Migraines are NO fun!  I've found that if I can "catch" one in the early stages, I might be able to stop it before it becomes full-blown.  Amazingly enough, caffiene is what helps to knock down a headache BEFORE it becomes a major......HEADACHE!  Once it gets past the "initial" symptoms stage, however, you should avoid caffeine.

Things to avoid:  salt, alcohol, caffiene, chocolate.

I know there are herbal remedies that some use.  I'll let someone else jump in with those.  They've never worked well for me, but I know they can work for others.

Sorry to hear about your migraines!  People who've never had them just don't understand how awful they are.   

If I can catch my migraines before they start (no real pain yet, but I know they're coming  ) Excedrin Migraine works well for me.

After I have one the only thing that helps is prescription meds; I like Relpax and Imitrex.

I've tried various treatments through the years but medication is the only thing that has helped me.  Sorry. 

Sorry to hear about the migraine ((((((hugs))))))

ok, this might be long but this is all the info i found:-

well this is for more minor headaches- boil some water, and add some pepermint oil/herb, or lavender oil then pour it into a bowl, and drape a towel over your head and lean over the water with the towel curtained around your face (like a sauna) then start taking slow deep breaths and when there is no more steam, immediately rub the pressure points on the bridge of your nose, temples and base of your skull.

OR

you could do the same exept use warm water and dip the the towel in it, the wring it and place it on your neck  or forehead.

Drink herbal tea of feverfew or chammomile, or peppermint which are calming.

apply heat or cold, or alternate between the two.
take a hot bath with some of lavender or peppermint essential oil in the water while massaging neck and forehead.

Taking magnesium(sp?) supplement is also very helpful.

well, not to make things too long here's a website that has some good info

Hope they don't come back any time soon ((((((hugs))))))

my hubby get migraines and over time we found a trigger to his after being told that most have a trigger that brings them on.  his triggers are nitrates (a preservtive found in hotdog and other meat) and exposure to argon gas( from work ) so now he avoids these and it helped to limit them .

My suggestion is to consult a chiropractor, a homeopath and/or naturopath.  Regular massage could help reduce the stress and increase circulation.  Yoga is good stress reduction (of course!) and walking.

I hope you find a remedy soon!  Good luck and let us know how you do!!!

I just signed up, and we haven’t been introduced but I know about migraines! Like you mine are violent vomiting affairs that keep me in bed all day. After having spoken with numerous doctors, nurses, friends and family members I’ve deduced the cause… stress. Most of the people I know who have had or get migraines have auras (ringing in the ears, spots of light in the eyes) which I do not get. For me it’s like being hit with a wrecking ball. Usually I tend toward homeopathic remedies but after three months of having migraines every day I had to go on manufactured meds (though I’ve known some who had great success with bio-feedback). If you haven’t have migraines before it is either a new allergy or stress. As Sakina advised, yoga, and meditation, are the best stress relievers available! If you think it’s an allergy see a homeopath, and if you don’t have money or insurance call your state human resource department or get out the yellow pages—there are sliding fee scale clinics, and frequently within such clinics there are people that are able to refer a patient to a homeopath or naturopath (or maybe I just got lucky). I feel for you, a migraine is one of the worst possible pains imaginable, and I’ve actually gone to the emergency room more than once because of them. But on a lighter side I've also known people who’ve only had them once or twice; it might simply be a rare occurrence. I really hope for you it doesn’t happen again!

Well, I am certainly not alone here!  I think i can almost definetly pin-point my headaches to stress.  My head is constantly racing.  When I lay down to sleep I find myself thinking about the days work, and the work to come.  Stressing over the work load, or lack of work load sometimes, financial stuff, and just trying to juggle the entire act completely by myself.  I am a one-woman-show when it  comes to my business, and it can get extremely trying sometimes...just feeling spread too thin.  No wonder I am experiencing migraines!

I don't feel that was my first migraine, just the first one that got that severe.  I would love to take yoga, unfortunately no one offers it around here, I could learn on my own, though.  I used to take tai chi, it was so wonderful and relaxing, but this dull area managed to squash that on me, too.  Not enough ppl joining in, so he stopped his classes.  I enjoy the group settings when it comes to things like that, it's more encouraging.  I do go to the gym 2-3 times per week to exersice, that helps to relieve some aggrivation, but I wouldn't say it's relaxing!

Ollave:  Thanks for the info., insurance & cost IS an issue for me, a big one.  Another stress added to being a new small business owner is having to provide for your own insurance, and unfortunately I just can't afford any right now.  I know there are plans out there I could probably swing, but the coverage offered hardly seems worth it.  For me to pick up a good plan would mean that some other bills just wouldn't get paid, and that's not an option for me.  Insurance really stinks!  I was not aware that there were other options for me, I will certainly look further into this.  By the way, Welcome to the boards!

Rodent:  Sorry to hear of your sufferings, too.  I don't find that reading causes headaches for me, but they certainly do aggravate them once they've started, reading becomes torture!  It's so hard when they hit you in a situation like you experienced, driving and you can't lay down or cover your eyes from the light.  You need to keep concentrating, and that makes it so much worse!

Thanks so much for the input everyone.  I'm going to double check to see about yoga classes around here, if not, I'm really thinking about learning on my own.  This also makes me realized that I'm way overdue for a chiropractic appt., maybe that will help too.  (((Thanks again!)))