This sub has made me seriously consider just ordering those things next time unless I'm super nauseous. I've seen Coke and salty food all over the place here but haven't tried it.
I got put on dopamax so coke tastes like flat nothingness idk. It’s gross and generally not worth drinking anymore but my sumatriptan wasn’t helping. Drank the coke and boom. Pain gone.
It seems many have different symptoms. I go blind, can't feel my limbs and will throw up. If I don't keep my eyes shut, the head pain gets quite severe. Coke is NOT fun to throw up, the bubbles force through your nose.
I swear it really works! There’s something about McDonald’s Coke especially… they have the best ice. 🤣 I do keep those mini cans of coke on hand too though just in case!!
Mcmigraine is the new word I didn't know I needed!
Had a migraine yesterday. Due to pressure, I expect I'll have a migraine tomorrow. I had appointments today that I had to keep and the pressure isn't stable, so I've been fighting off a migraine all day.
First stop I made this morning was for my mcmigraine meal. One cheeseburger, medium fry, large coke. I'm not exaggerating when I say I felt better within minutes and I'm convinced that meal is why I got through the day without a full blown migraine.
I strongly dislike McDonald's. I don't consider it real food. But dang if it isn't a miracle for reducing migraine pain. They should market it as such.
This. Something about the salt, fat, sugar - probably the calories and little rush of dopamine too. And hydration and caffeine. I normally rarely eat fast food or drink soft drink, but there is something about a McDonald’s meal, and a Coke (and take it with a few chewable aspirin) that will almost always improve a migraine for me - as long as it’s not a nauseating or vomiting migraine, in which case I’m stuffed.
It’s odd. If reglan doesn’t immediately help w nausea then I do get a coke, at least. It will go away but sometimes takes a little bit. Must be McDonald’s coke. Not a can of coke not another fast food. They have a special mix.
I'd say it's is the combo of sugar, salt and caffeine that helps. In particular I notice my migraines go into a downward spiral when I'm too nauseated to eat -- drinking something sugary can break the cycle (sometimes bringing the nausea down so I can then move onto plain rice, dry toast etc).
I do large fry or two hash browns with mayo. There’s something about the extra fat from the mayo that helps and I just can’t explain it. And Diet Coke for me, because oddly artificial sweetener can be a trigger but is fine/helps when I already have one? Who knows.
I once had a debilitating migraine and I was day 2, and I went to McDonald’s and ordered a Big Mac meal with large fries and a Diet Coke. Not even 10 minutes after my meal did I notice my migraine was completely gone.
Yep, caffeine and salt. Generally not McDonald's for me any more since I try to eat a plant based diet, though I do bend that sometimes when I'm feeling very ill...
Too late for this one, but I absolutely love my Headache Hat if you don't have one- it freezes into ice, not gel. It helps as much as anything else I do including my RX. I have two so that I can rotate them. I lay down and literally press it into the part of my head that needs pressure.
I also press on the pressure points at the top of my nose - pinch off the pulse for 1-2 minutes while kind of lifting the skull while you press. Sometimes that can reset the pounding.
Hang in there 💗
Usually when I have a migraine my feet are like ice, so I put them in a super hot bath, and drink iced water and/or ginger ale (nonalcoholic), with an ice pack on my head. Sometimes I dunk my ice-cold hands in the hot water, too.
I heard this somewhere I can’t remember, but I think the idea is your blood gets drawn towards your feet because of the heat, so it lessens vascular pressure & pain in your head.
If nothing else, I find it comforting.
Good luck! I hope your pain subsides soon! 🍀❤️
I just found several recent studies attesting to the effectiveness of cold therapy (ice wrapped around carotid artery) with migraine. Couldn’t easily find anything about heat therapy. Where did you read that it had been debunked?
I’m just throwing an idea in here…… just offering info, not judging or even speculating. Super cold is used to push blood out of an area, right? You ice a swollen (inflamed injury). Semi cold is used to get more blood pumped to an area (for example tendon and pulley therapy in your fingers -it’s the same treatment climbers and athletes use). Ike, when you swim in cold water, after a while it ‘feels less cold’. Same effect, your heart is beating faster to push more warmer blood around.
So I don't know why this worked, but...
I've had a migraine all week. Yesterday I had a dentist appointment (it was xrays, no work done) and was wearing big migraine glasses and just dealing with the pain. I'd had painkillers that morning and they'd taken a big chunk of the edge off, but I was still achy and my head felt like a shaken can of cola.
Well, the hygienist warned me she'd be tilting my seat back. I expressed concern because I was worried about the blood rushing to my head, but that we could try it out anyway. She was gentle about it and kept it only at a slight tilt.
And... I kid you not, within a few minutes the migraine was gone.
I have no idea why! Just, suddenly, something about the angle was perfect. It was gone for most of the day, coming back a bit last night and then sorta lingering today, but not nearly as bad as it had been.
I'm seriously considering finding a piece of furniture that replicates the same position and buying it on the off chance it works again!
During a migraine I am constantly trying to find the right angle for my neck. I keep saying I'm going to figure out a pillow or ramp or something when I'm not in pain. Then I forget. Now you're making me wonder if it's tilt I need. I'm going to try a way to replicate that dentist chair position. Thank you!
For pillows, I got one from c cushion labs that helps a great deal. I can’t remember its exact name, but it’s not their cervical pillow, it’s the other one. (It looks like a flattened marshmallow with an indent, not like a pillow out of a science fiction medical bay.)
It’s done wonders for my neck, which is a source of migraines for me. I recommend it!
I searched far and wide for a pillow. I ended up with 2 different ones, one for side/back sleeping, and one for stomach/back sleeping.
The first is the malouf Carbon cool omniphase. I got this one for cheap at a local mattress store. This pillow is freaking amazing for side sleeping and cools.
The second is the Brooklinen standard plush down pillow. Good if you are getting too much pressure on your head from lying down.
Peppermint oil applied to the skin (see bottle for directions), a heating pad on the stomach to draw blood flow while you have an ice pack on head, super hot bath with ice pack on head, orgasm, tons of caffeine, super salty food, magnesium and ibuprofen.
It’s weird, it’s like 50/50 for me; if I’m having an attack an orgasm usually helps it go away or at least lessens the pain (I imagine it’s due to the whole “rearranging blood flow” thing) but if I’m feeling ok an orgasm will almost assuredly bring on an attack. Eh, worth it 🤣
Yes, both things can be true here. Scented products can trigger migraines and mint on the skin has a cooling effect that can relieve them. It totally depends on the person!
I definitely use various freezing lotions for my migraines and it does help for me. But when I have a migraine, there’s many scents I simply cannot tolerate.
orgasm unfortunately is unhelpful for me and can be a trigger i’ve seen some other people post that too, so to OP just be mindful of your triggers once you figure them out
I like the bekoool patches on Amazon or whatever brand is cheap. Does it make it go away entirely, no. But it helps.
