Anyone tried Feverfew and/or Butterbur for migraines - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

mather · 04-28-2009, 01:44 PM

My wife had migraines in the past but it was very rare. I had her try a few things to help. Just this past 3 weeks, she had a really tough one, it lasted close to a week. Finally couldn't take it and the primary said to go to ER so a CT scan can be performed to rule out any other problem. At the ER they diagnosed it as a tension headache and not migraines. Didn't give her any migraine medication, just pain killer and a muscle relaxer. Didn't really work, only temporary. Two weeks later after a visit to the neurologist, she diagnosed it as a tension headache AND migraines. She gave her Axert (sp?) and it seemed to work, of course we find out it's ~$80 for 12 pills even under our prescription plan coverage, OUCH!

Anyway, I had her go on some vitamins we tried last time a few years ago and will introduce her to feverfew and if that doesn't work, butterbur. Would like to hear of others experiences with either of these two.

sjs40 · 04-28-2009, 05:38 PM

Hello Mather!
I can sympathize with the headaches. For 13 years I thought they were tension headaches and I would be sick for 72hrs each time. 5 years ago I was finally told they were Migraines. After trying other meds, 100mg of Imitrex works for me. It leaves a feeling of heaviness for 2-3 hours, but it takes the pain.
I am all for natural vitas. So to start, I would take 1,000 mg of Feverfew daily, until I got them less frequently. When they did decrease in frequency, I went down to 500mg daily. It did take time to build in the system though. I would say, hopefully within a month you will notice a difference. It doesn't usually take the pain away, but it is a great prevention for getting them.
One big thing though, drink A LOT of water. Toxins are flushed faster and the meds & vitas work faster too.

Just so you know, I am currently going to a pain management specialist for my Migraines. So far the results are very good. - I will be posting a new thread for all to read soon.

In addition, I see a chiropractor for neck adjustments & a message therapist to work out the tension. When I continually wake up with a headache, or easily get them, my neck is usually not properly aligned.

Hope this helps!