Case Histories - April 1998 #12

Hello everyone, I was diagnosed today (march 25, 98) with migrains by a nuerologists at chapel hill unc. This came after a year of testing, mri's, cat scans, nueroconductivity tests and eeg's. They tell me I have nerve damage, that the mycelin is being eaten away from my nerves. This they say is possibly linked to the onset on Multiple Sclorosis. The dr. at unc disagrees and says its migrains with auras. Oh well, he informed me that the blurring vision associated with the little white spots that cruise along my line of vision are called auras. The not being able to focus and see whats going on is part of the migrain. I also experience numbness and tingling in my left hand that creeps up to my shoulder, also my toung and bottom lip starts to tingle and go numb. All of this is before the so called headache sets in. Mine I dont consider a headache. I refer to it as if someone took their fist and punched you as hard as they could in the top of my head on the right side. This sore spot in my head lasts for about 2 to 3 days before it goes away. I experienced the first one a year ago and they have been getting worse and more frequent every since. I have declined the use of any medicine because I am stubborn and dont quite understand what is going on. I have had three different diagnosis and that is how I found this webpage, by doing research on migrains. After reading some of the history's especially amo21's I believe that I am having migrains and that I owe the dr. at unc chapel hill and apology. It threw me way bad to know that the numbness I was feeling,or not feeling, I should say, is actually associated with a migrain headache. I thank you all for helping me to understand a little bit better about what is going on with my head and body. I dont understand the triggers though. I have had these things come on at the best times in my life, sitting in my recliner reading a book or driving down the interstate listening to my favorite music. I have to drive about 45 minutes on the interstate to get to work. I guess I am going back to the dr.'s again. Thank you again and good luck. Anyone with suggestions on what types of med's to stay away from let me know. I work 50 hrs a week and have a 4 year old little son, and a 15 year old teen girl. They might miss me if their momma is laid up on some serious drugs. Right now I just make do with trying to get out of the light and cutting the volume down on the tv. I hate taking medicines but I guess I am going to have to get over that. Bye for now...Pen

---PENNY <LUNARTIC2@AOL.COM>
NC USA -

I'M 23 YRS OLD AND CAN REMEMBER SUFFERING WITH MIGRAINES AS FAR BACK AS 3RD GRADE. THEN I HAD SPONTANEOUS NOSEBLEEDS THAT ACCOMPANIED THEM-NOW REPLACED BY BLURRED VISION. LATELY EVEN WHEN I'M NOT HAVING A MIGRAINE I AM EXPERIENCING BLURRED AND DOUBLE VISION AND DECREASED PERIPHERAL VISION. I HAVE ABOUT 3 EXTREME MIGRAINE A MONTH AND NUMEROUS LIVABLE BUT PAINFUL SMALLER ONES. I HAVE BEEN TO THE NEUROLOGISTS AND HAVE BEEN ON NUMBEROUS MEDS-SOME WORK FOR A WHILE BUT I BUILD UP A TOLERANCE. I'VE EXPERIENCED THE BAD TREATMENT AT ER'S TRYING TO GET RELIEF FROM ESPECIALLY BAD MIGRAINES. RIGHT NOW VICODIN PILLS OR DEMEROL INJECTIONS ARE SEEMING TO HELP BUT WILL PROBABLY LOOSE THERE EFFECTIVENESS TOO. THANKS FOR LISTENING T MY TIRADE OF WHINING BUT A PERSON CAN ONLY BE SO STRONG IN THE FACE OF PAIN AND I'M FED UP. I WOULD GLADLY ACCEPT ANY TREATMENT SUGGESTIONSAND ANY SIMILAR STORIES

---AMANDA RODGERS <ARODG93548@AOL.COM>
LAKE CHARLES, LA USA -

This web page has been a god send. I'm 25 years old and suffer from migraines. My doctor is understanding, and he tries desperately to try to help, but I know he cannot imagine what it is like. My migraines started at 18 and triggers of stress were easily identified. Unitl now. these las t 6 months they have been coming fast and furious. My doctor insists its stress and no matter how many times I tell him I'm not stressed until I get them he still does not understand. He's given me medication to stop the pain but I am refusing to take it. I want to hang on until I can. I've stopped eating caffee, chocolate, sugary foods and so on. My family are very understanding and support as are my workmates but to actuall converse with people who cry and suffer as I is beneficial. Thank you to you all, for telling your stories and to those who don't understand especially the medical profession, May you never experience the pain that we talk about. You should know better we're not freaks. Again THANK YOU!

---Rina
Aust -

Hi everyone!!! I hope I am not being a pest...I am in need for some feedback on bad ER visits and/or some info on pain clinic/headache clinic experiences. I have been to both and have had NO success. The ER is a nightmare every time I manage to get there (I'm sure you know how difficult it is to even get in a car and be driven there) then to have to wait for who knows how long, and then to be treated like nothing more than a druggie looking for another fix. I am trying to put together a story about all this for everyone to see. I believe there is comfort in sharing, at least for myself. Again, please feel free to email me at TVallieu@aol.com with your experiences. Thanks to all who have already written to me. It means alot. Hoping all of you have some success in your treatment, whatever it is. Tracey

---Tracey <TVallieu@aol.com>
USA -

Hello, I am a first timer, as I read all of your ordeals with Migraines, I at least know I am not the only one who has went from Dr. to Dr. from Medication to Medication trying to find releife from the pain, I get my migraines about every two to three weeks and they last about two days, I know when they are coming on, I have tried so many things even mood stableizers I am tired of going to Dr.'s but I am still trying to find something to get releife, I am going to try a new drug called Migranal, that you are to spray in your nose, onece then 15min later again in both nostrals, The pharmacy said it is so new she could not give me any information on it. If there is nayone out there that has tried this drug or knows anything about it I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. God Bless and Good Luck in finding releife to you all. This is a very good Web. site Jeannie

---Jeannie <djcamp@kalnet.com>
USA -

I have had migraines since 1989, been thru every medication, neuro and whatever. I HAVE FOUND A FORMULA THAT WORKS FOR ME!!! I truly believe it is a combination of daily meds and abortive ones. Here's mine: 300mg/day Nuerontin, 200mg/day Wellbutrin 10mg/day Paxil and 1/2mg Xanax when headace comes on and Staydol for the really bad ones. If you can find a Neuro that is willing to try combination of drugs. You might find the one that works for you. I'm down from one a day to one every 4 to 6 weeks!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

---Chris Dillard <chris.dillard@fanb.com>
Nashville, TN USA -

Some people have discovered that they can prevent their migraines by avoiding food that contains tannin. With the help of Jeanette Navia (who prevents her migraines by avoiding tannins) I have set up a web page discussing this. It is at mmather@aracnet.net>
Toronto, ON Canada -