Hi everyone. I happen to stumble upon this site about migraines and decided to put in my story. I get migraines often usually before and after that time of the month but either way they're aweful and really painful to the point that I am in the fetus position almost balling.

My husband told me to try taking Mortin Migraine, Aleve, Tylenol, all the others for migraines and none of them seem to work at all except one and that is Excedrine Migraine if I take in time before it gets really bad and if I take it during the bad time, then I best take it when I am going to bad for the night so that there is no lights, noise and or movement.

I never got migraines until I had my second child, up till then it was just the slight headache and that was it nothing this dreadful. I don't get sick and through up like most but I do get nausea and go to the rest room. My head feels like someone is in there taking some sort of machine and squeezing my brain to death as hard as they can until I feel like I could just practically drop dead. That bad, yes.

So, this is my story and life with migraines and it is nice to know that I am not alone and neither are all of you.

Thanks
Vicky

Vicky <cvs4@sbcglobal.net>
Monday, January 9, 2006 at 19:51:49

Like many of you, I sit here battling a migraine as I read up on migraine treatments. I'm 44 and have suffered from migraines for almost as long as I can remember (or rather all of my adult life!).

I didn't even know they were migraines at first. I was under the illusion (like so many others) that they were sinus headaches. When I did finally figure out what they were, I still treated them on my own. All I ever took was Excedrin Migraine. That worked most of the month, but when my period hit... watch out! I was down for 3 or 4 days in a dark room, yelling at everyone to keep quiet, with heat packs (or sometimes cold) applied to my head and neck. I would be miserable and just had to let it run its course.

I finally saw a Dr. last year to get an "official" diagnosis and she put me on Imitrex. I started out with 50mg but recently went up to 100mg. I have to say it has made a huge difference in my life. I still get migraines, but many of them are not as severe as they are without the Imitrex. I hesitate to call it my "miracle drug" because I think there has to be something better. This month I've had a really hard time. Migraines most every day. When I break down and take the Imitrex it does work for a while. But, they always come back. But, I usually try and save the pills for my period time, which is usually my worst time. This month I'm down to 3 pills left, so when the period hits, I'm going to be hurting! I have a prescription for something for the nausea, but I haven't picked that up yet. I'm thinking I'll need it this month!

I just wish the Drs. understood migraines better. Wish they had a miracle cure for all of us. I haven't worked in years. Originally I was laid off, then wanted to stay home and raise the kids. But a few years ago I realized it would be very difficult for me to hold down a job with as many sick days as I'd need to take just to deal with my migraines.

I realize I'm the one that feels the pain, but as bad as it is for me, I feel sorry for my two kids. They are the ones that have to deal with a sick Mom, a sometimes crabby Mom. I've been much better this past year with the Imitrex, but even so... I know it should be so much better. I'm thinking about going back to the Dr. and asking for something preventative. I know its going to be trial and error, hopefully I'll find something that lets me lead a "normal" life.

Debby

Debby <thinakay@hotmail.com>
Sunday, January 8, 2006 at 23:41:29

Hi everyone. My name's Laura, I'm 21 years old, and like you all, I also suffer from migraines as well. It seems the older I get, the more sever the migraines get. I'm trying to find a balance between every day life where I won't have a migraine. That sometimes seems almost impossible. There's so much to what I could be allergic to, or that could cause a migraine, and I'm trying to discern between what I can do and can't.
I have been talking to my parents and Grandparents about the history of migraines in my family. Here's what I fould. My Mom's dad had migraines, and my Dad's Mom had migraines. Some of my Aunts on both sides have migraines, and that intail makes me a 3rd generation Migraineur. I don't get warning signals when I get a migraine, unlike my relatives, and I get them pretty sever. Usually when I get a migraine, nausa comes and with it, I can be in the bathroom throwing up anywhere from 2-4 hours. Usually that doesn't help, and sometiems, I'll pass out. They say that the Migraineur's blood sugar level's low during this time as well.
I've found relief from migraines in taking Feverfew, and Magnesuim. These are natural things that help with migraines. Feverfew helps with the nausea and migraine, and the Magnesium helps with the migraine. Hope this has been of help.
Laura

Laura <volleyballrules_1@yahoo.com>
Sunday, January 8, 2006 at 14:33:39

Hi. I am sorry to read of the suffering people are enduring. Migraines run in my family, but haven't always been diagnosed. My grandmother had them. As a child, I remember my father taking to his bed with a hot water bottle, although he has now "outgrown" them at age 77. Chocolate was a trigger for my dad. Although, to this day, my dad thinks of them as "sinus headaches" despite the fact that he would vomit when he had them.

