Inflammation involving the trigeminal nerve and surrounding tissues can theoretically be stopped by drugs designed to lock up the response. That's why it's crucial to get to a headache expert, one who can help us sort through our situation. Treatment needs to focus on the severity and specificity of each patient's symptoms. Approaches vary vastly, but anti-inflammatories such as those used to treat arthritis pain are at the heart of most treatment plans. Dr. Lane is among those who recommends mega doses of magnesium and riboflavin for some patients.
Research suggests low magnesium levels in patients suffering migraine.
What works for one patient may only put a dent in the problem for another. Almost universally, neurologists do not recommend use of over the counter medications for true migraines. Many contain caffeine and other ingredients that may help the patient over the initial migraine headache hump, but sets off a series of 'rebound headaches' that continue on after the migraine. Rebounds occur as the medication wears off, prompting patients to take more of the non-prescription drug, perpetuating an endless headache cycle. Some headaches signal more serious, life-threatening conditions in the brain.