I keep having a migraine,but i can not stop it if anyone can help please!!!

M <mehecker@yahoo.com>
Saturday, September 28, 2002 at 20:21:47

I've been having classic migraines since I was 18 (2 years)
but I have been unable to identify my triggers because
my migraines seem to happen on days that are routine.
If anyone has any advice on how to identify triggers, could you
please e-mail me!
Thanks.

Laura <superjava@hotmail.com>
Monday, September 23, 2002 at 21:51:49

Haven't written in awhile. I saw posted here once the address of a website that talked about tannines (?sp). Tannines can trigger migraines. I can't find the info I had anymore. Can anyone help me out?
Thanks, Pat.

Pat <marks4@mindspring.com>
Monday, September 23, 2002 at 14:14:38

Hello to all.. I was glad i could find people with similar cases stories has mine..I'm a 33 yrs old mother of two young kids who just rececently left a week at the hospital...they said i had accute migraines they did the brain scan and did't thanx god find nothing my question to all is i went in the hospital because i could't speak anymore my head was working for the speach did't the more the time was going the more my memory was going also. it all came back a few hours later and some shoots of demerol. i know i can't be the only one who has had such symptoms but feels desperetly alone has no one can really say for sure when or even ever tese episod will come back.. scared is what i'm trying to say i guess, they sent me home with a bunch of different pills and told me to take them in case i would feel pain again , the headacks are still there but these explanation was not enough to secure me in any ways.. anyone else...thank you

martine <mgirard41@hotmail.com>
Monday, September 23, 2002 at 12:14:45

OK! THIS FEELS GOOD TO KNOW THAT I AM NOT ALONE WHEN IT COMES TO MHA. AFTER MY FIRST BORN IS WHEN I STARTED TO REALIZE THAT THE BAD HEADACHES I WAS HAVING WAS ACTUALLY MIGRAINE HEADACHES. I HAVE HAD TWO IN THE PAST WEEK LAST SUNDAY I TOOK MY REGULAR MEDS (BUTALBITAL). THE PAIN WOULD NOT LEAVE!!! I HAD TO DO SOMETHING. I CALLED MY HEALTH CARE SITE, THANKFULLY THEY WERE OPEN. IT WAS SO BAD THE GAVE ME A SHOT OF DEMEROL. AFTER 20 MINUTES I GOT VERY TIRED BUT THE PAIN WAS STILL THERE! WHAT THE HECK! THEN JUST THIS PAST SATURDAY ANOTHER ONE! I GO ALMOST COMPLETELY BLIND AND I HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY COMPREHENDING WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING AND WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND ME AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU WITH THREE CHILDREN IT IS PRETTY SCARY FOR ME. I JUST HEARD ON THE LOCAL NEWS THAT THERE IS A NEW PREVENTATIVE MED YOU CAN TAKE CALLED TOPIRAMATE AND IT IS SUPPOSE TO CUT THE PAIN AND SYMPTOMS IN 1/2!! THAT SOUND PRETTY GOOD TO ME CAUSE I USUALLY HAVE IT FOR 3-5 DAYS! OUCH! IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE THAT HAS TRIED THIS MED OR KNOWS MORE ABOUT IT PLEASE E MAIL ME AT PALLETOCOLOR@AOL.COM ONE THING I DO KNOW IS THAT IT IS INITIALLY USED FOR EPILEPSY. THAT IS ABOUT IT.THANKS FELLOW MHARS!

B.BOLLINGER <PALLETOCOLOR@AOL.COM>
Monday, September 23, 2002 at 12:08:51

I have found that 2 Midrin and 2 Excedrin Migraine taken together will stop a bad migraine. I take birth control pills (Mircette) because the headaches would be so bad during my period that I would need to go to the emergency room.
I can relate to many of the other stories that are in this journal. I think the worst part of the headaches are having to cancel meetings and activities, then feeling guilty that I had to do so. One client asked me once if I had a drinking problem that led to my headaches! There are a lot of misconceptions.
For the one woman who had a headache by her eye and hallucinations, maybe you are experiencing cluster headaches. I pray for good health to all who read this...

