Case Histories - June #12

Hello from a FORMER Migraine suffer! - I stumbled onto this site while looking for information on Food Allergies. I suffered from migraines for over 20 years. Along with the frequent migraines, I developed joint swelling, stiffness, joint pain, muscle pain and constant tinnitus (ringing in my ears ). I was diagnosed as having arthritis and saw 3 arthritis specialist over 7 years. In 1993 we moved to Colorado and I begin my search for medical care in the Loveland and Boulder area. I got lucky! I was referred to an outstanding chiropractor who immediately suspected food allergies and referred me to a local doctor for testing. The blood test results indicated that I was allergic to 11 foods: barley, cheese, egg, orange, soybean, chocolate, egg white (very high reaction), cow’s milk, peanut, rice and wheat. I immediately removed these foods from my diet and the results were miraculous! Within two weeks I was cured - yes, it is true! - no joint pain, no swelling, no muscle pain and no migraine headaches! I have not eaten any of the foods that I tested positive to in over 3 years and the doctor tells me that I can try to re-introduce a few of these foods back into my diet. That’s what lead me to this site, I am looking for information on food allergy rotation diets. I certainly do not want to go back to the painful life I lived before and am interested in any information you may have concerning rotation diets. Thanks.
Ann Foster
Boulder, CO USA - Wed Jun 17 17:05:15 1998

Hello my friends, Just a little note to update. After spending all day Fri.and Sat. in the E.R. , I feel even more helpless. They initially gave me a small dose of demerol (25mg.) then DHE treatment, which makes me violently ill regardless how much phenergan I have first. They wanted to admit me and continue the DHE, FORGET IT. And no more painkillers, I'm just a junkie don't you know. I have had a problem with my most recent migraines-my left eye hurts and is a bit blurry. The E.R. neuro said he sees swelling, but can't be sure if it's from the headache. He was shocked my neuro hadn't previously ordered tests. He and the reg. E.R. doc said I should get an MRI and Spinal Tap soon. My doctor is "unavailable" through June. I requested another in the group I heard was good. The two docs have to discuss my case then if the first wants to release me and the other wants to take on a new patient so be it. Then it is at least a month wait for new visits with the new one and his follow-up visits are nine months wait. Meantime, how am I supposed to get the MRI or Spinal Tap? I finally made an appt. for July 22nd at the Speed Headache Clinic in Baltimore. Does anyone out there know if they administer or order these tests for you there? I need to know when I can get these done. This business with the eye problem concerns me, not to mention the DAILY pain of the migraine. When my stadol ns runs out I out of luck. I get those miserable looks in the E.R. Even if my doctor would agree on a shot at the E.R. they would never be able to reach him for his permission. And this practice is very secure. Noone cares for another's patient in any way. What's the point in being in a "group"? Thanks for letting me vent. Now, it's back to bed for me. I've only been out of bed a few hours the past few days. I have to give my body a break, mind too. Talk to you all soon, Cindy
Cindy Lincoln <clincoln@richmond.infi.net>
Richmond, Va USA - Wed Jun 17 14:00:37 1998

I've had migraines since childhood. But in the last 1 1/2 years they have increased in frequency, sending me to the er and finally to a neuro. I've taken so many meds in the last year they know me by sight at the pharmacy. I'm now on Zomig which works, but I need it avg. 27 x per month. Taking also Paxil, and Periactin which seems to be giving me relief for 2 days in a row. I had a HYSERECTOMY AND OVECTOMY WITH DAILY MIGRAINE FROM THE MOMENT. I would so appreciate any input concerning diet. It concerns me to take so much Zomig, but I am scared not to. I would have no life with daily migraine. Thanks Ronda.
Liz Urick <thenat22@aol.com>
burbank, ca USA - Wed Jun 17 13:10:32 1998

I have been experiencing migraines for years but I can't seem to make any doctor in this area understand that that they are probably stress triggered and that Tranzene would be effective in control. Any medicine they have given me to try - Duract, Cephedyne, Ultram - is almost useless. If anyone out there knows how I can get some help anywhere, please respond! (Dublin, Georgia)
Dawn Walker <walker,dawn@dublin.va.gov>
Dublin, GA USA - Wed Jun 17 12:03:48 1998

Hi - just stumbled for the first time onto your web page. I am a long time migraine sufferer. I had my first INTENSE migraine headache when I was 12 years old while at a college football game. My dad had to take me home. Ever since, my life has been a constant merri-go-round of medications, rebounding, detoxing, etc. My mother, grandmother, grandfather, and great grandmother have/had them as well. I have tried just about everything I have seen listed by other writers, with main drugs of choice being Imitrex, Fioricet/Codeine. I have taken anti-depressants in the past, but don't find that I respond to them. Also tried Ergot products, but since I don't have a prodrom (SP?), they don't work. My most recent conflict has been that I am currently in my 9th month of pregnancy. When I discovered that I was pregnant, I had already taken any number of doses of fioricet/codeine and 3 - 50 mg. tablets of Imitrex. It was pretty scary. I discovered the pregnancy early, however, and cold-turkied off of all drugs. The pregnancy has been at times a nightmare. Sometimes my headaches have lasted up to one week, the only relief coming when I sleep. Of late, they seem to have tapered off, and the one real benefit I seem to have discovered is that I no longer suffer from the rebound headaches I used to have. The migraines still come about once a week (I would like to STRANGLE the masogonistic jerk who said that migraines stop during pregnancy!!!). Has anyone else on the board had to deal with migraine during pregnancy? I'd be curious to know how they fared. Thanks for the wonderful place to vent!
Wendy <wendembe@aol.com>
Glendale, CA USA - Wed Jun 17 9:59:19 1998

Hi! I just wanted to thank everyone who has taken the time to write to me! I truly appreciate it. I helps A LOT to know we are not alone. I have been frustrated lately because over the last 8 years I have tried everything it seems, and all that works is a shot of Demerol and Phenergan. The problem is that the MDs don't like to give that out once a week. I keep stopping by to read other people's histories and I hope someone will have tried something that works so I can try it. GOOD LUCK ALL! Angel
Angel <AngelVipond@yahoo.com>
Grass Valley, CA USA - Wed Jun 17 1:40:30 1998