@lisalucier I thought I responded to your post long ago but I guess I did not...I'm sorry! Things that improve my overall health have also helped reduce the frequency and/or intensity of headaches to a certain extent. They include eating smaller meals more frequently to keep sugar levels from roller-coasting; "breathing meditation" and Tai Chi; regular cardiovascular exercise and keeping my weight under control so as not to provide Polycystic ovarian disorder symptoms and resultant hormonal fluctuations. Specifically for headache prevention or to use during headaches: wearing wrap-around style dark "wear over glasses" sunglasses to avoid sun and glare; avoiding movie theaters (flicker, glare, and loud noise); black out curtains in our home to keep temperature levels from fluctuating, keep glare to a minimum, and to facilitate sounder sleep (helps melatonin); avoiding MSG, nitrates, nitrites and any food that are out of date or "old" in the frig; staying hydrated; drinking coffee at onset of migraine, and at PM, as a component in preventing hypnic headache); dressing in layers so that controlling body temp is easier. I try to avoid avoid being around cigarette smoke and smoky air due to fires, campfires, and barbeque grills. Many of my friends LOVE Scented Candle parties, and I run in the opposite direction! I avoid Elevators (too much perfume or smoke-smell) and take stairs when possible. I've tried many different types of pillows, bedding fabrics, body soap, and laundry detergents over the years, always suspecting SOMETHING was triggering my headaches; none of those seems to have an impact though I usually avoiding highly scented products.

I kept diaries on and off and avoided "common" trigger foods for lengthy periods, but hormonal cycles were the only obvious correlation and no foods other than MSG and possibly nitrates/nitrites. I tried many nonRX treatments for recommended trial intervals (CO-Q, feverfew, B vitamins, MegaMagnesium, lavender roller-sticks, massage, acupressure, biofeedback, and probably others) which do help many migraine sufferers, but did not impact mine. I never drank wine or alcohol, so I don't know if they are triggers for me or not.

When in crisis, a scalding hot shower to head and neck can divert my migraine pain until injections kick in. For migraines, sometimes cold packs or putting with ice in my mouth, help divert the head pain temporarily. At one time in my life, being able to go to sleep helped relieved some migraines, but now with Hypnic headaches, it's not an option unless I have taken indomethacin two hours prior. I strive for a "routine" nightly sleep pattern, but that's elusive due to family obligations across time zones. I am in great overall health, despite having very debilitating headache types that sort of trigger one another. Thanks for asking, Lisa!

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