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hi again, any advice fo migraines?

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Posted 4/23/2010 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Been missing for a few weeks I know. I keep getting migraines with nausea and vommitting, its gone on for over a month now and I am at my wits end. Its probably from a mixture of medications and stress but I just feel terrible.

Great way to lose massive weight though! Something positive to come out of all this, I'm cheap to feed!

I have to laugh. Beautiful new house and at this stage I know every toilet intimately.

I've tried stopping my durogesic pain patches, swallowing stimatil, physio on my neck, dringing coffee, hot packs to my neck. Sleeping, darkened rooms. And still I have a headache and nausea.

Any help appreciated!

Had yet more blood tests today and my GP is trying me on Norspan patches instead for pain, its hard to keep anything down. So pain is rather out of control, I'm totally exhausted, mouth ulcers under my tongue, wierd huh?

On my new drug, Adabacept but the migraines started before the infusions, it hasn't kicked in yet, so joints still swollen. I have rheumatoid arthritis for those who don't know me, its moved to my neck now so could be swelling in my neck thats causing this??? I just don't know.

Regards to all, golitho

Posted 4/23/2010 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
Golitho...

I'm sorry you are dealing w/ migraines/nausea/vomiting - a wicked combo that I know all too well. But at least you have a good sense of humor about things... sometimes all you can do is laugh :)

All I can do is tell you what has helped for me... Once the vicious cycle of migraines and vomiting starts - I have to do something to break the cycle - or it will last for a long while... and I know how debilitating it can be. I've had a migraine bring on the vomiting... and nausea/vomiting bring on a migraine...

So, for me, the first step is trying to prevent the cycle from getting out of control. I have three "anti-vomiting" medications to use - Reglan... Zofran... and Phenergan (oral...and suppositories...I know - lovely...but sometimes that's all that works when you are throwing up). :) So - at the onset of a migraine or the nausea/vomiting - I use one or a combo of these to get things under control. Also, for whatever reason - 2 extra-strength Excedrins - at the VERY onset of a headache, sometimes helps me. I "think" it has something to do w/ the caffeine in them...

In addition to the things you mentioned (hot packs, dark room, etc)... I also will use ice packs on my neck and forehead. Oh, and try to stay as hydrated as possible... because once you are throwing up... the dehydration can set in - which just causes the cycle of headaches/vomiting to continue.

All that said... if things get too bad (and none of the above works...or I've waited too long to do the above)... it usually means a trip to the ER for IV fluids... meds to stop vomiting.... and sometimes IV pain meds... to break the cycle. I know the ER is no fun... and nobody likes going... but, for me, sometimes it's my only option. That being said, that's why I try to be aggressive in treating things so I don't end up in the ER.

So - those are the things that work for me.... The only other thing I can think of is trying to figure out if anything happened to trigger these migraines. Do you get migraines regularly? I know you said that the headaches preceded the Adabacept... are there any other medications that you started shortly before the headaches? Sometimes, different meds I've been on can make my headaches worse.

Good luck to you... I know how terrible you must feel...and I sure hope you feel better. --Tina
Posted 4/23/2010 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
 

Glad your back but sorry about the migraines. this may seem on the wild side but I know when I remodeled a house I got violently ill with headache etc.

I had just read about all the chemicals in all the new building materials and how people can be allergic to some of them.

It was summer and I opened every window and kept them open for a week and I got better.

I know winter is coming where you are but ??? maybe try it?

