Hello fellow sufferers: I just wondered if anyone has had less debilitating migraines after they had children? I have had several since I gave birth but they usually stop short of the full blown headache that leaves me in a cold room, vomiting and wishing someone would just shoot me and put me out of my misery. Lately I just get the partial blindness, spots and numbness on one side of my face but if the headache comes at all I can usually still function with it. Just wondering if I might be "cured" if you want to call it that. Also wondering if my chances of passing it on to my children are still high.

Best of luck.

Stephanie <countrybumpkin78@hotmail.com>
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 15:53:50

I have had migraines for 5 years and they have gradually been getting worse. I'm 44 years old with very active kids and a husband who worries about me all the time. My symptons are a little different than what I read about. I get a wooshing sound in my head and it is about 15 times worse when I stand up. My pain starts in the back of my head and goes all over my head. I have passed out a few times because the pain is so bad. Does anyone else get that wooshing feeling and has anyone else passed out?

I'm taking Fioricet for the pain, but lately it really hasn't been working. I've missed three days of work this week because of these horrible headaches.

I look forward to any responses.

jpedziwi@chuhak.com

Jeanne Pedziwiatr <jpedziwi@chuhak.com>
Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 12:19:15

This is my first visit to this page and I am excited that there is a place where you can vent a little! I am a 32 year old mother of two and have been suffering from migraines since I was about 15. They have gradually become more intense and severely debilitating. I have about 3-4/month and finally decided to see the doctor today. I am praying that I can find some relief and some answers. To everyone out there who suffers----don't give up!

Jennifer <abbykylie@hotmail.com>
Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 11:08:41

hi,

i am 36 and have had migraines at least since i was 7 or 8 that i remember. my mom says i was younger than that. i am sitting here, i just got an aura, so i am fixing to get a head ache. i average one or two per month. they last anywhere from three days to two weeks. most of the time 3 to 4 days. zomig helps sometimes. i don't like fioricet. vicodin works, but i really don't like narcotics. most of the time i swallow 4 motrin, 2 excedrins migraines and go hide. i figure one day i'm gonna have a big hole in my stomach. i didn't have them when i was pregnant, so i am hoping that when i hit menopause they will go away. but then again, i started getting headaches way before puberty. so who knows? i honestly admit, that at work i get mad at people who come in with their dark glasses screaming for their narcotics, since their head hurts. i don't get to lie in a bed getting demerol, my kids like to eat. i can't count the times i have gone into the bathroom, puked, lied down on the cold tile for a while and gone back to work. i told a pt off once, she was screaming for her iv, yelling at the top of her voice. my head was killing me. i had had a migraine for going on five days. i looked at her and told her that if she wanted her iv in she needed to shut up, my head hurt too. i had just thrown up, and i didn't get to go home. i had to stay, as i have bills to pay. and her screaming didn't help. and if her head hurt as bad as she was carrying on, she shouldn't be able to scream. needless to say, she shut up and put her arm out so i could put her iv in. i know, nice nurse. but i just couldn't deal with the shrieking. thanks for letting me vent.

tracey <tranurse@yahoo.com>
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11:31:53

hi, i am 19 yrs old and my migraine has been detected just 2 weeks back, i get splitting , sharp , excruciating pain on the left side of my forehead and these migraines coincided with my annual college exams which was ver worrying for me but now i have been put on a 6 month treatment indernol.

Devina <devina_noir@hotmail.com>
Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 02:37:43

Did anyone out there start getting their migraines later in life like maybe during their perimenopause stage?

linda <estre004@umn.edu>
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 13:34:06

Hello everyone,

I have not been here in a while, but when I was having daily migraines this web site was where I found support.

I started having migraines when I was 22 years old and I am now 37. I was told that migraines decrease as women age, but I still have at least 2 migraines per week.

Seeing as the only results that I had by taking preventative meds was weight gain, I have stopped taking them altogether. I figured that with our without them I still had the same number of migraines. I am now a size 0 and when I was taking meds I was a size 10.

So believe it or not I am followed by a neurologist at all. I obtain my Zomig( the only med that works for me) from various family doctors.

