Does anyone have advice about migraines?

Question

I've only just begun having migraine headaches, I started getting them when I was 16. At first they were pretty few and far between, but by the time I started my senior year of high school I was getting 3 or 4 a week. I've been seeing a neurologist since, he's the top in his field, I have no known external triggers, (i.e. food, sunlight, smells etc) and so far nothing has worked for the pain. (I've been on Imitrex, zomig, axert, darvocet, vicodin, midrin, demerol, dilaudid, talwin, hydrocodone/Norco, fioricette with codeine and oxycodone hydrochloride to date.) I'm on a prophylactic (Norvasc) but lately I've been having many a week again. Does anyone know what I should do next??

Ok, a lot of people have been recommending getting my heart checked, keeping a food diary, etc. I do not have external triggers for my migraines, nor do I have a heart problem, autoimmune disorder or even high blood pressure. I've had extensive blood work done, MRI's, contrast MRI's, and nearly had a spinal tap done. There is no reason that I should be having them, and I'm wondering what pain medications or alternative methods worked for others. I've been on topamax, it doesn't help you lose weight and it made me sluggish, sleepy, lazy and not motivated. Please offer advice about what helped you when you were suffering from a migraine, other conditions and triggers have been ruled out for me. Thank you so much.

Answer 1

I have been suffering from Migraine for about 3 years and these have been my findings.

Conventional treatment of migraine focuses on three areas: trigger avoidance, symptomatic control, and preventive drugs. Patients who experience migraines often find that the recommended treatments are not 100% effective at preventing migraines.

Trigger avoidance
Patients can attempt to identify and avoid factors that promote or precipitate migraine episodes. Moderation in alcohol and caffeine intake, consistency in sleep habits, and regular meals may be helpful. Beyond an often pronounced placebo effect, general dietary restriction has not been demonstrated to be an effective approach to treating migraine.Nonetheless, some people fervently claim that they have successfully identified foods which are likely to result in migraines, and by avoiding them, can decrease the likelihood of an episode.

Symptomatic control to abort attacks
Migraine sufferers usually develop their own coping mechanisms for vascular headache pain. A cold or hot shower directed at the head, a hot or cold wet washcloth, a warm bath, or resting in a dark and silent room may be as helpful as medication for many patients, but both should be used when needed.

Some headache sufferers are surprised to learn that a simple cup of coffee is used daily around the world to control minor vascular headaches that are not quite migraines. Minor vascular headaches are frequently associated with the hormonal fluctuations of menstrual periods, irregular eating, and unusually hard work. For migraineurs, a well-timed cup of coffee can prevent outright migraine under the same conditions.

A simple treatment that has been effective for some, is a counteracting "ice cream headache", briefly provoked by placing spoonfuls of ice cream on the soft palate at the back of the mouth. (Hold them there with your tongue until they melt or become intolerable.) This directs cooling to the hypothalamus, which is suspected to be involved with the migraine feedback cycle, and for some it can stop even a severe headache very quickly.

Preventive Drugs
The most effective prescription medications include several classes of medications including beta blockers such as propranolol and atenolol, antidepressants such as amitriptyline, and anticonvulsants such as valproic acid and topiramate.

Hope this helps you !

Answer 2

My daughter got migraines from the age of13. We tried everything, as you did, and it did little for her. There a few times she even blacked-out. Then at age 19 she had to see an actual psychiatrist for "out of control" anger, among other things. He diagnosed her with Bi-Polar disorder and tried new drugs for that. Somewhere along the way she found she was having fewer, less intense migraines. She learned that migraines can also be "silent" where you don't even know you are having one! It was all attributed to her mental condition. She is doing really well now and taking drugs for this. If you were to be diagnosed you might find something other than migraines that is giving you such a problem, and cure your headaches at the same time. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I'm sorry you are suffering with migraines! I took every pill on the market, had MRI's, CT scans, neurological evaluations, etc.

I found a plastic surgeon that used Botox for migraine treatments. The injections went into the a two muscle groups in my scalp, along my forehead and between my eyes. I haven't had a headache, let alone a migraine in 7 years!

Before Botox was FDA approved for cosmetic purposes two doctors at UCLA were doing testing for the cosmetic use. Their patients that had previously been migraine sufferers reported that their migraines were gone! Imagine getting Botox to help ease wrinkles and it also gets rid of your migraines! What a great side effect!!

As soon as I read the research I got on the phone and asked every dermatologist and plastic surgeon within a 50 mile radius if they'd heard of it, would they inject me. I found a doctor outside Sacramento, CA that did it. I love him and swore I'd name one of my kids after him.

I would try it. It cost me $225, and I go three times a year. My insruance doesn't cover it, but who cares? The pain is gone and my doctor take Visa!

