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Global Patient Feedback for Migraine / Headache ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I hav ehad migraines for 30 years and have exhausted all possibilities for any hope of relief. I have tried everything - to no avail. I recently spent a week in an outpatient headache facility where I was able to get temporary relief, but since returning, so have the migraines. It's affected/affecting every aspect of my life. I was told at the headache clinic that they were "most likely" psychological. I have been tested for as many causes; all negative. The most recent being a heart test. I can't begin to list it all here. My question is this: is it even remotely possible that this is truly a psychological condition?
43 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-17 19:35:56
Question/Comment:
I was diagnosed with migraines at age 7. I'm now 40. I noticed the most chronic, stubborn ones that even preventatives such as Topomax etc. didn't seem to help are the MENSTRUAL HORMONAL MIGRAINES. I had a hysterectomy but still have my ovaries, so I still get Severe, Persistent Migraines for a few days before my period should start and at the end of the week when it would have ended. Even when the Imitrex makes them go away it is only temporary.
MY dr.s and neurologists have NOT been helpful in assisting me with this specific trigger that is every single month.
IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL OR DIFFERENT THAT SHOULD BE DONE TO PREVENT OR TREAT MENSTRUAL, HORMONAL MIGRAINES AND WHY?
Thank You!
42 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-17 19:25:36
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
One of the things that is very important in understanding migraine is that 75% of migrainers are women. There is definitely a tie between hormonal changes and migraines. Generally speaking, migraines start at menarche and end at menopause. When women become pregnant, they usually have no migraines during second and third trimester. Hormonally related migraine headaches are related to the fall in estrogen at the time of menstrual flow. No one solid answer to this problem. Adjusting birth control pills or going on continuous birth control pills may be a possibility. All a matter of trial and error. Mentioned Frovatriptan before which has a 26 hour half life. You can use it in a prophylactic manner before the menstrual flow. Take 1 pill twice a day, two days prior to your flow provided that you are regular with your menses. 1 pill 2 days in to the flow. This can be modified to 1 pill a day for 4 days and should be based on results that you get.
Posted: 2008-06-24 14:53:34
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
One of the things that is very important in understanding migraine is that 75% of migrainers are women. There is definitely a tie between hormonal changes and migraines. Generally speaking, migraines start at menarche and end at menopause. When women become pregnant, they usually have no migraines during second and third trimester. Hormonally related migraine headaches are related to the fall in estrogen at the time of menstrual flow. No one solid answer to this problem. Adjusting birth control pills or going on continuous birth control pills may be a possibility. All a matter of trial and error. Mentioned Frovatriptan before which has a 26 hour half life. You can use it in a prophylactic manner before the menstrual flow. Take 1 pill twice a day, two days prior to your flow provided that you are regular with your menses. 1 pill 2 days in to the flow. This can be modified to 1 pill a day for 4 days and should be based on results that you get.
Posted: 2008-06-24 14:53:35
Question/Comment:
I am a 53 .o.female. I have suffered from cluster migraines since high school. It was only in my late 30's that I started receiving any prophylaxis(propanolol). This worked for a bit, then failed. Stadol failed in 2003 & I ended up in a teaching hospital. The neurologist was unqualified to treat me. He put me on prednisone, which caused my diabetes, to be out of control. He suggested Sansert, which was pulled from the drugstore shelves 4 years previously. He further suggested physical therapy to place a TENS unit on my right temple, which I knew was out of the question. One does not place a TENS unit on the head or over the temporal artery. After 8 days I left the hospital with a pain level of 6. 3 weeks later, my BG went into the 300s, my normal blood pressure was up, I still had the excruciating cluster migraines. My husband called my neurologist, he made me a direct admit at another hospital. He called in a pain management specialist & an endocrinologist. The headaches were controlled with Topamax (100mg bid) and Neurontin.(3600mg in 3 divided doses 1200mg tid) after 10 days. The Neurontin affected my balance, so I tried to gradually reduce the dosage. Last year in August, I had another cluster migraine attack. I was hospitalized for 15 days. My neurologist dosed me with IV regimen of DHE and Reglan, along with pain meds. Once under control, I was on Topamax (100mg bid) & Neurontin (1200mg bid) for prophylaxis. The "triptans" are ineffective for my headaches. I have narcotics to take to quell a sudden onset, however, I abhor taking them because of the side effects.