I am one of three sisters and we have all had migraines. One sis has only had them rarely, and the other sis seems to have them occasionally but has not been diagnosed.

When I was younger, I just noticed that I was prone to headaches, but attributed them to stress. I am now 48, and for the past two years or so, I have had a increase in frequency and severity of headaches, until I was getting them every three weeks lasting two or three days. At first, I didn't realize they were migraines, as I never had visual disturbances or auras. One day, I went to a migraine site and realized I did have other symptoms- one sided head pain, nausea and vomiting, and neck pain.

I got my doctor to prescribe me Imitrex which is my miracle drug. When I take it, the pain is usually gone within two hours. I have found two things 1) it will help no matter when I take it during an attack- I know that sounds weird, but sometimes I would hold off taking it, thinking I just had a "regular" headache 2) sometimes it wears off after 12 hours and I have to take another dose. It could take 2 or 3 pills to get me through an attack.

There was a post on this site about a year ago which claimed that effervescent aspirin was found to be as effective as Imitrex. I find it hard to believe. I have taken aspirin, fiorinal and ibuprofen without relief. My regime now is to lay down in a dark room with a cold compress on my head and wait for my Imitrex to kick in. You will not find me without this medication!

Caitlin Goldschmidt <setauket@aol.com>
Friday, January 6, 2006 at 19:03:37

Im 35 and from scotland.I seem to get headaches on a nearly daily basis,but the last two days has been something else.
My head feels like its being crushed like theres pressure being applied all over it.
Im having to squint my eyes looking at the monitor,i've been sweating badly in bed all night.
Is this a migrane i dont know what to do

Gunny <gunny1@blueyonder.co.uk>
Friday, January 6, 2006 at 06:42:16

Hello All! My name is Annie. I am 29 years old. I am so glad I found this site! It looks Awesome! I am sorry to hear that you all suffer from migraines. I have had them for 2 years which isn't very long compared to most of you and I know that most people who don't go thru it really don't understand.
I never had migraines until I had a mis-carriage about 2 years ago. The doctors say that it may be a factor.
My migraines started in my right temple all of the time but now I also have them on the left side also. I have them 3-5 days a week. I was getting massage therapy and was down to 1 m/g per week but insurance decided it wasn't medically necessary so I had to quit and I am back to having them almost every other day again. It is frustrating.
I also have neck and shoulder pain every day. The migraine doctor that I saw last month thinks that the migraines are causing the neck and shoulder problem.
I was on Topamax to prevent the migraines. I went from 30 mg to 200 mg and was still the same. I am weaning off of the Topamax now at 50 mg. It wasn't helping and I think it was adding to depression and causing panic attacks and weird thoughts and dreams.
I take Relpax for the migraines and if I catch them on time I usually get it! I have learned with several trips to ER not to try to fight the migraine and to just take the Relpax.
I have been off work since April. I had to go back for 5 days in September to keep my insurance and had 3 migraines out of the 5 days. One of them I was vomiting. It was ruff!
I have had several MRI's, CAT scan's and x-ray's and they all have been normal.
I am looking forward to visiting this site often. Take care and remember you are not Alone!
Huggs to everyone!
From Anniehdhurtz

