Many of us suffer/deal with/hunt/beg for solutions to our headaches and migraines. Here's what I've done so far and what has worked and what has not.

Had 3 migraines in 42 years prior and 4-5 headaches a year (with sinus infections). I have had either a headache or migraine daily since not too long after my accident. Usually between a 3-4 on pain scale. As I move up to 6-7, I welcome other pain as a distraction-haven't done anything to myself. At 8,9, I have DARK thoughts. I share my pain level with hubby and he knows what it means. I'd say I haven't hit a 10 because in my mind that's: Get me to the hospital because I will hurt myself!

I've been diagnosed with occipital neuralgia, vestibular migraines, neck issues, and I think I have ocular migraines too (will be addressing that with eye dr).

-For me I use gallon size bags of frozen peas about 1/2 way full. They conform to my neck or head nicely and stay frozen well. Currently have 3 bags in the freezer. I prefer this over heat. If I have a migraine I have peas on top of whatever else I do.

-My vestibular doc in Chicago is great. He started me on Topamax. Wasn't on it very long (3 months). Neurologist didn't agree with it and took me off. I did experience facial numbing, lost 10 lbs, but did not notice a change in H/M.

-Neuro did 2 sets of nerve blocks in his office. (Steroids-finally started eating) The pain from the nerve block as he did it was a wonderful distraction from the migraine. Sadly this helped 40% for 6ish weeks. Second set worked for around 4 weeks. He then sent me to a pain specialist.

-Pain specialist first did shots in my neck (can't remember exactly what it was but it helped 50%ish in neck).

-Neurologist sent me for head and neck therapy. Felt great while I was there. She did gentle manipulations on head muscles and bones, and neck. Loved when she put pressure on both sides of my head and did manual traction on my neck. All of her movements were gentle. A few hours later I would have wretched migraines that put me down an entire day. I'm on break from this therapy now. Not sure if it will continue.

-Neurologist sent me for nerve ablation for the occipital neuralgia with pain specialist. For my doctor it's a three step process for each side. First starting with the X-rays and my symptoms he determined what nerves to burn. Appt. 1 starts with numbing shots next to each nerve in neck on left side. Not fun, but quick.

For the next few hours at home I pay attention to the pain and let him know what percentage it helped. If it is high enough (40-50%ish for me) he would do it again to see if that same response was attained. This helps him know if he has the correct nerves. There are two weeks between each shot and follow up appt.

Then the burn. I took .5 Xanax for the procedure. I did not want sedation with my fog/dizzy brain. The burn starts lower in the back by those nerve roots. He inserts a large needle while watching it on real time X-ray and numbs each nerve root. I had five numbed on each side. Ouch! Then the procedure. Large needle with burn ending inserted on nerve root. He burns for around a minute. Repeat for rest of nerve roots.

Painful procedure. It took me 6 weeks to recover from the procedure. The first week hurt the most. You do feel a burning, and the needles go through tissue, muscle, and it aches for weeks. Lots of peas! Healing from the second procedure now.

Relief: migraines have dropped from nearly daily every month to 10 a month. Headaches still here daily, plus if I over-stimulate my vestibular system as I am doing now, my headaches can turn into migraines. Should give me anywhere from 9-18 months beautiful relief. WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!

-In between pain blocks, my vestibular doctor put me on Keppra. I lost 1/2 my hair. He took me off. No difference in H/D. We decided to wait to try anything else until I heal from the nerve blocks. Then I will know whether or not the vestibular med works.

-My issues are listed below. I try to work at prevention a lot. No caffeine, vitamins, flax seed oil, brain food, ear plugs, full coverage sunglasses, breaks, avoidance, naps, a routine, stay on a sleep schedule as much as possible (I do get insomnia and work hard to not freak out about it), do thing good for my soul, do things for me that make me happy, let myself breakdown and cry when needed and then move on, pet therapy at home, positive family time, trial and error (life IS therapy), go out early in day, don't over-plan, visits with neuropsych 3-4x month, no alcohol, find hobbies, short walks, chair exercises, good pillow for neck support for home and car, edit as I think of more...laugh!

I hope this helps someone. I've been trying to type this for a while now. If you have things that you've done that have worked or don't let us know. It may work for others or not.

If you have headaches/migraines get your neck checked too!!!

Wellness and peace,

Jace