Can I suggest cannabis under the supervision of your Dr. (For those of you who live in a place where it is not illegal of course.) I have researched that it was the traditional use of this herb before it became restricted. I also know of people who use small amounts for migraine prevention and treatment with some surprising success. Like all medicine it has its side effects, but it seems less than many of the more common perscription medicines. It is contraversal, but some Dr's do recomend it in my country when all else has failed. It is not a cure..but if it works and does less harm to the body than other medicines..it is worth investigating. I see also that there is a drug company who has produced cannabis tablets in a set dose. They are being marketed to people with cancer and terminal illness at this point for pain and nausea. So there must be some thing to it for them to spend so much on its research and production.
Research migraine and cannabis and see what you decide for yourself once you are informed. There are many myths about the herb so try to keep your research to recent medical journals. I hope one day it is available for all those with pain and nausea, because why suffer if you can avoid it.
Of course I am just sharing some info and no disrespect is intended. I only suggest talking with your Dr about the option for future treatments if the herb is illegal in your country/state etc.
Good luck friends.

lyndal <lyndalhill@optusnet.com.au>
Monday, December 3, 2007 at 07:12:41

INTRACTABLE CLUSTER MIGRAINES

The number 7
has always meant much to me;
I was born on the 7th;
my zip code is 97477-3777;
the children�s book I wrote went to
#1 on Amazon on 10/07/07 at 7PM
in 4 different categories regarding
Ecology and Environment.

It�s now the 7th year I�ve wrestled
with intractable cluster migraines;
they�re the worst kind, I was told.

What happened to the old adage,
�Goods things come in bunches?�

I have taken many more than 7
potential narcotic fixes.
Methadone, Fentanyl patches,
now OPANA ER and IR;
they�re a morphine derivative.
Morphine is addicting.

It�s what they gave my Mom
when she was dying
with less than 60 days to live.
That�s the criterion for Hospice
to administer Morphine.

My best buddy was born on the 11th
of the same month as I.
Though we�re three years apart,
I�m the oldest,
we were called 7 come 11
when we played together
too many years ago.

He just visited me
after trying to do a 50 mile hike
in a pristine mountain area.
He said he got a pain in his ankle
and had to ride a donkey back to base camp
14 miles away
which took 4 hours
and cost $400 extra.

He said the pain was terrible.

Then he asked me,
�What happened to
that happy-go-lucky bud
I used to know?�

I thanked him
for remembering;

I had forgotten him long ago;

that thought brought tears
to my eyes
which don�t soothe
my pain.

I tried to explain my pain,
but no one understands;
no one who hasn�t suffered
with migraines.

I asked him to try to imagine
the pain in his ankle
occurring in his brain
with every thought.

I think
he
now
knows
my pain.

Do you?

Patrick "GB" Harrison

Patrick Harrison <whosayskidscantfightgw@gmail.com>
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 02:04:56

Hello everyone. I have suffered from Migraines since 1996 after the birth of my first child. I have tried anti-deppresants, Imitrex, blood pressure medications, acupuncture, chiropratic care, marijuana, topamax, regular pain medications, aspirins, banana peels, standing on my head any of these could help someone, But not me. I finally went to a specialist and he suggested Depakote 500mg. I was reluctant because of weight gain, liver elevations, etc. But I have suffered for so long I gave it a try 10 days ago. I am taking it along with Lexapro 20mg, Xanax 1mg, I have not had a headache at all since the first day I took it. This is no less than a small miracle considering I averaged only 8 days per month without a headache. I just wanted to give my information and let someone know if you are switching from med to med there will hopefully be some medication or combo of meds that will help. As for the weight gain and liver issue. I plan to have my liver enzymes checked regularly. If anyone has any advice on how to curb the weight gain, I would really appreciate advice on that. But, I love my head not hurting. I will deal with the weight issue seperately.

Karen <karrob06@wildblue.net>
Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 20:52:16

Hi Rhonda,
Would like to know what you suggest for migraines. I'm one who has taken about everything in the book.Right now I take Maxalt2x daily 100mg. Fioranol/codine/aspirine for pain and Imetrex pill form.I avereage 1-3 migraines a week for the past 15 yrs.but have yet to find any REAL relief. Any insight would be much appreciated.(Some weeks I get lucky and don't have any) though far and few between.
Thanks,

Laurie

Laurie <mslaurieh2003@yahoo.com>
Monday, November 19, 2007 at 23:07:55

Hello,


I am a 34 year old engaged woman with a future as a stepmother to one son. I am currently in Ohio but will be moving to Tampa in May after my college graduation in 2008.