Now that you have my history, I have a questions, pls. Is there anyway to permanently control cluster migraines? Does DHE cause inflammation/fibrosis of the liver? Thank you.
55 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-17 19:11:39
Question/Comment:
I have been having migraines with aura since the age of 10. I am now 48 years old. They have been much worse these past 15 years, although mostly without aura, averaging 15 a month. I see Dr. Diamond at the Headache Clinic in Chicago, but so far it has been difficult to find the right medication mix to give me good management of my headaches. My question is: am I at greater risk of stroke due to the long length of my migraine history? Is there anything to decrease the risk or normalize it? Thank you.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-17 18:44:10
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
There is the possibility that persistent and frequent migraine headache with aura (black dots, bright spots, wavy lines) may be a warning of possible migranis stroke. There are certain markers that should be evaluated in knowing if you are predisposed to having a stroke. If you smoke, are overweight, diabetic, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you are more prone to having a stroke with migraine headache. With good care, most of this can be avoided.
Posted: 2008-06-24 14:51:43
Question/Comment:
How can I get rid of a migraine that still remains after I have taken the recommended two pills of Frova? I get rally bad migraines and take the Frova as directed and sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't. Its the only medicine that seems to work, I've tried everything else out there.
31 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-17 11:33:42
Answer/Reply:
I use Imitrex along with my Frova. I take the Frova and if that does not do the trick I then take the Imitrex. I use both the pills and the shots. I will take the shot if I am really neasued.
48 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-17 14:09:25
Answer/Reply:
I can tell you what has been a God send for me is accupressure. I've been on every medication out there over the past 10 years, including Topamax, Relpax, Frova, Tramadol, Imitrex, etc. I've also tried acupuncture which left me feeling worse than when I went in. Sometimes the pills work, most times not. The accupressure works at least 90% of the time with no drugs. There is a book called Accupressure's Potent Points that works great! It is an older book but it works! I have my husband or children help me if they are around, but you can do it on yourself too. It is difficult to push hard enough on some of the pressure points if you are slone but it can be done. I start rubbing the pressure points as soon as I feel a headache coming on and most times it does not develop into anything painful. Hope that helps!!
38 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-26 00:40:17
Question/Comment:
My question is i have had about 7 or 8 bouts of bells Palsy an have one now an cannot get rid of
this headache/ear ache -Can Bells Palsy cause these headaches? Its like i am almostly stomach sick
50 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-16 21:35:11
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Bells Palsy is a separate phenomenon and more likely than not has an origin in a small herpetic virus but there is no certainty in that. Bells Palsy affects one side of the face and the migraine headache may be on that side of the head. A definite correlation between the two is not forthcoming. Treatments are very different and Bells Palsy should be treated aggressively with appropriate steroids and anti-viral medications.
Posted: 2008-06-24 14:47:38
Question/Comment:
I have severe migraines/complex seizures the weather effect my headaches alot. I go to the ER approx 3x month to get demerol,stadol and zofran in my IV. The pain is still not gone but I'm able to sleep. I was wondering new procedure in US Rush Clinic still in experimental stage implant under scal zaps headaches. Electrodes near the spinal cord to stop certain kinds of pain from the neck down by interrupting signals between neuron. Do you think I would be a good for me. My pain is Suprnorbital nerve and in the middle of the head a burning pain always. I had my occiptal nerve clip in 1999 and that help alot but I can tell they are grow back. I wish God would come and take me because their is nothing to release my pain. I have been to the Diamond Head Clinic came back with more Med and they put me on MAO inhibitors. I call out for help I'm only 49 years old and I have 15 headache a month.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-16 20:49:16
Question/Comment:
Hi! My migraines are basically undiagnosed. I present symptoms of different kinds at different times. I have only found two triggers as of yet...beef and pork. The headaches are neither completely auditory, nor are they visually induced. For right now, my doctor has me on Neurontin, because the roots of my hair felt like they were on fire. It has really helped control them. I have MRIs, CT scans, X-Rays, etc. No one seems to know anything. Anyone else have any suggestions? I'm at wit's end. All help is appreciated.