Anniehdhurtz <Akpinko@aol.com>
Thursday, January 5, 2006 at 08:48:55

Reply to Arizonalady and all you,

Hello. I'm glad to have found this website and all of you. I've recently been diagnosed with complicated or complex migraines. I thought I'd suffered a stroke back in June 2005 which left me lightly paralyzed on my left side and with other neurological problems. It also left me with bone-crushing fatigue. Over time the paralysis has abated with physical therapy and alot of hard work and the fatigue has gotten a little better but still keeps me from returning to my former busy life. I've managed to work up from 6 hours to 15 hours at my job over the last 4 months!
Has anyone else out there had a migraine that left you with these types of neurological problems for more than a few days or weeks? I really, really thought I'd had a stroke but all tests including MRI and CT Scan came back fine and this is what a neurologist finally came up with. There are still some things I can't do well like type as fast as I used to, walk backwards at all, or hold things with my left hand. My migraines worsened over time as I had a high-stress job and basically did alot of coffee drinking, late night deadlines for publications and skipping meals and eating junk. This was fine in my 20s and 30s but when I entered my 40s and perimenopause set it eventually it seems to have become too much. Did any of you find you developed worsening problems following a long stint of high-stress, long hours of work, little sleep etc.? How long did it take you to recover? I know I'm asking alot of questions but I'm hoping to find others like myself as the doctors don't seem to have any answers to these questions. Also has anyone out there tried the herb Feverfew with any success? I've been reading up on it and am curious if anyone out there has had success. Drugs are out of the questions as everything I've tried just intensifies the fatigue which is the worst of all of it as far as I'm concerned! As a trained researcher I've just been working to see if I can find any answers for myself outside the medical community whose answer seems to be take drugs and hope that once I'm through menopause it'll go away! I will let you all know what I find and how it goes. I just can't accept that we are all stuck in this with no way out!

Mia <mseve43@yahoo.com>
Tuesday, January 3, 2006 at 21:17:24

Hello! I am going to relate some of my migraine life and see if just maybe it helps (emotionally). After 43 years of migraines (last ten being the worst) my life is in a shambles.
No job due to migraines, no prospects of a job, no realationships or social life and most of the time in pain or recovering. This last 6 months my recovery time has lengthened to about a week instead of 3 days. Doctors don't seem to be interested enough to truly help, just write Rx is about all they want to do. At this point I don't know where to turn or how to get on my feet again. Daily I make the effort to try and rectify this situation and just when I think maybe I am going to have some luck here comes another migraine and ruins my chance to interview or get a job. The sickness that accompanys migraines just hangs on for days after the pain in my head has improved. I generally wind up dehydrated and very weak by the time it's over. I get every symptom associated w/migraines. Wouldn't you think that after asking (begging) doctors for help that they would at least try! They make you feel lazy and weak instead. I have always been very hard working and responsible and hate to be made to feel as though I am just lazy. Any bad day at work is better than a day at home w/a migraine. I have spent countless hours researching things to help me, watch my diet and lifestyle like a hawk all to no avail. Small improvements seem to happen once in awhile but never continue. Migraines take away your ability to be a full functioning person and instead leave you a shell of person just trying to survive but not really living. Okay, enough!

Mary <arizonalady6@msn.com>
Tuesday, January 3, 2006 at 16:02:01

I have had migraines for as long as I can remember, but when I was younger I didn't know that is what they were. I have been on all kinds of medications, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Some would work for a while and others didn't work at all. There have been times when I would end up in the ER 2 times a week. I would be on medication for a while and then quit taking it, because I do not like taking any. I wouldn't have any migraines for a while, then out of nowhere I would get them again. Right now maxalt, midrin and relpax seem to work. I have been getting them more frequently and I don't know why. I also have depression and anxiety that comes and goes also. Sometimes I will get extremely depressed and will know that a migraine is soon to follow in a couple days. About 2 years ago I started going to the chiropractor. Let me tell you it helps a lot! For the longest time I didn't have a single headache, now I don't go as often and I keep getting them more. I am only 21 years old and it really bothers me that I keep getting these. I feel like I am out of options. It really bothers me when people make comments about me always having a headache. It isn't like I can help it. My manager at work even makes comments about how she can have a migraine and still work. That makes me want to work when I have a migraine, so 9 times out of 10 I'll keep working if I have a migraine. Well there's some of my story. I just needed to get it out, its good to know i'm not alone. I just don't know what to do anymore.

Chris <christle20@charter.net>
Monday, January 2, 2006 at 21:50:23

Hello....
Where do I begin?