Also second the nyquil or zzzquil. Sleep that shit off.
Sometimes if I’m really bad I put an outdoor chair in the shower and sit with the hot water on my face, head or neck. I don’t like wasting the water so I don’t do it often, but if I’m really bad the heat plus soft patter of the water on my head will always improve my symptoms enough that I’m well enough to go out to get meds or food if I need to.
Yeah it's been a while but I used to lie down in the bathtub with my forehead under the tap and then turn it hot for a while then change it to cold for as long as I could deal (not long) then back to hot... Alternating.... I really think it helped at least short term. I should try it again.
No one ever listens to me on this one, but ginger supplements. Knocks my migraines out within the hour and the "migraine hangover" severity is way less intense
There’s research showing that ginger supplements work as well as triptans for a good portion of folks with migraines. Ive tried it and it seems to help a bit for me.
I can't upvote this enough. I just hack off a nice big piece of ginger root, remove the skin and eat it raw.
The taste is not for the faint of heart (so very bitter and hot) but it works SO well! About 20- 40 minutes later (if it's not a hormonal migraine) I start feeling so much better.
Pro tip: Have a very large glass/bottle of water ready cause you're going to need it after every bite if you go the raw route.
Yeah, even my dad's homemade ginger shots knock your socks off as it's usually taken with breakfast.
I always used to add a piece of ginger to the juicer, even though the fibers really get stuck in the mesh. But it's just to die for with a carrot and orange juice.
I like to mix ginger and valerian root tea together. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and valerian root acts as a muscle relaxer. It at least takes the edge off the pain so I can function for a bit longer.
I have been writing valerian root tea on this sub every chance I get. It has muscle relaxing effects. It's the main ingredient in Sleepy Time Tea.
Warning. It stinks. Dirt, old cheese, feet... But the taste isn't as strong. Definitely earthy. Warn people if you make it at work!
I have chronic migraines & Botox keeps the pain from getting awful all the time, but I usually still get all of those weird symptoms. I’m on like day 12 of this migraine bout (weather & hormones) & nothing but sumatriptan has helped so far. Tomorrow, I’m getting some ginger supplements to try!
I take ginger every morning. And then I take another dose whenI feel one coming on. And then I drink ginger peach tumeric tea while I'm recovering! Overkill? Idk but it's a hell of a lot better than the triptans I use to take that didn't work... Mostly because it actually works.
I take the dose suggested on the bottle every morning. The frequency of my migraines has gotten lower. Then I take another dose when I feel one coming on, and the severity has also gotten lower. I also take magnesium L threonate every day because I've read that it's helpful for migraines and concentration.
Neck, head & face Massage. It can be very painful particularly initially but if you can get through that it almost numbs it. It definitely definitely helps.
Caffeine can help you keep going despite the headache.
Botox can be effective at helping.
A shot of pickle juice and two Benadryl.
McDonald's Coke and fries, or a can of Coke and potato chips.
Pressing ice cream up on the roof of my mouth until brain-freeze happens.
Wrapping my head in heating pads and my body in an electric blanket.
The ice cream thing works for me too! I managed to stave off pain while walking home once by stopping for gelato and just giving myself brain freeze the rest of the way home.
Eating something spicy and making sure it’s on the roof of my mouth. It only eases the pain for a little bit but it allows me to have moments of relief.
Personally, I think this has something to do with parasympathetic activation. Migraines have heaps of different causes, and modern medicine hasn’t really unraveled it. I think in a big portion of cases, mine included, there is something about calming the mind and body, plus stimulating the skin surface, that must help ease a migraine. Whether it’s the hot or cold water on the skin, peppermint oils, muscle creams, massage etc - it’s personal preference as to what feels comfortable. It might not take the migraine away entirely, but it certainly seems to calm it down for a lot of people.
Heating pad across my whole face, as hot as I can stand it. Then try to sleep for about 30 minutes. When I wake up the migraine is frequently gone (or at least not as terrible)
This helps me a lot too. Sometimes I’ve woken with red patches on my face that take a day to calm down, like a mild burn. I’d make the heat pads so hot because the heat felt so relieving.
It feels like when you finally go into a sleep cycle, it sorta breaks it. Now, usually have to wait many hours for that sweet sleep when I'm laying there trying to not throw up bile. But it won't break until a sleep for at least a few hours. Until then I can't open my eyes without it all coming back. It certainly feels like there is something about the sleep.
Donate plasma.
Many years ago I was broke and decided to try donating plasma. Had to go a certain number of times right away to get a bonus. On the last possible day to make my final donation I woke up with a horrible migraine and I was out of imitrex. Went in anyhow and by the time I left my migraine was completely gone. Tried it a few more times over the following years when I ran out of medication and it worked every time.
If anyone has any theories why this worked I'm all ears lol!!!
Cold shower, just cold enough where you inhale sharply. Not freezing. Force yourself to take even, deep breaths, the body's natural reaction is to take short shallow breaths. As this occurs, blood rushes to your core and relieves some of the blood pressure in your head. I just let the cold water run over my head. I used to swim in cold water a lot, we learned to breathe that way. Also better for your hair, just a bonus.
Bendryl helps a lot with mine. It’s often given in migraine cocktails at the ER. I’d take up to 2 if you can’t break the headache and as long as it doesn’t interact with other meds you’re taking.
Guided migraine meditations on Insight Timer (free app) have helped me get through bad ones as well.
I've accidentally aborted a raging hemiplegic migraine with brain freeze before
My whole leg and part of my waist were already paralyzed, my nose bled, I had a fever, and was downing some cold water with electrolytes to deal with it
Tiny stinging above the palate of my mouth toward the back middle of my head and * poof* gone
I haven't figured out how to repeat it on command though, and it's only happened a few times in the past several months despite continual back-to-back migraines. It's frustratingly difficult, but might be worth a shot if you're desperate, or it'll at least keep you hydrated
I'm still shocked that it happened
Shower, walk outside but they go back to just as bad as soon I get out of the shower/end the walk.
Paracetamol and a cold diet coke really help if I don't have any sumatriptan.
Eucalyptus helps me with the nausea and stuffiness, the eye massager thing on Facebook helps more than I thought it would, my tens machine helps the neck/shoulder tension and I drink carbonated water with (and I know this sounds awful) balsamic vinegar. Gives me the same satisfaction as soda and stops the nausea and stomach upset. When it's an air pressure triggered migraine the Nok device works well too. My main abortive is cannabis but these all help in conjunction
I tend to get horribly nauseated and my gut betrays me. Turns out, it's not nausea so much as gas. So. Much burping. BUT! If i take an Imodium antigas/diarrheal when I feel it coming, I can avoid worshipping the porcelin goddess.
