i get these really horrible migraines at least once a week?

Question

i had one that started this morning at 8ish and now its almost 6pm and it seems to be getting worse. i cant stand up or sit down without feeling faint and sharp pains above my eye. Ive taken 4 pills today for headaches. this is getting ridiculous. anyone else have this problem? is this something i should go to the doctor for? migraines seem so common, but they are so consistent and so painful.

i know these are migraines. my family has a history of migraines, so they are very familiar to me. i know aspirin doesnt work...maybe once and a while excedrin migraine will, but in todays case they didnt. migraines dont occur exclusively on the sides of the head. they can extend further. my father was getting them in different areas of his head, and a cat scan later and doctors realized he had tumor pressing on a nerve at the back of his head causing his migraines.

to you all,

thank you for all of your feedback. i went to sleep at about 8:30 and just woke up (10:30) and it's still lingering. However, i just spoke with my mom who is making a doctors appointment for me when i am supposed to visit her in a week and a half. Its good to hear others who have had to deal with painful migraines the same way I am, because it definetly is hard for people who seem to be 'healthier' to understand exactly how i feel right now.

Answer 1

try to drink coffee twice daily

Answer 2

This should be diagnosed by a doctor, but a migraine is a possibility. The numbness is not something I have experienced, but the other symptoms are definitely present in migraines. Things in your diet can trigger migraines. Keeping a journal of what you ate before a migraine attack can be helpful. The food triggers can vary greatly from person to person. For example, when I drink too much Diet Coke, I can often get a migraine. Other possible triggers: Stress Caffeine Odors Bright Lights Changes in the weather noise The good news is that if it is a migraine, many medications are now available to relieve the pain. I suffered for years with severe migraines, and now when I feel an attack coming, I take a pill and the symptoms are often completely gone in less than an hour. So, SEE YOUR DOCTOR, both for a proper diagnosis and for treatment. Don't suffer like I did.

Answer 3

I get them quite often as well. There are many factors that can bring on a migraine, changes in your sleeping pattern, stress, tension, sunlight, driving, certian colognes, some foods such as, cheese, red wine, lunch meats with nitrates, hot dogs. I've seen a neurologist for my headaches & they've improved. Before I saw my neurologist I keep a headache diary. The diary detailed the times I got the headaches, the intensity of the pain, if I had a certain aura, such as seeing spots or for myself, I smell a certian smell. I also documented what I ate or if I ate. I know if I go all day with out eating it can bring on a terrible migraine. My treatment is I take 50 mg of Topamax twice a day, I take 8 mgs of Zanaflex at night, it's a muscle relaxer that helps me sleep. I also take Imitrex which is very helpful, but is extemely expensive. I also take Vicodin. I did go to physical therapy & a chiropractor which really helped a lot. If I could afford it I'd continue to go to the chiropractor. I also had Botox injections which helped for six months. I will undergo that procedure again. It costed me about $900 and my insurance refused to cover the costs. There is also a new controversial surgery to cure migraines. Supposedly if Botox works then the surgery will work. Botox paralyzes the nerves for a few months, if that's successful then, a surgeon can go in and permantly clip the nerve a paralyze it. If my insurance covers the surgery you can bet I will have the surgery as soon as I can, b/c I really can't afford the Imitrex, It costs about $260 for nine pills. Although my with my insurance co-pay is $75 and that is just way too much out of my budget. I also heard that you can take Alka-Selzer Gold or baking soda & water when you get a migraine and if the migraine goes away the migraine was cause by a food allergy, such as the cheese etc. I've gotten to the point where I know what foods I can't eat & what my triggers are. Although migraines are very common & not really life threatening they are extemely painful and can disable a person, especially when they cause me to pass out & throw up. It's a pain that can't be described or understood unless you've experienced it. Good luck & I hope you get releif.

Answer 4

I've had them since age 6. Different meds work for awhile, then seem to lose their power for a long time.
My best results for daily migraine was from an MD who also practices classical homeopathy.
The results have been fantastic, it is gentle & no side effects like I get with my Rx's, and yes, I do still need to use those sometimes.
Try thelesterclinic.com to ask for a referral to a homeopath in your area, or, this is my Dr. and he does phone/video cam consults around the country.
He is also very honest and will tell you without charge whether he thinks he can be of help or not.
One of the best early on treatments I learned from Yahoo! Answers is to eat something salty such as corn chips, popcorn, potato chips, etc, and apply an ice pack 20 minutes on & 20 minutes off at the back of the neck while lying down.. Wonderful for stopping it early on, & helps the agonizing pain even after that.
My heart so goes out to you, migraine is notoriously stubborn & difficult to treat.
I also use powdered ginger in capsules 3-5 times per day (one capsule), a switch from the herb Feverfew which I used for years until it seemed to lose it's helpful effect.
"Prescription For Nutritional Healing" has also been an extremely helpful book for me. As you well know, dealing with long term pain at this level, you become open to alternative modes of treatment, and that has been my biggest blessing.
God's blessings on you as you deal with this. Merry (migraine -free) Christmas & a healthier New Year to you!

Answer 5

I get migraines and it doesnt sound like a migraine to me, maybe more a sinus problem? Migraines are on one side of your head or the other, and are terrible...aspirin wont help at all, a migraine med will if that is what you are having, go to your Dr and find out for sure..migraines are also caused by MSG which is in everything almost these days, check the labels!!

Answer 6

You need to go to the doctor, preferably a neurologist to be diagnosed properly. Even if they are not migraines, you need to find out why you are getting these headaches. Sometimes you can get "rebound" headaches from too much medication (you dont say what you are taking, tylenol, excedrin, prescription meds???)
Highly doubtful you have a "sinus" headache... those really dont exist unless you have a sinus infection. most "sinus" headaches are really migraines.

Please go see a doctor & get proper treatment.

I get migraines as well... sometimes it takes a few visits to get the medications right but the new ones are amazing.

Answer 7

I have had migraines since I was 12 yrs. old. Have you been properly diagnosed? Maybe you are having cluster headaches, which are equally as painful. You should see your doctor and get the right treatment. I"ve found accupuncture relieves my migraines, they are not as frequent or as painful. Get your eyes checked as well. Drink plenty of water, as dehydration causes headaches too.

Answer 8

Migraines can be very debilitating and should not be ignored. It is a good thing you ar egoing to the doctor, he can rule out any other medical problems. Good Luck!

Answer 9

Yes., please go to the doctor. You shouldn't be taking chances.
Migraines, could possibly be hiding another condition.

Answer 10

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