Hi Everyone, I can completely sympathize with each and every one of you on this journal section I have read most of these by
because I am on a mission to find a answer to my cause as well. Most
recently I was hospitalized because I was having a bout with a rebounding migraine which started back at the first of the year in
January of 2008. It continued and lasted until I had a more serious run for about a two weeks non stop and I mean non stop. I woke up
on Saturday morning 2/2/08 with one of the worst migraines in had in years
I had to wait several hours in the hospital waiting room throwing
up in a bucket the entire time because the hospital was on over load that day. It took from 2:00PM till 7:00PM for me to even get a room and relief serious drugs. I was hospitalized for four days. I was given several drugs to try and break the cycle I was in which happens to me from time top time. I have been suffering from migraines for years since my late 20's and I am now in my 50's and still suffering. My mothers, my brother, my grand father and my older daughter gets them to. So they are hereditary-! Anyway I recently found I was only treating the head aches as the came up most and likely, like 80-90% of the average people do-instead of treating the "diseases" that it really is. You need to take medication to control the chemical actions in your body that cause the head aches to happen in the first places and not wait till the head starts to happen and treat the head aches by then its to late. We all know that. I am now on a completely new series of medication for controlling the headaches before they start and I hope the new drugs will help I am in phase one and if these don't work my doctor said he has others that we will try and work with to find the right combination. You need to understand Imitrex, Propanal, and Relapax are for when the migraines are are already started and may or maynot help stop them. You need to control them before they even get started. I suggest you concact you local neorologist as soon as you can. Get some seriou help-!!!
Good luck. everyone.
Some of the item's I am on are Inderal-Topramax,Zoloft,Naproxen
(as needed) on the last one, the rest are all taken as daily maintainance medication to "prevent" the headaches. And even if
I should get one they will help reduce the duration and intensity and amount I would normaly get which would be great.
Because I was getting 7-8 month or more. with cycling 12+.
Not fun. i will try to keep in tough if you won't to contact me
e-mail me at the above sbc global address. we can talk more
on my progress.

Bob McAlindon <bmcalindon@sbcglobal.net>
Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 14:06:12

I am 32 years old and have suffered from constant migraines since I can recall of the age of 5. I have tried every thing that you can imagine to try to have a pain free life or at least get fewer and enjoy more pain free days. I am so riddled with pain that I feel it holds me back from many things enjoying things in life and doing activities, asides from working to support my self I spend the rest of my time in a dark room trying to avoid light.
I have visited numerous neorolagists and will be trying a new one a the next weeks to come and tried endless meds, I currently take imitrex and it is a fifty fifty cure for migraines. Sometimes it works and other times is just a waisted pill. I am self employed and have a lot of clients who depend on me showing up to be there for them so suffering day in day out with pain is exausting. I average around three to four a week, mostly to not lose my clientel that I have worked so hard to develop a succsesful business I fake it like there is nothing wrong what so ever. But it is so obvious they always can see through me and know exactly what is going on. I have tmj and severe neck pain due to an accident that I was involved in when I was 21, I tried a treatment which can be of help to others it is craniel sacral therapy this is repositioning of nerves in the head which allows the spinal fluid to be able to flow through your spinal colum a lot more afficently than other wise. It did rally help with the neck problem but not for my migraines so at $85 a visit I could no longer justify the expense. My doctor has me taking a 5ml of valuum evry night before bed to decrease the muscle spasms in my neck and I have found that this has eliminated the painful cortizone injections in my neck that I used to have to get so often. As for food diets I have done it all including avoiding alchohal, chocolate and have even quite drinking coffee. As for my diet I have always eaten very healthy and a organic diet. Hormones can play a part possibly for me but my ultimate cause is so unknown that is the frustrating part. I have tried topamax and even depekote er 500ml and no relief but maybe for one of you these differnt routines may help. I totally simpathise with every one who lives like this. I have many times wanted to just quite and give up but there are to many people in this life who love me and care about me that giving up would only be selfish and foolish. Just have to look at as maybe tomorrow will be a better day, and try to think positive even though it is hard. Best of luck to all. Maybe there will be an answer for all of us one day soon to come.
God bless and no migraines for us....