I have been having migraines also and I know they can be hell. I have been having them since I was 15 years old right after I finished my chemothreapy. They really hurt and I used to get sick all the time with my migraines. Since I am deaf myself, I take out my hearing aid to reduce sounds and use sunglasses when I drive and I am always sensitive to bright snow, sunlight, and any light that affects my migraines.

Sunglasses help a little while driving and I use fional capsules which knock me out. I would get them for days sometimes nonstop and it can really hurt sometimes. I would get hot and cold flashes with migraines with loss of appetite and feel like not being able to sleep peacefully with no pain.

Fional capsules takes it all away and let me sleep it off without feeling sick or having flashes. Now that I take iron pills, they are coming back because that is side effect of double or triple iron capsules since I am anemic and need to take them. It sucks but have to learn to manage it with advil migraine with sunglasses while driving and use fional when I am at home. It sure is no fun!!

Mary Stewart <Islandbreeze2001@aol.com>
Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 21:21:42

I've decided to post an update on the daily hell that is my life.I'm still trying new things to combat this vicious enemy.
I read the posts and know there are other people just like me and that helps, but also makes me sad to know that there are so many of us.The last few weeks have been really tough.My father has been diagnosed with lung cancer.I am now looking after him.I take him to his Dr's appts,trying to set up financial support for treatments after his surgery.we went last week for his biopsy, he was in so much pain it broke my heart.Now we wait for surgery date.I spoke last time about finding out the same day he was diagnosed that my daughter found out she was pregnant.She went for an ultrasound 2 weeks ago and discovered that the baby had died.We are devestated, she wanted this baby so bad.So the day Dad had his biopsy,she had a D & C.I had to be with Dad and couldn't be with her.It broke my heart.They say things happen for a reason,I wish someone would tell me what that reason is.
I try and live life the best way I know how, but feel sometimes like I'm being punished for something.The migraines are getting worse,I've had the morphine pump put in but am still in alot of pain.I'm still having the acupuncture done,but doesn't seem to help much these days.I want the world to just go away and leave me the hell alone.
On the upside, I've met some pretty incredable people through this site.They are fellow sufferers and having people that understand what you're going through helps alot.I want to say THANK YOU to them,they've reached out to a total stranger and are a tremendous comfort.
I wish you all a PAINFREE DAY
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you
Brenda

Brenda <brenda_macrae67@hotmail.com>
Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 18:09:31

As of now I have been un-diagnosed. I have been logging my attacks since March. Some time they are a few a week, then a few a month. Some attacks I can still function while others Im considering suicide. They are generally only right sided around my eye. However, I am not light or sound sensitive. I get sick with some of the most recent attacks. Its a constant pain not a throbbing pain. I have the worse neck pain soreness what ever you want to call it. I have had a ct scan which showed nothing abnormal, I have taken numerous prescription drugs and over the counter drugs. Nothing works, unless I go in for a shot and with no health insurance, that is hard to do a few times a week. Im going back out into the work force after staying home for a whole year after the birth of my son. I very worried about my attacks and the effects on my new job. Does anyone else out there exper. the same as me and what the hell are they. And how do you make them go away.

Amy <Sanderam@alltel.net>
Monday, October 29, 2007 at 13:56:12

Hello again,
I was just thinking of something today and I wondered if anyone knew the answer to this? Does anyone know if there is a support group website like this one, only specifically for those who are the caretakers for migraine sufferers? Like our husbands, parents, boyfriends, etc.? I know that alot of times my husband feels like nobody understands how this has affected him and that he has no one to talk to this. And I can't really help him, because I have never been on his side of this. I have always been the one hurting; never the one taking care of the one hurting. So, anyway, is anyone aware of any such website? If so, please email me and let me know. I would love to see him have a place like this to feel like he is not alone also.

Angela

angela <marcabrown@bluemarble.net>
Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 12:23:36

