven't flown since my feet touched the lovely ground in Dallas almost 3 years ago and my symptoms have greatly decreased.

It could be up to a couple of months before we find out where we are going. This is the first move for us that it will greatly affect my boys and I'm taking on their anxiety as well. I'll be fine, and they will too, but sometimes I'm overwhelmed with all that we put them through. They've had amazing life experiences, but we ask a lot of them to move and make new friends every 3 years, as well as adjust to a new school/expectations and continue with good grades. My oldest will be going into high school next year and I want this to go as smoothly as possible for him. He really doesn't want to move.

So I have a feeling this will be a spring with more migraines than normal, and I really appreciate everyone relaying your experiences and what works and doesn't work for you. Sounds like I may want to inquire about the Imitrex and take the Alleve with it. Going to call and make an appointment today!

[Melanie]

Recently I saw a retinal specialist for another issue and he suggested that some of things going on with my eyes could also have something to do with the migraines. So there's a chance that the changes I have made for the benefit of my eyes will also help with the headaches as well. We shall see...

Oh, and interesting point! I've been meaning to get my eyes checked for well over a year now, as I've definitely noticed changes since I turned 40 (you know, I'm 40 and go to WDW - LOL! Different thread) and I guess that could have something to do with it. Going to see eye doctor too. Thanks!

[disney obsessed]

My youngest started with migraines at 9. when she had her first one, Everyone thought she was having a stroke. Not good. Oneof the best things she did for about a year and a half was low dose amitryptalin (sp). It is a antidepressant but one of the side effects they found at low doses was the wonderful effect of migraine prevention. You do have to take it every day but if you know you are going into a stressful time, it might be worth it in the short term.
She is no longer taking it as she does not need to any longer.
She no longer has them weekly and manages well with a coke, excedrin and sleep.
She now only has several (6-10) a year. Usually stress or lack of sleep related.
Good luck.

[TinkerbellT421]

Mel so sorry to hear about the migraines! I have been suffering from them for about 12 years now, mine also are stressed triggered 75% of the time. My worst cluster of migraines was receiving them every day for two weeks including blindness for the duration of the migraine leading to hospitalization :(. My neurologist prescriped me several medications. One medication is actually used for the naseau if it is not relieved by the actual migraine medication. My miracle drug is a form of Imitrex, the generic, Sumatriptin, is actually better than the name brand Imitrex because for a while the Imitrex would not work for me, since being on the generic I find it works better. According to my doctor he claims that that isn't out of the ordinary because typically the generics can be up to 20% better or worse than name brands depending on the ingredients, strange lol. Even for the aura it works. According to my neurologist only 5% of migraine sufferes receive the aura along with the onset of a migraine so sometimes the medications work for the aura with the migraine, sometimes it works just for the aura and not the migraine and vice versa, fortunately it worked for both with me. My neurologist also wanted to put me on an experimental treatment with a medication that is actually used to treat seizures but has been found to work with migraines, unfortunately the side effects, personally to me, outweighed the benefit, I would rather have the migraine. Topomax sounded like an evil treatment to me based on the side effects, but one of my migraine sufferer friends swore by it, but did agree the side effects were bad, so I opted to not use that medication for now, I have to revisit that option in 6 months. Ugh. I also am prescriped Vicodin for unbareable pain, but I have only taken one of those in the last year because I really hate how they make me feel. :/ Sometimes when the stress is the trigger and I know I am stressed out and I will get a migraine I try to do like another poster suggested, breathing exercises, healthier foods like organics, preservatives tend to irritate my migraine if I am already prone to getting one, exercise helps relieve my stress, and ironically I have found that reading a good book (don't laugh lol) helps reduce my stress level when something is going on, so even if it's for just an hour I will read a good book and escape the real world for a brief amount of time to helps relax my anxiety. Hot baths always works too. Those are the things I do, hope some can help. :( Sorry your so stressed!

[SBETigg]

I get a migraine about once a month, but I've never taken anything for it besides OTC meds. I get the eye aura and take Advil or Aleve and go lie down in a dark room. It usually passes in a few hours. I'm wondering if the prescription meds would help now that I'm reading about everyone's experiences. The side effect warnings always make me nervous.

Melanie, I'm sorry about the stress. It's hard when you're thinking of your kids and not knowing where you will end up. I hope it all goes well for your family and for you.