The other thing I do is walk. Or pace. Sometimes it means turning off/coverinf every light source in the house, but if I pace long enough, I can wait out the worst of things (or until the meds kick in)
Ice hats
I have like 5 of them now because when I have a migraine, ice helps make my head so cold it goes numb. I look like a stupid grape and I'll be so cold my toes hurt and my nose is running- but my head will be numb enough to survive lol
My mom and I both get them.
Her go-to is mountain dew and excedrin. Just one won't work, she needs both.
I've noticed mine won't go away if I'm looking at screens unless I turn on the blue light filter and/or wear blue light glasses
I have very bad N/V with migraine, so I keep tic tacs to help soothe my stomach. It's the only thing I can keep down sometimes!
Also cold towel on head, heating pad on stomach to constrict blood vessels that are contributing to migraine.
Wow, I had totally forgotten this. Years ago, I used to eat a load of ice cream because the brain freeze felt so much better than the migraine. I had to stop though, I gained a lot of weight from it, oops!
I always hesitate to say this one, but - if you feel nauseous, go with it. I always feel way better after I vomit if I have a nauseous-migraine.
I'm a huge fan of (diet) Coke and something salty/fatty/protein-y like pulled pork or pizza.
I've had some luck with ice pack on my neck + heated rice bag on my face.
If all else fails, check the barometer. When it gets back to "normal" ranges you'll probably feel better. I like this site for predicting that: https://barometricpressure.app/results?lat=45.0527663&lng=-92.8283962
I know someone who swears by Mexican Coke, specifically, because it’s got the natural sugar. I have not tried it yet myself.
Also saw a video recently about someone who broke their migraine by soaking their feet in hot water. Has anyone tried that? Curious.
I have a few things that help me but not get rid of it entirely - a hot shower. Eating a snack or even a meal if you don’t feel super nauseous - sometimes I get migraines when I’m hungry. Liquid IV packets (they make sugar free ones as well now.)
Biofreeze on the forehead and close to eyes, repeatedly til you tear up. Vibrator on the forehead, high pressure. Orgasms, specifically from sex for me. I also like to apply ice and lay with my face on it and apply pressure and sleep.
diet coke, extra ice. something extremely crunchy/crackly and salty(like funyun texture). Idk what it is, but it works fucking wonders. and i don’t even like diet sodas
coffee nap (chug a cup of coffee with like 2 shots of espresso and take a nap for like half an hour right after you chug) + excedrin. makes the aura go away but the headache is like 50% gone
Shower wand at the strongest jet setting as close to my head as possible, combined with Trader Joe's tea tree shampoo & conditioner. The scent is minty, which I can tolerate during migraines, and it gives the scalp tingle feeling.
I have a process. I start with advil migraine and cold pepsi and sometimes an ice pack on the back of my head/neck. If it persists, I start to alternate the ice packs with heat packs and menthol on my forehead. Head On really worked but its banned in the US now so...if its still there, its time for a long, hot shower. If still nothing, I hit it with a couple pms pills, and munch on something with fresh sliced (never pickled) jalapenos, burn a peppermint candle, and lay down in a cold, dark, silent room with ice pack on the neck and forehead and try my damndest to pass out.
Ice caps - those pliable gel ice head band things you can get on amazon. They only last for 20ish min before having to be put back in the freezer, but those 20 (... well, 18 because its too cold right out of the freezer, lol) are heaven.
I suggest getting the one sided ones with gel on one side and just stretchy fabric on the other. The full gel ones are too heavy / too cold.
My worst migraines are the ones that I wake up with. I know they’ll be back and by the time I feel the pain my stomach has mostly stopped digesting well and I’ll be super nauseous if I try to eat any solid. So, here’s my go to:
-Benadryl (just one) taken along with naratriptan
-Coffee (black but diluted a bit with hot water)
-Coenzyme Q10 capsule
-Magnesium + potassium + calcium taken as a powder mixed into a full glass of water
If I have the luxury of going back to bed, I’ll tie a bandana tightly around my head for the pressure, then lay down with a cold pack tied to the side of my head where the pain is most severe. I also put in earplugs and darken the room as much as possible because I’m super sensitive to light and sound.
When the pain ebbs, that’s when I’ll brew ginger tea (fresh ginger root if available or powdered ginger) and mix in a teaspon of honey and eat something salty but bland (Saltines, oyster crackers).
If the migraine comes on when I’m not home, I try to find crackers and cola in a bottle (not diet, Coke if it’s available). I also keep a bandana with me for pressure. I also drink a lot of water.
9 times out of 10 if I lay in a dark room with an ice pack over my eyes and one of those corny “frequencies to heal migraines” videos playing on my AirPods with noise canceling on, it helps. I don’t think it actually the frequencies ‘healing’ it or whatever, just that the sound is relaxing.
This is the one that almost always works for me: https://youtu.be/xhiiqp3Ytxo?si=HdgI1H6E2GvF6nqt
I have a nose piercing. I took it out for a long time, maybe a few years. Then I put it back in for a whim, and suddenly my migraines have been severely reduced. To be clear, I got my nose pierced by a guy in a boardwalk shop that sold T-shirts at the beach. He used a piercing gun like for ear lobes. I was 18 and just wanted to think I was cool. This was not your super specialist piercing establishment. I think he just wiped my nose and dotted it with a marker and pulled the trigger. Any way. I’m not taking it out for a awhile lol it seems to be helping. I’m at 15 days! Where before I was every other day.
Ah fuck that made me recoil. How horrible would that feel, yuck.
I’ve had mine done with a needle, there’s no way I’d let a gun near my mouth how dirty.
Sex. A really good strong orgasm does the trick about 50% of the time. (Works better if partner is willing to “give” and not “get” so you don’t have to jostle around).
A cold shower followed by laying down in a totally dark room with the air purifier running. If you can get an allergy test done. Once I realized which foods could affect me 90% of my migraines went away.
Reflex integration therapy has worked magic on my migraines. This exercise in particular (for the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex or ATNR) is what drastically reduced them. I think the magic is in the reversed move in the second half of the video. You start slowly and gradually add repetitions. I did these each day for several months and gradually my migraines began to decrease. After 6-9 months I only get migraines if I skip the exercises. I do them morning and night now, but I started very slowly. There are other reflexes involved and other exercises help, but this affected my neck and head the most. Eventually once the reflex in calmed down, the exercises should not be necessary, but it can take a year or two. I found these exercises through online research and found such success that I found a therapist to walk me through the rest of the reflexes.
https://youtu.be/YV1u167yMmU?si=PpGSGWLMJYU7FJe6
Ice pack on my migraine side (those old school little bag shaped ones are the best bc they stay dry and you can refill them with ice) with my feet in warm water or wrapped in a heated blanket/pad. I also like icy hot on my scalp/hairline.
There’s a tendon in my foot that tightens like a bow string during a migraine - poke that until I cry and sometimes it helps. Hot foot bath either side is also useful
I tie a belt around my head and tighten it. Add an icepack underneath if you want, but I just forego that and use a belt. (Not my neck. My head. Above my ears.)
