Dear fellow migraineurs,
I hope things are looking up.
Karen Kordakis wrote in April about "Proanthenol" from LifePlus saying
it took away her migraine headaches in three (3) days. Has anyone tried
"Proanthenol" and what has been your response?
I am in a test program looking at Neurontin (an anti-epileptic drug) as
an aid for migraine sufferers. I have been taking Neurotin (or a
placebo) for a couple of weeks now. My daily headaches seem to be
somewhat better but no where at a satisfactory level. Thank goodness
for Imitrex when I can get it from my neurologist. I'll keep everyone
informed how Neurontin works for me.
Take care and God bless.
---dbird-phoenix@worldnet.att.net
I am 28 yr. old migraine and cluster headache sufferer. Since my first
pregnancy (6 years ago). The last few years have been hell, except during
my second pregnancy where I relatively headache-free (I had 4 headaches in
the entire 9 months!).
I am on depakote right now, and they are upping my dose. I am already
sleepy and lethargic (with two kids this is almost worse than the
headaches!). Even worse, the depokote has not even slowed them down. I
have tried Stadol (I feel like a rock, and pretty much act like one too),
demerol (ditto, but with the added bonus of being able to sit under
fluorescent lights in an ER for 3 hours and being looked at like a druggie
waiting for a fix - can't find a better way to spend a Saturday).
My problem is this. I have taken so many drugs, both abortive and
preventive, and none (SO FAR) have worked (Imitrix has very little effect).
At this point I would rather wait for the migraine and take a pain pill.
At least I am in control of the relief I need for my pain. With all the
others (depokote included) I have no idea what they are doing to my body.
If there are any beneficial effects, I don't know of them.
Additionally, any women out there who have been told they have migraine and
cluster (I thought cluster headaches mostly happened in men??) and what
meds/therapies have been useful?
I live in the Los Angeles area and would welcome any suggestions on where
to go, who to see. I need to find either a cure (I am ALWAYS hopeful) or
find a way to manage the pain with medication with a doctor who is willing,
compassionate and knowledgeable.
P.S. I don't think being relatively headache-free is a good enough reason
to more children... Though I do see it as an option...
---Heidy_Crow@MCKINSEY.COM
Hi Ronda!
I have suffered from headaches and migrains my entire life. I pretty
much had a headache everyday. Some were so bad I would get sick and
have to stay in bed. I am so frustrated because I feel like I have
missed out on so much. When I was younger I didn't realize I was having
migraines. My parents took me to all kinds of doctors to try different
things. When I reached highschool and college, my headaches were
better. I would get a bad one every now and then, but not everyday. I
felt like I could live a normal life.
After college I went on the pill which I believe cuased unbearable
migraines which would last a week. The imitrex was wonderful for
awhile, but then it wasn't enough.
My husband and I recently had a baby, he is 5 1/2 months. Since I have
had him, I have had a constant headache. It has gotten so bad somedays
my husband has to take me into the ER. I am seeing a nuerologist and
the past 5 months have tried many different things. Some of the
medication is so strong it knocks me out. It has been so hard because I
am not able to do the things I enjoy and the things I have to do, I
don't want to do, especially getting out of bed. I teach special ed.
and lately I don't even want to face my students. I am beginning to
give up hope and I have become very depressed. If anyone can give me
some encouragement, I would really appreciate it.
eeding@remc7.k12.mi.us
I am a 34 year old female that has been suffering from headaches since I
was about 16. It was originally diagnosed as a deviated septum, then
sinuses and eventually migraines. I had sinus/deviated septum surgery
in July of 1996. Although I can see a difference in the "sinus"
headaches, I am still suffering from migraines. My doctor (who is
absolutely wonderful) wanted to send me to a biofeedback specialist.