At age 22 I became pregnant with my first child. I had a migraine headache with paralisis on my left side numbness in my face, toungue, and left arm and hand. This scared me worse than the headache that followed. Also auras were included. I went to my Doctor he diagnosed the migrain and my preganacy at the same time

since then I would have maybe five or six migraines a year some times more? At times they were so bad I went to the emergency room for a shot. The worst part was I was disorientated and did not know who I was or what I was doing. By this time I had two daughters and was afraid I would have one of these migraines and leave them somewhere or god knows what???? Obviously I never went anywhere to a distance alone....... I was given ergomar and once taken the disorientation of the migrain would also pass.

What meds have I tried?? you name it...... nothing helps. Although for some time I got off all meds and took only vitamins and feverfew 500 mgs. This seemed to help for a while.

Then about five years ago nothing helped. My dr. gave me ultraset for the pain and I took it sparingly. He then sent me to PGH to a headache specialist. He put me on topamax and it screwed up my mind so bad I thought I would go insane. I lost my job, quit because I would cry each morning and evening going to and from work each day.

The migraines are with me each day they go to bed with me at night and wake me up in the morning.

Some days they are hardly there but mostly they are naging at me constantly. excedrine migraine pills are with me always. And relpax are there if I'm really loosing it. However, nothing takes them away.

The weather makes a large difference, my husband has even talked about going to AZ to see if that would help? the barimetric pressure flexuations seem to really effect the headaches.

Years ago I took fiorcet and this also seemed to numb the headaches somewhat but my Dr. said they no longer offerit?

I have seen a heart specialist who told me I had a prolapse heartvlave causing all my pain. He put me on a beta blocker that only made me depressed and tired.

Neurologists? Three, one from Olean, Pittsburgh, and the Cleveland clinic. I spent two years at the Cleveland Clinic, they checked everything I am in excellent shape???!!!!.... I tried many different meds there and had some headache therapies along with massages. He put me on an antidepressent and a blood pressure pill. Everything but botox, my insurance would not cover that.

From there I went to a pain clinic here in Kane, Pa where the Dr. has migraines. I thought I would find an answer to my pain there but no. He gave me injections in my neck with cortizone one did help and I went back for another, but it did'nt. He said there was nothing more he could do for me? He wanted me to go back to PGH.

Exercise seems to help without it I would have gone insane at times.

If anyone can help me?? let me know or just talk about it?
Lori Lewis
lorisoftich@excite.com

lori lewis <lorisoftich@excite.com>
Sunday, January 1, 2006 at 17:05:47

I have had migraines ever since my earliest memories, perhaps two or three years old. They stopped when I entered puberty, and resumed in my early twenties. In all four of my pregnancies I did not have a single migraine so I realized that it was very hormonal for me (this was verified by my many different neurologists).

I've always had to be in a dark and quiet room and lay very still. It hurt too much to cry so I would have to try very hard to save my crying for when the headache let up a bit.

As I got a little older, in my thirties, the migraines became much more frequent and more severe. I would vomit constantly due to the pain and ended up having to go to ER just for IV's because I was badly dehydrated. I have many ugly scars from these IV's because the more I had to have them the harder it was to find a vein (so many of them were scarred).

Sometimes it took hot towels on all four limbs which had to hang over the edge of the bed before some veins would present themselves. Even so, it could take anywhere from 12 to 30 pokes to finally find a vein that wouldn't 'blow' and that could withstand having a line in it for several hours; sometimes overnight.

I am now 47 and am menopausal. The severity is starting to go down just a little, but the frequency can be daily. I feel that migraines have been the thief of my life. I have missed out on so many important life events like weddings, important meetings, huge family gatherings, my four sons birthdays (probably the most important to me), etc.

I had a wonderful job that I had worked towards all my life -- I was a family support worker (similar to social worker but much more hands on and exciting with less gov't red tape and paper work). I supported families with special needs sons and daughters of every age. I was thrilled with my position and 35 hours a week wasn't enough -- I would have loved to have worked 40 a week.

But the migraines assaulted me mercilessly and I used up all my sick days and had to also use some vacation days. Finally, I had to go on disability because I was away from work too much to responsibly support my clients.

