Shoulder pain linked to migraine... advice needed

Hi all...
Need some advice please. This seems to be the latest symptom for me. I've been on Topamax for a couple of months and it has been working really well and my migraines have reduced substantially. However in recent weeks I've noticed symptoms returning and have had to resort to taking Zigamelt on top of the Topamax. Yesterday I noticed my neck getting stiff and sore (the left side, as per usual). Then the pain travelled down my left shoulder and the pain became very intense. It was migraine related as I was off my food/dizzy etc... and took the Zigamelt. This was one of the worst migraines that I have had since I started Topamax and I had to lie down for five or six hours after work.... which has not happened since I started Topamax. When I woke up, the dizziness was gone, my appetite had improved etc.... in general my other symptoms seemed to have disappeared but my shoulder has remained extremely painful. Today I am in absolute *agony* with my shoulder, which I feel is affecting my head as I can feel the pressure building again. It's red and swollen and sensitive to touch. I have done nothing that could've pulled a muscle.

I've rung my neurologist (I want to get an appointment to discuss the fact that the migraines are returning again anyway) and I've got an appointment for January. I'm probably going to have to go see my GP in the meantime, who will probably try and convince me it's a pulled muscle from a sport that I don't do as he's not exactly sympathetic towards migraine symptoms....

So I have 2 questions....

1. Anyone out there ever have severe shoulder/muscle pain related to your migraine? If so, what has helped?

2. Anyone found this kind of muscle pain related to taking Topamax?

When I rang to make an appointment with my neurologist today, the receptionist said that the medication could have travelled into my muscles? I really don't like the sound of this... she said they would be able to rule this would with a blood test. I really trust my neurologist, but having to wait 2 months to see her is crazy.

I'd be really interested in how you get on! Please keep us updated! I don't have a neuro appointment until January... so would be interested to see what you're told!

When i was in a car accident over the summer, I had went to a Chiropractor and a Medical massage person. I had migraines a few times I went. My medical massage doc discovered I had some muscles that were aggravated, tender, inflamed. So inflamed, they pressed against my nerves... after much massage, heat, ice, and some neck adjusts (that from a chiropractor) I felt much butter. Perhaps consult a chiropractor and medical massage doc. I asked a doctor who was a DO (thats a primary medical doc with a chiropractor license) about it once, and he said sometimes if your out of alignment just right or if the nerves are hit just right you can get a migraine. he also said, depending on where the migraine is located in your head can tell you lwhat to look for for triggers. Like forehead is sinus...back of head is stress, etc

Hi. I'm seventeen and I get hereditary chronic migraines about two or three times a week. I am not on topomax or any other headache medication, but I get the shoulder pains, too. For me, it's a blunt, throbbing pain that starts about an hour before the actual migraine. In a way they're helpful because they give me time to prepare for the migraine and get things done before it completely immobilizes me. I saw that you also mentioned your neck becoming sore and stiff. That also happens to me. Stress is generally the most common cause of neck pain and migraines. As a college freshman, I am in stressful situations 90 percent of the time. I can't find much on the internet about it, but I do believe there is a connection. The best thing you can do is take some strong pain medication when the shoulder starts hurting and hope it kicks in before the migraine hits.

Hello, new to the the migraine world. On Feb. 19, 2013, I was diagnosed with Hemicrania Continua and it effects the nerves on my heart and lungs. I have it on my right side but can move to the left temple only just briefly. But, always the right eye pressure and jaw is the starting point and then spreads to the shoulder, neck and then "BAM" it stabs me in the right temple. This will cause fainting, nauseousness, tremors, twitching of muscles in the neck and sometimes the body and right leg.

Here are some of the information I gave my neurologist in Scottsdale AZ. By the way which is the BEST NINDS in the US. St. Joseph Hospital of Neurology and Barrow Institute.

Soctoma right eye – intermittent
Exercise induced right eye blurred vision with blood vessels in right eye inflamed and red. Running nose on right side and feels like nasal drip from right eye. After exercise goes away in two to three hours. Did a home Pinhole test with right eye when blurred vision occurred and eye still blurry.
Auditory distortions. Music on radio sounds slurred. Like putting your hand on a record player to slow it down.
Tinnitus. A tunnel fading away.
Weakness on right side (intermittent) from top of head to chest. Neck feels stiff and tight. Arms hands intermittently tingle and feel numb. Not full numbness. All on right side.
Excessive night sweats that are trenching (intermittent). Wakes me up. Intermittent.
2-17.2013 - another scary episode with heart. Heart rhythm had two double arrhythmia intermittent. Left side weakness and tingling. Light headed and overwhelmed with fatigue. Breathing labored. Lasted about an hour or two.

Trigeminal Neuralgia-(Feels like this)
Debilitating Intermittent stabbing pain in right side of head. Left side recently 2-16-13 episode (5-sec.episode) When it occurs I am off balance, nauseous, weak, faint. Extreme episode 02-3-2013 on Sunday evening at work. Lasted three hours. Wanted to go to ER.
Intermittent tremors in neck, shoulder, face on right side. Sometimes left side.
Intermittent extreme cold in right hand and arm.
Chills

Basilar Artery Migraines-(Feels like this)
Tight tendon and muscles in neck or range of motion restricted on right side.
Feels like back of neck and lymph nodes swell.
Pain and tender back of neck
Can be debilitating. Due to the intensity of the discomfort I avoid daily activities because fear an impending attack. Dizziness, vertigo, problems with balance, changes in hearing and speech, and mild numbness and tingling.
Excess fatigue

I hope some of this helps because I know what this scary feelings feel like. It took me a year to get the right diagnoses. Some meds that might help is a herbal supplement called Boswellia. Soon has I feel it coming on I take a Boswellia and it makes it more manageable. Also, the doctor prescribed Indomethacin that insistently takes the pain away. But, you have to catch it before it starts. Indosin (for short) can have bad side effects so the doctor also prescribed Omeprazole for stomach discomfort (Equivalent for: Prilosec). I chose to take the Boswellia first because I am a triathlete (trained to ignore pain) and don't want to stress my body out more than I need too. Also, I would like to add that taking Melatonin at night will help you sleep better. I have done extensive research and with the help of a cardiologist, pulmonary, and neurologists I just might get this illness under control.

God Bless and best wishes.
TriTracy