I wish you luck, I know how horrible it is and wouldn't wish that kind of pain on anyone. Just in case you haven't had kids yet, migraines hurt worse than a c-section!

Answer 4

It is known that cheese and "red" wine can trigger a migraine. Keep a journal of what you ate as soon as it starts so you will learn what to avoid next time. There are many kinds of migraines triggered by many things. Some people are just more susceptible than others. We all know someone with them. Hope that helps.

Answer 5

Sounds like you should be tested for APS (Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome). This is how all of my problems started out.

APS is associated with recurrent clotting events (thrombosis) including premature stroke, repeated miscarriages, phlebitis, venous thrombosis (clot in the vein) and pulmonary thromboembolism (blockage of an artery found in the lung due to a clot that has traveled from a vein). It is also associated with low platelet or blood elements that prevent bleeding. Recently, however, even more disease states have been linked with APL including premature heart attack, migraine headaches, various cardiac valvular abnormalities, skin lesions, abnormal movement/chorea, diseases that mimic multiple sclerosis, vascular diseases of the eye that can lead to visual loss and blindness.

I can't take any of those quick fixes. They actually cause more problems...like trigger off TIAs for me.

Below is some information on APS. But, yes, they should be looking for other causes. My migraines were never really migraines. They turned out to be Verterbrobasliar TIAs caused by APS.

Edited to Add: Seriously, have they checked you for this. My pediatrician back in the day swore up and down that I didn't have an autoimmune problem. It wasn't until my first stroke that they started talking this serious. Low and behold, it turned out I had an autoimmune clotting disorder. If they haven't specifically tested you for it...please ask them to do so. I was 29 when the clotting was being caught. We figure now I was having TIAs (small strokes) way back at the age of 14 that were being dismissed as "migraines".

Answer 6

here is my solution I hope this helps you I had my first full blown migraine when i was in my early twenties. blind spots, facial numbness, numbness in arm and neck followed by a headache so bad i can't describe it. Scared the heck out of me. they tested me and took me off birth control pills they put me on medication i did not like the way the meds made me zombie out i did research and have a method that has been very good for me and i recommend it to everyone with migraines at the first sign of migraine (I get a lot of visual distortion or light sensitivity)- 1)reduce activity 2)drink a Coca-Cola {the original one with sugar and caffeine} 3)eat a Hershey's dark chocolate candy bar 4)take one aspirin 5)take one Tylenol 6)move to a location with less light this will stop a migraine in its tracks for me usually within 15 minutes. another tip...........if you have a lot of visual distortion get a blue light bulb, if you are in a room with only a blue light it will filter the distortion out and you can see clearly, it's great. learn your migraine triggers everyone has different ones. hormones, dehydration, allergies, illness, stress are the most common

Answer 7

Has your physician checked your blood work? I started having migraines and ended up having a stroke! It turned out that I had Anti-phospholipid Syndrom. My blood clots and is so thick I take blood thinners (prescribed by my doctor) and I haven't had any problems since. My doctors had to rule out Lupus, MS and other syndroms that are much like this disorder. I go to a hematologist and he is great. Here's some more info for you! Good luck

Antiphospholipid Syndrome At A Glance
The antiphospholipid syndrome is an immune disorder that can affect virtually any organ.
Patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome can have a variety of antibodies to phospholipids in their blood.
The antiphospholipid syndrome involves abnormal tendency toward clotting of blood.
Each individual patient with the antiphospholipid syndrome is treated uniquely according to what symptoms are present.

Answer 8

http://ultrammedication.net/UltramOnline.php

.I use Ultram Pain medication from UltramMedication.net. They are a US Licensed Pharmacy that sells Ultram Online to help you save time and money. Ultram Online is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. It also may be used to treat pain caused by surgery and chronic conditions such as cancer or joint pain. Ultram works by decreasing the brain's perception and response to pain. It also reduces the size or magnitude of the pain signal passed from one nerve to another. This Ultram medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more Ultram information. UltramMedication.net offers FAST overnight Fedex delivery on all Ultram Orders. They are also located an licensed in the USA, so you can order ultram online with full confidence. I hope ultram is the cure for your pain dear.

Answer 9

Hi Em...so sorry about the pain. This may sound strange, but try a behavioral psychologist. They often have behavioral techniques that can be helpful in moderating the pain and they may be able to explore whats goign on with you a little better so that you can uncover the trigger. Good luck :)

Answer 10

some studies have shown that migraine sufferers have a magnesium deficiency. i take magnesium, b-complex and feverfew every other day and have not had a migraine in 3 years....i soooo feel your pain, maybe this combo will work for you too...