Another time I was teaching in an open pod with another teacher. We had the carpeting replaced over the summer in the school with new. her legs were so swollen she could not stand. she had to transfer.  wink

Posted 4/23/2010 7:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I can't really add anything to what Mom said except watch for triggers. Is there something even simple in your life that's happening or something you are eating that you hadn't put two and two together! If it's one long headache, get to the doctor or the hospital! I've had migraines since I was 12 and I know them intimately. They are mean buggers. I use cold heat myself, it just seems to work better for me. Now for the record, I've had a migraine for a month and didn't want to go to the ER so badly that I was not going! I end up going when I've had those hard ones. Hydration! you need to stay hydrated or it just makes the migraine worse. Over and over! Be careful with this and let us know.
Catz4
Posted 4/23/2010 10:17 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Golitho,

Arg, migraines are just awful. Are you not on anything script wise for them? I have them and passed them on to both of my kids. My son is really the worst of the three of us because he does the usual projectile vomiting and dry heaves for hours if not caught in time. He uses the Imitrex nasal spray and that has been a life saver for him. Stress seems to be trigger for him too. No point in giving him anything in pill form. Now may be the time for you to see your dr its been long enough.

I cannot take any of the script migraine meds because they all have some common ingredient that I am allergic to. My drs give me Stadol nose spray to use the minute it hits. That will knock me out and break the pain cycle. As one of the others mentioned you do have to break the pain cycle. Another thing I do is if I am out of Stadol at home and its during business hours I can go by the drs office and get a shot of Stadol or Nubain to knock the headache.

I am glad to hear you are enjoying your new home but hate it that you have become so intimate with all the bathrooms, thats just not good. I bet you have enjoyed decorating on the inside. I remember back when we bought this place I refused to put any of the old stuff in it, lol. I said it was all old and time for a change.

I do hope your new RA medication kicks in and givess you some much needed relief. Any ideas on how long before you will feel the benefits of it? I sure hope its soon. Take care and let us hear from you.

 

Posted 4/23/2010 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
I use ice packs on my head and neck too. When migraines get to certain point for me the only thing that helps is a trip to the doctors or ER for pain shots then home to bed with ice packs. I hope you get some relief soon!
Posted 4/23/2010 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
I had migraines for 3 years. I found imitrex helped me out alot with them. Have you tried that yet? I hope your migraine passes soon. ((((hugs)))))
Posted 4/23/2010 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Golitho,
I sure hope your feeling better soon...
please keep us posted as to how your doing...
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Golitho)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Posted 4/23/2010 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Zomig is my "wonder drug" for migraines. It really helps me 99% of the time. Unfortunately, I rarely get a warning (aura, nausea, etc), and that nagging headache from 2 hours ago is suddenly a monster migraine with all the classic symptoms. Zomig is awesome for those kind of migraines. I also use ice packs and pitch black rooms. Sound doesn't usually bother me, so I try soft music or SOMETHING to distract me.

This past winter, I began having terrible headaches that weren't migraines. They were as bad as migraines, but without the classic symptoms. After 2 weeks, I went to my GP, and he put me on a mild anti-depressant (an old one... at low doses, it doesn't do anything for depression, but does wonders for stress headaches) and midrin (another old medication that does great with stress headaches and other "normal" headaches). I had to go off of the anti-depressant because I wandered around like a zombie, even at the low dose. I still have the midrin as needed for headaches.
Posted 4/23/2010 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
 

   Dear Golitho,

 

    Good morning *hugg* It is good to hear from you. Though I am terribly sorry you are having such increadible headaches and nausa. I remember you mentioning the infusions 2 months ago, that it was an option you were thinking about. I am very sorry you have to endure the infusions AND the horrible cycle of headaches mixed with nausa.

 

     I don't remember if you ever mentioned if you have any problems with surgars? I ask because I use a children's product for my nausa. It is called "Cola Syrup". In children's isle or can just ask pharmacist. It has adult dosing on the back of the bottle. It works in about 2 to 3mins. So far, I havnt had any adverse reactions to any of my meds. I have noticed that perscribed medicines for nausa, take about 20mins before the kick in, so it is nice to get relief until they kick in.

 

     I am terribly sorry that you finally move into your beautiful home , and then end up so sick. Please know you are in our hearts and prayers here. I hope you get some positive results from your medicines soon.