Heather <Sharauzade@aol.com>
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 01:07:10

Hi, I'm here again, but this time somewhat encouraged. I mentioned about a week ago about going to a dentist and getting a mouth piece to wear, well, I am 2 weeks into wearing it, and it seems to be working. I have only had one migrane that has had to be treated since.

I am still using magnesium topically, and internally, also oreganol.....lots of magnesium, it's a great muscle relaxer.

Don't give up... I think everyone is different. What may work for one, may not work for another. I have tried elimating foods, and to no avail.

Sherri B <sherrib_16142@yahoo.com>
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 12:04:36

Greetings, My name is TJay and I began having really bad headaches in 1999. Twice a Week. Throbbing,Pounding in my head for hours on end, without being able to go to sleep. Normally after 6 - 10 hours my stomach starts to get upset and after throwing up and laying down it allows me to drift off to sleep after another hour or so. I began seeing the doctor and made a list of foods i was eating. i found that certain sweetners (Aspertame) was a guaranteed Migraine for me. cheese with eggs, Certain kinds of coffee, even the position that I sleep in at night, all are triggers for me. It has been a learning curve of what I can eat and what i can't eat. how to sleep or not to sleep but the biggest is ingredients in the food I eat, or if i sleep on my back. This is truly a form of slavery because I am always looking for one to show up around the next corner. I now use imetrex tablets 100mg. They upset my stomach but they eliminate the headache within 30minutes as long as I catch it before it settles in. Creating a Food chart and keeping track of what I eat and matching up the migraines helped me alot. Now, At $180.00 for 9 tablets is what I have to deal with to make sure I have relief when it occurs. I now have one about once a month. if I eat the same foods repeatedly I can go longer without a migraine but sometimes I try new foods and have to pay for it. Since i have found immitrex they only last an hour or so. i hope this helps someone. Thanks for Sharing

Tjay <NEDLOBNDC@HOTMAIL.COM>
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 00:46:31

Hello fellow suffers, I am once again in the grips of a severe migraine. It started 5 days ago and nothing has helped. I am flat broke so have no way to get to an ER as the only one who will give me the Stadol I take for this is 2 hours away and a full tank of gas. I have no options at this time and have just wanted to yell or scream at how unfair it is for us to go through this horrible pain day after day. My husband is really tired of this whole thing as I end up spending all of my money on meds or transportation to the hospital ER. The latest thing with my migraines is the twitching of my face and eyes. My personality totaly changes and I can't stand having the kids around allthough I still have to take care of them and act as though I am fine. I am so tired of this whole scene. I want to find a doctor that was like my old one who left the clinic after three years he really helped me a lot. The ER Doc I like that is 2 hours away is so nice and understands how much I suffer from these, he will give me stadol and phenergan that is so far the only thing that kills these migraines I wish you all a pain free day.

Tay Hodges <tayhodges59@hotmail.com>
Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 17:28:34

Hi,

I've posted on the journal before, and just today read Carla Colemans journal. How awsome! And I praise God for the love you feel that comes from Him. I am going to pray I feel that also. I am a believer, and a sufferer of the migranes now for 13 years. I, like you would have looked for a way to end it if it hadn't been my relationship with the Lord.

This is a hard cross to bear. But after reading your post, I am so encouraged and am going to look at it differently from now on.

I recently visited a dentist who fitted me with a mouth piece, I have TMJ somewhat, but worse than that is my bite, he thinks he can really help me with this appliance. I am going to really try it.

I use imitrex shots and pills, and have recently started Topomax. I am on mega doses of magnesium, b-complex, and topical magnesium (oil) seems to be helping alot, but still suffereing way to much.

