Hi! Please bear with my mindless ramblings. Sometimes I feel like I'm swimming in a world of pain that will never dry up. I started getting migraines when I was 9 (I'm now about to turn 29). Try getting someone to listen at that age that your "head hurts". They just got worse. At 19 I started with a trip to the ER with a spinal tap and a cat scan. FUN STUFF. Nothing but more pain and throwing up. They found nothing. NOTHING can cause this much pain! Oh, we don't want to forget the fun of demerol. So since then I've been on the never ending journey of medication hunting. Zoloft, inderol, depakote, feverfew, the whole slew of fun(this is just a few I can remember right now). This is just to prevent them. I would get them 2-3 times a week but they would stay for 2 days. That kind of shoots the whole week to he#@!! That doesn't include the side effects of the drugs. Memory loss, hair loss, weight gain, and loss. I'm now on topamax 250 and Efexor. I still get them alot, and almost always have a constant pain on that side of my head and that eye. Does anyone have anything else that helps, the relpax, maxalt and stuff like that don't seem to work any longer. Anyone with any help feel free to e-mail me.

Sarah <flprairiedogtown@aol.com>
Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at 23:02:44

I am a 62 year old female who has suffered from migraines for 50 years. My headaches have changed over the years. I am now waking almost everyday with dull headaches, that either build to something more or I am able to control with meidication. I have tried every medication on the market, and participated in numerous medication trials over the years. I have tried accupuncture, and pain management with minimal relief. Currently I receive chiropractic care and am under the care of a neurological headache specialist. I take 100 mg. of Zonogran and Imitrix injections. All triptans by mouth do not seem to work with me. My doctor has taken me off all caffeine and fiorinal/codine. My one relief had always been Excedrin or Fiorinal but I know I was rebounding. My doctors have always said I am functional. I do miss work, but I manage to take drugs and drag myself thru life. I have had sinus surgery, been to dentists re TMJ, allergists, kept food diaries. Can't say I haven't given it all a try. Anyone got any suggestions?

Barbara Bate <bbate@chathamborough.org>
Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at 08:57:40

I suffer from cluster head aches. I use to get them every 3 to 4 month and they would last for 3 to 4 weeks. Since I stopped drinking 7 years ago they started coming in longer intervals, I had my first one after a year then it took another year for the next one and then 7 to 8 month to the next one that lasted around three months. I had not had one for over three years till two weeks ago. I have eliminated refine sugar out of my diet completely for over twelve years, every time that I would have any sugar in my food it would always trigger an attack. I am pretty sure that stress had something to do with this last on going episode. I am trying to accept the pain and eliminate stressfull things out of my life till I can get out of this mandatory retirement from life given to me.
Farhad

Farhad <farhadgolzar@yahoo.com>
Monday, August 1, 2005 at 11:22:25

Hi, just found this page after another disapointing visit to the doctor. I have tried almost ever med on the market. lots of narcotics which dont work im alergic to asprin and im unable to take tripton based meds. the last headache I had, had me dry-heaving for 4 hours I could not talk for 2 days. The emergency room treats my migraines like just little old headaches and treat me like I should just get over it and take some asprin. The only and I mean only thing my doctor said would "cure" me. was to have my overies removed beacause mine are hormal migraines. I have not been able to find a doctor that will do this for me. Has anyone ever heard of this treatment? Im going to try migranal for the fist time, I dont have much faith that it will work. the stadol nasal spray that I know will work, my Dr. wont prescribe because of the addiction rate. I would rather be addicted to a drug then puking my guts out for 4 hours at a time. any advice?

Denise Walczyk <deniseandtom@peoplepc.com>
Friday, July 29, 2005 at 19:38:37

Hi
I am writing in reference to my mom,she has had migraines since I was approx 12years old(I'm now 35)and in the last 2 months seems to have one every other day or so. I realize from what iI have read from various sources that the patterns of migraines can change and that is what I'm concerned about. Her headaches have went from approx 1 a month to approx 2-3a week.
I guess my main concern is that not only does she use a preventive med she also gets demerol shots mixed w/phenagran for pain. So on average in the past 2 months has had approx 20 demerol shot and I am relly conerned that she may becoming addicted to them,I'm not the only family member with this concern. I've read that migraines are not caused by stress, but this seems to be the time when my mom gets them. Ex.family members death,brother's incarcaration lossing her job etc. I would appraciate any help.
Thank You
Renee

Renee <Renee2cscocala.com>
Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 17:50:47