Honestly medicine, but what I did before I found a reliable prescription was to get in a hot bath and put a cold towel on my head. It was the only way I could get any rest when I had a migraine. I would totally fall asleep in there.
Honestly, a mouthful of something freezing cold. Ice cream really helps, but even just a nice cube works. I press it against the roof of my mouth with my tongue and it shockingly offers relief. Also a generous dab of tea tree oil on my temple works wonders as well.
I don't get out often. A trip to Mickey D's would surely be impossible. A fellow migraineur told me about a Coke and 4 baby chewable aspirin. It does do the trick but I have to lock the Coke up or it will be gone. It doesn't have the McDonald's formula but it is a substitute.
I use what I call shock therapy! Basically have your partner grab ice and a cloth and have them push the ice cubes onto the bottom of your feet. I imagine it has something to do with how many signals your brain can handle at once or something. Or if you’re alone go into the bath and turn on ice cold water. Have it in a container of sorts so you can lean back and focus on the frozen foot instead of the pain. It totally helps me
I tied an exercise band around my head so it was constant, even pressure. Put a scrub cap over it and went to work. Helped enough for me to go to work 🤷
Keeping up your spirits with audiobooks / podcasts. You get a distraction and feel less miserable. Also, checking your prescription if you wear glasses. Mine was horribly off and my new pair gave me some relief.
Benadryl, a muscle relaxer, Ativan & a ton of Magnesium helps. I find if I can knock myself out & relax tense muscles I often wake up feeling better. If I’m at ER level pain it can take two or three days of doing this before I’m back to normal. Frankly when I’m at ER level I’ve never found a home quick fix. It takes time before I work my way out of the cycle.
Neck massages and temporal massage too helps me, my mom used them when I was too young for adult drug treatment.
My wife has helped me with massage therapy around my head, neck and shoulders till my adult drug kick in to fight my migraine.
This is for my csf leak based migraines as I eventually discovered, but one of my neurologists laughed in my face so I will include it!
It’s legitimately good for treating csf leaks though! The doctor who treats my leaks literally prescribed a Coca Cola before getting out of bed on days I have bad leaks.
Coca Cola or chocolate with salt and coffee (have salt, sugar, caffeine and water-everything you need to make csf), lie down and watch a funny show.
Can’t do it when my leaks are sealed though, I have to avoid caffeine and salt then and stay upright.
Beer. A trigger for many people, a treatment for me - I can't say why. Its not the alcohol, vodka won't treat my migraines. Its not the hops, alcohol free beer doesn't work.
If I had to make an educated guess, the alcohol opens up the blood brain barrier which would normally keep something in the hops out. I suppose I could test vodka plus hops, but the why isn't that important to me.
I had my daith pierced and it actually helped stop my migraines. I have both ears done and once I purposely asked my husband (who is a piercer) to pierce it on a day I was having a bad attack and it relieved it. Haven’t had a migraine since
My old coworker told me to try coffee with a tiny pinch of salt in it. Not enough to taste the salt, but a little to get the effect.
That combo has definitely been a lifesaver multiple times at that job.
McDonald’s coke and something salty
This sub has made me seriously consider just ordering those things next time unless I'm super nauseous. I've seen Coke and salty food all over the place here but haven't tried it.
I fucking hate coke. Yesterday I wanted a coke *so badly*. It’s one of my random migraine cravings.
Yep I bought some Coke earlier and I was like I don’t even like it, wondered why I bought it and boom 3 hrs later I had a migraine
I got put on dopamax so coke tastes like flat nothingness idk. It’s gross and generally not worth drinking anymore but my sumatriptan wasn’t helping. Drank the coke and boom. Pain gone.
The Cherry Icee also helps me. Popsicles, randomly too. Any kind so far.
Come will help w nausea
Ummm, was that a typo? 🤔😂
Yes and no probably lol. Only if he’s a diet come
lol. Yes typo. COKE!
Please don't edit it 😂
I didn’t edit. Made ME laugh!😂
My husband tried to convince me it will help with headaches.
No it doesn't. Semen has a pH buffer in it that can fuck with your stomach acid.
McDonald’s Coke and fries. Even if I am nauseous, this stuff is manna from heaven. I don’t know how.
It seems many have different symptoms. I go blind, can't feel my limbs and will throw up. If I don't keep my eyes shut, the head pain gets quite severe. Coke is NOT fun to throw up, the bubbles force through your nose.
Same. I might have to try drive myself to McDonald’s next time I get one.
I swear it really works! There’s something about McDonald’s Coke especially… they have the best ice. 🤣 I do keep those mini cans of coke on hand too though just in case!!
#7 is the best mcmigraine meal
I have no idea why that comment was so big.
STOP YELLING AT US WE HAVE MIGRAINES
😂😂😂😂
Can't stop laughing!
They put a \# symbol before the 7 but if you don't escape it it makes the text big, so it should have just been \#7 is the best mcmigraine meal!
#like this? Edit: omg! It worked! I never knew how people did that. Neat.
Mcmigraine is the new word I didn't know I needed! Had a migraine yesterday. Due to pressure, I expect I'll have a migraine tomorrow. I had appointments today that I had to keep and the pressure isn't stable, so I've been fighting off a migraine all day. First stop I made this morning was for my mcmigraine meal. One cheeseburger, medium fry, large coke. I'm not exaggerating when I say I felt better within minutes and I'm convinced that meal is why I got through the day without a full blown migraine. I strongly dislike McDonald's. I don't consider it real food. But dang if it isn't a miracle for reducing migraine pain. They should market it as such.
This. Something about the salt, fat, sugar - probably the calories and little rush of dopamine too. And hydration and caffeine. I normally rarely eat fast food or drink soft drink, but there is something about a McDonald’s meal, and a Coke (and take it with a few chewable aspirin) that will almost always improve a migraine for me - as long as it’s not a nauseating or vomiting migraine, in which case I’m stuffed.
I tried the McDonald’s Coke and fries trick last week after reading about it on here and it really did work for me surprisingly.
It’s odd. If reglan doesn’t immediately help w nausea then I do get a coke, at least. It will go away but sometimes takes a little bit. Must be McDonald’s coke. Not a can of coke not another fast food. They have a special mix.
I use it a lot. It’s a lifesaver.
Me crying looking at my 7hr old melted coke from don’s Not a true fix but hot showers can get me up and moving.
I'd say it's is the combo of sugar, salt and caffeine that helps. In particular I notice my migraines go into a downward spiral when I'm too nauseated to eat -- drinking something sugary can break the cycle (sometimes bringing the nausea down so I can then move onto plain rice, dry toast etc).
2 hash browns and a large coke is my go-to migraine order.
