Hi my gf wants to ask a question: She is 26 and gets migraines (or so she thinks)?

Question

almost everyday, sometimes so bad she has caused pain elsewhere by sticking needles (pins) into her head. She says itw works temporarily. Anyways, when she goes to bed with one she wakes up with one, not exactly right away but minutes after moving from getting up. Exercise also causes them to come when she didnt have one to beign with, esp, biking and walking. She also said that her heart beats harder at times and faster. She said she had these things since forever, only upon her 20s they have gottn worse.
They make her very bitchy too and annoyed with ppl and less patient.
Any ideas what we could do?

She has gone to the docs lots, and he gave her antidepressants (why i dont know) and MAXALT RPD.

Answer 1

Start by going to her Primary doctor to check her blood pressure and overall health; an OB/Gyn to check hormone issues (esp. if she's on birth control); a cardiovascular specialist (due to the palpitations and exercise-induced symptoms); and possibly a neurologist depending on what the other evaluations turn up.

In the meantime, she needs to make sure she's getting enough hydration- that's AT LEAST eight 8 oz. glasses (64 ozs.) of water per day.

Caffeine is tricky with migraines, because for some people it triggers them while for others it helps them go away (that's why it's an ingredient in some headache medicines) - so she needs to monitor her caffeine levels to see if they somehow relate to when the headaches are occurring. Be sure to include sodas (check the label, because some orange and other flavors of soda DO have caffeine!) and chocolate.

Other foods and/or allergic reactions can also trigger headaches, so keeping a log of when the headaches happen and what she's eating/drinking and her activities will help the doctors pin-point areas to evaluate to expedite the diagnostic process and hopefully get her treatment.

As for the antidepressants, I'd ask - does the neurochemical reaction help the migraine, or does the Dr. suspect that her issue is psychosomatic, or does the Dr. think the chronic pain is leading to depression?

Is the Maxalt helping? If not, further evaluation is warranted. Again, the symptoms you mention have me thinking a cardiovascular evaluation, perhaps including a stress test, may be the next step. Make sure you go to a facility that specializes in Female cardiovascular health - because the function and especially the symptoms - are very different between women and men.

Answer 2

Has your girlfriend had an MRI or CT scan? She may have an anerysm, a serious blood clot that can burst and cause death. Hopefully her headaches are migraines. If so, tell her to find a doctor who will be sympathetic to her pain and work with her to find a long-lasting solution.
Also, there is a new device that delivers magnetic stimulation to the neurons in the brain. When applied right after a migraine aura(stars or flashes), pain will subside within 2 hours. This is an experimental thing, but she may qualify for it.
I sincerely hope that your girlfriend finds relief. I know how terrible migraines are.

Answer 3

The antidepressents are actually to calm her down, and help her rest. I was on some..aminetryptiline(i think it is spelled correctly). Some foods or drinks will actually trigger a migraine. I used to get migraines about 5 times a week. The docs put me on all sorts of meds that did not work. The migraine happens due to the blood vessels in the brain becoming constricted. So to open them, most docs will prescribe meds that has caffeine in them. My migraines would get so bad that i would go to er to get shots. I would just get sooooo sick, i thought something more was wrong. If the migraines are bad have her talk to her doc. There is a med that works wonderful but some insurance does not cover it. It is called imitrex. It comes in both pill and shot form. I liked the shot form better because it works alot quicker. Email me if you have questions.

Answer 4

I have migranes too.. she needs to go to the doctor and get a good check up.. could be due to stress and tension.. blood pressdure or something else..like a pinched nurve.. messed up back or neck even. I have 3 different scripts for migaine relife and believe me without them I would be very ill.

Oh by the way.. I was having migrains a lot same symptoms as you stated and found out I have HypoThyroidism.. with the medication for that my migraines are gone. This is a very common thing in females even in their 20's.. please hun got to the doctor and go for full lab work and a check up.. it will be worth it.. best to know there is nothing major wrong then to wait until you have to go to the hospital like I did.

Best of luck to you!!!

Answer 5

What she needs is a Dr. Not a bunch of strangers with our opinions. I have migraines. They have shots for when you have 1 & now there are med to prevent them. Tell her to get professional help. Good luck!

Answer 6

She needs to see a doctor. Seems too excessive to be a migraine, could be a more serious problem.

Answer 7

best advice go see a doctor, the longer u wait the worse its going to get, and you're going to go nuts, so don't drive yourself nuts trying to guess what it is, make and appt asap because there's a million and 1 things it could be. Good luck to u

Answer 8

Of course she needs to see a doctor.Many things can trigger migraines.Starchy foods,stress,ect.I'd seek medical help quickly.She shouldnt have to live like that.

Answer 9

GO SEE A DOCTOR! GET HER DIET & HEALTH HANDLED!

Then read Dianetics. It really works. I used it with my mom's arthritis and she hasn't had it for 10 years!

Answer 10

she really needs to see a doctor my friend. it could be something very very serious. take her to the doctor instead of being on here asking what could be wrong