[BrerGnat]

I tried Topamax and it worked really well, for about a year. Then, it just seemed to stop working altogether. The side effects for me were not bad, just some tingling in my feet and hands for the first month or so. I was taking 100mg per day. The best side effect was some MAJOR weight loss, but as soon as I got off of it, it came right back on. :/

I went through a period of about 2 migraines a week for over 6 months, during one of DH's deployments. That was when my doctor and I decided to try the Topamax. It really did work wonders, but my body developed a tolerance and I was unwilling to up the dosage beyond the "recommended" 100mg/day for migraine prevention. My opinion is that when a medicine stops working, it's time to stop taking it.

I was also prescribed Amytriptyline (sp?) a long time ago and while it did help prevent my migraines, it lowered my blood pressure dangerously. I have a naturally borderline low blood pressure, and this med had me on the verge of fainting. If you have normal or slightly high blood pressure, this drug may be a good option, so you might want to inquire about it, since you know you have lots of stress coming up!

Finally, I joined Massage Envy and try to go in monthly to get a massage. It has helped quite a bit with keeping my tension at bay. I tend to also suffer from tension headaches, and if they get bad enough, they turn into migraines, so the massage helps prevent the tension headaches. It costs $60/month, but it's a good investment, IMO.

[TinkerbellT421]

I tried Topamax and it worked really well, for about a year. Then, it just seemed to stop working altogether. The side effects for me were not bad, just some tingling in my feet and hands for the first month or so. I was taking 100mg per day. The best side effect was some MAJOR weight loss, but as soon as I got off of it, it came right back on. :/

I went through a period of about 2 migraines a week for over 6 months, during one of DH's deployments. That was when my doctor and I decided to try the Topamax. It really did work wonders, but my body developed a tolerance and I was unwilling to up the dosage beyond the "recommended" 100mg/day for migraine prevention. My opinion is that when a medicine stops working, it's time to stop taking it.


lol the weight loss thing I have heard is the best side effect! To be honest that was the only one that I was willing to deal with! lol I told my doctor that if he could gaurantee that was the only side effect I would do it! :blush:

The one side effect that really creeped me out was the "memory loss" one. Another friend of mine was on it for something different than migraines and she had me all freaked out when she said she would be in the middle of a conversation and all of a sudden she would forget what she was talking about mid sentence. EEK! I agree though that if it stopped working for you stop taking it! I'm still debating on if I made the right or wrong choice to not take it.

[laprana]

I'm also a migraine sufferer and have had them since I was in the 3rd or 4th grade. They are awful, absolutely debilitating. Mine are mostly hormonal/stress related and I usually get one about every 3-4 months. I've tried a few prescription medications for mine but I haven't found anything that really helps much. Instead, the meds that I have tried mostly just make me sick to my stomach, which I get anyway from the migraine! So, I've kind of given up on the prescriptions. What I do now is take 2 Anacin (aspirin with caffeine) as soon as I feel that first "tingling" of a migraine starting or when I get the visual aura. Sometimes that will help to keep it from becoming a full-blown migraine, and sometimes it doesn't. When that doesn't work, the only thing I can do is lay down in as dark and quiet of a room as possible, not move, and hopefully fall asleep. My neck muscles really tense up when I get a migraine, which I'm sure makes the headache worse, so I've found that putting a heating pad on the back of my neck as I lay down helps with that. Also, I've found that aromatherapy helps me some, specifically the scent of peppermint. I have some Tranquil Mint lotion from Bath & Body Works that I massage into my neck and my temples, and then I have a small container of peppermint essential oil that's in a roll-on tube that I massage into my temples. I'm not sure why it helps, but it usually helps a little bit. I've considered trying accupuncture for my migraines, which I've read a little bit about and it seems like it works, but I'm squeamish around needles and haven't worked up the courage for that yet! I hope that you can find something that gives you relief or that can prevent the migraines all together! They are hard to deal with to say the least.

[PirateLover]

I totally forget that I, too, used amitriptyline for a while. Took a dose every night before bed. I do think it helped. Mel I am sorry to hear about your anxiety issues. My husband is also very anxious about flying, it's not a good scene at all when we have to fly, and my mother-in-law has been having those kinds of severe panic attacks since my father-in-law died last year. She gets the numbness and everything, really scary. Thought she was having a heart attack once. I mainly just get the sped up heart rate, mind won't stop racing kind of thing. I hope you get answers (on everything) soon!!!