Therefore, I am here to see if any of you have found a preventative med out there that works without any weight gain. Basically, there are some weeks where I get daily migraines so I worry about not taking preventative meds.

These migraines have kept me from having children seeing as with daily migraines there was no way I could even think of not being able to take zomig to relieve my migraines. Nothing else works for me. I know some women find that their migraines go away during their pregnancy, but I was too worried that this would not happen to me. I have to say that not having children is my biggest disappointment especially when I know that I could have been a great mother. I could go on and on, but I am an only child so it has been even harder on me. When my parents will go�I will not really have any family left�.I was married for 10 years, but now I am with a boyfriend who does not believe in getting married�.I am not too secure in this relationship..

So if anyone out there can give me some advise on meds or something out there I should try�.or even if now it is okay to take triptans(zomig) while pregnant�I would greatly appreciate it�.

Thank you for listening.

Gen

Gen <ginnyfudge@yahoo.ca>
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 14:28:15

greetings fellow sufferers. You are indeed my family. Im only 32, and have had migraines for 11 years.
It just so happens that the very thing that makes me a woman, is the very thing that is slowly killing me. It seems that my hormones are to blame for my monthly affliction.
Every month, without fail, that familiar stiffening of the neck, that needle behind the eye,and that hopeless despair settles upon my body with a sickening punctuality.
I dont know what the next step is. Like many of you I have spent most of my time trying to find a solution. There isnt any. I understand how lonely you all must feel, Im right there with you. Sometimes I forget what it was like to be 'normal'. To plan a career, a holiday, a wedding without taking into account that devil sitting on my shoulder....waiting to attack.
I only hope that some little geek/genius will spend his PHD finding a cure. I pray that I somehow wake up one day and not be afflicted with this curse. For the time being I keep going. I try remember the things that make me happy. My hormones are my enemy - they have given me so much pain - like giving birth I suppose, but without the reward at the end.
Im currently at hour 63 of my current attack...waiting for the release...tick tock, tick, tock.

heather <heathjules@hotmail.com>
Monday, April 7, 2008 at 22:14:03

Having read through some of the most heartbreaking posts on this site, I'm stunned and in complete awe of all the people out there who have come forward to tell their stories. That there are so many caring people out there wanting to help others by posting here is truly amazing!

This may sound strange, but knowing that there are so many others out there with migraines is, in a way, comforting to me. I just wanted to thank everyone for speaking their pieces here. Know that as a fellow sufferer of debilitating migraines, you all have my utmost respect and sympathy.

I truly believe that with medical technology progressing as it is, there will be a cure for migraines in our lifetime. The truth is out there and on posting boards such as this one. Don't give up! May we all be pain-free and happy soon!

Laura Rozela <womanintheshower@inbox.com>
Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 01:21:31

I'm a 39 y.o. chronic migraine sufferer. I've been dealing with this condition since the age of 14 or so. I've read through some of the posts here and have some suggestions. These suggestions have helped me to control my debilitating headaches (to a degree) and have been discovered/learned the hard way:

*Read every food label when you go grocery shopping. Certain chemical preservatives and flavor enhancers (MSG) are in every day foods, canned or frozen. (MSG is a known migraine trigger.) KNOW WHAT IT IS YOU'RE EATING! Pay special attention to foods you're allergic/sensitive to or might be allergic/sensitive to. Some pre-packaged foods can trigger migraines:

*Snow's Clam Chowder (MSG)
*Stove Top Stuffing (MSG)
*hot dogs (most brands) (nitrites and other chemicals)
*sausage (nitrites and other chemicals)
*Dinty Moore stews (high in salt!)
*Doritos and other flavored chips (MSG)
*Frito Lay canned cheese dips (MSG)
*Ramen noodles (seasoning packets that come with the noodles are loaded with MSG!)

There are plenty more foods out there to watch out for and avoid!

*Find out if there's a family history of migraines on either side of your family. Chances are that if you have chronic migraines, someone else in your family does too. (I have a migraine history on both sides of my family, sad to say. I didn't find out about this until I'd been hospitalized for a bad cluster headache years ago. The headache last over a week.) They may be able to support and commiserate with you.

