Vent - Saw My Neurologist Today.

[FauxLiz]

In addition to having PTSD, I have struggled since my teens with steadily increasing issues with what is called chronic daily intractable migraine. I have seen many neurologists over the years, seen so called "headache specialists", rare disorder specialists as there was a time it was thought the issues stemmed from a genetic birth defect I have called Chiari Malformation. I have even go so far as to have brain surgery attempting to relieve the pain.

I don't second guess the doctors, after all these years I tell them what I have tried before but I am always willing to try what ever procedure, alternative treatment, lifestyle changes etc and today it was just another waste of money. Since the meds I have been on for the last three months have done nothing they are once again changing my meds only this time I wanted to laugh at their idea. I live in pain 20-25 days a month, unrelenting from the time I wake until it decides to break sometimes the same day, some times 3-4 days straight, sometimes with no break and and relief for more than 14 days in a row. So the doctors answer today was to prescribe a high dosage of antihistamines because surely allergy meds will cure my headaches. I swear I sat their and just wanted to ask the Dr, would he take allergy meds for a migraine?

 

[Cannottakethis]

I'm sorry that you get those headaches. I get migraines and know how awful they are. I can't imagine why your dr would think antihistamines would work.
I've been getting Botox shots which have helped a lot.

 

[Joan]

That sounds so frustrating. Invalidation makes things so much worse. Hope that you are able to find relief from something.

 

[FauxLiz]

@Shells I have tried botox in the past without any relief. Depending upon which doctor you talking I have tried every procedure, prophylactic and/or abortive medication, every alternative/holistic healing option, nutritional supplement, dietary changes/removals that have now or in the past been used to treat migraines. If you have ever gone to an ER for an unbreakable/unbearable migraine the first round of treatments that you will be given are: fluids via IV, IV Benadryl and an anti-nausea med if you have issues with Nausea. The next round is intra-muscular Toradol up to 60 mg (generally this is given in a dr's office or urgent care center and you are sent on your way). At one time I had a physician that was amazing and he knew if he didn't take drastic measures I would just suffer for days, he learned this the first time I ended up in the ER having not been able to keep water down for 4 days, no food for 7 days and on day 9 of the headache. He would admit me for IV fluids and nutrition and a combo of steroids and narcotic pain meds which would keep me asleep/out of it for a minimum of 24 hours to break the cycle. Now I live 800 miles away and the governments directives on pain meds have changed so I put up with what they will prescribe hoping that someday they will figure out the cause and cure it or realize that standard protocols are not always meant for everyone.

 

[Cannottakethis]

I'm sorry nothing has worked for you. I went a long time with no relief; trying a lot of different things as well. It's horrible to be in pain with no relief. I hope you find something.

 

[J'qel]

Antihistamines also work for those who have migraines due to weather changes (air pressure in the sinuses doesn't equalize well).

I assume you've had a CT and an MRI? I'd suggest the CT over the MRI, honestly, because the MRI won't show electrical activity.

Assuming that's true and they haven't found anything, have they checked your spine? It is possible that something along your spinal cord could be causing the pain, given that your entire nervous system connects there.

There's also a potential (small) that it could, strange as it sounds, be gastric related. A lot of your neurological processes are actually linked with processes in your intestinal tract.

Basically, if they haven't found anything wrong with your head, it's time to start looking elsewhere. I'd push the spinal angle more than the gastric merely because of the level of pain and what it takes to shut it down, that sounds like it could be something stimulating your pain centers, not necessarily something that is the result of actual physical trauma at a predetermined site.

However, it could be something like a benign growth in a specific area of your intestinal tract which is causing reactions that result in pain in your brain (so to speak).

I guess, I'm just trying to apply occam's razor to this. If it isn't your brain, it must be occurring from some other source. I don't know what your health insurance will cover but it's worth a discussion, and it's bound to be less risky than brain surgery.