Migraine headache: What helps you cope?

Hi @reikigirl2007 I want to bring this conversation back to your post from April 2.

You mentioned taking the medication valproic acid (Depakote) and having problems with with tremors.

Here is some Mayo Clinic information on that drug https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/valproic-acid-oral-route/description/drg-20072931. You'll note on the page that describes side effects, it mentions shakiness, trembling, twitching as possible side effects. How might you describe the tremors you experience?

Since your first post, many members have shared things that work for them both for prevention and treatment of migraines. They include medications as well as complementary therapies like acupuncture, mindfulness, physical therapy, hydration and much more. I notice that your username is reikigirl. Is Reiki a therapy that you’ve tried or are familiar with?

What questions will you have for your upcoming appointment at Mayo Clinic? Have you heard about the Pain Rehab Center at Mayo?

Hi Coleen, thank you for your reply. I have read side effects to Depakote and may have more than just tremors, trembling, twitching, etc. I have been on it for about 10 yrs and it seems I’m having worsening tremors and many of these side effects throughout the yrs. I am a Reiki Master and do meditation which helps. I am now having difficulty swallowing and stomach issues so I hope my visit to Mayo can help resolve some of my issues or at least help. I have not heard about the Pain Rehab Center but will look into it before my appointment.

@callalloo Wow, interesting that a medical professional back then said such a thing about migraines "usually staying with someone forever". That is also a counter-productive statement to plant in someone's mind. Kudos for your mysterious migraines ending and proving that theory wrong. My mom experiences ocular migraines and she also says they are bizarre, and scary.

No matter the type of migraine or other chronic symptoms, such as your back example, the pro-football player was right about not overthinking pain and not to personalize it. These are cognitive errors and can be corrected with a little work. I learned about the following cognitive errors:

- over-generalizing
- personalizing
- filtering
- catastrophizing

Research shows that CBT can help chronic physical conditions. A CBT tool that helps me is to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts aka "catch and correct". Similar to stopping pain behaviors, by not announcing pain, touching pain, thinking about pain. The more this behavior is practiced, the more it becomes habitual. The goal is to not access your pain pathways and breath more life into problems. Cut off the fuel lines, so to speak.

It was nice chatting with you. Thanks again for bringing valuable information to the migraine conversation. I am very pleased you are doing well and am appreciative of your contributions. I hope members pick up tools along the way to help themselves cope and find continued strategies for combating migraine symptoms. Wishing you well!

Feel free to ask questions about the Pain Rehab Center to graduates of the program here:
- Questions about Mayo Clinic Pain Rehab Center https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/status-of-mayo-clinic-pain-rehab-program

I looked at the CPRC and it looks like it would be helpful but unfortunately I could not afford to stay in a hotel for 3 weeks. I'm hoping for another alternative.

You might check with Mayo about lodging. Cleveland Clinic has deals with hotels and even some restaurants near their facility that offer deep discounts for patients from out of town or state. These are world-renowned medical facilities which people visit from abroad on a routine basis and there might be extra help since this is a common concern.

I’m curious about the aura experience others have with the migraines.

Two months ago I lost vision in my left eye 3 times over 2 days. Each time it lasted for about 30 minutes. I had pain around my eye as if I had a sinus infection.

My rheumatologist, ophthalmologist and ENT thought I had temporal artery inflammation. I was tested and all the tests were normal.
This morning my neurologist said that I was experiencing migraine headaches with aura.
He gave me a shot, as a sample of Ajovy. Has anyone had success with this drug?

Thanks for listening! 🌵

Glasses for Migraine Photophobia
Has anyone gotten any relief from the special lens coating on “migraine glasses”? The coating is FL-41 and is not just a “blue-blocker”
I bought a pair and I have to send them back because the frame isn’t right for me. The coated lenses are soothing.
I’m going to buy my own frame and have the lenses coated.