Ginger root prevented a migraine today - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Larry Delor · #1 04-20-2008, 11:57 PM

Hello folks!

Some of you might remember the thread I started last year about signs of an impending migraine. My most prominent sign is easiest described as blurred/distorted vision.
Well....today I was watching the TV, when I noticed a blurry spot in my left field of vision, that would not go away. Jagged edges, and distorted insides (like looking through a glass window in the early days of window pane making), and today, a somewhat oval shape, that appeared to be increasing in size as time went on.
It also so happened, that I recalled an article I had read about ginger, and it possibly preventing migraines.
I grabbed a 1" piece of ginger root that I had in the fridge, sliced it up, and put it in a mug of water, which I microwaved. Thinking that this resulting tea was weak, I got out the garlic press, and pressed the slices of ginger to extract its juice. (I had to turn the ginger pieces around a little in the press....for maximum extraction, and I didn't want to break the press)
Then, I drank the "tea" and continued to watch TV.
The blurry area enlarged as I stated above, but the hours of pain that I was expecting never did show. I did have some sinus pressure about an hour later, but it was more of an annoyance than pain.

So....it appears that the "Ginger root therapy" (if you will) works - or at least it worked for me - or at least, mostly worked. Why "mostly work"? Well...the last time after I had one of these humdingers, I felt pressure against the right side of my skull everytime I would strain a little (as in a cough, or lifting something heavy). I have this symptom again, albeit markedly less...perhaps 10-20% of its usual strenght - something I can, and will gladly put up with, instead of the usual.

If you get migraines, buy a chunk of ginger - you can keep it in the freezer - and make some "tea" next time you think you have a migraine coming on.
It just might help!

-Larry

Carleton Hughes · #2 04-21-2008, 08:54 AM

3 Gin & Tonics with 2 Gabapentins do it when I get the "megrims".......

pj67coll · #3 04-21-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

If you get migraines, buy a chunk of ginger - you can keep it in the freezer - and make some "tea" next time you think you have a migraine coming on.
It just might help!

-Larry

Interesting Larry. I've suffered badly from migranes in the past. Thankfully not so badly recently but this is something I'll keep in mind. Thanks.

- Peter.

aklim · #4 04-21-2008, 02:58 PM

Imitrex works better and faster than any ginger root. How have you ruled out the placebo effect?

Mistress · #5 04-21-2008, 04:02 PM

Larry- glad your better and the ginger root helped.

Dee8go · #6 04-21-2008, 04:10 PM

My older daughter takes ginger for nausea. She is particularly succeptible to car sickness and ginger is the only thing that seems to help.

I guess when youre in pain and you find something to ease it, you don't care WHY it works, just THAT it works.

aklim · #7 04-21-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

My older daughter takes ginger for nausea. She is particularly succeptible to car sickness and ginger is the only thing that seems to help.

I guess when youre in pain and you find something to ease it, you don't care WHY it works, just THAT it works.

Scopolamine works for that too.

But the question is whether it works because of the pharmacology or the placebo effect.

philipandrews37 · #8 04-21-2008, 05:33 PM

Making tea from cinnamon bark helps reduce blood sugar levels ideal for diabetics. Drink after a meal . I take mine with some root ginger as it makes it taste even better. Ginger is good for you. Chinese make great use of it.

The Swede · #9 04-21-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

3 Gin & Tonics with 2 Gabapentins do it when I get the "megrims".......

Yeah, gabapentin is interesting stuff. Non-addictive, but a weird buzz. Try downing 1200mg and drink a few cups of coffee. You'll be pleasantly tripping for the next 4 hours.

.

aklim · #10 04-21-2008, 06:23 PM

One day, when I was horny (when am I not?), the wife had a migraine. She wasn't in the mood but I told her that I read it somewhere that sex helps. She was like "Yeah, right. You'd say anything to get laid.". Anyhow, we got it on.

A few weeks passed and she had another headache. Asked her if it helped having sex and she thought about it and thoght it did. So now, when she has a migraine, she gets an imitrex shot and one from the me. So far, it has helped more often than not.

Chad300tdt · #11 04-21-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

One day, when I was horny (when am I not?), the wife had a migraine. She wasn't in the mood but I told her that I read it somewhere that sex helps. She was like "Yeah, right. You'd say anything to get laid.". Anyhow, we got it on.

A few weeks passed and she had another headache. Asked her if it helped having sex and she thought about it and thoght it did. So now, when she has a migraine, she gets an imitrex shot and one from the me. So far, it has helped more often than not.

That's because women steal your chi during sex.

aklim · #12 04-21-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

That's because women steal your chi during sex.

So you don't have sex then so women can't steal your chi, whatever it is?

Chad300tdt · #13 04-21-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

So you don't have sex then so women can't steal your chi, whatever it is?

Chi is energy ... I don't abstain, I just take a nap after.

Larry Delor · #14 04-21-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Imitrex works better and faster than any ginger root. How have you ruled out the placebo effect?

No, I haven't completely ruled out the placebo effect.

However, I would rather drink some hot water infused with ginger, than some pill composed of who-knows-what kind of chemicals, made who-knows-where, by who-knows-who.
Besides...with my luck, I would be ones of those people who cannot be helped by Imitrex.

I'm curious... How do you know about Imitrex working faster than ginger?

aklim · #15 04-21-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

No, I haven't completely ruled out the placebo effect.

However, I would rather drink some hot water infused with ginger, than some pill composed of who-knows-what kind of chemicals, made who-knows-where, by who-knows-who.

Besides...with my luck, I would be ones of those people who cannot be helped by Imitrex.

I'm curious... How do you know about Imitrex working faster than ginger?

One incident cannot possibly mean much. Perhaps without that ginger thingy, your migraine would have gone that same way on it's own? Without many people and many incidents and a long time, you cannot really be sure it works. Double blind study is pretty good as far as eliminating the placebo effects.

Would you now? Lets look at another example. Say you have a broken leg and I prescribe you MS Contin or Fentanyl patches. Your pain goes away. HOWEVER your leg is still broke. Pain disappearing is NOT always a good sign. If you ask my wife, she will never prescribe you anything to take away the pain until she is certain of the cause. Migraines could cause white spots in your brain so it could be bad. You need to find the underlying cause. In the wife's case, most of them can be traced to hormonal issues which I assume you don't have since you are a male and don't have periods.

You will never know until you try it.

Because the slowest form of Imitrex works in about 30 mins. Because the fastest form works in 10 mins. Because my wife used to have migraines all the time and all that crap never worked. Because she has treated many people with Imitrex and the relief is pretty fast. You have 3 choices. Oral, nasal and Sub Q. Fast, faster and fastest in that order. If you feel it coming on slightly you can take a pill if you so desire. The wife caries a shooter around with 2 shots and gives herself a shot when she feels a migraine coming along.