I have gone through a divorce and am now with a wonderful man who cares deeply for me and the pain I frequently experience but who is also very concerned with the heavy narcotics I have been reduced to take.

Over the course of my life time I have probably tried over 40 different medications. The only thing that helped were injections of demerol. However, if I would have to go to my doctor or to the ER right after my aura for an injection, it would often be too late and the migraine could end up being a 12 on a scale of 1 to 10. Despite that incredible pain I often could not stop myself from screaming or loud croaky moaning.

So I was one of under ten people in my Province of B.C., Canada, that was prescribed to self-inject demerol sub-cutaneously (in a muscle) since I had such a short window of time from aura to pain.

For many different reasons my marriage was on the rocks. My husband at the time was going through a difficult depression but he would take his frustrations and anger out on me and I suffered a great deal of intense emotional abuse. I am ashamed to say that I tried to escape this by abusing the demerol and I resorted to 'shooting up'. The addiction was a monster for a couple of years.

I decided to get clean and just suffer the consequences of both physical and emotion pain and I crawled through the next few years in this manner. Then I had a brief unexplained remission for a couple of years with only occasional mild migraines. Alleluia! I had remissions before but only for a few months. The neurologists could not explain it.

I've now had them again for about five years and they are worse than ever. I was put back on the demerol and again abused it but not as badly. But to me abuse is still abuse. Sometimes I was just so desperate to try and just function that I just didn't care anymore. But after almost a year of this I decided 'no more' and quit it again.

I just spend so much time in bed or on the couch -- what a waste of life. I've been to pain control clinics twice and with little to no success. None of the other meds ever worked for me. I am so tired of this. Why only narcotics?

Is there any one out there who is in the same predicament as me? What do you do if you and the professionals find that only narcotics give some kind of relief? I recently detoxified myself by taking no meds for about three months. Needless to say I was regaled to my bedroom 24-7. But I was determined to do it. Nothing changed. We tried some new 'miracle migraine meds' -- what a joke -- it just made me sicker.

Right now I am on oxycadone and it is quickly becoming apparent that I am building up a tolerance and the doctor says that I will soon have to up the dosage.

Please people, help me to figure out what to do. Surgery has been suggested but the risks are high and not guaranteed. I have heard about Botox but I can't afford it. 'Dental' surgery in the roof of my mouth is what I am investigating presently.

I would so very much appreciate hearing from some one, thank you for bearing with me and reading this 'way-too-long' story of mine. It did feel good to get it out.

Sincerely,
Sylvia.

Sylvia Sevenhuysen <sylfy7@yahoo.com or chennarae_ve@hotmail.com>
Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 00:13:53

I am 37, single mom with two boys and have had migraines since I was 15 years old. In fact, I have one right now. I am at work and can't leave - covering for two other people. I used to take Midrin, then it stopped working. I now take Maxalt (same family as Imitrex but slightly different). Today I only took half so I wouldn't end up a zombie. But I feel like banging my head against a concrete wall.

My symptoms have seemed to change over the last year or so. Along with heightened smell, sensitivity to light & noise, throbbing on my left side (always on my left side), no desire to eat, occasional nausea, inability to concentrate and clumsiness...I now get cold and light headed. I will be just FREEZING and dizzy when I have one...or just before I have one. And unfortunately the majority of the time I wake up with them so I don't really get a warning. So by the time I take something I am already in pain.

I have found some Dr's to be really out of touch with what migraine suffers need. I used to get really bad ones to the point that I'd end up in the ER dying for Vicodin or a shot of Demerol just to kill the pain. In fact they'd be so bad they'd blind me to where I couldn't see. I don't get them as often as I used to, but sometimes they are so bad I go to the Dr. and BEG. Half of them look at me like I am just a druggie. I don't keep narcotics in the house, nor do I want to be doped up all the time. I have two kids to raise! But when you are already in pain, the last thing you want is someone to tell you "No, sorry - we aint giving you anything like that. Take an Advil and lie down." My primary physician is a migraine specialist but to get in and see him can be impossible. But when I do, it's such a relief. He's a migraine sufferer too and he understands. In fact, he told me it's hereditary - both my parents had them. Anyone else have a family history?

