OH MY GOD!!! I finally feel like I belong somewhere. Oh please someone go to my DR with me. I have a man Dr and he just seems so insenstive to my pain. I ave had MIGRAINES for over a year now and I am only 30 and feel 60 whenone hits. I have one trying to start now behind my left eye and It has been hiding there since about 3:00 today and it is near 11:00 now. I hate the slow ones. They just eat you alive from the inside out.
Alot of you blame it on the weather. Do you really think so? I can not pin poiont mine. I kow I get them if I try to drive at night, the car lights coming at me or driving into the sunset kills me.
Lucky for me my Husband is very caring and understanding. He has suffered do to a severe car wreck in '96. He is better now but now I suffer. And I mean SUFFER. As for the ER I know what you mean. I have gone and sat there crying and throwing up and got litle or no sympathy, other than from other patients. I must go now my Migraine is calling my Name.

michelle <michellehare@webtv.net>
Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at 22:23:55

Hi there!
This is my first visit to this site, and it won't be my last. I found several useful ideas to help with my migraines. I was diagnosed with migraines at the tender age of seven. That was 26 years ago...I've tried every thing made...The most relief I have found, kept me headache free for 8 months. I saw a chiropractor. The first time I went, he took xrays and showed me how badly my spine was out of alignment. I went for adjustments 17 times the first month, and have gradually cut back to one visit every 3 weeks. I made some lifestyle changes: I got rid of my waterbed, I refused to let my kids sleep with me(it breaks up my sleep), I cut down on caffeine and sugar, and I have seen a neurologist. This dr. prescribed Amitryptiline at night, to help me sleep solidly. I take one Imitrex at the first trigger of a headache. My headache actually gets worse at this point, and if I can lay my head down for an hour or so, I get up feeling like a new person. I take Metoclopramide (generic for something...) for the nausea. The key is: I have to take it at the first sign of a headache...Because if I am too far into it, nothing helps, besides a pillow over my head, the blinds shut and a heating pad on my neck. Then, I have to sleep it off...usually 6-10 hours. I've had only one or two headaches a month for the past couple years since going to the chiro. Compared to 2-3 per week previously. I definitely recommend getting in alignment!

Nina <ninann2001@yahoo.com>
Tuesday, April 17, 2001 at 21:46:24

Well its een a long long long time since i posted here. my migranes accompied by movement disorder still have not gone away completely ... but it has reduce significantly since i went to the allergist and found out i was allergic to wheat,corn, nut, chocolate, bananas , certain fruits, coke,pepsido you see a cycle i am allergic to most migrane triggers so getting all theses things out of my diet has helped
me live more comfortably... it has been a hard road trying to alternative meals and grains in a society so based on wheat and cornits almost impossible but perservere i must and i will.... heres to a pain free day

John C
Tuesday, April 17, 2001 at 15:48:25

I spent some time reading all the experiences posted to this page, looking specifically for treatment modalities. I think that my neurologist at the Vanderbilt Head Pain Center is prescribing a treatment that I did not find in any of the other postings. He administers an injection of a local anesthetic (barcaine) in each of the nerve centers located in the back of the head. I will not say that they have made me head pain free, but they have eased the constant pain I suffer. I have been diagnosed with chronic, perpetual migraine (this one has been since January 17th of this year). I've made the rounds to my Internist, and Allergist and an ENT, then was finally able to be referred to a neurologist who specializes in headache! What a relief to finally have my pain perceived as real and a disease. We are also trying Compazine and Maxalt (Malaxt has been a lifesaver for me) and also Topomax at night. Zomig and Amerge, as well as Imitrex have become ineffective. I think we all know that while things like Percodan are nice to escape the pain; we cannot function as viable human beings on narcotics. Is anyone else using these injections? I'd like to hear from others in our quest for head pain free days.

Christie <Christie0918@aol.com>
Saturday, April 14, 2001 at 14:47:33

GEEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WISH IT WOULD RAIN ALREADY!
Sorry bout that but I am so tired of having this darn headache I don't know what to do. Off again on again...........this is the life of spring and me. I am venting so if you don't want to read that's ok I just had to talk to someone. I can resemble the remark about knowing when the weather is going to change. Rain is the worst for me also. I just wish that it would storm here real bad and get if over with. I have had these monsters for bout 14 years now and they are "under controll" if you will. But lately I cannot do anything without my meds right by me. Cause don't you know as soon as they aren't I get a killer. I HATE going to the er because the way that they treat me thinking that I am a druggie. So I haven't gone there in oh about two years. (even thought I have needed to many times) They basically say take two of these and call me in the morning. So I just lie in bed with the blinds closed and cry because it hurts so bad. Anyway thanks for listening. Nikki

nikki <sonflr@aol.com>
Wednesday, April 11, 2001 at 20:37:23

Jhona,
I read a book about migraines one time that told the story about how during the blizzard of '79 on the east coast, there were more reported emergency room admissions of patients with migraine attacks, than any time in history. So, you're not alone. I think that's what makes this line great; knowing there are so many others out there who deal with this horrible pain. I just had one of the worst weekends ever, no doubt due to the fluctuations in the spring weather on the east coast. One minute it's 45 degrees and raining, the next hour it's 75 and sunny. It just wreaks havoc on us. Everywhere I go I see people clutching their heads and complaining of head pain. I have a theory, I'm sure it's not so original, that most migraines are pressure related, whether barometric pressure, blood pressure or whatever, it's that shift in pressure that triggers the unbearable symptoms. I think the only solution for most of us is to find an understanding doctor who will provide us with the medication we need (easier said than done). The medications needed seems to vary incredibly between patients, that's what is so confusing to the medical profession.

