At-Home Remedies Hacks & Highlights

Here are some highlights I want to share... grab a cuppa, it got loooonnnng.

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Migraine hacks like putting raw potatoes or raw onions on your head or chugging hot sauce in water trivialize our condition and prays on those of us who are desperate. We don't have proper relief, so we try alternative therapies. There should be no shame in that… but there is.

There are non-medical treatments that are evidence based.

Here are the over the counter (OTC) medications he mentions:

The migraine cocktail is different treatments in different families can help stop the cycle of a migraine attack:

#1. Antihistamine (old school Benadryl)
#2. Anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen)
#3. Oral magnesium - 500 mgs (oxide has performed best in some studies)
#4. Hydration with additional electrolytes

And the alternative therapies are:

- essential oils - lavender oil or peppermint oil.
- ice packs around the head – not to do with constricting blood vessels as your skull protects this – it's more about distracting yourself with a different sensation that is not pain - this is very helpful.
- OTC lidocaine cream can help for muscles skeleton pain.
- Ginger - ginger chews - helpful for nausea.

Here are some red flags (even from 'doctors' on Tik Toc!) we all trust doctors right!

• Not all doctors are the same. Doctors of Acupuncture, or Doctor of Chiropractic does not mean they know anything about migraine.

• Practitioners get commissions and kickbacks! Only use my supplements, all else are sub-par. Or this is the only version of X that is helpful.

• Not all treatments have a randomized controlled trial, but in the end, it should have some evidence of working.

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The interviewer asked him to rank the alternative therapies out there that are said to work. She said the to use the score from 0 to 3 – and tell us why it might work and if it could be dangerous.

Score:
0 - unlikely to work and may harm
1 - unlikely to work and probably safe
2 - may work for some not likely to cause harm, give it a shot!
3 - likely to work, not likely to harm

HACKS:

1. Coke cola – Score 2 hydration and caffeine can be helpful but can make things worse. Caffeine is similar to anti-inflammatory treatment. Not just causing the blood vessels to shrink.

2. Antihistamines - Benadryl is used a lot - or Cyproheptadine – Score 3 is helpful but not great for everyone. Not for elderly.

3. Blue light filters are Score 3. They are helpful...

4. Motion sickness bands - Score 2. Might be acupressure that explains why it may be helpful. But it might have more to do with increasing vagal tone.

5. Menthols gels - menthol has some anti-inflammatory effect usually from spearmint essential oil that is in there too. Score 2. More anecdotal.

6. Salty foods - food is not an ideal treatment for migraine! Drink water with electrolytes instead. Score 2 - not harm anyone but not recommended.

Q - With electrolytes is there a brand you'd recommend? A - Whatever you feel like you can tolerate. If taste is not a factor - B Vitamins are ideal.

7. Massage. Score 2 - help some but not everyone. Not everyone has muscle skeletal tension that accompanies attacks. Cervicogenic headache (CGH) type of headache may benefit.

8. Daith piercing - 1 out of 3 - there is no evidence for this to be helpful.

Q - Ear seeds? A - Score 0 to 1 - what are they seeding in your ear? Could be anything. He says to avoid.

9. Biofeedback 3/3 - low risk - great evidence for relief. It's similar to a guided breathing meditation with a therapist, you learn how to actually relax with the feedback. Checks muscle tension and/or heart rate variability, all data tells you where you are at.

10. OTC Tens units - 2/3 - depends on the one you get and if you can tolerate it. More for muscle skeletal tension. If relaxing is good - might work the same as a massage. Might not.

11. Ginger - 2/3 if tolerated. Decreases nausea, not pain, but good for nausea.

Ok, there is a lot more, but this is already long enough, and I want to share from one more!

In Hormones & Migraine: Debunking the Myths of HRT with Anne MacGregor, MD

Key points:

HRT started too early will make migraines worse. Estrogen excites the brain… you don’t want to add to this.

With menstrual migraine – hormones are only one trigger; this trigger can be removed. BUT you will most likely you will have less predictable migraine attacks.

She does not recommend having HRT this if you are still menstruating.

ALL clinical trials show HRT makes migraine worse.

Rather than adding to hormones, you want to suppress them… not top them up. She suggests contraceptive during perimenopause to be more effective at reducing attacks.

Oh gosh – this is complicated as to where you are in your stage of life and with your cycle. She said to use something to logical treat the symptoms you are managing.

Ok... I've got 2 more to watch.

>> Migraine World Summit: Experts Right in Your Living Room!

Ok, if you've read this far... let me know if you'd like me to share more highlights soon. Just hit reply.

For now, if you can make it to the summit there are still 2 days to watch.

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