Cathy
Sunday, September 22, 2002 at 21:52:02

Hello, it's been some time since I wrote in. I have had more injections and a cervical rhizotomy. They didn't work. One day I had 3 sets of injections, 2 to the upper occipital nerve and 1 to the lower occipital nerve. I baffled the Dr. He put over 8cc of lidacain and I still felt his finger tips.

So the Neurosurgeon is going to do an occipital neurectomy Oct. 15. Not much out there on the web about it. Once it's cut, that's it, but I don't care, I can't live like this much longer. I told him to cut all the pain nerves in the head (he wouldn't!)

My pain Dr (as I call him) upped my oxycontin because my system is getting used to the dosage I am on. He said after the surgery I will still have the pain of the surgery, but it should get better in 2 weeks. After that I have to go for physical therapy on the neck muscle. It is in spasm all the time and sticks out, making my neck look lopsided.

I do notice around that time of the month the pain is worse. My gyne said that I might be peri-menapausal (43 yrs old), but she doesn't think that is affecting my headaches.

Finally I get to my question for help. Has any one had an occipital neurectomy and did it help? The Neurosurgeon isn't 100% hopeful since the injections didn't work. I pray that everyone on the site has had a day of pain free living. Thanks

Sheri <zeusnkatz@aol.com>
Sunday, September 22, 2002 at 18:47:33

Yesterday I had an 'attack'. My headaches are getting worse as I get older. (hormonal?) I felt an overwhelming sense that something was going to happen and then about 30 minutes later, my vision was disturbed so that, whatever I looked at appeared to have black holes in it. About the size of my hand. People's faces, anything I looked at. I was very pale (workmates advised). I could not have driven my car, so didn't leave work. I felt anxious but did not feel ill until the headache actually came, about 40 minutes later. I was then nauseous and tired. The headache was compressing, over my right eye. Constant and debilitating. It lasted about two hours and was relieved with paracetamol. I took two aspirin later that night and slept reasonably well. The next day (today) I feel very tired and jaded. Is this a classic migraine? Usually my headaches occur over one eye and are relieved by paracetamol/aspirin and sleep. I have never had the hallucinations before. Female (40 years) Australia

Sue <sbroom@vtown.com.au>
Friday, September 20, 2002 at 23:19:49

I just found this site and it is such a relief to know that I am not alone in my sufferings. I am 25 years old and have had migraines since I was about 19. They started when I had some impacted wisdom teeth and then they never stopped coming.

This is what I have learned...
1) Most migraine sufferers are prone to have the headaches, and it can take one thing (e.g. auto accident, wisdom teeth, etc...) to release them.

2) My mom had migraines at my age and they went away as she got older.

3) I typically have migraines around my menstrual cycle... the headaches can come from a hormonal flux and SOME BC pills can help lesses the severity of them.

4) As with any medical condition, stress and pattern changes can make the situation worse.

5) There is a such thing as a rebound headache... if you take too much medication to get rid of the migraine... you will likely have another headache within the next few days.

6) My triggers are:
foods: oil, oinions, galic, red meat
smells: paint, cologne, perfume, exhaust, gasoline, household cleaners
vision: strobe lights, bright lights, revolving objects

7) When medication has not worked, a few times I placed my hand on the area of pain and prayed for God to heal me. I fell asleep and woke up renewed.

8) Most migraine medications are designed to work at the on-site of the headache. (ex. Imitrex does not work once the migraine comes on).

9) Sometimes, 2 BC headache powders works better than any prescription medication.

10) Migraines are an emotional illness. Sometimes you feel lonely and like you are going to lose everyone around you. Sometimes those you love (if they can't relate) make some really hurtful comments.

11) Migraines can come from extreme sadness as well as extreme joy.

12) Migraines are more common in women, than men.

13) A recurring headache that comes everyday, at the same time of daym for an extended period of time, may not be a migraine. It may be a "cluster headache" (especially happens in men)

14) Migraines has caused me to lose vision in my right eye. They can render you totally useless.

15) If you've never had one, you don't fully understand. However, if you are reading this site because you want to understand what your loved one goes through... God bless you. You are better than most.

Well, that's about it for now. I am sitting here dealing with the dull leftover pains of a migraine that kept me up all last night. I hope my message can help, at least one person. God bless you all. You are not alone!

