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Migraine Headache
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Posted 8/16/2009 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
I've suffered from Migraines since i was in high school (i'm 35 now) but over the last few years they are worse. I take Imitrex when i get a migraine and a prevenative that doesn't work. I've tried topamax and 2 other ones i can't think of right now. I also get Botox once every 3 months to help it. Lately it isn't helping. I've had a headache since July 12th except for 2 days. My nose gets so cold and i've seen other posts on here about that. I don't know if it's a symptom of the migraine or the meds. Also, i usually get them in my sleep. It feels like i've tried everything and i'm at the end of my rope. no one understands what  you go through. it's horrible to know that the only time you can relax and lay down, you are going to be in severe pain. i try to stay awake sometimes just so it won't start but that's counter productive.

If anyone has anything that they do that you think could help- I'm willing to try anything.

Posted 8/17/2009 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I feel your pain. Iv had them since I was a kid... Now I'm 22 ... They got worse in the last year. I honestly don't know life without them. On one hand I view them as a blessing because I know how important it is to take care of myself and have had to learn to be paitent with myself. Many times I get angry at myself for getting a migraine even if I did nothing to trigger it. Anyway I have been on so many medications and i know the feeling of no one understands what you are going through. Since may iv had a migraine almost everyday... I have not found something that works yet. Steriords helped for a little... I think I needed to be on them longer though (not just 6 days) however you might try that. In the past that broke a cycle. My new doc is into both western and eastern medicine and I am going to begin a thing called mindfullness. It's used to treat many different things including those who live with chronic pain. You have to find a psychologist who teaches this. I hope it works... A family friend teaches it and was able to have surgery without any medication because he is that good at teaching his mind to deal with pain. I know it sounds hippy but I figure it can't hurt. Maybe it will help you too! Best! You are not alone!
Ps sorry if I rambled a bit!
Posted 8/18/2009 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jen Jen!!  Often migraine changes and the medicines stops working, so that we have to change them too, and as you say your preventive doesn´t work. If i was you i´ll turn to a neurologist and ( maybe you have one already? ) anyhow he or she can be able to help you try out a new medicine for your migraine, there are a lot of different kinds that you can try so.......Good Luck!!!!! I really think you find it with a little help from a neuro.

 

Take care  / Sweden

Posted 8/18/2009 11:18 AM (GMT 0)
HI Jen Jen,

Can you tell us a little more about your headache....where is the pain located? Do you have other symptoms (*beyond the nose thing) This can sometimes help tells us whether its a "classic migraine" or another type of headache.

Regardless, I would be finding a good doctor who is willing to help you. There are many types of treatments and if you are struggling this much they need to be looking at the next thing to try to fing you some relief.

Feel better soon!

Posted 8/21/2009 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Jen Jen,
I had the same problem for a long time and tried a lot of meds. Only Imitrex worked for me. EDITED TO REMOVE WEBSITE FOR SALE OF MEDICATIONS--PLEASE REVISIT FORUM RULES

Post Edited By Moderator (tysmyboo) : 8/24/2009 10:14:12 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/2/2009 6:08 AM (GMT 0)

Jen-Jen, try Nortriptyline.  It's a preventative, taken every day.  My situation was like yours.  I"ve had migraine headaches for 29 years and nearly daily tension headaches for 25 years (I'm 42 now.)  I believe that Imitrex and all other triptans cause rebound headaches.  I've thought this for years, because my attacks gradually increased once I began taking Imitrex, from one every 2 to 4 months, to one almost every day, several years later.  There is now literature that supports that triptans do cause rebound migraines.

I went to a new neurologist who prescribed Nortiptyline, gradually increasing in very small doses, 25 days ago.  I"ve had 8 migraine headaches, and almost no tension headaches since I began treatment.  I'm only up to 1/2 of the recommended dose so far.  The goal is to get off of triptans all together. 

Don't lose hope!

Good luck!

Posted 9/2/2009 4:25 PM (GMT 0)

Tony 123, It's extremely important that you resolve your headaches as soon as possible.  The longer you have them, the more ingrained the pain pathways in your brain become.  My pain pathways are 29 years old.  At this point very difficult to treat, which is why I'm now on hard-core preventative pharmaceuticals.  (Nortriptyline works!)

Try Magnesium Oxide supplements (different from plain magnesium,) 400 mg./daily I think you can go up to 800mg/daily.  Apparently our soil is stripped of the mineral, and therefore, our bodies are stripped of it, causing pain, including migraine headaches.  I've heard that our bodies aren't able to aborsb enough of the tablet form (if you take enough it causes diarrhea, doesn't get absorbed) so there are Magnesium Oxide sprays available.  You spray it on your arms and legs, and take footbaths in it.  I got mine from an on-line company called DermaMag.  My neurologist recommends Magnesium Oxide.

Butterbur root is an herb that is rumored to be helpful.  I don't know first-hand.

As far as therapies go, what is noticeably helpful to me is biofeedback.  Also, shoulder-opening poses in yoga.  Acupuncture was somewhat helpful.   Again, my pathways are ancient.  Might work wonders for you.

Don't lose hope!  Good luck!

Posted 9/13/2009 9:05 AM (GMT 0)
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Post Edited By Moderator (LanieG) : 9/13/2009 11:25:13 AM (GMT-6)

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