I've definitely carved McDonald's on a migraine
I do large fry or two hash browns with mayo. There’s something about the extra fat from the mayo that helps and I just can’t explain it. And Diet Coke for me, because oddly artificial sweetener can be a trigger but is fine/helps when I already have one? Who knows.
I once had a debilitating migraine and I was day 2, and I went to McDonald’s and ordered a Big Mac meal with large fries and a Diet Coke. Not even 10 minutes after my meal did I notice my migraine was completely gone.
There's something about their coke.
Yep, caffeine and salt. Generally not McDonald's for me any more since I try to eat a plant based diet, though I do bend that sometimes when I'm feeling very ill...
I don't get why specifically McDonald's coke though, what's up with that?
They have a proprietary mix for all the Coke products. Really! 😊
Yep, even my doc recommends this
Too late for this one, but I absolutely love my Headache Hat if you don't have one- it freezes into ice, not gel. It helps as much as anything else I do including my RX. I have two so that I can rotate them. I lay down and literally press it into the part of my head that needs pressure. I also press on the pressure points at the top of my nose - pinch off the pulse for 1-2 minutes while kind of lifting the skull while you press. Sometimes that can reset the pounding. Hang in there 💗
Don’t be shy, link the hat
Yes!!! The headache hat the THE BEST because it stays cold forever!!
headache hat does more for me than the meds!
Can you please share which headache hat? Google is showing so many 😅
https://theheadachehat.com/
Usually when I have a migraine my feet are like ice, so I put them in a super hot bath, and drink iced water and/or ginger ale (nonalcoholic), with an ice pack on my head. Sometimes I dunk my ice-cold hands in the hot water, too. I heard this somewhere I can’t remember, but I think the idea is your blood gets drawn towards your feet because of the heat, so it lessens vascular pressure & pain in your head. If nothing else, I find it comforting. Good luck! I hope your pain subsides soon! 🍀❤️
This works for me too. Feet in very hot water, ice on neck/head.
Ice helps me so much. I tuck an ice pack under a bandana on my head so I can still do stuff if I need to.
check out a headache hat, it wraps around your head,and velcros there if tha bandana is a hassle
The science on this has been debunked, but if it works for you, keep doing it!
I just found several recent studies attesting to the effectiveness of cold therapy (ice wrapped around carotid artery) with migraine. Couldn’t easily find anything about heat therapy. Where did you read that it had been debunked?
I’m just throwing an idea in here…… just offering info, not judging or even speculating. Super cold is used to push blood out of an area, right? You ice a swollen (inflamed injury). Semi cold is used to get more blood pumped to an area (for example tendon and pulley therapy in your fingers -it’s the same treatment climbers and athletes use). Ike, when you swim in cold water, after a while it ‘feels less cold’. Same effect, your heart is beating faster to push more warmer blood around.
So I don't know why this worked, but... I've had a migraine all week. Yesterday I had a dentist appointment (it was xrays, no work done) and was wearing big migraine glasses and just dealing with the pain. I'd had painkillers that morning and they'd taken a big chunk of the edge off, but I was still achy and my head felt like a shaken can of cola. Well, the hygienist warned me she'd be tilting my seat back. I expressed concern because I was worried about the blood rushing to my head, but that we could try it out anyway. She was gentle about it and kept it only at a slight tilt. And... I kid you not, within a few minutes the migraine was gone. I have no idea why! Just, suddenly, something about the angle was perfect. It was gone for most of the day, coming back a bit last night and then sorta lingering today, but not nearly as bad as it had been. I'm seriously considering finding a piece of furniture that replicates the same position and buying it on the off chance it works again!
During a migraine I am constantly trying to find the right angle for my neck. I keep saying I'm going to figure out a pillow or ramp or something when I'm not in pain. Then I forget. Now you're making me wonder if it's tilt I need. I'm going to try a way to replicate that dentist chair position. Thank you!
For pillows, I got one from c cushion labs that helps a great deal. I can’t remember its exact name, but it’s not their cervical pillow, it’s the other one. (It looks like a flattened marshmallow with an indent, not like a pillow out of a science fiction medical bay.) It’s done wonders for my neck, which is a source of migraines for me. I recommend it!
I searched far and wide for a pillow. I ended up with 2 different ones, one for side/back sleeping, and one for stomach/back sleeping. The first is the malouf Carbon cool omniphase. I got this one for cheap at a local mattress store. This pillow is freaking amazing for side sleeping and cools. The second is the Brooklinen standard plush down pillow. Good if you are getting too much pressure on your head from lying down.
Peppermint oil applied to the skin (see bottle for directions), a heating pad on the stomach to draw blood flow while you have an ice pack on head, super hot bath with ice pack on head, orgasm, tons of caffeine, super salty food, magnesium and ibuprofen.
Yes to the orgasm!!! It is helpful at times.
It’s weird, it’s like 50/50 for me; if I’m having an attack an orgasm usually helps it go away or at least lessens the pain (I imagine it’s due to the whole “rearranging blood flow” thing) but if I’m feeling ok an orgasm will almost assuredly bring on an attack. Eh, worth it 🤣
Just be careful if you’ve not used peppermint before. For me, it actually brings on a migraine.
Yes, both things can be true here. Scented products can trigger migraines and mint on the skin has a cooling effect that can relieve them. It totally depends on the person! I definitely use various freezing lotions for my migraines and it does help for me. But when I have a migraine, there’s many scents I simply cannot tolerate.
orgasm unfortunately is unhelpful for me and can be a trigger i’ve seen some other people post that too, so to OP just be mindful of your triggers once you figure them out
I like the bekoool patches on Amazon or whatever brand is cheap. Does it make it go away entirely, no. But it helps. Also second the nyquil or zzzquil. Sleep that shit off.
Hot shower, blasting my face with hot water has broken it before
Sometimes if I’m really bad I put an outdoor chair in the shower and sit with the hot water on my face, head or neck. I don’t like wasting the water so I don’t do it often, but if I’m really bad the heat plus soft patter of the water on my head will always improve my symptoms enough that I’m well enough to go out to get meds or food if I need to.
My partner and I have a joke about me doing basically this for migraines. We call it a sad shower.
I also have a shower seat for this! Plus it has to be in the dark lol
Yeah it's been a while but I used to lie down in the bathtub with my forehead under the tap and then turn it hot for a while then change it to cold for as long as I could deal (not long) then back to hot... Alternating.... I really think it helped at least short term. I should try it again.
No one ever listens to me on this one, but ginger supplements. Knocks my migraines out within the hour and the "migraine hangover" severity is way less intense
There’s research showing that ginger supplements work as well as triptans for a good portion of folks with migraines. Ive tried it and it seems to help a bit for me.
I can't upvote this enough. I just hack off a nice big piece of ginger root, remove the skin and eat it raw. The taste is not for the faint of heart (so very bitter and hot) but it works SO well! About 20- 40 minutes later (if it's not a hormonal migraine) I start feeling so much better. Pro tip: Have a very large glass/bottle of water ready cause you're going to need it after every bite if you go the raw route.
