Migraines and PJ Concerts

Keiran · February 2008

I have never been in the position (financially or otherwise) to attend a Pearl Jam concert, fortunately for me my life has changed and if PJ was to come my way (maybe this summer) - I'd sure like to try to see them.

I worry that I would get a migraine at the show as sometimes noise, crowds and stress can be triggers. Anyone who suffers from migraines knows the fear of making plans just to have them ruined by the onset of the headache.

I can usually stand the pain if I act immediately when I get that "feeling" of one coming on by using deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Of course a concert scenario isn't conducive to either of my fixes.
I have never taken prescription meds for migraines as I try to survive as naturally as possible.

Here's my question: Are any of you fans migraine sufferers? What do you do so that you can attend a concert without the fear and worry of having an episode? Are any of the prescription meds effective?

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions. Please don't suggest drinking beer/alcohol as I can't stand the taste and get pretty badly buzzed off of a couple of sips

Thanks again!!!! (sorry if this is posted in the wrong forum but since it related to the hopefull and heavily rumored upcoming tour - well i took a shot)

HermanBloom · February 2008

If it gets too loud, bring a Creed CD and headphones--that'll cure you.

jbalicki10 · February 2008

Keiran wrote:

I have never been in the position (financially or otherwise) to attend a Pearl Jam concert, fortunately for me my life has changed and if PJ was to come my way (maybe this summer) - I'd sure like to try to see them.

I worry that I would get a migraine at the show as sometimes noise, crowds and stress can be triggers. Anyone who suffers from migraines knows the fear of making plans just to have them ruined by the onset of the headache.

I can usually stand the pain if I act immediately when I get that "feeling" of one coming on by using deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Of course a concert scenario isn't conducive to either of my fixes.
I have never taken prescription meds for migraines as I try to survive as naturally as possible.

Here's my question: Are any of you fans migraine sufferers? What do you do so that you can attend a concert without the fear and worry of having an episode? Are any of the prescription meds effective?

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions. Please don't suggest drinking beer/alcohol as I can't stand the taste and get pretty badly buzzed off of a couple of sips

Thanks again!!!! (sorry if this is posted in the wrong forum but since it related to the hopefull and heavily rumored upcoming tour - well i took a shot)

I use to have big migranes... I was able to get off of them by cutting all sugar off. At first youll get a small headache after a couple of days of this, but you'll never get another one. Also drinking beer, especially Bud Light causes headaches for me. Drink mix drink if you need too...

Hope this helps

Kel Varnsen · February 2008

If loud noises set them off you can always bring earplugs to the concert. Most shows are loud enough that you will still hear everything, but the sound will be dampened enough that it won't blast your ears.

pegmatite · February 2008

I suffer from Migrains almost daily, get the Clusters once a year for a 3 month stretch. Every show I've seen I never got one. Take a Zomig before going to any show you feel may be too loud, and might trigger a Migrain.

pegmatiteman

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun · February 2008

well i went to a show the day after my 21 birthday. i was painfully hungover and i lost one of my contacts the night before so i had to watch the show with one eye and a brutal headache.

still had fun though.

MasterFramer · February 2008

I get Migraines in varied frequency and intensity. Mine usually come on from a combination of stress and lack of sleep. I get everything from a killer headache to my vision being all screwed up to even having a numbness travel up my arm and into my mouth.... weird shit. Never had loud noises or concerts trigger them though. Been to lots and lots of concerts and never had a migraine at one.

Only thing that actually helps with the pain is mary jane... no prescription drugs have ever helped mine.

edvedder913 · February 2008

Keiran wrote:

I have never been in the position (financially or otherwise) to attend a Pearl Jam concert, fortunately for me my life has changed and if PJ was to come my way (maybe this summer) - I'd sure like to try to see them.

I worry that I would get a migraine at the show as sometimes noise, crowds and stress can be triggers. Anyone who suffers from migraines knows the fear of making plans just to have them ruined by the onset of the headache.

I can usually stand the pain if I act immediately when I get that "feeling" of one coming on by using deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Of course a concert scenario isn't conducive to either of my fixes.
I have never taken prescription meds for migraines as I try to survive as naturally as possible.

Here's my question: Are any of you fans migraine sufferers? What do you do so that you can attend a concert without the fear and worry of having an episode? Are any of the prescription meds effective?

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions. Please don't suggest drinking beer/alcohol as I can't stand the taste and get pretty badly buzzed off of a couple of sips

Thanks again!!!! (sorry if this is posted in the wrong forum but since it related to the hopefull and heavily rumored upcoming tour - well i took a shot)

I just recently stopped getting migraines after 10+ long years of getting them.
Sometimes you have to say yes to prescription drugs - although I admire your not wanting to! Excedrin or prescription Imitrex helps mine.

Kel Varnsen · February 2008

Another thing I found is a good cure is regular exercise. I used to get pretty bad headaches at least once a week. I started going to the gym and now get them way less frequently and they are way easier to predict. Plus I find if I slack off and don't go to the gym for like a week or two, the frequency comes back again.

Capricorn Sister · February 2008

I've been a migraine sufferer for decades. My physician prescribes butalbital #3 for me. It works well and eases that awful pain. I don't stand a chance without medical intervention. My mom had them as well - she was miserable until she also got a doctor's prescription help.

dawng · February 2008

Many times the anticipation/lack of sleep/stress of going somewhere (vacation, show, etc.) will give me a migrane. I have to take imitrex as soon as I feel it coming on (light sensitivity, etc). Mary Jane can help too - but if you don't want to medicate, I'd say the best advice is to make sure you get lots of rest, eat properly, and don't let yourself get stressed or anxious. Good luck

Keiran · February 2008

I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to give me thoughtful answers and for sharing what does and doesn't work for them. God, what a nice change from all the stress and concerns over the past few days. A reminder of how good and caring the people around here really are.