Well, that's my story. Time to try and find a place to lie down!!!!

Michelle

Michelle C. <mcook@semprautilities.com>
Thursday, December 22, 2005 at 13:35:43

Hi,
I am a migraine suffer for at least 10 yrs.I have been to chiropractors,massage,physical theraphy,neurologist,family
doc and psychiatrist. I have taken medrin,maltex,imitrex(nasel
and pills)every anti-depressant that has come out in the past 2 yrs.Also have gotten shots in the base of my head called
blocks.I do have artheritis in neck and slightly bulging disks.
So finally my family doc gave me celebrex and a beta-blocker
called inderdal.My neck gets sour but no headaches and migraines.I do not want to go back to doc or emergency to get
demeral shots ever again.
i would tell everyone to change whatever is stressing you badly
to get migraine headaches.Of course eat and sleep right.
Not more than one drink maybe 2.
also you can get whats called a rebound headache from imitrex and demeral. Yoga and meditation is very helpful for stress.
do not lay around and let the headache take over, get up and
move around.
be happy and relax, maggie may

maggie may <mblevins009@yahoo.com>
Tuesday, December 20, 2005 at 17:40:16

Hey there.

Im 26 Female. from Invercargill, New Zealand. I have suffered from migraines since I was 15. I remember it like it was yesterday. Sitting in the school libary, placed my hand on my left knee and thought I was touching someone else. The nausea came and then proceededto throw up. Dad picked me up and Mum tried to give me paramax which I can't swallow anything when I get one. After that, it was rare that I got one, which I just had to put up with. I was 19 when Mum had to take me to the GP to get a shot of pethadine?! and went back the next day to be prescribed something. I have tried some many medications. I can't remember the names. Just this year for the past 5 months I have had one about twice a week. I tried the eye doctor, have great vision that should last me 20 year. A chiropractor, which kinda did help. I have found since then that I dont get the numbness just on the lefthand side anymore, sometimes on the right. And it is just this year that I have been getting the auras. I was prescribed indomethacin which helped for awhile and voltaren when the headache gets too bad and if that doesnt work its off to the urgent doctor for a jab. I was then prescribed propanalo?! Which within the 1st day I was at ER with severe stomach pains and a abnormal heart rate. That was the end of that. Finally saw a neurologist thanks to my Dad paying to see him. He explained alot that my doctor never did, he was just quite happy to prescribe the next drug. The neuro guy, has put me on Sandomigrain which Im not sure...I still have the numbness and auras (which affect my work I cant see the computer screen or drive) The neuro guy reckons stress doesnt cause migraines, migraines cause stress.

In the three jobs I have had the past 5 years. The first job which involved mutliple job roles..I suffered greatly. Then the next job I had one role to perform. I was there 14 months and not once did I get an attack. Now in the current job where I am perform multiple job roles they are back. I am a Automotive parts and service assistant. I had my computer screen changed to a LCD and I have had the fluro lights changed to ones that I proven to be "OK"

The neuro guy has given me a list of foods to avoid that contain Tyramine. Which sucks I LOVE TOMATOES!

But its soo hard to live with and I have shed a tear reading everyones entries. I feel so guilty missing work and stuff. I don't think the boss understands. He keeps asking when I will be cured. You wake in the morning and think, whats the day going to bring. Depression is hard to avoid and I have read alot of you see a therapist. I am ringing one on Monday.

Thanks Guys

Casey <casey@tejas.co.nz>
Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 21:39:42

Hi. I am 36 years old and have been suffering from migraines since I was 18. I've tried numerous meds but the only thing that really works for me is to go to sleep in a dark room. I have a 6-month old and when I was pregnant I didn't suffer from any migraines - many of mine are related to my menstrual cycle. They have returned and recently I've actually felt my headache disintegrate - I know that sounds weird but I can feel my whole head tingling and then the migraine disappears. has anyone else experienced this? I don't know if I should be worried...

Donna <dleigh7@yahoo.com>
Tuesday, December 6, 2005 at 18:13:49