49 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-16 18:58:49
Question/Comment:
I have a 2 part question for you but here's a little history about me. I've had migraines since I was in a car accident in 1998, never had them before that. I've been to numerous neurologists and have ct's and mri's done and they have never found anything wrong. I am currently going to "the best" neurologist in Central Florida and he has put me on Topomax (I've tried about 30 other medicines none of which work). Topomax has been a blessing. He has also given me Frova to take when I get a migraine as nothing else works. He has found on an old mri a cyst located in my brain by my neck. He says its nothing to worry about. But here's my first question, could this cyst be the cause of all my migraines? Secondly, would you recommend trying any other medicines to stop a migraine when I get them? Thank you for your time.
31 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-16 17:38:14
Answer/Reply:
Has anyone checked for a closed head injury? That was one of the things looked at for me (I've been suffering since 1980). They told me they didn't see anything, but the injury was old and may be undetectable.
49 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-16 19:01:29
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
The likelihood that a cyst or benign cyst in the brain causing a migraine is very remote or unlikely. If you don't have confidence in your health care provider, you should get a second opinion. There are situations where cysts and other conditions should be followed periodically. Some people have brain tumors or meningioma that are relatively benign that don't do too much and after following them for 10-15-20 years, there is no change in their situation and no difference in their migraine headaches. Having a cyst or condition in the head and the most common being small cysts that are called Bright Objects in the brain that have a correlation with migraine headache but don't have correlation with the possibility of strokes or other debilitating conditions. These Unidentified Bright Objects (UBOs) should be ignored.
Posted: 2008-06-24 14:45:32
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Get that cyst checked out- could be a "cyst";tumor of some sort;a teteroma(hope I spelled that
right)~which could b an "undeveloped"\"reabsorded" "parasitic" TWIN tumor--1 was taken from a toddlers brain recently-it contained a perfectly formed foot;& I think a hand ;some teeth,etc.
These teteromas r often fairly small; yet may contain things like teeth;bones; hair~~press on nerves--they can also appear in other parts of the body as well!--But getting rid of your cyst may help if it is pressing on nerves! I'm on topomax for both my migraines & for my Epilesy(caused by a car hitting me while I was on a bike; my head WENT THRU his windshield) The seizures started sev years later.Was on Dilantin from '73-'early 2000's when the Dilantin quit working & In mid 2000's~we found that the MANY years of Dilatin use had zapped CALCIUM out of my bones\suffered a break in my Knee(totally in half) Topomax is not supposed to b that bad in making u lose Calcium(i think). Watch 4 weight losses tho.Eat more. Good Luck Rez
Posted: 2009-01-24 07:55:16
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
54 year Topomax can be good(I'm on it 4 both seizure control AND migraine relief. Was on Dilantin for sev. years-til it didnt work anymore. Dilatin TOOK calcium OUT of my bones leaving them weak(ended up breaking a knee IN HALF) a number of years ago! So far; the topomax that Ive been on for the last 4\5 years doesnt seem to take Calcium out . It does depress the appetite ,tho. So don't miss ANY meals;eat extra meals\snacks. Good Luck The Cyst could be
beneign cyst or tumor; be a malignant tumor; be a teretoma~ which is often a "reabsorbed:\
"parasytic" "twin"! Teratomas may contain a foot\hand (as was found in a toddler's brain
teratoma,recently), teeth; bones;hair,etc. Good Luck RezzyRob
Posted: 2009-01-24 08:15:19
Question/Comment:
Hi,
I know a lot of people think it's not true, but does anyone know if there's anything being done about the connection between certain types of (supposedly environmentally friendly) lighting and their migraines? I'm growing so frustrated that there doesn't seem to be much research being done but in certain types of lighting, I can make it maybe five minutes before being knocked out for days - it's a great thing to have in the work world!