[diz_girl]

I've been getting migraines on and off for about 12 years. I'm not sure if it is just hormonal, or stress, or a combination of the two. Thankfully, I get the aura as a warning, like this morning, and I take two advil and by the time the aura is done the advil are in my system and numbing the pain to some extent. Then it's on with my day. Maybe I'll lie down for an hour (if I'm lucky) if it happens on a weekend. I often get very tired the day before one hits. My symptoms are the fatigue, the pain, the aura, and a little confusion and the inability to concentrate.

I first started getting them about 12 years ago. They happened a lot for a year or two and then I didn't get them for a few years. It was kind of around the time my thyroid fizzled (I think) because I gained 30 pounds in under two years. My neurologist prescribed Maxalt back then because they didn't occur often enough to warrant a preventive medication. I recall him saying that the maxalt is for someone who gets migraines no more than 3 or 4 per month.

After not getting them for a few years, I got them again when I was pregnant with my first son five years ago, right around Christmas. That was a cluster of four migraines in five days. Of course, I couldn't take Maxalt, so I just suffered through those. Fun!

I got them very infrequently until I was pregnant again, and I think it was last year around Christmas I got a couple in a row. I didn't get them much after that.

Guess what happened again this Christmas? You guessed it! Five in five days, right after my youngest boy (our baby, now 13 months) was in the hospital right before Christmas. I'm now considering converting. ;) But I now get them at least weekly since Christmas. We actually moved last spring, so there's a stress element there, but I'm also weaning the baby, so my hormones are fluctuating again. With the frequency of my migraines, I would have gone to see my neurologist, but I didn't get a new one since I moved.

I didn't know about the amitripyline. I give that to my cat for his aggression.

[wildernesslady]

Migraines are just a pain in the you know what. It is unfortunate that we all suffer from them, but I'm glad to hear alot of similarities to mine.

I take Fiorinal with Codeine and have for about 29 years now. I got my first migraine right after my first daughter was born. I would like to blame them on hormones, but they never come at the same time of the month.

Some things I have learned are have a cup of hot caffeine when the vision aura starts. It sometimes helps it go away faster. If you are just having a regular headache that won't go away, try sucking on lemon slices or drinking a couple of teaspoons of lemon juice. It's a natural anasthetic that really works. Sometimes it does mess with my stomach a little, but the headache is gone. Also, I have low iron and once I controlled that, I do not have as many migraines. Diet is also important. Stay away from lunchmeats, soft cheeses, only eat chocolate in moderation.

I have not figured out how to get rid of the numbness, but is usually doesn't last too long. At least with all the pre symptoms, I can take my meds right away.

Hope this helps. Stress is definitely a huge factor and something you cannot always control.

[Jeff]

Migraines are tough Mel. My daughter gets them. She actually had her first one while we were at WDW once.

Anyhow. She is also an Imitrex taker. If she gets it down when she sees the aura it works pretty good.

Good luck!

[Fangorn]

Mel, sorry to hear about the migraines. I feel your pain too. Mine come on every 3 weeks and last for 3 days. At one point, I could actually mark out those days on the calendar, and even give you a four-hour window of the onset. My neurologist tried everything EXCEPT the triptans - he was very old school and felt they were too dangerous. There wasn't a pain reliever out there that even touched the pain. And that include shots of morphine.

(Sidebar on the morphine - I remember one particularly bad episode where the doctor upped the dosage in hopes it would work. I remember sitting on the couch thinking "you know, my head still hurts just as much, but I don't really care")

Finally, after 4 years of this (including the amitriptyline) he relented and gave me the lowest dose of Imitrex and told me to only take half of it. The next incident came, the Imitex went in my mouth and the headache was "gone" in 15 minutes.

It's never worked that fast or with such a low dose again, but it still works. I've tried some of the others, including Maxalt, but for me, they don't work nearly as well. Thankfully, the generics came out last year - $3/pill is a whole lot better than $20/pill

Also, for me, the migraine doesn't really go away, even with the meds. I can still feel the incident happening, but with the Imitrex, the pain is 99% gone and I can function normally. It still takes 3 days to completely go away, but with an Imitrex every 18-24 hours, I can go about life.

Adding the Aleve to Imitrex does seem to help, but not a whole lot. I actually find Excedrin Migraine to help me much more.

Hope your get some relief.

