Chronic Migraines

I get a few migraines per year. Nothing seems to help much except to sleep it off. The bad part is I can see them coming and can't do anything about it except take a sick day and go home.

 

I used to use Imitrex and it barely worked, my Doctor switched me to Relpax and it works wonders. She needs to figure out what triggers her Migraines and try and avoid certain foods and or liquids.
Chocolate, Red Wine, Cheese, etc are the most common triggers. She also needs to try and keep very hydrated and drink a ton of water to keep her from getting de-hydrated.
Also are her Migraines basular? Do they originate from her lower neck? Migarines are awful and not a joke. Tell her to request Relpax it has worked better than any other medicine.

Good luck

 

Jerry my ex had the same issue. Found out it was cause of the birth control she was on. Other things you should get checked are her eyes. Those are a big cause of migraines.

Good luck bud, I know its not easy to deal with someone when they get them. I know it was tough for me


Antony

 

For what it's worth I am a Chiropractor and I treat tons of people with migraines. Biggest thing next to back pain. I can get rid of about 90% of all migraines that come and see me. And that''s over the last ten years in practice. Just as an example we had a lady come in 3 months ago who was 52 yrs old. She's had migraines every other day sinche she was 29. A long time. Her friend had migraines and we helped her so she drug her friend in for help. She hated Chiros and told me straight out that she came in to show her friend it wouldn't work. She's now our biggest cheerleader. Not a single headache in 4 months. We've had 1000s of patients with similar results. Hope that helps. Best of luck.

 

I suffer from cluster headaches which are in the migraine headache "family." They are severely debilitating to the point where I can't do anything but try and sleep it off. It puts a huge stress on my body and I am often wiped out for a day or two after they occur. There have been times where the pain is so severe that death seems like a nice thought. So I completely understand your girlfriends issue.

I have two things in my aresenal now to fight them. I take imitrex and that typically will help a great deal and it is my only defense when I am at work. The main issues with this drug is that it can only be taken in limited quantity and it is bad for your kidneys.

The next thing will sound bizarre but it has worked WONDERS. I was prescribed oxygen by my doctor and the machine was completely covered by my insurance. If I get a migraine at night, I simply put my oxygen mask on and breath for 5-10 minutes and it will get rid of the pain to at least a level where I can go back to sleep! Sounds crazy but it works.

There is ONE and only ONE benefit to migraines. Migraines can be triggered by many things, but the source of the pain is from a contracted blood vessel. Imitrex reverses this and expands your blood vessels, and is a lot like Viagra! My ex used to joke with me that migraine season sucked for me, but was great for her! lol.

 

It's strange that you mention this today. I have gotten what I believe are called "ora" migraines. I don't really get them all that often, but basically I will see what most people will see after they rub their eyes or close their eyes, but when my eyes are open. It works it's way from the corner of my eye to the whole thing so my entire vision is screwy. It takes 30 -45 minutes then goes away but I'll have a serious headache/migraine afterwards most times.

Like I said, I don't get them too often but I did get one last night after leaving a hookah bar with a few friends. I was at work today and had another one.. Then an hour later ANOTHER one. This time was worse though b/c it seemed as though I only had a 10 second memory. By this I mean, I would look at a customers name ( i work in a dealership) on the computer, someone who I would normally know what they want and couldn't remember who the hell they were. I was seeing names of customers, I swear were from months ago, right there on my computer screen (looking at todays activities). A few times I went downstairs to meet a customer and would completely forget their name, say hello .... but to me it felt like I was saying the wrong name. It was actually scary b/c I really had no idea what was happening, I couldn't call people b/c I just had no idea what was happening, like temporary amnesia. Plus my vision was completely screwed. I'm blaming it on the hookah last night, but I was seriously freaked out.

 

yes to the Chiro Dr as well as massage therapy.

try to find out what triggers it, lack of sleep, MSG in food Sulfates in food, Stress etc

good luck!

 

Mine has nothing to do with anything except time of year and weather. Perhaps barometric pressure related. I get them for a span of 2-5 weeks twice a year when it goes from hot to cold(typically November) and cold to hot(typically February/March). Frequency is anywhere between once a day to a few a week. I have definitely noticed that alcohol intake can trigger them...generally 1-2 hours after I have confumed more than 2 beverages and these tend to be severe - so needless to say when I start getting them during those times of year I am generally alcohol free for a month or two.

When the pain goes away you are really thankful for living a pain free life and really feel for anyone that is dealing with continuous chronic pain. Like I mentioned though, seriously look into the oxygen. Sounds strange but it works at night or when you are at home. I generally get them at night, but I wouldn't hesitate to have one available at work if I started getting them during the day. A bit of a distraction though.

