Migraines, Any One?

[Seasounds]

I write for support to get through this headache,-and to know that I am not alone. This migraine is a doozy, and it brings me to my knees and sobbing.

I've had this migraine for two weeks, and have seen my Provider, the past two weeks. Today, I got tired of my condition. And just short of going to the ED, i started taking a higher dose of my mediation, and I am finally getting better, I think.

I never know for sure, until the migraine doesn't rear it's head, 12 hours from now, in an ache, somewhere in my head. I need to go back to him and tell him that the current doses are not resolving my migraine.

With mild moraines, my Provider and i solve within a day or two. (I know and control my triggers.)

Anyone else suffer from these monsters?
What do you do,when nothing works?

 

[Ice_Fire]

It's been years since I suffered frequent migraines. Turns out mine were caused by eye-strain and I needed glasses. Maybe you need to get an eye-test?

(((((Hugs))))) it's really horrible, I hope you get better soon

 

[jaccat]

Eye strain is one possibility. Migraines can be caused by lots of things, and aggravated by others. I suffer them if I have too much caffeine, chocolate or cheese. My best friend is so sensitive that just a tiny amount of these substances sends her into a full blown migraine- headache, nausea, vertigo and all the rest. Have you considered a change in diet may help? You can eliminate certain foods for a period and by keeping a food diary track if there is any change. Just a thought.

 

[Seasounds]

@Ice_Fire & @jaccat, thank you so much! It is comforting to know that while I lie here in the dark, that I am not alone. My suffering is not as great (a tear of relief slidding out of my right eye).

 

[heidi]

What are you currently taking for them? I know there are some people who don't respond to the current medications on the market but I think that number is less then 10%. I would try every single sumitriptian on the market before you write them off. When I was younger I also had some luck with ergot. I would try every single option. Again what are you taking? You said it helped to take a larger dose?

If those options still don't work then that is a chronic pain situation. I have a violent reaction to people who say things like take a bubble bath or drink some hot tea because that shows they have no idea what a severe migraines is like.

To my knowledge there isn't a good preventative option on the market. The current medications only allow you to take them when you feel one coming on. If sumatriptans do not work for you then I would consider a narcotic pain killer like stadol. Those pain killers have the potential for abuse although in my experience stadol isn't a desirable drug but due to the PTSD I would still be very careful and set limits on when and how you use them.

As far as triggers go for me my triggers are things like getting too hot, getting too hungry, not getting enough sleep, irregular sleep schedule, drinking alcohol, things that assaults the senses that are too loud too smelly or too bright, looking at a computer for too long. Even in the absence of those things I will still get migraines so it's not always caused by a trigger. I have never had a food trigger and I have tried food journals and everything like that. I have known people who get migraines from certain things though. In my opinion if you do have a food trigger it's likely to be obvious.

Are they severe migraines or it more a constant milder migraine?

 

[ghotiff]

There is a book called "heal your headache" written by a neurologist if I remember correctly. It's a really good book, not a cure, but it has a lot of really useful information that can really help.

 

[Chava]

Yes. I was on Imatrex for a while, then had to wonder when I realized I was taking it for 7-10 days out of the month. I was probably having rebound headaches. I cut out all processed foods. That helped. Now I get them again...not full blown migraine features, but some of the pain in combination with other body pains and it's just horrid. I'm seeing a new doctor soon.

I have slept on my stomach my whole life and it's been hard to transition to a better position....required muscle relaxants, a special pillow to support my head, practice, and my dog for security.

It's helpful to keep track of triggers (mine are cigarettes, sugar, sitting too long, other pains beginning to flare, pms). Once I have any hint of this pain I start taking alternating doses of aspirin and Tylenol, add in some ginger and turmeric, make sure I can rest my body somehow and dim the lights, ice on my eyes and back of my head. I used to have major meltdowns over the pain because it morphed into horrible feelings of being trapped or immobilized (bad combination pain...whole upper body). Now I can have a bad day and wake up better the next day, versus have it drag on for days and days. that being said, I have a headache to some degree most days, so there are some chronic issues I have not resolved.

 

[theotherside]

I have suffered migraines my whole life. I have never tried to get help for them. I use exederine almost daily. I should get help for them...

 

[Seasounds]

Thank you, everyone. and since my migraine continues, after 5 days of conventional and acupuncture treatment, does anyone know:
1. If I went to the Emergency Department, do you know how they would treat my migraine?

(In followup to questions, from responders in this thread)

2. I've always had a sensitivity to visual glare, and could tolerate, by themselves, florescent lights and computer screens. When those oscillating, optics nerve irritating lights, reflect off of a computer screen, at some point, a glare headache turns into a migraine. Never had migraines until 2007, when my business switched to computers.

Most of the time, my wearing polarized top and side protected sunglasses prevents them. I recently spent an extended time at the computer, completing on on-line course. My early warning signs were masked by an anti-inflammatory medication that I was taking for my back injury.

 

[shrinkingviolet]

I have daily migraines, the level ranges. I've tried everything and continue including preventative, fast acting and others to help with secondary symptoms. They started 3 years ago but the last 6 months have been relentless. I was hospitalized for a week due to one that lasted over two weeks. IV meds at ER do help, work faster than pills or sprays when pain just won't break. My neurologist is great, trying different combinations to try to solve but it is hard, many triggers can contribute. I would recommend seeing one if continue to plague you.

 

[Seasounds]

Migraine continues.

I've never had one last this long. My eye doctor thinks it could be from a small cataract I have-which aggravates my light sensitivity.

A neurologist sounds like a good idea.

Since my PCP is seeing that the iimmetrex/trytin drug class don't help me, he will give me a a couple of other meds to try.

Fluorescent lights on computer screens are hard to avoid.
I am REALLY fortunate to know my triggers.

 

[sun seeker]

Sure do. They've gotten better since I cut out sugar and grains from my diet. Acupuncture also helped when I was doing that regularly. They're often triggered by lying down too long and feel better when I'm sitting up not putting pressure on my head, so I suppose there's one dubious benefit to sleepless nights. :wideeyed:

Sorry you are suffering so @Saetva, that's a long time to be in so much pain!