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Weeks Long Migraine with No Relief-- PLEASE help

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Posted 11/26/2012 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody. I'm new here and looking for help for my boyfriend. He's been suffering from migraines on and off for years, but experienced periods of relief up until a few weeks ago. For about a month now he has had a constant migraine with absolutely no relief. The pain is making it impossible for him to function and I'm extremely worried.

He's 24, and diagnosed schizophrenic, though he no longer experiences episodes of psychosis. He smokes and consumes a lot of caffeine, as well as alcohol on a regular basis, and according to him avoiding these habits for long periods of time has never offered relief in the past. He's back at school after taking two and a half years off, which is quite stressful for him. This week his doctor tried him on Maxalt Rizatriptin Benzoate, but it didn't help.

I don't know much about migraines and have never even heard of them occurring with such consistency and severity. If anyone could offer any help, suggest any triggers that he might be able to eliminate, or anything else that we could try, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you so much in advance.
Posted 11/27/2012 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
First of all, he needs to be off caffeine, tobacco and alcohol. No more discussion. If it gives relief or not thats whole another story but he needs to be off for the sake of health. Does he want to die of lung cancer or liver cirrhosis? If he is diagnosed schizophrenic, what meds is he taking? How is he to deal with otherwise?

I used to get migraines exactly like him but now I get about once a week. What medications has he tried? This is no simple case and it needs to be very carefully studied by a headache specialist and his psychiatrist. Have you discussed this with psychistrist? It could be side effect of the drug he is taking for his Schizo, or the dose is not enough.

Has he tried OTC meds like Advil, Alleve, Bayer Migraine? Just to get in control before he can see a headache specialist (not a regular neurologist).
Posted 11/27/2012 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Is he on any medications for the schizophrenia?? Some of them can cause muscle spasms which could contribute to headaches..

I agree with deltaforce that the caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol have to go... They may not be the direct cause of the headaches but they WILL contribute which could explain as to why they are getting worse over time...
Posted 11/27/2012 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
He's starting on nicotine patches today. Convincing him to stop drinking is harder, since he mostly does it on weekends and thinks that it's not often enough to contribute, but I'll keep trying. He is also working on diminishing his caffeine use.

He is not currently taking any medication for his schizophrenia, and isn't seeing a psychiatrist regularly -- aside from the headaches, he functions completely normally now. OTC medications don't help the pain at all, unfortunately.

Post Edited (MarielMF) : 11/27/2012 4:48:52 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/28/2012 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Lady, be warned. Living with a diagnosed Schizophrenic that is not on regular meds is very very very difficult (or should I say dangerous). Agreed, not all Schizos are violent but I have worked with Schizos very closely and frankly, they wet my pants.

He MUST (how bold can this be made to stress enough?) see a psychiatrist ASAP and MUST stick to medication regimen. There are ways to get him off alcohol too. Talk to the relevant medical professionals. There are medicines, that play around with alcohol metabolism. So you drink alcohol and only thing that will happen is, you will throw up. Push him that route. It will be tough but it has to be done.

I honestly do not see this as migraine or headache. I suspect, it is closely connected to his diagnosis. Has he looked into a med called as Ziprasidone? Its crazy expensive but boy, it does work.
Posted 12/18/2012 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
the most important thing is to monitor what you eat and drink and find your weakness, i know mine citrus fruits, chocolate cheese, i do not drink any caffeine and i would avoid that if possible its a matter or checking the diet and lifestyle to find triggers good luck to your boyfriend turn
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