Migraines

I won't take Imitrex anymore. I take a daily pill to prevent my migraines, and it lessens the ones that I do have. Truthfully though, my migraines are what keeps me in the "wannabe" category, I would be afraid to drive with one. If you get one out on the road, have you tried the standard remedies of ice packs, Excedrin, and peppermint oil?

 

I have a small bottle of peppermint oil
What do I do with it
I have been using it as a breath mint, just a couple of drops and it burns the tongue

 

I usually get one or two a year, I take excedrin migrane, the caffiene makes me really loopy, but it works for me. I use to work with one girl, who had them fequently, hers where so bad she spent the day crying in bed, none of the pills seemed to work for her, had a cousin that would have seisures because of them.I feel bad for those who have them often, they are no fun at all!!

 

I use FROZEN 2 pound bags of peas one at a time on the back of my neck. I can use one until it melts and then switch over.

And lot's of EXCEDRINS...sigh which don't work. THE only thing that does is laying down on my bag of peas and covering my eyes.

I find the peas are more comfortable then an ice pack and last longer. Actually when I had knee surgery, the DOC told me to use them instead of ice bags, more comfy, he was right.........lol

 

I'd occasionally had painless migraines for decades but they went improperly diagnosed. I even had what they now call "aurora's" or "aura's", semi-circular, ragged edged, very rapid flashes of light in my peripheral vision, almost like the onset of tunnel vision. This later became the signal for the upcoming painful full-blown migraine, which felt very much like a very bad sinus headache (which I have also suffered). When it gets this bad, I become sensitive to light and sound. I want it dark and quiet, and I want it NOW!! A hand massager used on my neck and temples seems to take the edge off, but I've found NO medication or home remedy (including those listed above) that do any good at all. The only real help for me has been to lie down in a dark, quiet, cool room and relax for the duration (usually 45 minutes to an hour). I have never discovered the trigger, but these have never occured while flying or driving (yes, my flight surgeon is very aware of them, but they aren't listed on my flight physical applications.) So far, they are very rare (every couple of years), and have never kept me from functioning adequately, although I would never fly or drive if I felt one coming on. I have plenty of warning to keep me (and those around me) safe!

I would be very careful about mentioning them on a DOT physical, but if you think your condition detracts in anyway from safety, and might not give you enough time to safely get off the road and park without distraction, you should not be driving big rigs!