Unfortunately my insurance wouldn't cover it. She got around it by
sending me to a therapist. After weeks of ultrasound and exercise
therapy the headaches subsided. Unfortunately, they have started back
up again. I've noticed that the last few months I have gotten a
migraine with my period. This is something new. The headaches are
really weird though. I use to have an aura before the migraines (I saw
spots floating by on the left side), but now I don't. They feel like
sinus headaches (pain in the front of the face, over the eyebrows, along
the checkbones). The pain radiates on one side then moves to the other
side and at times is all over. The pain eventually travels to the back
of my head and in my neck/shoulder area. I also have pain running down
my spine when I have these headaches. Like others, I too was diagnosed
with TMJ. I wear a splint at night. I went through three splints in
about 7 months (the first one only lasted a week!). There are times the
headache is so bad that it is too uncomfortable to wear the splint. I
have tried various medicines but was told by a previous doctor that I
didn't "suffer enough" to take medicine on a regular basis. Who
determines how much one must suffer? This was obviously someone who
never had a migraine in his entire life. My (new) doctor has just
called in a prescription for another medicine (name unknown at this
time). Hopefully this will help. Only problem, it's suppose to make me
sleepy so I can't take it at work. Does anyone else suffer from these
same symptoms? Has anything helped you?
---leachc@msnotes.wustl.edu
I am a 48-year-old female and have had migraine headaches since I was in
my 20s, treated only with over-the-counter meds until recently. The
headaches got much worse when I became premenopausal four years ago.
After several trips to the doctor for Demerol shots and a T3
prescription, I went to a neurologist who diagnosed classic migraines
(family history, personality, stress, extreme sensitivity to light and
noise, nausea). I now keep a calendar to track the headaches (which
sometimes last several days), take OTC meds if I catch them soon enough,
and take Imitrex shots if I don't. So far, this is working, but the doc
is still having me track them to see if we can find the trigger. I
suspect they are brought on by tension (I have a very high-stress job,
busy family, heavy responsibilities in all facets), lack of sleep,
hormones (I'm now on PremPro), and maybe missing meals. Headaches occur
often AFTER a stressful time, when I go to bed finally able to relax,
then wake up with a massive headache and vomitting, just as thought I
had scheduled time for a headache. Using the current plan, I went three
months without a HA, then had a three-day one, then went another month
pain free.
I am also a bruxer (someone who grinds teeth at night, another sign of
stress) and have worn a mouthpiece to save my teeth and cut down on jaw
muscle pain for years. In addition, I suffer from burning feet - it
actually feels like my feet are blistering from the soles up. My
neurologist says this is a form of syndrome called "burning feet and
restless legs." I saw in Larry's case history that he's discovered an
iron deficiency anemia relates to restless legs and migraines. I am
anxious to share that with my neuro at next visit.
---Cheryl from Fort Worth kensings@flash.net
Ronda,
I just wanted to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has e-mailed me
since I first sent in my migraine story. It has been wonderful to find
people who understand what a life-affecting condition this is.
Corresponding with fellow migraineurs has also made me feel like I was able
to do something positive for myself and for other people. It is great
therapy for dealing with the debilitating psychological effects of living
with a life-long condition.
Thanks,
---Dan bjd.do@worldnet.att.net
Hi my name is Harry. I have been a migrraine suffer for 30 years, I
suffer from classic migraine, i will only be able to see 3/4 0f an
immiage and with in 30 mins. i will have a full blown migrqaine. I have
been keeping a diary of my headaches trying to find what triggers my
headaches. I have norrowed it down to glare from the sun, if i go out in
the bright sun light without sunglasses i can count on getting a
migraine. I have also found that excessive amounts of cafine is bad
news. I treat my headaches with Excedrin and Midrin. Usualy i can obtain
relief by taking my meds and going to a dark room to sleep. However
about 4 times a year i need to go to the ER. and get an injection of
Demerol 100 mg. and phenergen 75 mg. These work extremely well for me
and provide me with relief, usually in 8 hours. However the down side is
the wise cracks i receive from the ER, people about how often i come
there for injections. I don't fell that 4 times a year is excesive. If
any one out there has any imput on this i would appreciate hearing from
you. I am one of the unlucky people who is not allowed to take Imitrex,
due to mild conoray heart disease. From what i havve been reading on
this journal of suffers it sounds like a wounderful drug for migraine
suffers.Thanks Rhonda for this page. What a great way of sharing info on
migraineIf any one out there would like to "chat" chat sheilae@yolo.com