Hello everyone,
I have been reading all of the entries for a few days now and have it has really broken my heart how many of us there are out there who are suffering on a daily basis with such severe head pain.
I am a 36 year old mother of 4 girls who has been suffering with Chronic daily severe migraines for the last 6 years. I had classic migraine for years before that, but they got extremely worse after the birth of my youngest daughter.
I have tried just about every medication there is for preventatives and abortives; I have gone to the Diamond Headache Clinic (and had a horrible experience with NO relief); and I even had a full hysterectomy in 2003 hoping that would cure the migraines. I was so excited when I came out of that surgery and had 7 weeks of absolutely no head pain whatsoever. That is the longest I have gone without a headache or migraine since 2000. Now, I have a migraine (at least 2-3 out of 10 pain scale) every day. I am currently on Zonegran (50 mg/2x a day) and Lortab and Zomig nasal spray as needed for pain. I also take 3mg of Lunesta every night in order to get any sleep at all, and even then I don't sleep all night through.
I feel like I could write a book, but that is not my purpose tonight. I really just wanted to tell you all how much I appreciated this website and just knowing that I am not alone in this. Especially with the ER problems. I have a wonderful neurologist and nurse practitioner who have worked together to provide me with the opportunity to get my rescue medication (the only thing that I have found that will take away a bad 10+ migraine for me is 4mg of IV dilaudid and phenergan) every 21 days at her office. And I am so thankful for that, especially now. I used to be able to go to my local ER for the really bad migraines if my doctor's office was closed. However, the last time that I was there, they told me that they would no longer be giving me dilaudid for my migraines there. (This was after they had let me sit in the exam room for 2 hours waiting to see the doctor, vomiting profusely, and trying to do all I could to keep myself from passing out). At the time, we still thought that there was a possibility that I had pseudo tumor cerebri, and my husband and I were just floored by their decision. We had dealt with various doctors before looking at us funny when my husband would tell them that the only thing that worked for me was dilaudid, but usually after explaining all that we were doing and having them even call our doctor and talk to him and confirm with him that the dilaudid was acceptable, they would typically give in and treat me. But now, no more. I guess maybe they feel threatened by someone knowing a little more about their own disease than they do?!
Anyway, sorry for that little vented ranting. I just feel very passionate about those of us who have to constantly defend ourselves to those people who are supposed to be there to help us. And yet, the ones who are really abusing the drugs seem to have no problem getting them whenever they want them.
Well, I had better stop for now. I really need to at least try to get some sleep. Thank you all again for sharing your stories with the rest of us and for offering your encouragement and a listening ear. My prayers are with you all, that your pain will be manageable (for today at least), and that someone, someday, will find an answer for this disease we affectionately call MIGRAINE!

God Bless You,
Angela

Angela <marcabrown@bluemarble.net>
Saturday, October 27, 2007 at 21:39:37

Wow, i had no idea there were so many of us with the same problem in a sad sort of way it's comforting. i have been having migraines on and off for 6 years. it started when i had my first case of viral meningitis. then they seemed to go away while i was pregnant with my first child, only then about 2 years ago i got viral meningitis again and the little critters showed their ugly heads again only this time they are here to stay. I see a neurologist and am currently on sibelium 20mg, topamax 200mg, coxflam 100mg and take maxalt when i feel an attack coming on. this combo of drugs seem to be helping but every now and again i get a dreadful breakthrough migraine that on responds to an immigran injection. I am unlucky to get that horrible aura just before the attack that leaves me feeling so naseaus and dizzy that i actually start praying for death! i went through most drugs on the market till we came up with these and we tried every process of elimination diet to see what the triggers are, but nothing! They dont co-incide with my menstual cycle or sleep patterns, but lately we have found that it's definetly post-stress related. I am a perfusionist and find that my attacks usually hit on weekends and when i am on leave. Good luck everyone, i know how frustrating it can be not knowing which direction to turn, or what is causing your migraines but hang in there! I sympathise!

Regards
Tamlyn

Tamlyn Hyde <tamhyde@mweb.co.za>
Friday, October 19, 2007 at 07:53:10

Hello one and all,I've decided to add new notes to my journey thru hell.
When I wrote first journal I said I was going to try the acupuncture again.I had first treatment and was painfree for most of the day.Thought I was in heaven,but unforunately they returned following morning.Went back for 2nd treatment on Weds. didn't seem to work as well as first one.Went to visit a friend and started to feel strange.Ended up having a seizure.Scared the hell out of me.Hospital wasn't sure if it was related to the acupuncture treatment or not,so I decided to try one more treatment on Fri. Had seizure 2 hrs later.
Doctors aren't sure what's causing them, whether it's inexperience of nurse or just a fluke.So I went back to Pain Clinic.Had the treatment there and had no problems.They're convinced it was inexperience of the nurse doing them.I can't continue to travel 5 hrs 3 days a week to Clinic so I finally agreed to have morphine pump implanted.It offers some degree of normalcy but still not painfree.I feel like I fell into a bottomless pit and someone took the ladder away.I'm ready for that head transplant if anyone out there has a spare.
Then recently I recieved news that is bittersweet.I found out on the same day my daughter is expecting her second child,that my father has lung cancer.
I keep wondering where that damn silver lining is in this cloud hanging over my head.
They say God never gives you more than you can handle,well he better send me another backpack because this one's full.
I try and keep putting one foot in front of the other but keep tripping over crap.I know I'm not the only one in the world with problems and there are people alot worse off than me but I get so frustrated and angry.I also know that having a "pity party for one" is not conductive for my state of mind.But how do people cope when everyday something else happens?I'm only 43 and feel like I'm 83.There has to be hope somewhere out there,but right now I can't seem to find it.I should be thrilled that I'm gonna be a Gramma again,but worry that one new life will be beginning as my Father's life is ending.Is it wrong to feel this way?Have I fallen so far into the darkness that has become my life, that I can't appreciate the good things there also?
There must be answers out there,but can't seem to find them right now.
I'm going to end this journal for today.I'm exhausted mentally,physically,emotionally,just plain exhausted.
Here's hoping you all have a painfree and happy day
With Thoughts,Prayers and Thanks
Brenda,A totally frustrated Cape Bretoner.
Until next time,xxxxx

