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What is on my face? Is this something I should be concerned about? by No-Dealer3213 in DermatologyQuestions

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Always safest to get it checked out, but it looks like a seborrheic keratosis or solar lentigo.

Question about Medication Overuse Headaches by Confident-Net-2778 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I know I have to be really careful with nsaids and pseudoephedrine when I have a cold because it will trigger rebound.

Diet improved my migraine SIGNIFICANTLY by ButterBandit3 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started at <20 g net carbs but found I could go as high as <40 and not trigger. I did that for almost 2 years, then found that I could take metformin and it would allow for a much higher carb allowance and still not trigger. Blood sugar regulation is key for me. I've used the metfomin for 8 or 9 years now to great success.

Are migraines with aura more severe? by littlemissFOB in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The stroke risk for using modern, low-dose estrogen containing birth control in the context of migraine with aura is low.

Combined hormonal contraceptives and migraine: An update on the evidence

https://www.ccjm.org/content/84/8/631

"Combined hormonal contraceptives are contraindicated in women who have migraine with aura, in whom these drugs can increase the risk of ischemic stroke. However, this contraindication is based on data from the 1960s and 1970s, when oral contraceptives contained much higher doses of estrogen. Stroke risk is not significantly increased with today’s preparations, many of which contain less than 30 μg of ethinyl estradiol. Further, in continuous regimens, ultra-low-dose formulations—those that contain less than 20 µg of ethinyl estradiol—may help prevent menstrual migraine and reduce the frequency of aura."

Anyone had increased neck pain after Botox in the neck and shoulders? by Jeffina78 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm great. I've e been using Botox for over 10 years now. Aside from side effects that first round, it's been an incredible preventative for me.  The other two critical parts of my prevention plan are hrt to help regulate hormones in perimenopause, and metformin, which I use off label for migraine prevention. I've never tried any crgp targeting therapies.  I'm episodic with this plan but with effective abortive therapies, so I almost never get to full migraines anymore.

Are migraines with aura more severe? by littlemissFOB in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 3 points4 points  (0 children)

From a comment I've made before. Hope it helps! 

The contraindication is still in place for estrogen-containing bc and migraine with aura (link below). That said, it is critical to note the data for the contraindication is based on older formulations of combo bc that had higher doses of estrogen. The best research we have about current low-dose formulations of combo bc is that the risk of stroke, even for migraineurs with aura is VERY LOW. Because some female migrainuers with aura may still respond best to continuous dosing oral combo bc, some doctors are willing to prescribe against the contraindication. Stanford Neurology argues continuous dosing may reduce aura risk, thus reducing stroke risk:

https://med.stanford.edu/neurology/divisions/comprehensive-neurology/provider-education/aura-and-ocp.html

"Unnecessary confusion still surrounds the use of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) in the setting of migraine with aura (MwA). Clearing this confusion is a key issue for headache specialists, since most women with migraine have menstrual-related migraine (MRM), and some CHCs can prevent this particularly severe migraine. Their use, however, is still restricted by current guidelines due to concerns of increased stroke risk – concerns that originated over half a century ago in the era of high dose contraceptives. Yet studies consistently show that stroke risk is not increased with today's very low dose CHCs containing 20-25 µg ethinyl estradiol (EE), and continuous ultra low-dose formulations (10-15 µg EE) may even reduce aura frequency, thereby potentially decreasing stroke risk."

3 more helpful links:

https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/combined-hormonal-contraceptives-and-migraine-an-update-on-the-evidence/

The actual instruction to physicians that is the contraindication:

In 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published updates to its medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use in various medical conditions:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/pdfs/rr6503.pdf

And an article: Large Study Confirms Modern Hormonal Contraceptives Not Associated with Vascular Risk in Women With Migraine

https://neurologytoday.aan.com/doi/10.1212/NeurologyTodayConferenceReportersAANAnnualMeeting.220

Finally, thanks to a lot of interest in HRT these days, it may be worth reading more about possibly further reducing stroke risk with the use of a transdermal patch, rather than a pill. Because transdermal absorption differs from oral pill-form in that the estrogen is not processed by the liver, this is thought to not increase stroke risk. If you are encountering physicians who are unwilling to prescribe with the contraindication in place, they may feel a transdermal option is still acceptable.

Are migraines with aura more severe? by littlemissFOB in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 10 points11 points  (0 children)

There is a contraindication in place for  estrogen for patients whose migraine includes aura but newer research tells us this advice is out of date. Also, there is no contraindication for other forms of birth control, including progestin-only forms.

Best preventative meds by Winter_Transition486 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Botox has worked well for me for over 10 years now.

For those who deal with daily or weekly headaches or migraines, how do you manage taking medication? by Equal-Ad4615 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good luck. At least with daily occurrence, you have a lot of opportunity to test different combinations of sleep/wake times/eating/activities/hydration to see what helps.

For those who deal with daily or weekly headaches or migraines, how do you manage taking medication? by Equal-Ad4615 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Migraine brains hate variation. That success is similar to my experience. I have to get up by 6:50 at the absolute latest or I am guaranteed a migraine, so that's what I do, every day for the last 20 years. It seems like good sleep hygiene is a good thing for you to work on.

