Hey Lefty...
Welcome!!!! We are glad to have you.
I have had migraines for about 10 years and the last 3 have been absolutely unbearable...I lost my relationship, my job, my house and my car...I just started putting my life back together and I am having to stay with my mom (after living alone for years!!!) I have also started a new job and have to pretend to be fine more days than I actually feel well....
I have no insurance at this time and have gone in the hole financially...but sometimes these things happen.
As far as your question about symptoms...I have daily symptoms and then I have the monsters that really knock me down where I end up in the hospital and there is nothing I can do to prevent that. My worst symptoms include passing out, vomiting contunuously, head pain so severe that I can't walk or move or even lay my head down on a pillow, I get dizzy, my whole body gets cold, I get extremely grouchy and can't stand any light, sound or smells. I have been to the point where after days of severe pain I don't want to live anymore...not saying that I would act on that, just that I don't feel the will to continue on in the same manner.
As far as medications, I take Topamax daily...and then abortives to get rid of the migraines I do get. I used to take pain meds when the pain got out of control-but again without insurance...there is no more of that.
Oh...just FYI...I have included a list of medications on this forum...just some things to research and ask your doctor about...
And, I am glad that you have discontinued your use of Aleve (at least that many) take meds more than two days per week can set you up for some serious rebound headaches-and those can be some of the hardest to get rid of.
Please stay with us here and post often...
Sara
Migraine/Headache Forum Moderator