Brenda <brenda_macrae67@hotmail.com>
Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at 22:41:23

I have been having migraines since I was 9, I am now 37 and I have tried so many med's but nothing has worked for me, I hate to go anywhere alone with my kids for fear that I will get a headache and be unable to drive home or care for my girls. The last bad one I had I got while we were at walmart. We spent hour's just sitting in the car waiting for me to be able to see to drive home. Thank god my 10 year old daughter helped me care for my 3 year old. Its sad that our kids have to suffer cause Mom has one of those headaches.
Im sorry that you all suffer from these headaches to.

Julie <jerzieann@peoplepc.com>
Sunday, October 7, 2007 at 21:12:13

I had migraines for twenty years,suddenly they disappeared when my3rd child was born.
I believe I can assist anyone to determine causal-factors and therapies,Miracles
Jessica-Australia

jessica caley <jessica.caley@bigpond.com>
Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 01:18:32

Hi, I am 34 and have had migraines since junior high. At first I only got one or two a month and usually with my menstral cycle. My migraines have changed a lot though. Lately I get them about every other day or in the evenings.

I have tried everything and so far the only thing that works is to take Zomig 2.5mg when I get one. I use to take half a pill, which isn't much but I now take 1 pill. I have been on Zomig for over 9 years. I like it because it really is a baby dose. Imitrex just made me throw up; which I would just rather throw up from the migraine instead! Depikote (sp?) worked but after a year of being on it I started getting horrible side effects like tremors and feeling anxious or nervous. So I had to get off of it. I am now starting Endural.

Unlike most of you, I have a great doctor who gets migraines as well and actually called me up the other day when she realized how much I was refilling my Zomig and told me that she wasn't doing her job and didn't feel like she was helping me if I was having that many. I don't like to take any kind of narcotic so I don't accept any of those kinds of pain pills. That is why I like Zomig, it is a constrictor and is not habit forming.

My doctor has said that lack of sleep or stressful situations can cause them. Being over weight can cause them because your fat cells hold hormones and mine are usually hormonal with my cycle. I also get them if I eat aspertame so I stay away from that. I also have some neck problems and that seems to bring one on really quick if strain my neck or sit or sleep wrong. I also seem to cause rebound headaches because when I get on a roll and take excedrin or ibuprofen I will usually end up with one every day. Right now, I am trying to wean off of any OTC pain meds.

Migraines are awful. My mother's quit when she reached menopause so I am hopeful. And I found out that I am in perimenopause, so maybe it will happen soon! (by soon, I mean in the next 4 or 5 years!) Please feel free to email me, I am also glad to know I am not going crazy. I always wonder if I am making this up--however, I know the pain is real!
Heather

Heather <heatherstravels@msn.com>
Friday, September 28, 2007 at 10:33:56

Hello. It is so comforting to know there are people going throught the same thing as I have, although I feel bad for you all as well. I am a 23 year old single mother. I have had migraines since I was 3. I have had migraines aprox. 2-3 times a week my whole life. This of course has caused problems with school as a child and now with holding a job. I have had to call in so much recently, it is amazing I have not been fired. I am going to have to try to get SS/Disability for awhile until I can get them under control. I have tried that a couple years ago and was denied. If anyone has advice for me on this issue, please email me! I have no health insurance and mounds of medical bills. I have been on many many meds. The last thing I tried was Topamax, and am still taking it. It helps a little. The side effects are no fun though. I can stop a migraine with Imitrex, however I cant afford it. I just contacted PPA to see if I can get help. I just dont know what to do or where to turn. If anyone has advice, please email! Thank you. Best wishes for you all. Sincerely, Kristy
krip084@yahoo.com

Kristy McNerney <krip084@yahoo.com>
Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 16:04:28