Posted 1/17/2011 8:57 AM (GMT 0)
I have had mensual migraines for the last 8 years. I have consulted with two different neurologists, over the last 5 years. I had all the traditional MRIs, x-rays and diagnostics to rules out major things like cysts and orthopaedic problems (like my cousin suffers from). I have tried all the preventative treatments: propranolol, inderal, topomax, verapamil, gabapentin, lyrica, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, CoQ10, B2, steroids, with nothing providing relief and some giving me side effects worse than the headache. As for abortive triptans, I tried them all: Maxalt, migranal (50% effective), imitrex, Frova (25% effective), Relapax...all they did was cause me to pay outrageous co-pays for 9 pills at a time! The backup was the pain relief: tylenol w/ codiene (semi-effective for minor), percocet (mildly effective), demerol & dilaudid (mostly effective if taken at beginning & at high doses..like 1 pill followed by 1 more 2 hours later, repeated every 2 hours for at least 8 hours!), Fioricet w/ codiene (very effective for moderate/severe). If I could not get the headache under control within 6-8 hours, I would go to the ER for IV morphine or IM demerol. This patttern was repeated every 10-14 days (both ovulation & menses) each and every month! I tried birth control pills, many different ones, including Seasonal (3 months with a period..or at least that's what was supposed to happen) and yet I still got the headaches & my period each month. One doctor told me that maybe I should think about having a hystectomy (at 30 YO). about 8 months ago, I was put on MS contin...for about problem and I have had two severe migraines since June 2010 (one the day of my son's birthday part (stress induced) and the second was in August (again stress induced), but the major ones have been less severe. I am now being treated/evaluated for two different auto-immune disorders that causes headaches...in addition my quack doctor thinks that I havee fibromyalgia (new doctor is not so certain) as my symptoms are quite extensive.
I hope this helps a little.. Keeping smiling! I found that staying out of the direct sunlight and keeping hydrated kept the burning from taking over my whole body. Also, if you can take a muscle relaxer with a painkiller (like fioricet or soma) it will help you relax the muscles in your neck and giving you a chance to rest!
Thanks! :)