Case Histories - May 1998 #6

I have suffered from migraines for 11 years now. I am currently going through a "cycle" constant back to back migraines for over four months now. I have tried every medication out there for preventatives and abortives. Right now I am going through a bottle of Stadol Nose Spray every two days. In March I was hospitalized for eight days and finally put on straight Morphine. After four days, the headache broke, I went home the next day, and three days later I got another headache. My doctor wont even give me the Demerol and Phenergan shots that used to be so helpful, the stingy idiot!!! Anyway, I finally went to a headache clinic in Dallas last week, and the doctor there is fixing to put me in the hospital for three days on the DHE IV treatment. I am extremly hopeful that this will work. I have read from alot of people that this did work for them, and others for whom it did not. I just found this site today and as strange as it may sound, it is very comforting to know that I am not alone in my "hell". As you all know, it is very frustrating to be treated like a hypocondriate (spelling???), or as though I am faking the pain. I have been on two seperate leave of absences from my job in the past four months. I am sure they are tired of looking at me while I am crying or holding my head!! This doctor in Dallas proclaims that I am suffering from rebound headaches, and at first I was very skeptical that this a true syndrome. I see it mentioned here in several places so maybe it is. I have been reading everything I can about it, but still, syndrome or not, I am in massive pain, and I dont care if they want to call it rebound or not, I dont think we should be denied medical help for our pain. I am sure all of you feel the same way. I guess the reason I am writing on here is for some venting as well as some re-assurance that I am not being stubborn with my thinking. As I said, I am very hopeful that this three days with the DHE will work, but what the heck does one do in the meantime??? Do you know what I mean? I know I am not crazy, especially after reading all of these entries. I am open for suggestions, afirmations, testimonials, and the such. Please feel free to email me. Thank you for your time......good luck to all of you in pain. May the "miracle" that will save all of us from despair or worse, come VERY soon!!!

---Pam <pgw@flash.net>
Southlake, TX USA -

Hi, i have tried DHE and found out i am allergic now i have some left over(new never used) my family doctor has advised me to give it away so if you are in need plz email me p.s hang in there guys.

---Marthe Boisseau <marthe1@hotmail.com>
rockland, on canada -

It seems I have been having headaches virtually every day since I turned 16 or so. That's really the earliest I remember headaches being an ongoing part of my daily life. A few years ago the headaches really went ballistic and became full-fledged migraines. I finally went to see a doctor and began a variety of treatments -- some worked, some didn't. So what else is new, right? You all know what I mean. Now I'm taking Imitrex tablets as needed but even that seems to be losing its effectiveness. I'm going through the early stages of menopause (that's pretty hard to admit!) and these changes seem to be affecting my migraines differently than before. I have other health problems (GERD & hiatal hernia) for which I take daily medications, my eyesight is changing dramatically, and I teach middle school. No pressure, huh? Anyway, enough complaining. If anyone has any advice or suggestions, I'd love to hear from you!
Beth Nelson <bnelson51@hotmail.com>
Chester, SC USA -

Hi all have posted here a few times and want to share with you a few things not related to migraines, but something I think all of us should know. Simple partial seizures result from epileptic activity which is localized in one part of the brain, usually the cortex or limbic system. Consciousness is not impaired: people experiencing a simple partial seizure can talk and answer questions. They will remember what went on during the seizure. Simple partial seizures take different forms in different people: •Sensory Seizures - Some simple partial seizures consist of a sensory experience. The person may see lights, hear a buzzing sound, or feel tingling or numbness in a part of the body. These seizures are sometimes called Jacksonian sensory seizures. •Motor - Other simple partial seizures include (clonic, jerking) convulsive movements. Jerking typically begins in one area of the body -- the face, arm, leg, or trunk -- and may spread to other parts of the body. These seizures are sometimes called Jacksonian motor seizures; their spread is called a Jacksonian march. It cannot be stopped. •Emotional and Other - Simple partial seizures which arise in or near the temporal lobes often take the form of an odd experience. One may see or hear things that are not there. One feels emotions, often fear, but sometimes sadness, anger, or joy. There may be a bad smell or a bad taste, a funny feeling in the pit of the stomach or a choking sensation. These seizures are sometimes called simple partial seizures of temporal lobe origin or temporal lobe auras. Here is another email written by a doctor specializing in Pediatric Epilepsy....Panic attacks may be manifestations of simple partial seizures, or they may be a separate issue from the seizures, or they may be related due to the unpredictability of the seizures. The only way to tell whether they are actual simple partial seizures is to catch one on EEG, if there is abnormal activity during the event, it probably is a seizure. If not, it's still a question, because some simple partial seizures don't show up on EEG. Amy There is plenty more information I would like to share. I will add here as soon as I copy it and will bring it back here. My intent is not to scare anyone. I am just looking for the answers to my migraines and thought that this would be something to share with everyone. I will keep you posted as to my progress and as soon as I get my online journal up and running will include the link here.

---Angi Davis <fred@staug.com>
Staug , Fl USA -

BECKY. I tried to e-mail you regarding your vascular spasmn and your strokes.I couldn't get the mail to send. Please e-mail me. Thanks.

---Julie <Jreicks@aol.com>
GR, Mi USA -