I'm going to cut back on the sugar and keep up the exercise (ick) because I do know that these things will help. I'm also going to see my Dr. and get a prescription just in case I feel one coming on and I have tickets to one of the many concerts I'm sure Pearl Jam will be treating us to this summer! I hope I hope.

Funny, a couple of people mentioned mary jane as a helping them. I'm such a nerd - I was born in the 60's and I've even tried it. Maybe this is a good reason to

Anyways, thanks again for all the help.
Peace to all.

Wookiee_Blaylock · February 2008

jbalicki10 wrote:

I use to have big migranes... I was able to get off of them by cutting all sugar off. At first youll get a small headache after a couple of days of this, but you'll never get another one. Also drinking beer, especially Bud Light causes headaches for me. Drink mix drink if you need too...

Hope this helps

Yeah, I've heard of a similar case as well. I can't remember what my friend's mom said she had, sounds similar to diabetes, but it's different. Now she has pretty much eliminated at the very least, all refined sugars from her diet, and is SO much better off, and seldom gets migraines. Apparently this took years and years before this particular doctor was able to diagnose it.

gobrowns19 · February 2008

Do any of you get extremely sick to your stomach and throw up when you have a migraine? Damn just reading these posts gives me that bad feeling in my stomach, bleck. Throwing up makes it feel better though, but if you're like me i'm assuming you're not going to want to induce vomiting, haha.

For me, being in a cool place with lots of water usually helps. And try not to drink too much caffeine. Also when you feel one coming on eat something with a good amount of salt in it, i know it sounds weird, but that salt really helps with a lot you lose in sweating if you sweat like i do when you get them.

I haven't had one at a concert, and every year of my life I get them less and less, thank goodness. Thank goodness. Having a full, not too full, but full stomach helps too. I've rarely gotten any on a full stomach. Good luck.

Bushleaguer28 · February 2008

i get really bad migranes and unfortunately, they are often hard to avoid at concerts. Ive only seen PJ once and when i did, Sonic Youth opened. Their barage of distorted guitar sounds did little to help as far as migranes go, so i spent the majority of the opening outside of the main arena. It actualy worked pretty well - so i would maybe suggest doing the same should their be an opening act, unless its something you really enjoy. It seems to me that if you are realy into the concert you are at, many times the headache will stay away.

Wookiee_Blaylock · February 2008

Yeah, I've gotten to the point of throwing up before because of one a couple of times, years ago anyway. Or at least, I had that symptom (not saying that throwing up means getting it to the worst degree, because based on what some have said of their pain from migraines, I musn't get them nearly as bad).

I've read that MSG can help to bring them on.

In2Deep · February 2008

nathanastin wrote:

If it gets too loud, bring a Creed CD and headphones--that'll cure you.

Listening to Creed could kill a person. So I wouldn't do that...

dawng · February 2008

gobrowns19 wrote:

Do any of you get extremely sick to your stomach and throw up when you have a migraine? Damn just reading these posts gives me that bad feeling in my stomach, bleck. Throwing up makes it feel better though, but if you're like me i'm assuming you're not going to want to induce vomiting, haha.

Yes, I have been very sick to my stomach w/ migranes. The nausea usually comes on after 12-24 hours into the headache - I guess my body just can't take it anymore. Throwing up only makes it worse for me. Again, mary jane is a HUGE help in that department (the ONLY thing that works for the nausea).

Wookiee_Blaylock wrote:

I've read that MSG can help to bring them on.

MSG will give me a headache every time. Most preservatives (nitrates, etc.) found in a lot of deli meat, bacon, etc too. The list of triggers that my doctor gave me is crazy...everything from legumes (beans, nuts, etc.) to citrus, alchohol (especially wine) to caffine, stress, sun, horomones, etc. The list was a two column, letter size page! You never know what your triggers may be until you cut them out of your diet for a while and keep a food/migraine diary.

Another thing I did for the last couple shows I went to is bring earplugs. I don't think we'll need it for EV, but some of the clubs just crank it too loud for my head!

Here's a great website you may want to look into:
http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/triggers.html

PM me if you want more details, I've been fighting with migraines for 10 years now and am finally winning!

Good luck!

Capricorn Sister · February 2008

Do any of you get extremely sick to your stomach and throw up when you have a migraine?

Unfortunately this was my norm with every major migraine. I can't tell you how many times I ended up in the emergency room needing intravenous fluids to replace my low electrolytes (sodium, potassium, etc.). It was severe - I hated being that sick from a headache. When I was put on the butalbital #3 - I was better. Only once last year did I end up in the ER from excess vomiting.

PJKJ · February 2008

I've had migraines for over 20 years. I've lost count of the number of PJ shows I've attended, but I never get a migraine from a show (too many endorphins running through my body). Ear plugs should help you. I also try to drink a lot of water the day of the show and after the show (dehydration is one of my triggers). Excedrin migraine works just as well as the prescription meds for me. I think you should be fine, but it is always best to be prepared.

Capricorn Sister · February 2008

PJKJ wrote:

Ear plugs should help you.

I purchased something close to the kind of earplugs that the baggage-handlers use on the tarmac. They are not foam, not disposable and come in a nice little case. I didn't get a headache at the pre-Pearl Jam Ramones or Godsmack shows. Check out the "Noise Reduction Ratings" before you buy. This: 110 dB – average walkman set above the halfway mark, is an example.
I hope this helps.

Migraines and PJ Concerts

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