I think I’ve told you guys the story of how my migraines started, but, just for kicks (and to also prove that I am, in fact, a hypochondriac), I’ll tell it again.
I started getting migraines in high school during my sophomore year. These horrible, horrible headaches would come out of nowhere, leaving me with my head down on my desk, not able to look at the lights or stand loud noises. Trying to get through the school day was virtually impossible, so I ended up leaving school every few weeks for a day or two because of the migraines. Of course, being overly dramatic (as most kids are in high school), I was sure I had a brain tumor. There was no other explanation.
When my mom took me to the doctor, we confirmed that it was not, in fact, a brain tumor, but migraines. Thankfully, I’ve never had them so bad that I’ve been physically ill, but migraines are no joke. They can be completely debilitating and aren’t easy to get rid of. I still get migraines every few months, and the only thing that works for me is Excedrin Migraine. I’ve tried prescriptions and other pain pills, but Excedrin Migraine is what I’ve been using since high school to keep them at bay.It’s also the #1 neurologist recommended over-the-counter brand for migraine relief was the first non-prescription medicine approved by the FDA to treat all the symptoms of a migraine.
And I know I’m not the only one that deals with migraines on a regular basis.
So when I was asked to be part of the Excedrin Migraine Blogger Program as an Ambassador, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I know this has nothing to do with food, but since I deal with migraines regularly, I know how painful they can be, and I wanted to be able to help other sufferers find ways to manage their own.
The makers of Excedrin® Migraine developed a new app, My Migraine Triggers TM, with a leading neurologist that is available for free on iTunes. With this app, migraine sufferers can track their migraine triggers and gather the data put into reports and charts that can be easily shared with physicians. According to a recent survey from the makers of Excedrin® Migraine, a large majority of women who suffer from migraines agree that with a better understanding of their triggers (90%) and the right tools to track their triggers and symptoms (83%), they can better manage an attack.
As part of the Ambassador Program, I’m testing out the My Migraine Triggers app for the next few weeks to track and figure out possible triggers and how to help manage my migraines.
If you suffer from migraines, too, check out the app! I love it so far – it’s very easy to use and keeps me thinking about possible triggers now throughout the day.
To help send some relief your way, Excedrin is offering up 2 relief kits for you guys, too!
Enter for a chance to win your own Excedrin Migraine Relief Kit – I’ve got 2 Relief Kits up for grabs!
Each Kit comes with:
- Blue Sleep Mask – This plush and luxurious Sleep Mask is specially designed with an extraordinary soft combination of cotton and silk that is very easy on delicate eyes and skin. Very effective in blocking out distracting light and visual stimuli.
- Coby Red High-Performance Isolation Stereo Earphones – In-ear isolation design blocks background noise so user can experience music without distraction. Aluminum housing delivers durability performance in a lightweight package. These headphones have high-definition 10mm neodymium drivers that produce pounding bass.
- Nelly Herbal Eye Pack – These marvelous Nelly Eye Packs are filled with 100% natural material. The gentle weight of this eye pack naturally eases tired eyes. The scents of Lavender and Chamomile help you relax, while the therapeutic moist heat can be used to help alleviate the discomfort of sore throats, earaches, arthritis, colds hands or feet, sinus problems, menstrual cramps and back pain.
- iTunes Gift Card - $15 to spend in the iTunes store on music, apps, television shows and movies.
- 22 Oz. Guzzy Filter Water Bottle - 22 oz. Tritan copolyester bottle – BPA free. Made with NASA technology using a revolutionary filter system that removed parasites and reduces bacteria. Filter attaches to screw on flip and flow lid. Filter is good for up to 120 fills – replacements available. Lifetime Guarantee.
- Cyber Gel® HGX Stress Ball - Oversize 2 1/4″ diameter semi-solid gel with recycled materials. Antimicrobial properties built-in to protect the product from odors & stains.
To Enter: Answer any (or all) of the following questions.
- What’s your most effective way to get rid of a migraine?
- What methods do you use to track your triggers?
- Do your current tracking methods and tools work?
- Do you have a good way to share the data with your doctors?
Visit the Migraine Center to hear from other migraine sufferers, share tips and access free information to help better manage migraines.
I am an Excedrin® Migraine brand ambassador. One iPod Touch to test the app was provided by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine; my journey for a migraine-free experience is my own.
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I like to drink a bunch of water or have a bit of caffeine to get rid of a migraine
I’m awful at tracking my triggers, but to get rid of a migraine, I drink hot chocolate, ice water, and listen to a white noise app. Hey, it works for me!
Taking a nap and staying out of bright light typically helps resolve my migraines.
I get migraines, and they suck!
I found that taking (seriously!) Excedrin Migraine at the first hint of a migraine, coupled with some form of sugar and caffeine helps immensely. Also, I like an ice pack on the back of my neck/head.
I have (mostly) figured out what triggers mine, but an app is a great idea! I will check that out!.
I have to take a Long nap,
Hot tea and a nap help to get rid of a migraine
I take medication called MAXALT rapid (in greece)when I start feeling my tongue tingle and the sharp pain on the side of my scull and lay down in darkness and quiet !!!!
I had a migraine today, so you read my mind. I have had them since i was a little girl and the weather changes is my biggest trigger. I watch for other triggers and have had them so long I try and stick with the same routine everyday. I drink a cup of coffee and take some ibuprofen and lay on the the couch. Love this giveaway!