Steve

[Lacy]

I read your post and totally feel for you. I went through the same thing when I learned that Midrin was discontinued. It is the only thing that works for me. The others that I have tried either make me very loopy beyond the point of comprehension (I believe this was Maxalt) and still got very sick or had no affect (Topomax).

After doing A LOT of research on the internet I found out that compounding pharmacies will still make midrin. But you have to get your doctor to write a compounding prescription and these type of pharmacies are not everywhere. I worked with my doctor and we decided that this was the best option for me so I was able to get a refill. This was such a relief for me! I felt like I had my life back. I was previously not taking the midrin when I should have because I was saving it for a bad one and was getting them quite often.

[azdisneymom]

So sorry about your Migraines. No fun at all. I never had them bad enough to seek help. I have learned to recognize the symptoms as they start (aura for me). A good friend who has suffered terribly suggested tiger balm ointment. If you rub it on your temple as soon as you think one is starting it helps long enough for the meds to kick in. It has a strong, unpleasant smell but works. Many people I work with now use it. Best wishes.

[Melanie]

Hope you get your orders soon and that you aren't sent to the middle of no where.

Was reading back through here and had to giggle remembering where you live. So hoping we don't go to Jacksonville? ;) :funny:

Seriously though, we spent 7 lovely years at Lejeune, and both my boys were born there, but now I think we'd die going back. We've lived too many places now with so much to do right at our fingertips. Yes, we are SPOILED! At least Wilmington is getting baseball now though. :)

I can't thank you all enough for your suggestions and experiences. I hate so many of you suffer as well. :( Looking to find what works for me.

[BrerGnat]

Seriously though, we spent 7 lovely years at Lejeune, and both my boys were born there, but now I think we'd die going back. We've lived too many places now with so much to do right at our fingertips. Yes, we are SPOILED!

How do you think we feel? VA is NOT as "great" as everyone told me it was going to be. :(

I feel like suing the Marine Corps for emotional distress related to leaving Southern California after THEY made us live there for 10 years! ;)

[DisneyDog]

I have had a prescription for Fiorcet for a few years. I've never taken anything else for migraines. I have high bp, and I take 2 prescriptions for that, one is a diuretic. My body cannot get rid of my salts fast enough on it's own. I find that mostly, I get migraines at "that time of the month" but I also get them if I have very salty foods. For example, if I go to the movies and have popcorn and a soda, I almost always leave with a migraine. My doctor told me to take the Fiorcet at the very first moment I notice my migraine. I have become very in tune with my symptoms. The Fiorcet does a great job of stopping my migraines in its tracks, but I have to take it very quickly. If you wait too long, it won't work. Actually, if I go to the movies and decide to have popcorn, I will just go ahead and take the pill right before the movie starts to help me avoid the migraine.

Recently, I have changed my diet. I really think about how much sodium is in something before I eat it. I try to avoid those foods and eat lots of extra fruits and veggies. I find that I have far fewer migraines and I have lost 13 pounds. So, I can't complain :)

[diz_girl]

How do you think we feel? VA is NOT as "great" as everyone told me it was going to be. :(

I feel like suing the Marine Corps for emotional distress related to leaving Southern California after THEY made us live there for 10 years! ;)

I don't know how you military families do it. Our base closed and our (DH's and mine) jobs transferred to MD, so we followed our jobs and I'm just miserable here. We have two small children and this will be our home now, but I hate it here. People bash NJ, but it's a great place to live. We used to live by the ocean with everything only five minutes away, good schools, a great park system, culture, and excellent restaurants. Now, Bugtussle. Maybe the move is part of the reason for the migraines, but I can't imagine doing being uprooted like this every couple of years.

Mel - given what your husband does in the marine Corps (I don't know, but you don't need to mention it) is there any inkling where you may go? Does your DH get to put in preferences? Maybe they'll send you to Hawaii.

[SBETigg]

I was just following Mel's AK tweets at Twitter and thinking how much I would miss living close enough to just pop over to a park and enjoy a slow, low-crowd afternoon. If I was ever so lucky to enjoy that situation in the first place. Moving to FL is not in the cards for us, but I think that would be fun. But there are new, fun things to discover in other places, too. Wishing you all the best, Melanie.

And yes, Amanda, NJ is a pretty great place to live. I have family and friends there, and I prefer MA and CT, but NJ has a lot of great things to offer, too. My daughter is in college in NJ and she loves it. I hope you can get back, or maybe find new reasons to love where you are. Sorry, off topic.