Hi there. I just found this journal while looking for info on migraines, which I have started suffering from recently although fortunately my attacks seem a lot milder than some other descriptions. Do many of you get numb fingers after an aura? I start with two numb fingers and it seems to move to the others, but is limited to one hand each time. It only lasts about 10 minutes but is kinda scary. I would like to hear from others who experience the same symptoms.
Jo
Jo <jo.duxbury@mailexcite.com>
London, UK - Tue Jun 9 10:44:35 1998
tyramine = migraine, dopamine = migraine, no coffee, no chocolate, no ice cream, no butter, no cream, no sweets, no cookies, no colas, no msg, no citrus(especially grapefruit & oranges(OJ TOO))) no teas, no cheese(especially pizza), no fresh breads. Follow a relatively high protein diet with carbs eaten after the protien(eat fresh greens with the carbs) drink lots of water. Be aware that tyramine is a chemical which occurs when foods age, so if your veggies aren't fresh this could cause a headache. This goes with other foods as well..if your eating meat that isn't fresh its tyramine content could cause a headache. Also pork should be avoided , it has a naturally high tyramine content w/o aging. Switching over to this diet is difficult(I call it eating like a monk) and withdrawl headaches will occur, However, if tyramine & dopamine intolerance is the cause of your migraines, this diet should help....it has helped me. Remember always consult a doctor before trying a new diet. Also remember, you are your own best doctor. Lastly, the body's natural state is NOT migraine...the migraine pain is a sign that something is wrong and needs to be corrected. Although this diet elimates most of the foods we all like to eat, it is better to go without than to live in pain(long term pleasure is always hardest). On this diet, I have now been getting only about 1 migraine per month, as opposed to 2-3 migraines a week when I'm eating trigger foods. Remember, you have to be your own migraine detective and look for possible triggers(BTW stress is NOT a trigger, otherwise we'd all have migraines 24/7). Also, drugs have both long term and short term side effects and should be gradually stopped. Keep up the good fight, the answers go to those who keep looking. KEEP THE FAITH.
bob
ct USA - Tue Jun 9 10:35:04 1998
Dear Readers: I am a fellow migrane sufferer. I am 17 years
old and I have headaches every day. I have been to 2 different
neurologists, a chiropractor, a nutritionalist, and my
family doctor. I have had these headaches for about 6 months
now. After going to see the neurologist I was given pamelor
which helped for awhile, then all of a sudden they started
coming back. The doctor says it is stress but I don't think
so. I think there is something wrong with my head. I have
muscle soarness in my neck all the time, it feels like there
is something clinching my muscles in my neck together, I get
this along with a headache which feels like this pressure
build up in the back of my head. They are not fun, I sleep
a lot and am not doing the things that I usually do like
work out at the gym, play softball. I want to get back to
doing those things. I am currently on a higher dosage of
pamelor, 7 different herbal medicines, and firocet. The
firocet(I think that is how you spell it)is for me to take
when I have a headache, and I am only supposed to take this
every six hours and that is when I take it and the Dr. says
that I take too much of it and that I am going to suffer from
withdrawl headaches and that will just cause more problems.
This journal has made me think that I am going to have
headaches for the rest of my life. I DON'T want that, there
has to be a cure somewhere! If there is anybody out there
who has some suggestions for me, please e-mail me at
Beaner1869@AOL.com
Sabrina <Beaner1869@AOL.com>
VA USA - Tue Jun 9 9:22:30 1998
Hi all! I am worried about headaches I have been getting recently (when I say recent, I mean within the last 6 months). I seems to come on for just about any reason and I can't find a trigger. I start to get a small, sharp pain underneath the bone above my right eye. Soon this pain turns almost unbearable. It gets to the point where I am upset to my stomach and can not concentrate on anything. Soon enough I get really hot (sweat) and this causes it to get worse. Then it spreads to above my left eye. This can last for several hours and sometimes longer. Am I dealing with a migrane or a different problem? I don't really know if I should seek medical attention. I had a CAT (sp?) Scan many months ago but it didn't reveal a thing. It seems, however, that these attacks are getting more frequent and with more pain. I am 28 years old and have never had this problem until recently.
Michael Dexter <michaelx@diamondmm.com>
San Jose, CA USA - Tue Jun 9 1:58:15 1998
Hi all! I am worried about headaches I have been getting recently (when I say recent, I mean within the last 6 months). I seems to come on for just about any reason and I can't find a trigger. I start to get a small, sharp pain underneath the done above my right eye. Soon this pain turns almost unbearable. It gets to the point where I am upset to my stomach and can not concentrate on anything. Soon enough I get really hot (sweat) and this causes it to get worse. Then it spreads to above my left eye. This can last for several hours and sometimes longer. Am I dealing with a migrane or a different problem? I don't really know if I should seek medical attention. I had a CAT (sp?) Scan many months ago but it didn't reveal a thing. It seems, however, that these attacks are getting more frequent and with more pain. I am 28 years old and have never had this problem until recently.
