Minoxidil for relief

I'd be grateful for any comments on why this has happened and does it point to a more rational cure for me?...

I've had headaches since I was 6. I'm now 54. I've been on Imigran since it came on the market. I'm my vanity I started using Regaine for hair loss. I don't get headaches anymore!!

Has anyone else experienced this?

That's very interesting. It was originally used to treat high blood pressure, so I think it makes sense that it could help with migraines. I kind of want to try it now.

Can women take Rogain?

Yes. Women can use Rogain (brand name). There is a specific version.

The content is Minixidol. Search on this word and you'll get a variety of brands, formulations AND lower prices.

This is very interesting.
After recently trying topomax as a preventative I have experinced several severe s/e which made me stop using it after about 6 weeks, but I have been left with a terrible hair loss which is still a great worry since I have very fine hair so I cannot afford to loose any more.
I also have high BP which is difficult to control.

So, after reading all your posts I looked at regaine and then did some reading, which I found very exiting as it could potentitally kill two birds with one stone; reducing my BP, and restoring my hair to better health as well. Sounds great.

The mystery why it might help with M was explained when I read this:

Minoxidil is also a vasodilator; by widening blood vessels and opening potassium channels, it allows more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the follicle.

In other words this sound a lot like Imitrex/Imigran, which works also as a vasodiletor. This makes a perfect sense.
Sadly regaine is not available on National Health prescription in UK, so I will have to buy it myself, and it is not cheap, especially if it is going to be a be long term treatment.

Thank you for posting the information, andyt0.
Did you have any side effect from taking it?

Mini

Mini,

There are cheaper alternatives to Regaine.

No side effects for me yet.

Andy

One thing that is not clear to me, Andy.
From what I see, Regaine is used externaly as lotion, or foam so I don't understand how something taken extrenally can help with M, or work at reducing BP?

It was originally prescribed for internal consumption for hypertension. They found that people grew more hair. So when is came of patent they reformulated it as a lotion.

It just works!! For me anyway. I understand in other people it causes headaches.

No so sure about that. Triptans are vasoconstrictors, not dilators.

Hmmm well, my hair has been thinning enough that I was considering trying that anyway. May have to talk to my doc next trip.

Of course you are right, Migrainegirl. I stand corrected. One of those vague disorientation moments.

Triptans are vasoconstrictors when veins dilete it causes pain) and I know that of course, it just floated out of my head. Things like this happen all the time - I say/do many silly things: it is my "Migraine mind".
Thank you for spotting this, and correcting my mistake.

No problem. I'm just glad it is working for Andy. It remains a mystery why any if this works for some and not for others....l