 

The focal point of my migraines are generally behind one eye. For years it was behind my left eye, and occasionaly I've been getting them behind my right eye too. The eye where it occurs will quickly become blood shot and water as the migraine occurs and the pain intensifies. People that know of my headaches will know right away if I have one or not. Sometimes I would be out with my ex and she would say "We should get you home" cause she knew just from looking at me that I had a migraine and was in pain. Ruined a few nice nights out, but I couldn't hide it and the pain was barely tolerable although i never showed signs of it.

And I've noticed from talking with other sufferers that the pain, location, triggers, and cause of migraines can vary quite a bit between individuals and even worked with a girl that would get a headache and as it started to increase in severity she would just pass out and drop to the floor. She would have to go to the ER and get a shot. Fortunately she didn't get them but maybe once or twice a year. Scary though.

My pain gets really intense though and generally I just need to lie down and am exhausted from the pain. I literally get knocked out from the pain and will be out cold for 2-3 hours and wake up with all but a little bit of tolerable pain. Almost like a murmur that sticks around for a day after the migraine to remind me of it's intensity. I also transition between hot and cold a lot when they occur. The pain can be so intense that I literally yell out loud and am writhing in pain. Not fun at all.

 

I was also prescribed a beta-blocker type drug of some sort once and it was to be taken once a day before bedtime to prevent migraines from occuring. It essentially blocked the receptors that triggered the migraines. It was met with little to no success for me, but perhaps she could look into something like that as well. Nortriptyline might be it though, not sure I'll try to find out the name.

 

My wife, her father and his mother all have suffered from migraines as well as chronic nosebleeds. My wife was getting migraines approximately 2 X's per week if not more. The common denominator for them was a genetic condition called HHT ( hereditary hemorrahagic telangiectasia ) which is fairly rare. It is a disorder that causes ateriovenous malformations ( AVM's ) that can occur in the lungs, brain, and other organs. After numerous tests to determine where and how large each of their AVM's where my father in law and wife underwent 2 procedures through interventional radiology to embolize their AVM's. After embolization her and her father's migraines have pretty much ceased. Her last procedure was in Dec. '07 and I can't recall her complaining of a migraine since. There are many triggers to migraines and her AVM's were decreasing her oxygen saturation levels leading to her migraines. Now that her emobolization was successful and her O2 sats are normal no more migraines.

 

I will second the Relpax recommendation... that stuff is freaking amazing!

I used to get them about once every 2 or 3 months, but have been getting them more regularly since aquiring 2 herniated discs in my neck, and Relpax works wonders for the migraine. Now, if they could just fix my neck without a knife!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

I've had migraines for the last 30 years. They are the classic kind that come on in several different ways mostly triggered by bright lights. If I can take my medication in the first few minutes when I know they're coming, it usually stops them and I can return to normal quickly-- within 5 minutes. The key is to take it as quickly as possible-- the longer I wait, the more after effects and the longer it takes to return to normal. Doctors have tried to switch me away from the medication that I've been taking for years which is a caffine/ergot based pill. Apparently, they would rather have me on a more modern medication for whatever reason -- side effects maybe. I tried one of the new medications one time but when it wasn't stopping the symptoms immediately, I reverted to my old tried and true medication. Keep looking for new/old solutions...

 

I take Topamax everyday to prevent.
I took Relpax when one did get through anyway. Didn't seem to help at all. Now take Axert at onset and that seems to do the trick for now.
And I'm with you, Bill. Except mine is L4-L5, and they say the only fix is spinal fusion. Uhhh, no thanks!

Dave

 

I have had headaches from migraine since 4th grade. They were not very frequent. I had a wreck a few years back and they became daily after it.

I started going to a neurologist. I now take Neurontin and Inderdal as a preventative and Relpax when I get one. I have been through all the tricyclic anti depressants and then went to topamax and then to depakote ER. I was taken off of them because of the side effects.

I am seeing a chiropracter now that hopes to help but I am still on my meds.

It is a cycle, the meds will work to prevent them for a while and then they will stop working and I have to change dosage or drug. I have tried all the triptans to stop them(imitrex, relpax, frova, etc.) I have found Relpax and Imitrex to be the best for me. My GF, however, uses Zomig and finds it to be the best for her. You need to have your doctor give samples of as many of them as he has and try them to see what is best for you. Dont take two different ones in one day though.

 

I don't remember which are herniated, but a fusion is most likely in my future as well, though I am holding out in hopes that technology will offer a better solution.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

This is a subject of enormous interest to me, largely because I have suffered from cluster headaches since I was a young teen. I am now 53 years old and still suffer from them. I have seen countless neurologists, taken the full range of different pharmaceutical treatments, and worked with less conventional treatments as well. The short answer is that you do what works best. However, in my experience:
- a treatment regimen that works for one cycle of headaches may not be as effective the next time;
-the pharma drugs are nasty, some have horrendous side effects, including creating so-called "re-bound" headaches;
-some, like Topamax (often referred to as Dopamax) can leave the user stoned at dosages that are effective to block the headache, making the use of the drug as bad as the headache itself, and possibly even more dangerous;
-others, like Imitrex, are effective in interrupting an occurring headache, but do nothing to prevent more headaches, and can when used for 3-4 weeks, create re-bound headaches; Imitrex is also very expensive to use for chronic headache, most health care programs won't insure for heavy, constant usage, and you are limited in the amounts you can take each day;

- high flow 02 is often effective in killing an occurring headache, but will not prevent the next one, and in my experience, has an even shorter prophylactic effect in preventing the next one than Imitrex or Migranal (DHE).

