what are some unusual cures for chronic migraine?

Question

My wife has had chronic migraine for 15 years with no results from doctors treatment. She has seen several doctors and a Nurologist. She's been on preventive meds and those designed to stop migraine at the onset. (none work). Her migraines started 15 years ago at the rate of about 1 a month and lasting 1 day. They have gradually increased to 1 every 5-6 days and they last 5-6 days in duration. She is spending about 50% or more of her life in the bed due to the fact that the migraine is very intense and if she tries to function daily, it will start getting worse again. anyhelp will be appreciated.

Answer 1

Has your wife been tested for clotting disorders - specifically Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS). That can cause migraines. It was the big cause of my migraines. None of the preventatives and quick fixes helped me. For the most part the quick fixes actually made them worse.

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 am not saying this is what it is...but after this long her doctors should be looking at other things that are causing her migraines. Mine turned out to be my blood was just too thick. Do, I think a MRI is in order...yep and probably time to go to a University Hospital.

But push the Neurologist to order these tests for APS and other clotting disorder or have her referred out to a hematologist.

Answer 2

Let me tell you what has helped me. I started getting migraines on a daily basis for the last 3 years. I'd gone to several doctors that had tried every type of medication available. From Triptans to antidepressants and nothing seemed to help. I have spent hours and hours researching migraines but could never seem to find a root cause.
I am employed in an office environment and have sat at a desk for the last 12 years. Everyday for the last 3 years around 2pm a migraine headache would come on. My head would just throb like it was dying for oxygen or blood.
My mother suggested that I try chriropractics. I started going and upon initially x raying me, the doctor said that my neck was way off from bad posture over the years. I began chriropractic therapy and deep tissue massage with concentration on the neck and shoulders twice a week for the last 12 weeks and let me tell you my migraines have become almost non existent. The massage therapist said that muscles in the neck, head and shoulders become tense over the years and oxygen/blood has trouble flowing to your head causing a migraine. I hope this helps. I know it won't hurt you to try.

Answer 3

During the attacks Analgesics, ergotamines., sumatriptan will help I. General :Lying in a darkened and quiet room and ice pack to the head may help.II.Reducing the frequency and severity of the subsequent attacks:1 Elimination of the trigger factors 2, relaxation exercises, 3 drugs like sedatives, hormones etc. Consult a Physician

Answer 4

Not trying to scare you, but has your wife been for brain tumour scans? Because it sounds unusual for her migraines to go on for so long.
I think she should get checked out

Answer 5

The truth is that no one really knows. My wife has had the same problem for years and no doctor has come up with a solution, so we're trying to establish if it's something in her diet that's bringing them on. We do know that they seem to run in the family as he mother and brother used to get them. Good luck.

Answer 6

OMG I can realte. right now I am going to a speacial headache DR. for this . here is what i am doing.
1st off...
make sure your wife isn't having "rebound headache"
this is a bad headache that happens when you overuse pain meds....like Tylenol. If so she may have to stop all meds cold turkey until they are out of her system. this results in even worse headaches for a period of time...but in the long run the headaches are redulced dramatically(google it).

here is what i am doing otherwise(i have the rebound headaches and am in my 5th week w/o meds except for Imitrex 2 times a week if I need it)

CO Q 10-this is a supplement like a vitamin
Complex B vitamins
*****OMega 3 fish oil capsules***** very important
Nordic Naturals from GNC leave NO fishy taste in your stomach and are pharmiceutical grade(14.99)
excercising 30 min a day(walking is fine) work up to it...i started offf only doing 15 min. every few days!
frequency is more important then length.

learn what her triggers are and stay clear! Mine are chocolate and many different odors. I have to buy scent free everything.

acupuncture: my headache Dr. has a Dr. who does this in her office. you can get an appt. to have your long term migraine aborted by using acupunture. I haven't needed it yet. but I will use it if I have to.

I see a chiropractor(the Gonstead method is best..google it)

I am in therapy to try and releive any stress(i have an autistic son)

anti nausea meds are important.....if taken ...it can cut the pain 50%.I take Visteril....Dramamine works great....and I have an Rx for Compazine just in case.

good luck with this.
I too live too much time in bed in a dark room suffering! It is so awful.
Right now I am about to get my period and my migraine is on its 3rd day.
I can't take any meds b/c i used up my Imitrex allowance.

oh, I am also getting physical therapy 2 times a week. it is helping a lot

I am on this new regime I typed above for about 7 weeks....except for my menses migraines like now....I can see a reduction. many of the vitamins you need to be on for 2 months before they start to reduce the frequency.

look for a neurologist who specializes in headache. it would be worth it ieven to go a few miles out of your way.

take care

Answer 7

NEW TREATMENT!! Brow lifts are being used to treat migranes. There is a plastic surgeon doing these in Chicago.

Answer 8

Have her heart checked:
http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html