I’ve only gotten a migraine once, but I’m entering for my mom, who suffers from them constantly. She drinks coffee to ward them off, but I don’t THINK she really tracks them in any concrete way. She also has just started getting into technology and has an iPad and iPhone and I think would REALLY benefit from this. I hate seeing her suffer! Thanks for the giveaway, Brandi.
I don;t currently use anything to track my migraines but I SWEAR by Excedrin Migraine when I have one! It’s seriously the only way I can deal. For the past year I’ve been taking a feverfew supplement daily, which has significantly decreased the number of migraines I get
When I have a migraine, I need a cool, dark room to sleep in with no noise, an ice pack for my head, some sort of soft drink with caffeine to sip – not drink, and sleep, sleep, sleep!!
Oh and Excedrin headache!.
I have tried a couple of prescription medications, however, I always fall back on Excedrin Migraine!! Great give away.
That app sounds great. I use excedrin migraine too because I get awful headaches. I originally thought it was sinus issues but I think they are migraines.
I get migraines all the time – they’re awful! Medication doesn’t really work for me, so I use a hot neck pad and take a good nap! The heat from the thermal pad helps the tension to release in my neck, which is what triggers my headaches. Anyways, thanks for the giveaway and I will have to look at that app!
taking a nap usually helps me!
I am so glad you posted about this app Brandi. I have been suffering from Migraines since high school. Mine are actually cluster migraines during my period. I am bed ridden for 2-3 days per month. I have tried EVERYTHING. Every single prescription migraine medicine, acupuncture, chiropractor, preventative anti-depressents, anti-seizure meds….EVERYTHING. Now I am trying birth-control (ugggggg) to try to stop them, but that doesn’t seem to be helping either, but it sure is nice not to have my period anymore
Excedrin migraine does work, I always doubted my husband who uses it for headaches because I always swore by plain ibuprofen and a nice nap. I used to get terrible headaches in high school and could only trace it to very sunny days I did not wear sunglasses. It’s been ten years since the worst of them and I am now getting headaches again. I am trying to find a connection but haven’t been successful yet.
I get migraines around my eyes and temples – usually at least twice a month, lasting around 24 hours each time. I use a microwavable heated gel pack that helps a lot, or I just sit in the shower for a while. These tools help soothe it, but I haven’t found anything that really gets rid of it. When they occur, I try to note everything I ate, where I went or what I was doing the day before. I’ve always had bad sinusitus, so I had CT scans and things, but now I’ve been referred to a neurologist – fingers crossed that they can help
I have sooooooooooooo missed my Excedrin migraine pills for the last year. I used my last ones that I have been hiding about a month ago and religiously go to the aisle whenever in the store to see if they have reappeared yet…… Sadly I have not found them!!! From a chronic migraine sufferer I am rushing to check out the app now and would so love to win the give away. The best win of all is they are coming back on the market!!!!!!!!!!!!
■What’s your most effective way to get rid of a migraine?
A combination of methods. 1. Excedrine Migraine as soon as I ‘feel’ it coming on. I’ll usually wake up with it. 2. Aromatherapy oil specifically for headaches that I bought years ago from Bath and Body Works. Sadly, they don’t sell it any more so I don’t apply as liberally as I used to. 3. Mugger Huggers eye pillow across the eyes. I keep it in the freezer. 4. Dark room, no noise. 5. If I don’t catch it in time, I do the prescription migraine meds. I hate them and try to avoid at all costs.
■What methods do you use to track your triggers?
I just make a mental note of what I ate that was not my normal food. Usually a lot of soy will trigger a migraine for me. Soy Milk especially.
■Do your current tracking methods and tools work?
So far, so good.
■Do you have a good way to share the data with your doctors?
Just word of mouth.
i get really bad muscle tension headaches that i can’t get rid of. caffeine sometimes works, but if it’s at the end of the day i’m always hesitant. they’ve been happening more frequently, and i can’t quite figure out what the trigger is… so maybe even i can try that app!?
I get occasional migraines and make sure I drink plenty of water when I have hem. Usually a few hours of sleep and sone pain medication will do the trick.
I rely on Advil liqui-gels and Excedrin Migraine. When those don’t work, I switch to prescription pain meds, and am considering returning to a daily regimen of meds to try to prevent migraines. I’ve used an old fashioned paper calendar to track them, but I think I’m really going to like this app better!
I don’t get migraines very often. But I do know that dehydration is the biggest trigger for me, as well as eating too much sugar!
I drink lots of water, I have tried peppermint oil, Excedrin Migraine, and prescribed Medications. Sleeping in a dark room where it is quiet with an ice pack either on the back of my neck or where the pain is usually helps. I use several ways of tracking my migraines, I have an app on my phone, well several actually, and a calendar which my neurologist gave me that I just mark which days I had a migraine on. By using both of these if I forget to mark one, I have a backup which is a great way to really keep track of them. When I go see my Dr. I can show him both the sheet and with the app it allows me to send it to my email for printing so I can print it out for appointments, so all information is available. I’ve had migraines for almost 13 years now….. and keeping track of them is very important in your care.
To help my migraines I take Maxalt and lay down for about an hour in a dark room.
I’ve been getting migraines for twenty some years now. I have taken prescription meds but the Excedrin Migraine help so much more. At the first sign(usually a squiggly…shiny line in my eyes or a kind of tunnel vision sort of thing) I take the Excedrin Migraine with a Coke or Pepsi or if I don’t have any of those I take it with a cup of coffee. Then I lay down in a dark room for about an hour and am good to go with only a dull ache. If I don’t catch it when it is first hitting I am down for two to three days. I know what usually triggers the migraines but sometimes they are unavoidable.