 

*hugg*

  dani

Posted 4/24/2010 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Golitho,

It's good to hear from you, although I'm sorry that you're suffering from migraines. I've never had a migraine myself, but I hear they are quite horrible. Have you seen a neurologist for your migraines. There are actually neurologists out there that specialize in headaches (my neurologist, for example, is a headache specialist) & it might be worth having a consult with one.

As I said, I've never had a migraine, but my eye pain is similar to a migraine in some ways & so my neurologist did try my on a bunch of migraine meds. I'm trying to remember what they were, as it was several years ago. I know she had me on Immitrex and zonegran. I don't know if either of those would help your or if you have already tried them, but if not, it might be worth asking your doctor about. I find that zofran works best for me for nausea, but it is really expensive (at least in the USA). If I remember correctly, 15 pills cost my insurance company over $600!!! It was ridiculous (thank goodness I had met my deductible for the year).

I don't know if any of this helps, but I want you to know that I'm thinking of you! I hope you are able to find something to get your migraines under control! Feel better! ((((((((Golitho))))))))))

hugs,
Skeye
Posted 4/25/2010 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for all your wonderful replies.I have been seeing my GP with these things and at this stage have had several injections to stop the nausea, they last about a day! She put me on a stronger strength anti vommitting pill, one used for chemo sufferers and that seems to have halted the actual vommitting if not the nausea. I agree the dehydration was making me really bad at one stage. I sem to get a couple of days relief and then the whole cycle starts again.

I'm wondering now if the headache is linked to the durogesic pain patch I've been on, I've been on the 50mcg one. Has anyone suffered migraine style headaches with these? I know under side effects it says headache, but this is more like migraine because it involves my right eye and wonky vision. (Poor Skeye, ho w do you cope?)

Now I have a new problem, I'M FLARING AGAIN! I can't believe it, I didn't think things could get worse. Its a long weekend here because of ANZAC day. So I've taken myself to bed for the weekend, my joints are on fire. I have a sinking feeling when I do get hold of my rheumy on Tues, she'll up my prednisone. I've fought so hard to cut it down to 5mg per day. I feel like What Next? I mean headches and nausea were pretty bad already I didn't need my joints to swell up in response too.

My GP took me off the durogesic patches and is putting me on the Norspan ones? Are these the same brands as the States? Has anyone any experience? I'm suppose to start the Norspan Monday, but in the meantime take panadeine forte (tylenol + codeine) but because of the flare and after 24 hours of agony, I got up in the middle of the night and swallwed an oxycontin. I took another this morning and I feel so much better. No headache, just sore joints. I feel the patches may be the cause? Anyone heard of it before?

Sorry I haven't given individual replies, my hands are too sore, golitho

Posted 4/25/2010 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Golitho

 

We haven't met yet.  I'm Loretta.  I'm so sorry that you're having migraines and joint pains and swelling too.  I know that arthritis can be very painful.  I have osteoarthritis.  I know it's not the same, but it's still very painful.  I hope you get to feeling better really soon.  I hope the new patches give you the relief that you need.

 

hugs

Loretta

Posted 4/25/2010 8:33 AM (GMT 0)
Golitho...

I definitely think it could be related to the patches... While fentanyl works the best for me out of anything for my "overall" pain - I did have some horrible headaches while using it... and I also had the nausea and vomiting. It will be interesting to see if your symptoms improve now that you are getting off the duragesic patches... Side note - how long have you been off of them? Are you having any withdrawal symptoms? I hope not... but the patches are notorious for causing some pretty bad symptoms while trying to get off of them.... I don't know about it being linked to your joints swelling, though...

Ahhh, I'm sorry for all you are dealing with - and hope you feel better soon.

--Tina
Posted 4/25/2010 9:25 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe it is related to the patches. Hopefully if it is then you can get relief.

Everyone gave you great advice.

Things I do when I get a migraine: go into a (quiet) dark room, put an ice pack on my head, take Excedrin...I used to take Zomig and it helped, but it also knocked me out for a while!

I know that a friend of mine has great success with Zomig.
Posted 4/25/2010 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have tried zomig it never helped me. Imitrex was my cure.
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