Michael Dexter <michaelx@diamondmm.com>
San Jose, CA USA - Tue Jun 9 1:57:13 1998
Hi everyone! I really enjoy reading this journal. It is very comforting to know I am not alone in my suffering. I have had severe debilitating migraines now for the past 17 years or so. I am on disability and cannot work due to my migraines. I am writing in the journal today to tell all of you that I have an appt with a new Neuro doc this Wed. I had to cancel my last appt due to...guess?? Yup! A migraine! I am really nervous about this upcoming appt due to the fact I have tried numerous times to find a good and caring doc who is willing to help me. This is my last chance at finding a good doc. If *this* Neuro doc doesn't work out I will be forced to go out of state for treatment. I really hope I do not have to do that! Are any of you familiar with really good Neuro doc's in the Atlanta, GA area? I am in the middle of a very painful viscious cyle. I take daily pain meds which I believe are causing a major part of my migraines.."rebounds." I take Tylenol #4 (double the strength of Tylenol #3), Fiorinal (taken for close to 14 years), Phenergen for nausea, DHE-IM (my husband injects this into my hip). I sometimes take Oxycontin 10mg for pain..which is the same as Percocet; however, it is a slower acting med and without the Tylenol. I am wanting to get off all my pain meds, but HOW?? My migraines are diagnosed as "intractable migraines." No one knows how to help me in the medical profession and this frustrates me greatly! I am sick and tired of E.R.'s....I could just scream!! I am sure many of you know exactly what I mean by that! I welcome any/all emails. Good luck to all of you and let's beat this condition together with eachother's support! May your days be pain free!!
~Jana~
Jana <JTROUTEN@aol.com>
Atlanta, GA USA - Mon Jun 8 23:50:37 1998
HI! I posted last night and have already received many
responses, Thanks! Everyone is so supportive. I forgot to
tell you that my Dr. went on medical leave, and I was not
notified. Now I have to get referred again and go through
all the tests again, YUCK! I might be moving to Oregon, so
I am not looking yet. I got a prescription for Imitrex, but
the Dr. who gave me it won't let me take Zoloft. (I took it
for 3 years, and I was just told that their are severe
reactions when mixed. I'm glad someone decided to tell me)
I discovered all of my triggers on my own, and I didn't need
the Dr. for that. Hopefully with school being out (I teach)
and a vacation in Oregon for 2 months with my boyfriend, I
won't be stressed. People say you grow out of migranes, but
I don't really believe that. cause I grew into mine. I
believe that lifestyle changes and taking proper care of
yourself helps. Thanks to everyone for mailing me.
:) Shell
Shelley R. Williams (Shell) <shellw4@yahoo.com>
Magnolia, MS USA - Mon Jun 8 20:19:17 1998
I've been having migraines since an auto accident 6 years ago. If I could go back to that day, I never would've gotton in my car because my life has completely changed. 3-4x per month I have been getting severe migraines. I have seen two general physicians, three neurologists, two chiropractors,and an herbalist. I've also had two EEGs, an MRI, and numerous other tests. At least 12 different meds were prescribed and the ones that I have found that work have been Inderal LA for prevention, and Imitrex tablets (the nasal spray does not work as well). The most important thing though has been support. I am currently working on a double degree in Biology and Psychology most of my professors have been understanding of my illness. My family has also been wonderfully supportive. Being without any health insurance, I've had my family, friends, and even coworkers "chip" in to help me pay my medical expenses. I strongly feel that migraines are a disability. I can't recall how many days since my accident I have completely missed out of my life (including a final exam, Christmas weekend, mother's birthday, and simply beautiful sunny days in which I was stuck in my darkened room vomitting and crying). For those of you with jobs on the line, I offer you this advice, try to show up to work during a migraine. I had to once and my boss had to take me to the ER. Since then, he understood.
God bless.
Snjezana <snjezana@cats.ucsc.edu>
Santa Cruz, CA USA - Mon Jun 8 17:19:45 1998
I have written in this journal before and have since been referred
to and visited the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago. Has
anyone else been there. I am interested in hearing what your
experience was like. I have never been more disappointed in
the care and treatment I have received since leaving the clinic.
They were all very supportive while I was there, but try getting
support froom them aafter you are released and you can forget it.
Can anyone suggest another clinic with exceptional aftercare
references? Please e-mail me csraine@ibm.net
Chuck Raines <csraine@ibm.net>
Reidsville, NC USA - Mon Jun 8 15:39:47 1998