*Don't rule out "alternative" therapies that may be able to help: acupressure, acupuncture, massage therapy, reiki, and others. Just because they may not be as mainstream as some therapies doesn't mean they can't help to relieve pain.

*Research your condition online. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! The more you know about what you're dealing with, and how it happens, the better able you'll be to effectively deal with it. Such websites as:

www.migraines.org
www.msgtruth.org
www.migrainehelp.com
www.headaches.org
www.truthinlabeling.org
www.achenet.org

have tons of up-to-date information about migraines, their causes and triggers, and their treatments.

*Consider taking B-vitamin supplements daily. (I've recently discovered that taking a B-vitamin daily helps with the frequency of the migraines. I don't have them as often as I used to. An Uncle of mine, who's a registered Nurse, who had horrible migraines told me of a treatment he underwent consisting of a combination of therapies. Part of this therapy included taking B-vitamin shots.) Check with your Doctor first and find out about B vitamins.

*If there is an inordinate amount of stress in your life, do whatever you can to alleviate that stress. Pay off bills when you can so you don't worry all the time, change jobs if the job is very stressful, and make sure that you take time for yourself every day. Doing for others is fine, but how are you going to be able to do that if you don't do things for yourself to unwind and relax? IT'S NO CRIME TO BE GOOD TO YOURSELF.

*Get familiar with a Neurologist. See that Doctor regularly. Have them on speed dial if you have to. (I do!) Since Neurologists study the head, and that's where migraines happen most of the time, they're excellent resources for treatment and information about the condition.

These are some of the suggestions that have helped me to have some kind of control over my migraine life. They're not perfect for everyone, but they are worth looking into.

Does anyone else here have suggestions as to therapies and strategies for dealing with migraines in every day life?

Laura Rozela <womanintheshower@inbox.com>
Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 00:54:49

I have been suffering from migraines now for about 2 years and have tried just about everything (preventitives-propranolol, topomax, maxalt, imitrex, I've been to a chiropractor, 3 neurologists, etc, etc, I'm desperate at this point. It seems my migraines come about a week before my period, but they are so intense and debilitating. Today is the first time I went online for support and reading other stories is very helpful. I am 32 years old, and a stay at home mom with a 3 and 5 year old. Unfortunately, the only medication that works is percocet (and that doesn't even take it away fully). Like "Losing the Will" said, I know I can't keep taking it, but I am desperste...I just need reflief and I need to function and be present for my family. I get so depressed and feel so hopeless. I'm glad to vent to people who can relate.

maria <mcsejda@yahoo.com>
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 07:30:20

Hi,

I wrote about a month ago about getting a mouth piece. Thought It was working, but ends up it's not, the migrane is back full force, I'm in about the 10th day and just started a steroid today. (don't like it, makes me very irritable, mean, and hungry, and actually is giving me a different kind of headache)

Anyway, I am currently waiting for my insurance company to approve Botox injections. Has anyone tried it? My dentist assistant had it done and has not had a bad migrane in 2 years!(but she also has had a hysterectomy) (I'm not sure I want to start having major surgery over this, but if it helps, I think we would try anything at this point in time.)
I'm going to try the Botox,if it doesn't help, I'm asking my neuro to take me off work as sick leave, I am about to loose my job from missing so much work, and have used all my vacation time to cover the days off!

I am getting very depressed, can't plan anything, will end up cancelling it anyway, my life is disfuntional at this point. I am 52 years old, and have had these awful things since I was 38. Last night I threw the 'ole mouth piece on the floor!

Help!
Sherrib!