I am still working full time, but last year was tough, many trips to the e.r. for shots of toridal, then to my pcp for shots of it and back to work, it's by the grace of God that I still have a job! In the month of June I only had 3 days that I did not medicate myself! Yikes.

I believe better days are coming!
Blessing to you all!
Sherri B!
sherrib_16142@yahoo.com

sherri bartholomew <sherrib_16142@yahoo.com>
Friday, January 18, 2008 at 12:47:37

Hi everyone
I am 53 years old and have suffered from severe migraines as long as I can remember - I have TMJ and chronic neck spasm along with my migraines. I am also pretty sure that I have fibromyalgia because of my chronic muscle and joint aches and trigger points. I have a Dad who admits to chronic headaches earlier in life and 2 daughters and niece all with severe migraines. I am a nurse by backround. I currently see the Chief of Neurology at The Cleveland Clinic. I have been on Depakote, Doxipen, Topamax, and every triptan in the book. I have tried accupuncture and Botox. I am currently on Inderal and Effexor for prevention because there is nothing else left for prevention and Imitrex injectable which is the only thing that really works when I get a migraine.

I have decided after years of fighting these terrible headaches I that I am going to figure out something that is really going to work for me. I figured this was a good a place as any to journalize my finding and results and get opinions from those with the same issues. I will tell you that I am a type A personality and tend to sink both feet in a once!

Initially, I started going to a fabulous Chiropractor because I knew that much of my symtoms are structural - She has been doing adjustments and my neck feels better than it has in my entire life. She is also working on my TMJ.Great news was that she also had migraines and had found a way to control them for the most part.

We talked about nutrients and supplements and I found through research that a Myer's Cocktail - magnesium, calcium, C and B vitamins have shown some success. The DC recommended this stuff called CALM - a magnesium supplement and CoQ10 which I read was also deemed to have some good results.

Well I am now on day 6 with NO migraine - tomorrow will be my 3rd visit to the DC and I am still taking the Inderal and Effexor but I can truly say that the Mg seems to have had the greatest impact. Will keep you updated - good luck to all!

sue <zimmerms@comcast.net>
Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 17:13:48

My name is Carla. I am 55 years old. I'm just an average person, but I have dreams like everyone else. And I am a migraineur.

I realize now that nothing in this life is fair. But it's how we react to the things, good and bad, that are dealt to us. Right now I have a whopper of a migraine, and I am having to backspace constantly to get this right. I'm not thinking too well right now.

I have about four attacks per week. For a while I was using 2 to 3 tea bags to abort the pain, but now I have created rebound headaches. I took Excederine for Migraines, but again I created rebound headaches. I tried butterbur, and for a while my headaches abaited for five to sometimes 7 days. But after a about 6 months, the headache pattern was back. I went to an acupuncturist for about 7 months, and for about 4 months had quite a bit of relief. But the headache pattern slowly came back.

I have been doing some reading and have discovered alot of things that could be the root cause of our migraines, but have not the courage to explore it. Basically, it involves some major cleansing of four major systems in the body. This would bring on quite a lot of pain in the process. If anyone believes in prayer, I sure would appreciate it.

Let me back up alittle. While I was with the acupuncturist, I discovered I had food allergies. Theses were triggers I could control. Then I discovered the uncontrollable triggers, weather changes, e.g. wind, rain, hot days, lights, loud noise. Anyway, I am learning to pay attention to the triggers, and I have been successful with ginger, curcumin, butterbur and lemon balm and valerian to abort an attack. But lately my headaches are returning with a vengeance.

Like all of you have probably contemplated at on time, I have wondered if I have the courage to live the rest of my life like this. I honestly don't know if I can do this. I am not a very strong person. I have always been sickly, and I feel like I am a financial burden on my family. I am well loved, however. That is why I am still here...because of love. I could not go on living without love.