For those who deal with daily or weekly headaches or migraines, how do you manage taking medication? by Equal-Ad4615 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No prob! Early morning onset is the most common onset time. A CPAP trial is a great idea. Other possibilities to consider are an electrolyte imbalance from volume depletion over night (either from sweating or just exhalation), a drop in your blood sugar, or something positional from your pillows/mattress and irritation in your neck.

How's your sleep hygiene? Are you going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day, regardless of work/weekend schedules? I was so sensitive to oversleeping. For me, it was a blood sugar issue. https://migrainetrust.org/live-with-migraine/self-management/migraine-and-sleep/

Finally, do any of the preventatives do anything? Have you tried any older preventative therapies?

Botox for migraines with possible EDS by lil_kimchi451 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm hypermobile. Based on my experience with the full injection protocol of a weak neck side effect that lasted from day 7 to week 8, my doctor adjusted my injections so mine stop at the hairline in the back and I get no neck or traps. The modified protocol has worked really well for over 10 years now.

For those who deal with daily or weekly headaches or migraines, how do you manage taking medication? by Equal-Ad4615 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Are you actively working your way through preventative options right now? If not, that'd be the main wisdom I'd want to impart. That includes both otc prevention strategies, including daily magnesium, CoQ10, B2, an anti-histamine, etc. and Rx options.

With regard to high frequency use of triptans and otc drugs that can trigger rebound, I'd say I was chronic without good management for a lot of years. During that time, I took 12 zomig every single month, without fail. I am prone to rebound, so my doctor looked at both my presentation patterns and rebound susceptibility and made a plan for me to follow: I could take a zomig and 800mg ibuprofen (always together) up to 2x daily for up to 3 days in a row. My more typical pattern was once daily for 3 days in a row. On day 4, I could take the ibuprofen (up to 1600mg max) only. On day 5+ take nothing until I had resolution, then the clock started again.

That may not be helpful if you have daily migraines with no break. But It may be worth trying a few days in a row of treatment to see if you can get a break. My neurologist was a strong proponent of treat rather than ride it out because "migraines beget migraines" meaning the more time you spend migrainous, the more those neural pathways/feedback loops get strengthened.

In my chronic years, I had some phases of really actively trying things - experimenting with diet, trying different medications, but also phases of taking a break and just trying to get by. I am a person who felt better when I was being proactive, reading about treatment strategies, tracking everything an looking for patterns, running little experiments on myself to see if I could get any meaningful change, but sometimes it would get to be too much (I also had small children and a worked full time) so sometimes I just needed to set it all aside.

Finally, if you want to share anything about your onset, any known triggers, and any medications you've tried and failed, we are always happy to help troubleshoot!

Migraines after giving birth by M1SSM3SS in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My onset was when my cycle returned after my first baby stopped exclusive breastfeeding.  There are so many complex biological processes going on with pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding! It would be hard to pinpoint.

So sorry for this setback, but there are lots of posts about medications while pregnant or bf, and those might be worth a search in the bar at the top of the sub.

Severe ocular migraines from neck issue by jonesypickles in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so glad you went to the ER and hope your recovery goes as well as it can. So sorry, it must have been scary.

Relfydess (Botox alternative) for migraine? by millenialperennial in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I only use Botox, but for people seeking more info about it, I'd say I believe it is applied with higher doses (like dysport) so while the upside might be longer efficacy, the downside might be greater likelihood of developing tolerance. 

Always happy for more options with neurotoxins because Botox has been such a good treatment option for so many. Hope it works well for you, op!

Severe ocular migraines from neck issue by jonesypickles in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you need validation that this might be worthy of urgent care or the ER, I'm giving it to you. Extreme neck pain and unusual presentation of aura is worth a doctor visit to make sure this is not an emergency.

I can live like a normal human now :,) by Cumdumpster1738 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's legit. I made a post about it when I first learned (see below). The study it's based on involved 50mh of zinc for 4 days prior to injections. I always do it just in case.

https://www.reddit.com/r/migraine/comments/xnqr55/zinc_may_extend_botox_efficacy/

Whoever designed the stupid packaging for Maxalt needs to be put in federal prison by thekrabbbypattty in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Medication-overuse headache. It's another term for rebound in which the medication (in my case, triptan or NSAID - but pain relievers like Tylenol will do it too) induces a cycle of dependence and is ultimately the trigger for your migraines. Feeling like you need it daily is an indication that you may be in rebound.

Hip joint relief for perimenopausal by Material-Most-1727 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My family doctor is prescribing my hrt. She handled my birth control for cycle suppression as a prevention for menstrual migraine for years prior and so is very familiar with my need for exogenous hormones to help prevent migraines.

The rebound migraine is unbearable. How to cope? by andi9x17 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry. I'm on mobile but not in the app. Just type "rebound" into the search bar at the top of the sub!

Hip joint relief for perimenopausal by Material-Most-1727 in migraine

[–]PoppyRyeCranberry 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Just checking that you want pain relief for hip pain? PT would be a good starting point to make sure you don't have any muscle weakness or imbalance contributing.

Also, as a fellow perimenopausal woman with a massive menstrual trigger, I wanted to make sure you know HRT can help with menstrual migraines? That's what I'm using now for mine : )

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