Detox for chronic migraines

My migraines started when I was 7 years old and had continued, but dramatically worsened in the last 5 years (I'm in my mid 30s). After having tried everything for both prevention and abortive medication I have decided to be admitted to the hospital for what they consider a migraine "detox." This has been a huge decision for me, but I am missing more days of life than I am living them because of my neuro symptoms associated with my headaches. This has caused problems in every aspect of my life. I'm not sure how it is going to go, but it is my last chance to try and reclaim my life. My doctor is very knowledgable about treatment options and is the first doctor I have seen who is comfortable with aggressive treatment (which in this case turns out to be abandoning all medications). There is not a ton of on-line information regarding migraine detox, so I will up-date on what the plan is and how it is going to hopefully be a resource for others who are suffering after numerous attempts and medication combinations. Right now I am cautiously optimistic since this will be something completely new for me. Usually medications just keep getting added, not discontinued. Apparently the withdrawal (which is why hospitalization is necessary) is extreme headache pain and neuro symptoms, in addition to agitation/anxiety. There are other, more extreme withdrawal symptoms as well,which is why it must be closely monitored. I will update on how it worked and exactly what took place. Fingers crossed.

Post Edited (migrainebegone) : 3/8/2011 12:00:49 PM (GMT-7)

So I was discharged from the hospital after a week of intensive treatment for both my headaches and the withdrawal symptoms from discontinuing my usual medications. Though there are some nagging (though I am told temporary) problems, I am overall feeling much better and think the process is showing to be successful. I went in taking a panoply of medicines (8 medications) and now am discharged taking 3, which will be tappered down to either 2 or 1 over the next 3 weeks. The headaches I have experienced in the past few days have felt more like tension, or rebound headaches, not my typical migraine. The biggest problem is a "restless leg" type problem that makes it difficult to sit still and sleep. The pharmacist said this should go away over the next month and is because of the long half-life of the medications I have been on for years. Though extremely long (seeming, at the time) and expensive, I am so far thinking the hospitalization was a good idea