I do believe in God. I don't attend church, but He is my constant companion, especially during an attack. No one understands but him, and my new comrades on this sight. My heart swells with compassion for all of us. I know this might sound a bit odd, but sometimes when I am in such pain, I have moments of lucidness where I feel this incredible presence of love, where I can look at everyone and see this love all over them, around them. If I am going crazy, well, I'd rather be overwhelmed with this love I have been noticing.

So far I have been able not to hurt my loved ones during an attack. I believe it's because of my love for God, for everyone. Somehow, this pain, that I'm not sure I can live with, has also made me aware....really aware of everyone else's pain. Like I can understand...really understand. I have more patience, much more empathy because I know that I am not more important than anyone else. I don't know if I am making any sense, but it seems like because of what I am having to go through, along with all of you, I am not alone, or forgotten. It's this love that has been pulling me through. I just hope I continue to focus on this love, because I know without it, I would figure out how to end my life quickly. I don't know if this will help. But God is what gets me through this horrible stuff.

Sometimes after an attack, I can't think right. I search for words, like I have this fog over my mind. My energy is shot, and I am groggy. And then another attack begins. I researched that an attack involves mini strokes, and that's exactly what it feels like. Like part of my brain shuts down and the rest of the cells scrambling to recover and/or take over from what was lost never gets a chance to fully recover. I am loosing some coordination in my hands. I am a piano player (over 44 years!) I love to draw and write. My dream lately is to become a writer. My husband got me an Apple laptop for Christmas, and I am on it constantly. I am writing a book. One day at a time is all I can do, little by little...somehow I will finish it.

My heart goes out to all of you. I wish I could meet you. I will be praying for all of us.

Grace and love to all
Carla

carla Coleman <carla_coleman@msn.com>
Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 11:13:51

Hi, I've written here before and am very frustrated, I want in on the discussions, but can't. I get logged in and can type what i want to say, but it won't let me post it! To bad.

Anyway, I had a 2 week stretch with no migrane, was hoping I had suffered my last, but nope!! I now am on my 3rd day of having one. This stinks. Today I do and get a mouth piece. I have a little TMJ, but my bite is really bad, gonna try it. I have a small fortune tied up in this thing we call migrane!!!

I'm 51 soon to be 52 and waiting for the prime of my life to begin at anytime!!

sherri bartholomew <sherrib_16142@yahoo.com>
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 12:47:26

Hello to all!

This is my first time here and it is out of sheer desperation that I seek to find understanding and an increased knowledge about these monsters known as migraines.

I am just wondering if anyone experiences TOTAL personality changes or a vastly altered personality in the wake of these debilitating events.

My friend tells me that he is fearful every time I get a migraine as my personality changes (negatively) and I quite often will have NO memory of things I have said or done while in the midst of my migraine.

Anyone else experience this pheneomenon? If so I would love to know of your experience and any suggestions for help would be so appreciated!

Leia

Leia <miss_shugenah@yahoo.com>
Friday, January 11, 2008 at 20:08:32

I know what you mean. I get so fustrated with myself because none of the medications work. Then I start to wonder why they won't work on me but they work great on other people. Don't get me wrong that is great. But I would like this new year to bring some relief. I thought I had it with Botox but the insurance company is fighting me left and right with that. So you are stuck in the middle until they come to their senses. Take care and I am glad I found this site. its nice to talk with someone would understands what you are going through.

Kaylee Marie <nanasgirl@wowway.com>
Friday, January 4, 2008 at 23:18:19

I am a 29 year old woman with severe chronic Migraines. I was diagnosed at age 20. My mother suffered with migraines and so do my younger brother and sister. My migraines have changed in character frequently over the years. anything that does work only does for a short while. I have not had any sucess with any of the available preventatives. I am currently taking imitrex stat doses and neurotin. I have had a chronic daily headache for at least 8 months and have treated them with otc medications. Excedrin is the only thing that prevents a headache from becoming a migraine. Now the otc and tripans don't work. I have had a migraine for 12 days straight. My neurologist says I have intractable/refractory migraines. He is going to try DHE therapy to stop the headaches. I live in pain every day. I get frustrated because my headaches are so difficult to treat and my insurance doesn't cover all the kinds of therapy that could help me. I usually land in the ER at least once a month more lately because of these non stop headaches. I am afraid I'm going to lose my job. My boss is understanding but if I can't function I'm not going to be able to work. I need some support. When I talk to the doctors if I cry they ask me if I am depressed. My fiance has no idea of the pain i am in. It would be great to be around people that understand.