Hi,
I just found this site while searching for a migraine clinic. I have been reading over some of the recent entries, and found that I have a lot in common with many of you. It's kind of nice because I have always felt very alone in my migraine suffering. I live in the Rochester, NY area. If there is anyone in this area who knows of a goof neurologist or migraine clinic, please let me know. I have been going through doctors for my migraines a lot lately.
I was first diagnosed with a migraine at age 19. It was finals week at college, and I thought I had the flu because I was vomitting. I had never experienced such incredible pain in my head before. Over the next couple of years, I started getting more migraines, usually 1-2 a month. Then they increased to 2-3 a month for a few more years. Then, in Aug. 2002 they started inceasing to about 10 per month for 1 year. And then in Sept. 2003, right after I turned 30, they increased to 15-20 per month!!! It has been that way ever since! I have tried tons of medications, preventitive and abortive. I have tried the natural feverfew/magnesium pills, chiropractors, and acupuncture. I even went off caffeine for 6 months. Nothing helped. Some of the medications would bring me down from 20 per month to 11-15, that's about it. Most of the time Imitrex works, even if only for a few hours of relief. But sometimes it doesn't- not even the injections. I have also tried Maxalt, Relpax, Zomig, Amerge, & Axert. With all of those it is hit or miss as to whether they work. I have been having a really bad stretch of daily migraine lately, this is the 7th day in a row I have woken up with a migraine. It has been weird though because this week's m's have been going away by late afternoon. This NEVER happens for me. They always last a minimum of 12 hours, and often go for 72 hours straight!
By the way, some people wrote about not knowing what to take when they are vomitting and can't keep pills down- you should take Imirex Injection. It is a shot that you give yourself or someone you trust can do it for you. I used to be terrified to give myself a shot, and then I recently learned a deep breathing relaxation technique. That calms me down enough to do the shot. If anyone wants to talk to me or ask questions, please email me. Thanks for "listening".
Lisa

Lisa <lisams14@yahoo.com>
Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 00:08:44

Hi,I have been a chronic migrainer for 18+ years.I became a mother at 14 ,and a grandma at 29.I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder 17 years ago. My migraines werebrought on alot to do with that I was told.I have used Stadol for years.I have severe vomitting with a migraine so keeping pain meds down is a real problem.One good thing about stadol,you can't vomit it up.I have taken Tylox which wors when I can keep it down,but Stadol is a godsend when you can't use anything else.I have never worried about addiction becauseI have never used more than one bottle.My doctor prescribed one refill a month.Can someone tell me if I can get addicted to one bottle a month?I would really appreciate your input because I thought I couldn't.Thanks!

Millie

millie <millie7575@yahoo.com>
Monday, July 25, 2005 at 13:01:19

My dad has been on morphine for about 9 years now folling his last fusion , your supposed to have them every ten years he is now going onto his 14 year after the last fusion he is due for one, but his doctors are being the biggest dicks and the morhpine isnt working anymore even when he goes to the emergency to get a shot of it nothign seems to be helping and everyday just keeps getting worse , if theres anything anyone could do or help please let me know. ..gregflis@hotmail.com

G.Flis <gregflis@hotmail.com>
Thursday, July 21, 2005 at 22:24:18

Hi all,
Just wondering how many of you have vomiting & diarreah with your migraines? My headache, vomiting & diarreah all come at once, so I can't take any medication or even suppositories. About the only thing that helps is an injection, but who can get to the hospital for one in that state? I tried a nasal spray too, but it didn't seem to have much effect.
Any ideas would be great!
Cat.

Cat <babz@dodo.com.au>
Thursday, July 21, 2005 at 01:37:28

Hi. My name is Cristy and I have been suffering from migraines since the age of 7. I am now 25. I had about five migraines a year until the age of 21, thats whe they started to come daily with only 1 or 2 days a week of relief. I decided to go to a neurologist & that is when the process of finding the right preventitive began.So far absolutly nothing has been able to reduce them to less than 3 a week. I have tried (in no particular order) Depakote, Neurontin, Keppra, Pamelor, Vivactil, Inderal LA, Prozac, Effexor, Cymbalta, Topomax, Zoloft, Elavil, Zanaflex (which is the only one I am currently on, for a few weeks now 4 times a day),nerve blocks, botox, dhe infusions, depacon infusions, vitamin B2, Feverfew, Magnesium, Petadolex, Seroquel,(the only ones I havent tried are the calcium channel blockers because I am allergic to them) and every sleeping pill on the market for insomnia. The only triptan that will work on my mild migraines are zomig & celebrex combo. I was using Stadol for the major ones, but I was having to use it so often the dr. cut me off, He is VERY weary to give narcotics, but at this time it is the absolute only thing that helps, so at this point I am back to having them near daily & trying to manage an office full time. Well, that's my story, sorry its so long!!