Good Luck to everyone,
Clyde

Clyde Lassell <Classell@ix.netcom.com>
Tuesday, April 10, 2001 at 10:59:26

First time in memory that I have had 3 days off from a migraine. But as I write at 1:30 in the morning the nasty little pressure that starts to climb the back of my head is beginning. It can mean only one thing, that rain is a coming! I have the peculiar trigger of rain for my migraines. Really barometric pressure changes. I am highly sensitive to fluctuations. It took my neuro and me close to two years to figure that out. Unfortunately there are no specific meds that help with this kind of trigger except maybe change my geography. but weather is everywhere. when a storm is brewing I am crippled. chained to my bed clutching my painkillers in the dark with my sensitive kitties near by. this has been going on now for 9 years, I'm 43 and prior to being a migraineur (spelling?) I never even got a headache. Just needed to vent, preparing the pain...

jhona <jhona107@worldnet.att.net>
Friday, April 6, 2001 at 00:55:24

I posted a message venting my frustrations yesterday, about how friends and family sometimes add guilt to the migraine package. After not having headaches for a year and a half, I find myself more able to see all the ramifications involved with the migraines, such as missing out on fun events, missing half your life while recovering, missing out on your children growing up, having headaches when a child needs you, etc. and so on. But, I do have confidence that my headaches will go away again if I am strict enough with myself to go through the anti-candida diet again. I wanted to let others know aboput this, others that might not know of this problem. Several years ago, my acupuncturist thought that this might be the problem. It is caused usually by the use of antibiotics, and some other things cause it as well. But generally, the antibiotics kill all the bacteria in your intestines leaving open fields for the candida yeast, which also lives in the intestines. The yeast basically take over and go nuts, causing all kinds of problems, from vitamin deficiencys, to alergies, to headaches. Some women find themselves getting frequent yeast infections and some people find themselves getting frequent other fungal infections, but this is not always the case. I had no other infections, but one of the things that I have, and I have read a lot about, is this weird foggy confused tired feeling that comes on in the afternoon. Anyway, the candida problem is not accepted by many physicians, perhaps because they are responsible for it. I found my information for my diet on the internet. I gathered many many resources and then combined them to work it out for myself. I basically cut starch, sugar, dairy, wheat, corn and vinegar out of my diet, and took 3 capsules of capricin with some kind of licoric capsules, desicated?, I don't remember what it is called. But it reduces the pain from capricin headache. You get a capricin headache because apparently the yeasts are dying, and when the do that the put some kind of formaldyhyde (spelling?) type stuff into your bloodstream, which gives you a headache. The Desicated Licorice helps rid your body of that toxin. Anyway, if you are interested in doing this diet, you must be firm and committed, or it won't work. It is so worth it though.
Sincerely,
Jennifer

Jennifer <gardenofartists@cs.com>
Thursday, April 5, 2001 at 19:49:07

I am an 18 year old girl who has recently started getting migraines. I had never had a migraine before until about 8 days ago when I started to notice this incredible pain on the right side of my head. About 2 days later I lost feeling in my left leg, arm and side of my face while at university. I went to the doctor and he couldn't find anything wrong with me but told me to go to ER if the same thing happened again. 4 days later I woke up at 5 am with my arm flopping around uncontrollably, just like what happened the first time. My mother drove me to ER where I spent 2 hours with no result. The doctor gave me "something for the nausea" (she didn't tell me what it was), but i began vomitting about 20 minutes later, and continued to do so at least 70 more times that day. It has been 8 days, and my migraine is STILL here. It won't go away and no over-the-counter drugs are doing anything for it. I had a CAT scan 2 days ago and don't know the results yet. Everytime my leg twitches or my arm goes slightly numb, I go into a complete panic. I'm finding it difficult to sleep because I am so afraid of living the rest of my life with these stroke-like symptoms that leave me so exhausted that I don't have to energy to do anything.