I use a combination of treatments, including 02, chiro, massage, cold saline solution (nasal spray, but not with antihistamine or other chemicals). Pain killers have no effect, not only because the headaches can break through but also because the rise time of a cluster is faster than any analgesic.
Frankly, I am not sure that medical science knows what the triggers are; there are a range of alternate treatments, including the use of hallucinogens, steroids, trigeminal nerve interferences, such as botox, surgery and the like, all of which can also be pretty scary.

My best recommendation: find a neuro that knows how to treat headache. Headaches behind an eye may be cluster, not migraine. And, plug into resources on the Net. There is a chat group for cluster which is superb; the users are almost all sufferers, and probably know more than most doctors about treatment, since they have lived through it all.

Good luck.

Finally, there are neurologists and there are neurologists who really know headache. I have visited many who have prescribed drugs that have no effect on cluster.

 

I had a few of these during high school as well, intense pain behind your eyes, feels like they're going to explode. Hurt so bad I couldn't function, just take a big dose of painkillers and roll in a ball and wimper for a few hours. It's been a long time since I had one, seemed like I got a few bad ones a year from 14-17.

Jerry - see if your GF can get a scan/MRI. Some friends of ours, the wife had migraines for years until they recently found a tumor at the base of her skull.

 

I was diagnosed with cluster headaches last year. Had them for years and I will agree with your statement that "death seems like a nice thought". They are unbearable and people who get regular headaches just do not understand what these feel like. Mine are typically behind one eye and feel like someone is squeezing it with a vise. They are utterly debilitating and even heavy doses or Precocet do NOTHING. You pray for sleep.

My doctor prescribed Maxalt MLT to me, and I take them if I feel a cluster headache coming on and it works great. Even with my health insurance, this medication is $6 per pill. I feel it's a small price to pay to get rid of the pain, however. It's a miracle drug for me.

http://www.maxalt.com/rizatriptan_benzoate/maxalt/consumer/index.jsp

Ever since I got on a good diet and exercise regularly (lift weights and cardio), they are a lot less frequent. I did get a prescription for Imitrex but it doesn't work. Sorry to hear you have these, Bounty. See if your doc can give you some Maxalt samples.

RMX

 

One large dose of Morphine, works every time.

 

Your symptoms and pain description mimic mine exactly. My sympathy goes out to you, as I have been experiencing these since my early 20's and am now 27. The first time I got one, the pain was so intense that I vomited and then went to sleep for 8 hours. Wow!

My imitrex works great but I am limited to only taking 9 pills per month. I only get migraines typically 2 out of 12 months (When it turns from hot to cold and cold to hot), but I find myself sitting with intense pain at night wondering if I should take a pill or save it for a headache that could be much worse. And you are 100% correct about cost. If I didn't have insurance, my pills would be 215 dollars for 9 pills! Of course, when a cluster headache occurs, you know as much as I do that we would beg, borrow, and steal to get a hold of a pill. Imitrex has done well for me, but there are times when I feel like there could be something potentially better out there for me. I will look into the Maxalt extensively. The oxygen at night has worked for me too.
And yes, pain killers no matter the strength and dose don't seem to be able to have any effect on the intense targeted pain that comes with these headaches.

Interesting point about the diet and exercise. I have started getting them right about the time in college that I started gaining a bit of weight(although never overweight) and the amount of activity and exercise was reduced significantly. And we all know about how lousy our diets are in college!! Then this past fall I started exercising again and did notice that I had very few occur in the month of November which has traditionally been a bad month for them(sometimes once a day for a few weeks). So you might be onto something.

Have you noticed any triggers? I have noticed alcohol can trigger one. If I avoid alcohol in the seasons that they occur I will undoubtedly get less.

Lastly, I am shocked and a bit saddened by the amount of people that suffer or know people that suffer from these on this board alone!

 

Any strong smell or taste can be a trigger, and I recall a VERY strong green pepper triggering a migraine once. Green pepper is very nasty when it is on its way back up!

Coll and damp is a HUGE trigger for me! If I get chilled, look out! Otherwise, my worst day is Saturday or Sunday morning, after the stress of the workweek is gone. Caffeine does not seem to bother me, neither does red wine, both being pretty common triggers. Thank goodness too as I love a nice glass of rosso!

I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

i am a huge skeptic of alternative medicine....

however,

my wife had severe migraines all her life. she had one acupuncture treatment and hasn't had a migraine since (5 years ago).