Cristy <cristyf17@aol.com>
Monday, July 18, 2005 at 18:03:04

Hi everybody...
I've been reading through a lot of entries and I really feel for those of you who suffer from migraines. A few of the entries I read mentioned constant headaches or 2-3 headaches per week. Please check this out, as these may not be 'migraines', they may be 'cluster headaches', I have also noticed them being called Chronic Daily Headaches (maybe the same thing, but you have a different name for it in USA).
Don't get me wrong, I KNOW THEY HURT JUST AS MUCH, but sometimes migraine medications do not work on cluster headaches or CHD.
Also, I had a Mirena IUD inserted in December and I'm happy to let you know that I have not had a migraine since 7 June (now that I've said that, I'll wake up with one tomorrow..)

Take care and stay strong,
Emma.

Emma <emmaleahnorris@yahoo.com.au>
Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 14:05:26

today was not the best of days I spent the best part of the day in my cave(room). It was the kind of day that reminded me of why I truly hated mt Migs. I missed erics. swim meet. it was too much for me in the heat and humidity yesterday. I couldn't take 2 days in a row. Think that I pushed too hard yesterday. At least it wasEric. He is the understanding child. Jenn has a tendancey to rake me over the coals and put me on a guilt trip months and years later. Well that's all for tonight can fell it building back up so will end here.



TTFN


MBW

michbookworm <michbookworm%aol.com>
Sunday, July 10, 2005 at 23:01:48

Hello everyone!

I just want to say that this page has been like a god-send! It's great to be able to communicate with people who can understand what it is like to live with the MONSTER!! I am here for anyone who would like to "vent", please do not hesitate to e-mail me.
Wishing you all pain-free days,
Erika :)

Erika <xerikaflowers05x@aol.com>
Sunday, July 10, 2005 at 13:28:38

Hi everyone,
I'm really beginning to lose hope. I don't want to sound like a downer but my migraines are quite chronic now. One a week for 2 or 3 days. The heavy nausea, tremendous sensitivity to light and sound, can't move, can't talk. I have to call in sick and my boyfriend has to work ten times harder to pay the bills. I have tried Imitrex, Zomig, Amerg, Feverfew, Advil Migraine, Excedrin migrain and a number of other prescription meds. Most people have no sympathy for you and the rest don't know a thing about it. It's not the public's fault for not knowing anything but it makes it more frustrating for a migraineur because most think it's just a bloody headache. "It's just a headache, what's she getting so worked up over"

I seriously think there needs to be more research and advertising on how this is such a debilitating disorder. I mean, come on, how many people suffer from this? A lot. I've spoken to a number of people who say they know at least one person who has suffered from this.

I'm sorry, I know I am rambling, I'm just getting to the end of my rope. I hhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaattttttteeee this thing and I want it to just disapear and wake up happy.

Margaret Ann <maggieblue22@yahoo.ca>
Sunday, July 10, 2005 at 10:53:23

Hi Everyone!! Finally, a site where I can relate!!! I have suffered migraines for at least six years, since the middle of highschool. They are so frequent, I get them 3 times a week. They are just debilitating..I stay at work through them, but am not productive, and just stare at my computer screen, holding my head, pretending I'm working, counting down the minutes till I leave work and can go home, put a cold compress on my head, and fall into bed. Lucky for me I rarely start a day out with a migraine, so I can make it to work, but I often end my day with one. Every morning I wake up and worry that I will have my day ruined by a migraine. Oh yeah, and when I don't have a migraine, I usually have a headache of some sort. I have very few painless days.
Well, I am trying something new. I am finished with trying prescription after prescription. They usually only work for a while, and I don't like the thought of pumping my body with all these toxins.
I am trying Chiropractic therapy. I know some of you out there will think I'm crazy, as there are risks....but I say...isn't it worth the risk? If you are getting migraines so frequently, you are not really living, are you? I'm tired of having my life stopped day after day because of my migraines. Also, it's a bit costly to go to the chiropractor...but I have spent SO much money on different prescriptions, even with coverage!

I have only been to two appointments, but already I feel a little better! I will keep you all updated on the progress.

To all of you out there...only you understand the pain I go through...Even though I would never wish this pain on anyone, it feels comforting to know there are others out there going through the same thing.

Amanda Carew <mandyie_kar@hotmail.com>
Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 17:48:39