Jen Wilcox <elecktrik@phayze.com>
Thursday, April 5, 2001 at 13:30:44

I really just need to vent. I have had migraines for the past 17 years. Believe it or not I spent the past year and a half prior to the end of October virtually headache free, after treating myself for 6 months for candida with capricin. In that time, I was able to develop a lasting relationship, achieve some goals, and get married. Last October, I had a killer strain of bacterial flu, which required antibiotics to cure. I have had to once again go through the anti-candida, capricin diet, which is difficult because the foods allowed are very limited. This diet takes a while to start working and meanwhile causes gastrointestinal upset along with the headaches, and the capricin causes headaches at first also. I am totally pissed off, however, at my husband. Because of these headaches, and the diet, I haven't been as sexual as I would normally be. It was his birthday last night, and he got all pushed out of shape because I didn't feel good and didn't want to make love. I had a heating pad on my stomach and felt so terrible that I didn't even get ready for bed! I am so damn tired of people being upset with me for not feeling good. It is not like I can control my health at the drop of a hat. I think he should be happy that I am putting myself through this diet to get my headaches under control, rather than sitting around doped up on Codeines and Maxalt, which is how I spent January and part of February before I realized what I needed to do. I hate the guilt!!!! I urge every person out there who has a friend or family member with migraines, to not make them feel guilty!!! It is not their fault. They shouldn't have to cry themselves asleep, on top of their pain. It simply is not fair. Thank you for letting me share my feelings.
Sincerely,
Jennifer

Jennifer
Wednesday, April 4, 2001 at 22:15:49

Hi,

You know how sometimes the migraines are so bad you don't even have the energy to go to the doctor, or find a new doctor, or learn about other therapies and medications? I've found that lately my migraines come with a very foul mood and a super-dose of depression. Luckily it's eased up enough for me to move forward in my journey to learn more about my condition, to admit that I have a disability and towards better self-care. Finding this site has a been an exciting and resourceful step. Here's my story. My migraines started a month after I first menstruated. The pain was manageable but the dizziness, lights, nausea, and numbness in half my body scared the shit out of me. I had migraines a couple times a year as a teenager. When I began university they acted up during my first exams. I started seeing neurologists, specialists and the like. I spent a year abroad in 1998-1999 and returned for my Honours year with insane migraines. I had high anxiety, which I believe has to do with using Lariam-mefloquim - a badly unresearched malaria prophylactic while I was away. I had also spent the year living a stress-free lifestyle. So needless to say the migraines have sucked since then. Now they are less symptom focused and really really painful. Always pre-menstrual, menstrual and during ovulation, sometimes lasting a week, making life miserable for a student, or for anybody. They still bother me with the same frequency. I've tried amitriptyline as a preventive two seperate times. I used wigraine, migrainol, maxalt, zomig, imitrex, a lot of advil and anti-nauseants. I don't have a handle on what works. And I don't have a health plan. They are triggered by my hormones. What a pain in the ass - what can I do about my own hormones! (Ever hear that migraineurs have more estrogen in their body? - helped me understand my emotional tendencies!) The way I describe my triggers is like this:

""""_here's the base line of my normal healthy activity
if my hormonal cycle is changing the line goes higher----
if I have a stressful day the line goes higher-----
if I don't eat on time----bang!the lines gone too high migraine!

I hope some of this story makes sense and email me if you have questions. I have an inkling that the summer is better for me-less migraines-so the spring air is making me smile and take deep breaths of fresh Toronto air (!)

Genevieve Gallant <queenazuma@gurlmail.com>
Wednesday, April 4, 2001 at 18:18:18

Hi. I've visited this site several times before, but decided to post this time. I've had migraines since I was in high school. I didn't know what they were then, and they disappeared for a few years. About four years ago I was actually diagnosed as having migraines after I got extremely sick on a shopping trip and decided to see a doctor about it. I have tried Zoloft, Effexor XR, Darvocet, Fioricet, Imitrex tabs and injections, Amerge, Zomig and of course the usually over the counter things. I still haven't found anything that really works, except a hard sleep in a dark room. It bothers me when my coworkers make comments like, "Oh if you'd cut out the caffeine, you wouldn't have those headaches anymore." OR "Just relax. You worry too much." and other things like that. They are resentful of you having to miss work. I have to at least once per month if not more becuase the headaches are just excruciating. I am currently seeing a Specialist and I'm on Atenolol and Celexa with 100 mg tablets of Imitrex. Wish me luck and send me some advice if you have any!

Lynne <lynneblackb@aol.com>
Wednesday, April 4, 2001 at 16:19:58

My 24 year old brother has cluster headaches, and has had them
since he was app. years old. Last week his left eye would
not open after an episode of the headaches. After researching
on the net, he believes them to be opthamyalgesic migraines.
If you have any information on these, or if any medication
or treatment has helped would you please let us know.
thank you so much.

kerry
Tuesday, April 3, 2001 at 17:37:43

I have been suffering from migraines for years and now just take a daily preventative. I have being doing great, which is an amazing thing for me to say considering one of the drugs I was put on caused internal bleeding and required a blood transfusion and a week in the hospital. And they say migraines can't kill you! But now I only take one pill in the morning, which seems to work. But then like clockwork, spring hits and their back. Trying very hard not to go back to my crabby miserable self when all I want to do is lie down or throw up. The nasuea is so bad. Is there any one out there who suffers worse during the spring? Would love to hear from you and what you are doing to help.

susan <susan@mkb363.com>
Thursday, March 29, 2001 at 10:44:41

have had migrane since about 9 undiagnosed until last year im 21now. tried zomig now on sanomigran helpful enough but pill interferes still get migrane twice monthly definetly hormone related

olwen <olwen.madden@nuigalway.ie>
Thursday, March 29, 2001 at 09:21:48