Rare Type of Migraine now with changes Any advice Ive gone back to gp waiting on referal?

Question

Ive been going to my gp for approx 5 years with headaches. after 2 years of going back every week as the tablets perscribed hadnt helped. I finally got refered to a specialist. He did a quick exam shoes socks & trousers off & diagnosed hemicrania Continua. At my worst i was getting a headache & it lasting 7 days with no break. then id have 2 normal days then again for another 7 days of headaches. This cycle just kept repeating & made my life unbearable i couldnt do anything i was in that much pain. The specialist gave me indomethacin and i had to take 3 capsuals 3 times aday which made me feel like a bottle of pills. After a few months i went back to the specialist & he told me i could slowly reduce the number of tablets i was taking till i was off the tablets. Which i did. And my headaches almost disappeared i would just get normal headaches not to the serverity of my usual. i was in hospital 2weeks ago they returned worse! pain is to bad to live with now help needed tabs dont work!!

Answer 1

There are investigational studies ongoing for hemicrainia, but at this time, the main treatment is indomethacin. This is because, to be diagnostic of hemicrania, the condition must be completely controlled by the indomethacin. There are other medications which are used, such as tricyclic antidepressants (amitryptylline, etc) but these have minimal success. There currently is no known cause for hemicrania, and there is no evidence of the condition on diagnostic test leading towards different treatments. As this is a rare type of headache disorder, and not responsive to the newer triptan migraine medications, there is not much research by the pharmaceutical makers, due to costs.

In my experience, most alternative medication treatments are not overly effective for this condition, as the level of the supplements required often results in side effects. You may try accupuncture and/or biofeedback as these can help with control and will at least do no harm, but may be costly.

I am sorry for you. I have a rare migraine disorder, that is not managed with traditional meds, and have finally gotten where I can manage using biofeedback for pain control, and some preventive agents. Keep working with the specialists, they can attempt some of the other SSRIs and AEDs to prevent the pain, in addition to the indomethacin.

I wish you the best. Remember, most headache conditions are cyclic, and come under control eventually, even without treatment, I know that doesn't help when it is hurting though.

Again, my best wishes.

Answer 2

Hi,

I would recommend that you try some alternative treatments. Going back and forth to Docs with limited success isn't good for you.

I have known a number of people, who have had similar experiences to you in terms of trying to get treatment, so they ultimately went to see an acupuncturist.

It worked for them, and they said the same thing as you 'they hated feeling like a bottle of pills'.

Ask your GP if he knows someone. ideally they should have trained for at least 2 years and have had some level of experience. Don't be shy about asking that.

Good luck

Answer 3

I suffered with migraines for years. Then wondered if it was a preservative in foods. It was! Wrote down a full food diary for months to see when I got these migraines. It got to a point where I couldn't even speak properly, stuttering my way through a conversation, eye auras etc. Anyway pinned it down to Richmond Pork Sausages! Went vegetarian and have never had one since!

Answer 4

I don't know the differences in migraines, and I am not a medical person, but I do understand that for some migraine sufferers, accupuncture can be very effective. I don't know if this would be the case for you, but might be worth investigating - at least you wont be filling yourself full of chemicals that may damage other organs. Hope you get it sorted.

Answer 5

There is no medicine for H/A OR MIGRAINE. Not only these but for almost all painful diseases. Hence they become chronic.

Acidity, WORRY, sadness, excessive wind, cold , heat, sour food and sinusitis, constipation, intestinal inflammation; drug side effects, stress, bad smell, TV & COMPUTER SOMETIMES,
Blockage in the flow of Vital Energy are their causes. None of them can be treated with medicine. Our 100% success in treating migraine &H/A confirms it.

Acupuncture is the best treatment.
I can treat it with naturopathy and YOG, but how can you manage pl see.

Pain killers don't treat the pain but we loose the sense of pain for some time; in that duration our body itself treats sometime and credit goes to meds.

These useless drugs have enormous power to create hazardous side effects like liver/kidney failure, ulcer, acidity adn lot others.

Avoid late sleeping if possible; worry, spicy foods, sour fruits, stale bakery foods and alcohole.
Sweet foods, COCOANUT WATER,sweet fruits, milk, rice, SPROUTS, SALADS and good sleep will help you if cough is not there.

But you try one herbal remedy- two drops of drumstick leaves' juice in opposite nostril if one side pains and both nostrils if full H/A will give you rescue. Betel leaf helps but it is very strong.

Pl search a painful point 3-6 mm behind your thumb nail and press it, H/A will disappear within 30 seconds!

Source(s):
SHREE SWASTHYAYOG TREATMENT, TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE
R.H. 19, Jhulelal Society, Sector 2/E, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, INDIA.

Answer 6

I have read that grinding your teeth either when you are awake or in your sleep can be the cause of headaches even migraines.

If you google teeth grinding and look for this plastic type denture that you wear at night to stop teeth grinding. There are various types I am sorry I forget the name for it but you will find it on the net and one women said it stopped her migraines.

I was thinking of getting it to stop teeth grinding because I think it is wearing down my teeth but the cost is expensive. Just have a look into it and good luck.