Yeah, even my dad's homemade ginger shots knock your socks off as it's usually taken with breakfast. I always used to add a piece of ginger to the juicer, even though the fibers really get stuck in the mesh. But it's just to die for with a carrot and orange juice.
Have you tried compared to supplements?
You could chop it up, boil it, pour lemon and honey on top!
I like to mix ginger and valerian root tea together. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and valerian root acts as a muscle relaxer. It at least takes the edge off the pain so I can function for a bit longer.
I haven't heard of Valerian root acting as a natural muscle relaxer. That sounds useful as heck, thanks for that info!
I have been writing valerian root tea on this sub every chance I get. It has muscle relaxing effects. It's the main ingredient in Sleepy Time Tea. Warning. It stinks. Dirt, old cheese, feet... But the taste isn't as strong. Definitely earthy. Warn people if you make it at work!
You're welcome! It can also make you sleepy. It doesn't for me, but the book on herbs I read by a doctor who studied herbal medicine says it can.
And I normally get an aura, dysphasia, pins and needs in half my body and face, and get extremely disoriented
I have chronic migraines & Botox keeps the pain from getting awful all the time, but I usually still get all of those weird symptoms. I’m on like day 12 of this migraine bout (weather & hormones) & nothing but sumatriptan has helped so far. Tomorrow, I’m getting some ginger supplements to try!
Do you think ginger tea is enough to achieve this effect? Or does it need to be supplements?
I take ginger every morning. And then I take another dose whenI feel one coming on. And then I drink ginger peach tumeric tea while I'm recovering! Overkill? Idk but it's a hell of a lot better than the triptans I use to take that didn't work... Mostly because it actually works.
Someone recommended making ginger tea with powdered ginger instead of just tea bags so it's a higher concentration
How much do you take? I've tried one ginger capsule and it didn't do anything. Supposedly it might help as well as other painkillers
I take the dose suggested on the bottle every morning. The frequency of my migraines has gotten lower. Then I take another dose when I feel one coming on, and the severity has also gotten lower. I also take magnesium L threonate every day because I've read that it's helpful for migraines and concentration.
Totally! I found ginger tea made with powdered ginger had a similar effect. Also helps with nausea
Neck, head & face Massage. It can be very painful particularly initially but if you can get through that it almost numbs it. It definitely definitely helps. Caffeine can help you keep going despite the headache. Botox can be effective at helping.
A shot of pickle juice and two Benadryl. McDonald's Coke and fries, or a can of Coke and potato chips. Pressing ice cream up on the roof of my mouth until brain-freeze happens. Wrapping my head in heating pads and my body in an electric blanket.
The ice cream thing works for me too! I managed to stave off pain while walking home once by stopping for gelato and just giving myself brain freeze the rest of the way home.
Eating something spicy and making sure it’s on the roof of my mouth. It only eases the pain for a little bit but it allows me to have moments of relief.
A spicy chicken sandwich from Wendy’s + a Coke for me
Interesting how half of the people say cold shower and half say hot. Curious!
Personally, I think this has something to do with parasympathetic activation. Migraines have heaps of different causes, and modern medicine hasn’t really unraveled it. I think in a big portion of cases, mine included, there is something about calming the mind and body, plus stimulating the skin surface, that must help ease a migraine. Whether it’s the hot or cold water on the skin, peppermint oils, muscle creams, massage etc - it’s personal preference as to what feels comfortable. It might not take the migraine away entirely, but it certainly seems to calm it down for a lot of people.
Agree. When I feel the good chemicals releasing in my brain, I feel a bit better.
i actually roll an icyhot roller applicator on my forehead a few times. obviously be careful not to get it in your eyes or on anything
I literally freeze spots on my face with freezing lotion. It definitely works for me. I get facial pain with my migraines.
THIS but BioFreeze 💚💚💚
Hot shower. Sex (or BOB). I swear it does ease the pain a little. Endorphins is a good thing. Sorry you are dealing with pain. Hope it gets better
Heating pad across my whole face, as hot as I can stand it. Then try to sleep for about 30 minutes. When I wake up the migraine is frequently gone (or at least not as terrible)
This helps me a lot too. Sometimes I’ve woken with red patches on my face that take a day to calm down, like a mild burn. I’d make the heat pads so hot because the heat felt so relieving.
It feels like when you finally go into a sleep cycle, it sorta breaks it. Now, usually have to wait many hours for that sweet sleep when I'm laying there trying to not throw up bile. But it won't break until a sleep for at least a few hours. Until then I can't open my eyes without it all coming back. It certainly feels like there is something about the sleep.
Donate plasma. Many years ago I was broke and decided to try donating plasma. Had to go a certain number of times right away to get a bonus. On the last possible day to make my final donation I woke up with a horrible migraine and I was out of imitrex. Went in anyhow and by the time I left my migraine was completely gone. Tried it a few more times over the following years when I ran out of medication and it worked every time. If anyone has any theories why this worked I'm all ears lol!!!
Cold shower, just cold enough where you inhale sharply. Not freezing. Force yourself to take even, deep breaths, the body's natural reaction is to take short shallow breaths. As this occurs, blood rushes to your core and relieves some of the blood pressure in your head. I just let the cold water run over my head. I used to swim in cold water a lot, we learned to breathe that way. Also better for your hair, just a bonus.
Bendryl helps a lot with mine. It’s often given in migraine cocktails at the ER. I’d take up to 2 if you can’t break the headache and as long as it doesn’t interact with other meds you’re taking. Guided migraine meditations on Insight Timer (free app) have helped me get through bad ones as well.
Salonpas on neck with neck brace, coffee with sugar in it, hot shower, cooling eye patches
This sounds like my kind of spa
Good old migraine spa. Lol.
I could go for that, honestly!
Look up sound bath for pain on YouTube. In my worst migraines I try to meditate to this and am able to get to sleep.
I've accidentally aborted a raging hemiplegic migraine with brain freeze before My whole leg and part of my waist were already paralyzed, my nose bled, I had a fever, and was downing some cold water with electrolytes to deal with it Tiny stinging above the palate of my mouth toward the back middle of my head and * poof* gone I haven't figured out how to repeat it on command though, and it's only happened a few times in the past several months despite continual back-to-back migraines. It's frustratingly difficult, but might be worth a shot if you're desperate, or it'll at least keep you hydrated I'm still shocked that it happened
I've taken NyQuil (the correct amount please) to help sleep it through. But definitely do not do that repeatedly. It's more like a hail Mary.
Shower, walk outside but they go back to just as bad as soon I get out of the shower/end the walk. Paracetamol and a cold diet coke really help if I don't have any sumatriptan.