Anna <aharderway@yahoo.com>
Friday, September 20, 2002 at 10:18:42

I am so thankful to have found this journal. I am 21 years old, a mother of three, and have had severe migraines since I was 10 years old. I am finally starting to recover from the headache that has made my life hell for the last 10 days. The pain starts in the base of my neck and spreads to the entire right side of my head within 10-15 minutes. My temples feel like they are being sucked into my head, and I have a vein (right above my temple) that bulges out so far you can actually see it throbbing. I can remember having these headaches as a small child, crying at recess because i wished I could be "normal" and not hurt all the time. My mom also reminded me of how I used to dissappear when my head hurt. She would find my sleeping in the diningroom, under the table (dark & quiet). The headaches seemed to go away for a few years (the years I spent pregnant and having my children), but I have been having them almost daily for the past two years. After two middle-of-the-night trips to the ER in the last week for shots of reglin and morphene, my doctor finally realized these are not "stress headaches" and decided I needed to see a neurologist. So far I have been on Elavil, Imitrex, Zomig, Duradrin, and Fioricet. The duradrin seemed to relieve some of the throbbing, but after being on it for months, it no longer has the same effect. The fioricet helps pretty well, but it is very hard to get my doctor to understand this. She says pretty much the same things that I have read about in these journals...that I am just looking for painkillers, and that I am bringing it on myself, causing rebound headaches from taking it so often. She has now cut off all my other meds, and has prescribed Celebrex and Verapamil CR as preventative meds, and Axert for the pain. None of these have done a thing to help. If anyone out there can reccomend anything...PLEASE DO. I hate feeling so worthless. Being told by the doctors that I am depressed is even worse. Maybe they should experience a splitting headache that lasts for days at a time, wakes you up in the middle of the night, and makes you so frantic you want to bash your head into the wall, WHO WOULDN'T BE DEPRESSED BY THAT !?! I am just tired of having to send my children to my mom's house for days at a time because I can't function enough to take care of them. (Their ages are 5,4 & 2...in other words, they are extremely active!) I am open to any suggestions people might have. It's been great to sit here and blow off some steam to anyone who is reading this. Thanks for listening. ~AMANDA~
Milwaukee, WI

Amanda <LilMissAmanda@juno.com>
Friday, September 20, 2002 at 10:13:47

Classic Migraine w and w/o socotomata, numbness around mouth,
phonophobis, photophobia, etc. 3-5 x's per week since 1986.
since 1996 every day. Use Zomig, Amerge, and Imitrix (all 3).
Pain clinics, trigger studies, all sorts of drugs, biofeedback, etc. Not much help.

Now the good news.

I just finished 37 days with only 2x's having to Zomig. I started taking something called 'Mannatec' 3 months ago. One
pill and 3 little spoons of powder. Something called "Glycotechnology". Some sort of food. "Manna" indeed to me.

Oh, yeah. I started drinking green tea from big tea leaves.

Hope it helps. Grace, lew

Lew Twist <ljohn_97123@yahoo.com>
Thursday, September 19, 2002 at 05:41:41

Hi. I do not suffer from migraines, but I'm trying to learn more about the subject because my wife does, and it hurts me to see her in so much pain.
I've read through many postings and it appears that most people are very sensitive to light. It then occured to me that this site should be on a dark background instead of this blinding white - don't you think? Rule #1 in web design: Know your audience. My criticism stops there, however. I found postings and other information to be most helpful. Thanks.

Paul <paulguyandersen@earthlink.net>
Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at 19:30:53

Hi Everyone

I am writing from Mount Gambier in South Australia and have recently come accross this resource after being diagnosed with "migrainial aura experiences"

These "experiences" seem to have been present for seven or so years and presented as sudden G-force similar pressure to the side of my head. After or about the same time as this, I would experience a grey circle around my vision and this would tunnel outward until such time as my vision would become a pin point. The next thing that I would know would be staring up at the ceiling or clouds wondering what the hell had happened.

There was generally no pain, apart from a dull headache after these attacks. On average there was nopattern to these things. The first year I had several of these episodes and then nothing for a year or so. Being a typical male, I took the ostrich option and buried my head in the sand especially after several blood tests and CAT scans showed nothing. Several years later, the experiences evolved. Thanking God for small mercies, I rarely reach the passing out stage these days.

