My migraines have went from bad to worse. Can anyone PLEASE HELP me?

Question

I'm 25 and started having migraines at the age 9. In the last 3mos, they have been different, I have lost my sight once with one, and I now stutter or am unable to speak the words I want to when I have a migraine. Then to top it off I am now having siezers. And my hands shake even when I don't have a migraine. I had an EEG but there was nothing. I have been under stess.(trying to buy a new house, fight with the inlaws, and kids) I really thought I was ok with all of this. I started depakote on may 2nd. and yet still all this is happening I am now up to 500mg twice a day. Can anyone think of anything that might help. I'm tired of the feeling that people think it's all in my head. PLEASE HELP

Answer 1

I'm a nurse practioner who treats only women so I see TONS of women suffering with stess reactions and migranes. If you are having true siezures where you pass out and have the classic jerking movements,you should have an MRI of your brain to be certain that there isn't anything such as a tumor causing these new symptoms. An MRI is a special imaging test that can actually see these lobes of the brain,blood vessels and bony structures,kind of like an Xray but able to see things the Xray can't. Your shaking hands sound more like anxiety and or panic. A panic attack can feel like you're having a heart attack and a few people will actually pass out or have odd movements that can be misdiagnosed as a siezure. The migranes can often be controlled or at least made more manageable with daily medication. I'd suggest you talk to your health care provider and ask to be put on something like Lexipro or Paxil. These are both antidepressants but are also excellent for dealing with stress and anxiety and can also decrease the frequency and severity of the headaches.If you notice that your headaches are the worst on your period or about halfway between them and you're not on birth control pill somtiimes taking the pill to even out the hormone levels can be helpful.I often use a drug called Verapamil taken daily to try and prevent you from having as many headaches.It's a blood pressure med but acts to prevent some of the changes in the brain that cause the migrane pain. I'm a migrane sufferer too and last year mine got ugly but since I started Verapamil in August I haven't had one at all . I've had the aura several times but the pain never came. I was surprised that it worked this well.Usually, it makes things more managable at least.There are other thing that can help such as feverfew supplement, magnesium or a B vitamin called riboflavin. These need to be taken daily and take a while to become effective. Don't give up till you get some relief. Your best bet is to find someone who specializes in women's issues or a headache specialist if none of the usual things work. I know this is a long answer but it's a complicated problem. There! You just got my New Patient Consult( $200+) for free! Hope this helps. God bless Pam

Answer 2

Ask your Dr. for an MRI first. Then ask for a referral to see a neurologist. Seizures are not common with migraines and could be the sign of something more serious. I have had severe migraines for 16 years (started at age 14) and never had a seizure or shaking.

Talk to your Dr. about the medication Topamax. It is a migraine preventative that you take once per day at bedtime(it could also help with the seizures as it was originally an epiliepsy medication). I have been on it for a year and my migraines have went from 2-3 per week to maybe 1 every 4 months. And the ones that I still do get are not putting me in bed for hours or days because I can't function.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Have you tried going to a chiropractor? Make sure you do some research or ask around before going to one, but I have been seeing a chiropractor for over two years now and have had only 1 migraine since! I use to average at least one dibilitating migraine a month before. There are some theories out that that sublaxation in the C1 and C2 vertabrae can trigger headaches and migraines. It could be worth a shot and it can't be any worse then overloading your body with medications.

Answer 4

I suffered from migraines that stopped my daily life. I was in so much pain all of the time that I was throwing up and I couldn't have any light, as it made me sick. I tried OTC meds, and even broke down and tried prescribed meds. They all made me a zombie. It was a toss up as to what was worse, the migraine itself or the side effects of the medication. I was at my dermatologist and the PA suggested I try Botox injections in the base of my head, right at the hairline. I have been a new person since. I have only suffered from an occasional headache, rather than week long migraines. It's not for everyone but it is a suggestion. Talk it out with your Dr. and decide what is right for you. Good Luck and I hope you find your remedy.

Answer 5

Have you tried to go to a specialist? That you have siezers sound bad.I know that when you have migraines you can become photosensitive(can not resist the light)and the stress is not helping. When you have a migraine again, try to lay down in a dark room also try to drink a cup of coffee(belive or not ,caffeine helps people with migraine) Some migraine medicines containe caffeine because of this.

Answer 6

See a different doctor.

And get a general check-up. I know this sounds crazy, but my migraines (intense pain with vomiting for hours, occasionally days) pretty much came to a screeching halt when I had my gallbladder removed. That was in 1987, and I don't think I've averaged more than one a year since, whereas before it was several a month. Your case is almost certainly different, but it wouldn't hurt to get the advice of a second doctor.

I wish you all the best.

Answer 7

You need a doctor like House to really tell you what to do!

I wonder what made it suddenly change to worse? Have you switched your daily routine around, or have you taken up a new sport? You need to see a doctor and ask him what to do if your meds aren't working. Remember though, they're creating new drugs to help you. Seizures are really bad for you. Try relaxing and not getting into a fight that would stimulate a migrane. Just don't worry be happy! There are lots of other meds and treatments that could help you!

Get well!

Answer 8

I'd say go to a Chinese herbalist\acupuncturist they are the bestones for this sort of problem. I'd also check to see if you have anything wrong with your colon, often tiems head pains are worsened when theres a lower GI tract problem that is being masked. Additionally if you're into alternative medicine or more specifically aromatherapy you may want to try an essential oil blend called m-grain, its available on this website https://www.youngliving.org/Gramora it worked for my mothers migrains, but your case is a little different, although its still worth it to try.

Answer 9

When I was around the age of 8 I , too, started having migraines. Medicine did not help at all and they would last for usually 2-3 days . Hot and cold sweats, my eyes feeling as if they were being ripped out... excruciating pain that crippled me and I could not get out of bed. That all stopped when I went to my orthodontist. He looked at my teeth and asked if I get bad head-aches/migraines... and stuck his fingers in my ears and told me to open my mouth... The pressure was horrible. My jaw line was not aligned properly and my teeth were not set the properly. Because of that it caused too much pressure around my ears and received migraines. I got braces to expand my teeth and align my jaw and the migraines went away.
Stress did not help my migranines as the pressure was already maxed around my ear area.
Perhaps have your jaw area, and ears checked out by a doctor/orthodonist. If your wisdom teeth are coming in or are already grown it could be due to that... Too much pressure around that area! Unbearable! Tell your friends "It is all in your head" hehe...really! Also study pressure points to get to know areas to massage that reduce pressure... The area between your thumb and pointing finger is a great place to massage to reduce the pressure of migraines, for an example.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
LA

Answer 10

Look for migraine triggers. I found that nutrasweet caused 80% of my migraines. If you are consuming diet drinks, most of them contain nurtrasweet (aspartame). I have found I can tolerate splenda products Diet Rite. Do a search on the web Migraine Triggers, that is how I found out about nutrasweet and after I took it out of my "diet" the number of migraines decreased dramatically.

Good luck - I feel for you!