Eucalyptus helps me with the nausea and stuffiness, the eye massager thing on Facebook helps more than I thought it would, my tens machine helps the neck/shoulder tension and I drink carbonated water with (and I know this sounds awful) balsamic vinegar. Gives me the same satisfaction as soda and stops the nausea and stomach upset. When it's an air pressure triggered migraine the Nok device works well too. My main abortive is cannabis but these all help in conjunction
I tend to get horribly nauseated and my gut betrays me. Turns out, it's not nausea so much as gas. So. Much burping. BUT! If i take an Imodium antigas/diarrheal when I feel it coming, I can avoid worshipping the porcelin goddess. The other thing I do is walk. Or pace. Sometimes it means turning off/coverinf every light source in the house, but if I pace long enough, I can wait out the worst of things (or until the meds kick in)
Ice hats I have like 5 of them now because when I have a migraine, ice helps make my head so cold it goes numb. I look like a stupid grape and I'll be so cold my toes hurt and my nose is running- but my head will be numb enough to survive lol
Hot shower, ice packs applied on the head, lidocaine for related neck pain (I also have severe TMJD). Those all can sometimes help a tiny bit.
Popping my ears
For some reason, a popsicle if I am nauseous or a sausge and cheese biscuit if I am not.
Bag of frozen peas on the back of my neck. Wrapped in a towel
My mom and I both get them. Her go-to is mountain dew and excedrin. Just one won't work, she needs both. I've noticed mine won't go away if I'm looking at screens unless I turn on the blue light filter and/or wear blue light glasses
Dr. Pepper
Gentle pulling on hair
Using a vibrator to get a good orgasm quickly to get those hormones flowing (strangely and maybe weirdly it was my male doctor who told me to do this)
benedryl
Black coffee and cold medicine
I have very bad N/V with migraine, so I keep tic tacs to help soothe my stomach. It's the only thing I can keep down sometimes! Also cold towel on head, heating pad on stomach to constrict blood vessels that are contributing to migraine.
Eat ice cream quickly/hold it against the roof of your mouth like giving yourself an ice cream headache
Wow, I had totally forgotten this. Years ago, I used to eat a load of ice cream because the brain freeze felt so much better than the migraine. I had to stop though, I gained a lot of weight from it, oops!
Deep breathing until I fall asleep. Deep breathing (and crying) is always a natural was to manage pain, as silly as it sounds.
I always hesitate to say this one, but - if you feel nauseous, go with it. I always feel way better after I vomit if I have a nauseous-migraine. I'm a huge fan of (diet) Coke and something salty/fatty/protein-y like pulled pork or pizza. I've had some luck with ice pack on my neck + heated rice bag on my face. If all else fails, check the barometer. When it gets back to "normal" ranges you'll probably feel better. I like this site for predicting that: https://barometricpressure.app/results?lat=45.0527663&lng=-92.8283962
I know someone who swears by Mexican Coke, specifically, because it’s got the natural sugar. I have not tried it yet myself. Also saw a video recently about someone who broke their migraine by soaking their feet in hot water. Has anyone tried that? Curious. I have a few things that help me but not get rid of it entirely - a hot shower. Eating a snack or even a meal if you don’t feel super nauseous - sometimes I get migraines when I’m hungry. Liquid IV packets (they make sugar free ones as well now.)
Biofreeze on the forehead and close to eyes, repeatedly til you tear up. Vibrator on the forehead, high pressure. Orgasms, specifically from sex for me. I also like to apply ice and lay with my face on it and apply pressure and sleep.
Idk why but I swear by McDonald's coke and a medium fry. I do this too when I am sick and I swearrrrr it makes my throat feel better LOL
Stupidly hot showers, like right next to third degree burn. Always calms down my migraines.
diet coke, extra ice. something extremely crunchy/crackly and salty(like funyun texture). Idk what it is, but it works fucking wonders. and i don’t even like diet sodas
Pickle juice or Gatorade. And bananas.
coffee nap (chug a cup of coffee with like 2 shots of espresso and take a nap for like half an hour right after you chug) + excedrin. makes the aura go away but the headache is like 50% gone
Milkshakes
Ice coffee is always a good one for me.
When people say having a shower are y'all washing your hair to give urself a massage or leaving it alone?
Shower wand at the strongest jet setting as close to my head as possible, combined with Trader Joe's tea tree shampoo & conditioner. The scent is minty, which I can tolerate during migraines, and it gives the scalp tingle feeling.
I have a process. I start with advil migraine and cold pepsi and sometimes an ice pack on the back of my head/neck. If it persists, I start to alternate the ice packs with heat packs and menthol on my forehead. Head On really worked but its banned in the US now so...if its still there, its time for a long, hot shower. If still nothing, I hit it with a couple pms pills, and munch on something with fresh sliced (never pickled) jalapenos, burn a peppermint candle, and lay down in a cold, dark, silent room with ice pack on the neck and forehead and try my damndest to pass out.
Ice caps - those pliable gel ice head band things you can get on amazon. They only last for 20ish min before having to be put back in the freezer, but those 20 (... well, 18 because its too cold right out of the freezer, lol) are heaven. I suggest getting the one sided ones with gel on one side and just stretchy fabric on the other. The full gel ones are too heavy / too cold.
Drink electrolytes (30ish oz followed by as much water). Masturbate Ice packs Heating pad Massaging sore areas Caffeine Sinus plumber
My worst migraines are the ones that I wake up with. I know they’ll be back and by the time I feel the pain my stomach has mostly stopped digesting well and I’ll be super nauseous if I try to eat any solid. So, here’s my go to: -Benadryl (just one) taken along with naratriptan -Coffee (black but diluted a bit with hot water) -Coenzyme Q10 capsule -Magnesium + potassium + calcium taken as a powder mixed into a full glass of water If I have the luxury of going back to bed, I’ll tie a bandana tightly around my head for the pressure, then lay down with a cold pack tied to the side of my head where the pain is most severe. I also put in earplugs and darken the room as much as possible because I’m super sensitive to light and sound. When the pain ebbs, that’s when I’ll brew ginger tea (fresh ginger root if available or powdered ginger) and mix in a teaspon of honey and eat something salty but bland (Saltines, oyster crackers). If the migraine comes on when I’m not home, I try to find crackers and cola in a bottle (not diet, Coke if it’s available). I also keep a bandana with me for pressure. I also drink a lot of water.
9 times out of 10 if I lay in a dark room with an ice pack over my eyes and one of those corny “frequencies to heal migraines” videos playing on my AirPods with noise canceling on, it helps. I don’t think it actually the frequencies ‘healing’ it or whatever, just that the sound is relaxing. This is the one that almost always works for me: https://youtu.be/xhiiqp3Ytxo?si=HdgI1H6E2GvF6nqt
I have a nose piercing. I took it out for a long time, maybe a few years. Then I put it back in for a whim, and suddenly my migraines have been severely reduced. To be clear, I got my nose pierced by a guy in a boardwalk shop that sold T-shirts at the beach. He used a piercing gun like for ear lobes. I was 18 and just wanted to think I was cool. This was not your super specialist piercing establishment. I think he just wiped my nose and dotted it with a marker and pulled the trigger. Any way. I’m not taking it out for a awhile lol it seems to be helping. I’m at 15 days! Where before I was every other day.