Sherri Bartholomew <sherrib_16142@live.com>
Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 01:10:36

I'm 56 years old and have had migraines since I was 10. As you might imagine, I've tried just about everything available (through both traditional medicine and alternative healing therapies) to find an answer to the cause or just obtain some relief. I was married to a Chiropractor for 27 years and was probably the source of his greatest frustration as a Dr. He helped people every day with headaches but was unable to have any effect on mine. Last year I began participating in a clinical research study on an occipital nerve stimulator that was implanted. The wires run from my neck all the way down my back and over to a stimulator in my hip. The study was supposed to include 2 surgeries, but with complications (which included an infection and wires coming out of the back of my scalp twice) I had 7 surgeries from July through November. Still, I felt it would all be worth it if it controlled the migraines. I guess the thing I'm most grateful for is that I no longer wake up with a migraine every day. I still get them but they are less frequent and less severe. I understand that there are some people who have found the implants to be a miracle in their lives and have completely controlled their pain. There are also people who found no relief and have had the implants removed. I guess I'm part of the group in the middle who have found some relief but it's not all they hoped it would be. Still, I think we learn to be incredibly grateful for any level of relief we can obtain through any method.

I share this information because it may be a source of hope for some of you. The study will last for another 3 years and the treatment probably won't be available to the general public for another 6 or 7 years after that. I know that sounds like a long time, but I'm sure the people who have experienced complete relief of the debilitating pain of migraines would tell you it's worth the wait. I'm sincerely happy for those who have found such amazing relief and remain grateful for my limited success. Any relief from a migraine is a welcome change indeed!

Sandra Malone <go4itgirl2003@yahoo.com>
Friday, February 22, 2008 at 18:52:02

I have finally found a place where I can see that other people are going through the same thing I am. It's discouraging to see so many people, especially children, with this debilitating problem.
I, like so many of you have tried almost every DRUG there is. The triptans work unfortunately you can't take them that often or you give yourself even more headaches. That's the position I'm in now.Going to the hospital yet again for DETOX. The problem is the meds. are good for occasional sufferers. People like me who get them EVERY SINGLE WEEK, can't take the meds that often without suffering from REBOUND headaches, which are even worse than the regular ones, if that is possible. It seems like a vicious circle of having the headache, trying to get rid of the headache or worrying about the next headache. I'm losing precious time with my children and family. I can never plan anything, because I most likely will have to cancel due to headache.If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them.

Thank You For the place to vent, where other people know exactly what you're going through.

Losing The Will

losing the will <carolynstoc1@yahoo.com>
Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 18:53:01

I can understand and feel sorry for a lot of you this is my first time here I am a male age fifty with severe chronic migraines with optical migraines and one specialist classified me as having cluster chronic migraines as I can have several different ones at once. Most are on the right side of my head but lately they have moved to center of head too. I have not worked for about a year since I can't stand or walk around more than a hour tops with out crashing pain, dizziness and stroke like symptoms. The triggers they have found so far are florescent lights (after 20 minutes under them I can hardly walk or think clearly sometimes) certain smells like nail polish remover that my girls use and certain perfumes my daughters have to put that stuff on in other room with door closed before going somewhere. And weather changes set me off too with the fact that I live in Illinois the weather is always unstable. I have had a migraine 24/7 for over 18 years now a normal day is pain like a nail in my eye(s) sever pain in back of head and forehead, and for the last 8 years I got deaf where all I can hear is a loud ringing in my right ear for which I wear a hearing aid that gives out white noise to block some of it. The first time the deafness lasted 1 month the time before this one it was over 6 months. I have what my current doctor calls stroke like migraines almost every day now where the right side of my face ands arm go numb I can't breath or talk without difficulty I must wear dog tags and a list of meds in my wallet. I have been told that this is the rarest and worst migraine and that 1 out of 5 sudden blindness and 1 out of 4 strokes are related to this kind of migraine. After years of this my wife still can't come to terms with it or understand why I have them it puzzles her how in public friends and strangers who suffer from migraines have come up and asked out of the blue if I am suffering from or how bad is my migraine. We who suffer it seems are in a rare group who can tell by a glance fellow sufferers while the so called normal world goes on puzzling over why we have such problems with our "just a headaches" Mine are getting worse and all he specialists I have seen say there is no cure all that can be hoped for is too slow them down and make then easier to deal with so far that hasn't happened I can see why they have the nickname of suicide migraines but I have no intention of giving in. If any of you suffer from severe chronic migraines that are everyday I would love to know what you are taking for them. Lynn Hunt

Lynn Hunt <la_hunted@hotmail.com>
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 14:19:08