Recently I had one of the worst experiences due to the longevity of it. They began as tingling, numbing sensations in the hand and feet with dizziness and uncoordinated motor movement. Then came the bit that really freaked me out. I experienced "hallucinations" of dripping colours which lasted to varying degrees, for several days accompanied by intense feelings of anxiety, paranoia and anger for no logical or tangible reason. This has been the worst experience to date but I have had numerous hallucinatory and affective symptoms in recent months.

Thankfully I found a doctor that took my case seriously and referred me to a neurologist in Adelaide. In sum, the neurologist has diagnosed "migranial aura experiences". No intense headache to speak of just a dull ache and feeling of being totally washed out after the attack. To add to my confusion, the neurologist has attributed the affective symptoms to Generalized Anxiety Disorder with speculation as to whether the anxiety provokes the aura experience or the aura experience provokes the anxiety. After enduring EEGs, CATs etc etc I feel I am left with a diagnoses and relatively little else. I am yet to have a follow up appointment with my General Practitioner, but the neurologist seems to think there is relatively little intervention with regard to the hallucination etc.

I have self diagnosed over the years and having served in the Gulf war with the British army, my wife thought I may have had Gulf War Syndrome. It appears that this is not the case.

I have also researched the possibility of worst case scenarios IE stroke warnings, MS etc but this also appears not to be the case.

So I am sort of trying to decide which way to jump as these things are quite debilitating. On reading some of the entries in this site, many of you people have my heart felt sympathy and my admiration with regard to the pain that you endure. My reson for being prompted to write is due to wondering whether any other people experience similar symptoms as myself and, if so, is there any treatment etc.

Thanks for reading

Jason Stevens <jezstevens@ozemail.com.au>
Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at 08:01:57

I have been getting terrible headaches everyday now for the past two months. The headaches come everyday between 3pm and 6pm and sometimes last up to five to six hours. I don't know if they are migraines or not. I have been going to a doctor and chiropractor for a number of weeks. I am physically fit, cardio and weights. I do take supplements, however I stopped using them for two weeks now and that has not helped. I also thought, since my job can be extremely stressful at times, that is was stress. But, I get the headaches on my days off too when I'm relaxing. No medications have worked for this. Sometimes I break out in a cold sweat and get fell like I'm going to throw-up. I'm going for an MRI soon and I hope that tells me what is wrong. If anybody has any idea's, please e-mail me (tweslo@cox.net).

T. Wes

T. Wes <tweslo@cox.net>
Monday, September 16, 2002 at 16:16:49

Hi, I have just been reading through the entries and it's sad to see so many people who suffer from these drastic migraines. I am a 35 yr old male and have had severe migraines since the age of 14. I saw Dr after Dr and had tests after test and to no avail. Their first thought was a brain tumor but that was quickly ruled out with a brain scan ( thank goodness ). The Drs then moved on to diet changes and elimination of certain foods and possible triggers but that made no difference either. In Sept 2000 I was laid off from my job and within 2 weeks I started having severe neck probs, I woke up one morning and couldn't move my neck. After consulting with my family Dr and seeing many Drs & therapists, they discovered I had severely herniated discs in my lower neck. It took visits to 4 different surgeons and countless Neurologists before they opted to operate, and finally on June 5th this year ( 2002 ) I had my surgery. All the Drs figured my neck problems were the cause of these devastating migraines. I had 6 weeks of relief after surgery then BAM... they started again... before my surgery I had a migraine everyday from Jan 2001 to June 2002. Now I am back to being miserable and STILL unable to work due to these nasty migraines. It's been 2 yrs since I last worked or had an income and there's no sight of any relief of work in the near future. Over the years I have had many meds... here's a small portion of some I've had.... maybe they might work for some of you who suffer from these Toradol - Amitryptilene - Fiorinal - Imitrex - Propanalol - Percocet - Percodan - Demerol - Morphine... and the list goes on & on... My Dr says I am totally immune to pain meds which sucks, but what can I do....I keep trying new meds and my body keep rejecting them. He said our last ditch effort is to try Botox injections but they cost $543 every 3 months and with no income that is out of the question, plus the fact that it may not even work. I wish you all good health and hope we can ALL find relief someday soon. I haven't given up all hope after 21 yrs and I hope you don't either.
Best Wishes,
Mac

Mac <stinger_sss@hotmail.com>
Monday, September 16, 2002 at 11:30:37