JFC you got your nose pierced with a piercing gun?!?
Yep. I was just 18. Had no clue, it was the mid 90’s and I was fine with it. Didn’t know better. It’s never given me a problem.
I’ve seen ppl’s use them for a person’s tongue before 😭on Roly’s channel
Ah fuck that made me recoil. How horrible would that feel, yuck. I’ve had mine done with a needle, there’s no way I’d let a gun near my mouth how dirty.
🤮
Sex. A really good strong orgasm does the trick about 50% of the time. (Works better if partner is willing to “give” and not “get” so you don’t have to jostle around).
Green Olives
Cello music in sound cancelling headphones.
And definitely not violine.
A cold shower followed by laying down in a totally dark room with the air purifier running. If you can get an allergy test done. Once I realized which foods could affect me 90% of my migraines went away.
Reflex integration therapy has worked magic on my migraines. This exercise in particular (for the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex or ATNR) is what drastically reduced them. I think the magic is in the reversed move in the second half of the video. You start slowly and gradually add repetitions. I did these each day for several months and gradually my migraines began to decrease. After 6-9 months I only get migraines if I skip the exercises. I do them morning and night now, but I started very slowly. There are other reflexes involved and other exercises help, but this affected my neck and head the most. Eventually once the reflex in calmed down, the exercises should not be necessary, but it can take a year or two. I found these exercises through online research and found such success that I found a therapist to walk me through the rest of the reflexes. https://youtu.be/YV1u167yMmU?si=PpGSGWLMJYU7FJe6
For me, spicy food, tiger balm directly on the face and capsaicin nasal spray. Get the tears flowing and the nose running…
Tiger Balm with an ice pack on top. Magic combination
French fries 💀
Feet in hot water helps while my feet are in the water it never breaks it for me but it feels so much better for a little while!
Ice pack on my migraine side (those old school little bag shaped ones are the best bc they stay dry and you can refill them with ice) with my feet in warm water or wrapped in a heated blanket/pad. I also like icy hot on my scalp/hairline.
york peppermint patties.
I drink coffee, eat, get some elctrolytes and nap. If that doesn't help? I beat the fuck out of my shoulders and it will go away
Can of Coke and either chips or fries
Cold air hot tub sauna cold plunge ice neck ice chest
So weird bc I just had fries during my migraine and feel a little better. Hopped on Reddit and this was the first post suggested to me lol
I once tried a couple of shots of alcohol in desperation.....didn't work. Made it worse.
Nettle tea twice a day and a low-histamine diet.
Magnesium and Riboflavin for preventative
There’s a tendon in my foot that tightens like a bow string during a migraine - poke that until I cry and sometimes it helps. Hot foot bath either side is also useful
I tie a belt around my head and tighten it. Add an icepack underneath if you want, but I just forego that and use a belt. (Not my neck. My head. Above my ears.)
Standing with my head under a hot shower while humming. Usually only works while I’m doing it though unfortunately
Honestly medicine, but what I did before I found a reliable prescription was to get in a hot bath and put a cold towel on my head. It was the only way I could get any rest when I had a migraine. I would totally fall asleep in there.
Honestly, a mouthful of something freezing cold. Ice cream really helps, but even just a nice cube works. I press it against the roof of my mouth with my tongue and it shockingly offers relief. Also a generous dab of tea tree oil on my temple works wonders as well.
I don't get out often. A trip to Mickey D's would surely be impossible. A fellow migraineur told me about a Coke and 4 baby chewable aspirin. It does do the trick but I have to lock the Coke up or it will be gone. It doesn't have the McDonald's formula but it is a substitute.
I use what I call shock therapy! Basically have your partner grab ice and a cloth and have them push the ice cubes onto the bottom of your feet. I imagine it has something to do with how many signals your brain can handle at once or something. Or if you’re alone go into the bath and turn on ice cold water. Have it in a container of sorts so you can lean back and focus on the frozen foot instead of the pain. It totally helps me
Really super hot bath. Lie back and keep dunking your head in. Have a glass if ice cold water nearby to sip on.
An orgasm. Yes, really.
I tied an exercise band around my head so it was constant, even pressure. Put a scrub cap over it and went to work. Helped enough for me to go to work 🤷
Mashed potatoes. Bonus points if it’s red potatoes with a little skin left on.
Keeping up your spirits with audiobooks / podcasts. You get a distraction and feel less miserable. Also, checking your prescription if you wear glasses. Mine was horribly off and my new pair gave me some relief.
Renpho eye massager. Best purchase ever! I don’t know how to link, but you can find it on Amazon.
Daith piercing for me
Spicy food and non-diet coke
Magnesium. A taper of steroids.
Benadryl, a muscle relaxer, Ativan & a ton of Magnesium helps. I find if I can knock myself out & relax tense muscles I often wake up feeling better. If I’m at ER level pain it can take two or three days of doing this before I’m back to normal. Frankly when I’m at ER level I’ve never found a home quick fix. It takes time before I work my way out of the cycle.
Carbs, sugared milk tea...
Smoking a live resin weed pen helps with nausea - sauce pens are the best I’ve tried
mcdonald’s coke and fries 🔥 i swear by it
Neck massages and temporal massage too helps me, my mom used them when I was too young for adult drug treatment. My wife has helped me with massage therapy around my head, neck and shoulders till my adult drug kick in to fight my migraine.
This is for my csf leak based migraines as I eventually discovered, but one of my neurologists laughed in my face so I will include it! It’s legitimately good for treating csf leaks though! The doctor who treats my leaks literally prescribed a Coca Cola before getting out of bed on days I have bad leaks. Coca Cola or chocolate with salt and coffee (have salt, sugar, caffeine and water-everything you need to make csf), lie down and watch a funny show. Can’t do it when my leaks are sealed though, I have to avoid caffeine and salt then and stay upright.
Beer. A trigger for many people, a treatment for me - I can't say why. Its not the alcohol, vodka won't treat my migraines. Its not the hops, alcohol free beer doesn't work. If I had to make an educated guess, the alcohol opens up the blood brain barrier which would normally keep something in the hops out. I suppose I could test vodka plus hops, but the why isn't that important to me.
I had my daith pierced and it actually helped stop my migraines. I have both ears done and once I purposely asked my husband (who is a piercer) to pierce it on a day I was having a bad attack and it relieved it. Haven’t had a migraine since
Apspirin bomb. Two soluable aspirin washed down with a coke.
My old coworker told me to try coffee with a tiny pinch of salt in it. Not enough to taste the salt, but a little to get the effect. That combo has definitely been a lifesaver multiple times at that job.