Thanks
34 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-16 16:43:01
Question/Comment:
Has anyone had any positive effect with Botox injections for their migraines?
50 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-13 20:14:21
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I have had botox injections into the sides of my head, It has reduced the severity but not got rid of them completely, I will continue to get the botox to see will it get rid of them. 37 year old female
Posted: 2009-03-17 13:26:00
Question/Comment:
ever have a headache that tells you bad weather is coming? nothing helped not even throwing up.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-07 23:49:25
Answer/Reply:
I too have those barometric headaches. I used to have to go into the ER for injections of Demerol and Visterol.
Now I just try to sleep them off using vicodin.
56 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-13 16:15:34
Answer/Reply:
I also get weather headaches-I get them for all occasions-whatever. They had all but disappeared and then menopause hit and I had one everyday for 2 months and finally got harmone replacement. Odd we all are in the same age range, huh?
56 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-14 14:24:44
Answer/Reply:
OMG, I have been thru a 3 day migraine session.. I had to switch up from the Egsic Plus & Lortab. Finally on the 3rd night I injected Imitrex shot. Dr. had me on Neurotin 1500mg which caused me weird side effects, has anyone went thru that w/Neurotin? I had to downgrade to 900mg & build up slower, Every different side effect I had was when my dosage was increased.. and the first couple of days from going from 1500 to 900 I felt pain, I know what I am feeling now is sinus / barometric related. My sinus' are starting to drain some.. and 120mg of decogestant helps along w/pain med.
thanks
41 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-13 12:46:09
Question/Comment:
does anyone else have a slight headache that constantly lays in the middle of your head and never goes away and gets worse with tension and noise?
?
51 year old Female
Posted: 2008-04-22 20:40:33
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I HAD MIGRAINES FOR OVER 11 YEARS. TWO TO THREE TIMES A DAY OR NIGHT. I HAVE TRIED ALL THE DOCTORS AND ALL THE MEDS AND NOTHING WORKED. SOMEONE TOLD ME ABOUT THE HERB "FEVERFEW". I WENT TO MY VITAMIN STORE AND BOUGHT IT IMMEDIATELY. THAT WAS JULY 6, 2007. I TAKE TWO AFTER EVERY MEAL AND HAVEN'T HAD A MIGRAINE SINCE. THAT IS 10 MONTHS MIGRAINE FREE. I TELL EVERYONE WHO WILL LISTEN AND THEY GET BACK TO ME WITH THE SAME RESULTS. AND THEY ARE CHEAP TOO........MARION IORI, CINCINNATI OHIO marioniori@zoomtown.com
Posted: 2008-05-12 11:13:00
Answer/Reply:
Yes, I experiance my migraines on a daily basis. I rate them from 1 to 10. I live at a 4 to 6 and if it goes higher i have rescue meds that i have recieved from the diamond clinic.
30 year old Female
Posted: 2008-05-27 18:21:45
Answer/Reply:
yes every since my aupunctures wore off its a constant thing 33 anderson
33 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-30 00:28:54
Question/Comment:
Has anyone had any experience with acupuncture and migraine?
37 year old Female
Posted: 2008-04-21 14:07:15
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Acupuncture and other types of non-medication therapy are all usual in treatment of headache problems. Frequently recommended is biofeedback therapy for tension type headaches by virtue of the fact that it really gives you a technique you can use at home. Acupuncture certainly works in migraine and tension headaches, the only difficulty is that you will be dependent on the treater or acupuncturist to give you relief of the headache problem and most of us would like to freedom to do it ourselves. Other options would be biofeedback, exercise, and yoga.
Posted: 2008-06-24 14:39:19
Answer/Reply:
yes and it helped me for 41/2 years and wore off
33 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-30 00:31:13
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