Melanie <smile207@juno.com>
Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 20:09:47

Hello, just found this site as I was surfing for "best"or better headache treatment clinics in the US (the world with do nicely as well). I have suffered from chronic daily headaches CDH now for about 6 years, with migraines being slowly added to the mix. First every so often and now, several a day...I sometimes have difficulty differentiating which pain is which. the CDH pain is usually at about 6-7/10 when I wake up and throughout the day or when the migraines are not present, the migraines take it up to about a 8-9 but the side effects and the persistence of the migraines are what bother the most. Periodically I also get what they have termed "thunderclap headaches" which occur out the blue, no advance warning. I would characterize the pain as 50/10, except that my neurologist says my limit is 10/10. It is like every synapse in my brain is firing at once. I become completely disoriented and this can go on for hours or days. I end up in the hospital as the only recourse to treatment.
I have been to Mayo and am treated here in Chicago by a Neurology team. I have continued to seek answers as to how and why this began and is happening (perhaps foolishly). I have been to about every specialist that I can find, and several alternative therapists as well. So far there are many enigmas in bloodwork, many perplexed docs, my opinion of healthcare in the US has taken a nosedive but still no good answers and the treatments have obviously proved unsuccesful. In some cases the implication is that I have done this to myself. At age 50, I am no longer able to do my job nor really enjoy life as it should be enjoyed....I am sure that none of this is news to those reading here.
If anyone reads this and has similar experience and some ideas, please feel free to put them forward. Thanks for having a place to come and seek answers or just to know that there are others with similar issues.

Peter A <chefpa@msn.com>
Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 07:36:22

Hi, I'm a 51 year old female. I have had migranes since onset of menapause. Some years were worse than others, but the last 3 years have been the worse.(Dr. says they could quit any day) The month of June this year I only had 3 days where I did not have to medicate. My employer is starting to loose patience with me. Now if I miss I have to bring a dr. excuse. That's humbling for a 51 year old. (feel like I'm in grade school again)
I have spent a forutune on immitrex co-pays, and natural things to try to figure it out.
I'm so glad to have found this site. It makes me feel better to know I'm not a freak.
My 32 year old daughter has just started getting them. She is also type 1 diabetic. I feel for her. She was in Cleveland Clinic,, they are trying to help....
Thanks for listening!
Sherri B!

Sherri <sherrib_16142@yahoo.com>
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 13:16:40

I am going through a really hard time right now with my migraines. In addition my family has been through a lot with other health problems. My daughter who is 27 has severe kidney dmigraines and isease, my husband has had a series of strokes and my sister is a non compliant diabetic and daddy has alshiemers. It is a lot to deal with. My neuro, is not giving me any thing in the way of pain relief and my primary care doc has left the clinic after 3 yrs. My local hospital has me as a drug seeker and will not give me anything for pain. I take stadol for these migraines and will not take dilaudid , morphine, demerol or vicodin or oxycontin for them. The stadol works great and I have been on it for a long time and am still on the same dose. I don't see how they can call me an addict if I only take it once a week. I just don't understand it. I am subjected to lumbar puntures twice a month and although they don't really make a difference I still get them as my neuro wants me too. I have pseudotumor cerebri and it causes most of the migraines, but not all. I do not get regular spinals they do them under florosocopy so they put me under consious sedation. It helps as I am so afraid of the even after hundreds of them in the past 20 yrs. I hope someone can come up with a way to end the pain we all suffer with them. Heres to a happy if not pain free holiday season.

Tay Hodges <tayhodges59@hotmail.com>
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 23:08:50