There is now a new product that has Feverfew in it, Gelstat migraine. Works well.

I work with Dr. Dzugan

Hi,

I recently found this forum. I am an RN, and am Dr. Dzugan's assiatant at LEF where we work. I would be happy to give you any detailed info about his Migraine Program. You can e-mail me at work: gharries@lef.org, or call: 1-800-226-2370; ext: #7510. I work M-F 9-5:30 EST. If I'm not available, leave a message and I will return your call ;-}
Regards, Gail Harries, RN, BSN

Originally Posted by SusanJean

Everyone is bringing up some interesting concepts, not just herbal remedies or preventions, but nutrition related.

I was just given an article by my nutritionist (also a biochemist) "An Innovative New Treatment for Migraine" by Dr. Sergey A. Dzugan, Life Extension, Sept., 2004.

I'll try to put the gist of it:

23 patients all w/ refractory migraines unresponsive to other treatments.
A 4 prong approach was taken.
- hormonorestorative therapy w/ bio-identical hormones that included a combo of oral pregnenolone, DHEA, triestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone gels
-simultaneous correction of the imbalance bet/ sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and the ratio of calcum to magnesium
-melatonin supplementation (to "reset" pineal gland"
and probiotics to improve intestinal absorption.

Article stressed all four must be done.

While the results seem to good to be true, the article reports no side effects and 100 % success rate. Remarkable.

I am a bit skeptical. (as always.)

I have a copy of the reprint and the nutritionist also gave me the name of a doctor that practices holistic/naturalistic medicine - one that would be willing to work w/ me in on this.

I have suffered migraines for yrs and nothing works - sometimes have 10-15 per months and have to use narcotics to tx as the imitrex class of drugs disrupt my heart rhythm.
SJ

BTW - same nutritionist says to stay away from all artificle sweeteners. She has given me info on stevia, an herbal sweetener from Paraguay that is used in Japan (no apartame there) and a few other countries. Available online and at health food stores.

I know this isn't a natural suggestion...

You might want to try 550mg of Naproxen (Alieve). That was our neurology groups first line treatment to abort migraines before all the triptans were out. If it works for you, you can get 60 pills w/ a script for about $15.00.

I once worked on a unit where we treated recalcitrent (sp?) migraines with a "coden's cocktail", compazine, valium, and sodium amytol delivered IV push. The pt had better be in bed when it is delivered because unconsciousness is immediate. Also it is necessary to have them be at least lightly restrained. Sometimes they have a paradocical response to the meds and come up swinging. After administration they will sleep 6 to 10 hrs and wake migraine free. Clearly this is far from a risk free procedure. I believe imitrex is much safer and at least nearly as effective.

I suffered migraines myself while I was in college. They started when midterms exams were on and coincided with the ingestion of either chocolate or canned fish. So I avoided tuna and chocolate for a few years.

As a preventative I would look into the level of stress in the environment and any food or other allergen/irritants.

Originally Posted by Indy

I'm looking for information on the use of herbs to either prevent or ease migraine headaches. One reason I'm interested is that I suffer from them, the other is that I've found herbs to be a heck of a lot cheaper than most medicines and I do not have insurance. (I will when I graduate.)

I have mosby's little herbal guide and I found four things that are supposed to work: anise, feverfew, catnip and lemon balm. Put together in tea, these things aren't altogether nasty. Has anyone tried these? And do they work? If so, do they work only at the onset, or can you take them later? Migraines don't usually warn me that they're coming.
-Indy

I know this is not herbs but my best friend gets great results from her Chiropractor. She gets adjusted when she feels one "coming on" and within five minutes of her adjustment it is gone. The method her chiropractor uses is a non-rotational Gonstead cervical chair adjustment. Some people get good results some don't. It works great for my best friend! I am however not fond of any rotational adjustments. Just a side note: She does not go three times a week; she just goes when she feels that she needs an adjustment.

I would do some research to find the best Chiropractor and research the risks vs. benefits of that type of care.

Originally Posted by Indy

I'm looking for information on the use of herbs to either prevent or ease migraine headaches. One reason I'm interested is that I suffer from them, the other is that I've found herbs to be a heck of a lot cheaper than most medicines and I do not have insurance. (I will when I graduate.)

I have mosby's little herbal guide and I found four things that are supposed to work: anise, feverfew, catnip and lemon balm. Put together in tea, these things aren't altogether nasty. Has anyone tried these? And do they work? If so, do they work only at the onset, or can you take them later? Migraines don't usually warn me that they're coming.
-Indy

I used to suffer migraines few years ago. When I got the migraine I could not do anything until I met a physician who practiced alternative medicine. To make the story short, he put me on a strict vegetarian diet. Not only my problems with migraines disappear, my asthma, hypertension, and diabetes (late onset) were gone. Many people who I know do not believe in Alternative Medicine but whatever works for me that's what I follow. It cost me because health insurance did not cover, but it is all worth it because I saved, money over the years, not buying medicines. Eating vegetables and fruits did it for me.