I new here

 I am new to this.
It is all just so crazy ( the migraines)   To live like this. Ijust wanted to mention that I have had to go on Steriods a few times before to "break" a migraine cycle. It does help a great deal. I have had migraines now for over 18 years and never heard of rebound until this year. That is the headache after the headache, right? Wow, and all this time I thought that it was just my head getting ready to explode again.
With me I now get migraines 2or 3 a month but they last from 5-7 days each one, where even earlier this year I would get 7-10 a month and they would only last a day or two. I can not even think at all anymore also my face is completly numb almost all the time with or with out the pain. My life is going by me and my head head hurts too bad to even watch.
My med list now: Depakote 500mg daily, Immatrex as needed, Codeine 30mg as needed, Pheneragran 25mg as needed. (I carry them with me everywhere I go now) I have tried almost everything. All test "look" good, whats next? How do you live like this? Even when you are not in pain the FEAR of the pain is always there. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you all, Cheri

I did read about the rebound headaches, it was a very imformative posting for me. I was told to only take the imatrex twice a week, (4 pills max), and to hold off with the codeine, but once you get that fear in you, it is hard to "hold" off. I am not sure about my Neuro, she is very passive, and says "I'm sorry" alot. The codeine will lower the pain, but nothing takes it away. I do get alot of nausea, and all of the sensitivies to light and smell is a major one with me. She gives me phenergan for the nausea. I don't understand why now the length has grown and now the new symptom of the facial numbness. Any clue? Thanks, Cheri

Hi Cheri,
I would echo what Nicky has said. If you are not completely comfortable with what your neurologist is doing (saying I'm sorry more than proposing things to get rid of your headaches), you might consider switching. This is usually best done by switching to a new group, as it is often hard to get a second opinion from someone who is a colleague of the person you were originally seeing. There are often specific neurologists in a group who specialize in the management of headaches. Since nausea is a prominent symptom for you I would think that some other pain medication might be better than codiene -- maybe start off with a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug [NSAID -- e.g., Advil, Aleve] and triptan and go to a different opiate (one not associated with as much nausea as codeine) if the NSAID/triptan does not work. If you are taking any of the pain meds regularly you could try gradually cutting back on the frequency as Nicky suggested. Also, as far as anti nausea drugs go, Compazine is known to provide relief from migraine pain (not just nausea) and might be a good choice for you. It can be taken in pill form or, if you are too nauseated, as a suppository. Some people need to take it with a little Benadryl (for muscular side effects). Anyway, just a few more ideas. But getting a new neurologist sounds like a good place to start....The best are those who are knowledgeable but open to suggestions from you the patient as well. Take care.
Laura L.
Laura