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do your migraines have cycles?

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Migraine Headache
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Posted 9/12/2006 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
It seems to me my Miraines come in cycles. I'll have a bout of really bad migrianes for a couple months. Than I am fine for a while maybe a small migraines and than I have a bad bout again.

Is anyone else like this? I keep a journal and for the life of me can't figure out the difference between the really bad periods and the ok periods.

It's frustrating I keep looking for triggers but so far I am stumped.
Posted 9/12/2006 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi hotgurl,

Welcome to Healing Well. Just a few questions, what is the pain like is it throbbing, stabbing, burning or something else? Whereabouts in your head do you get the pain? Have you seen a Neurologist about these headaches? There are some headaches that can go in cycles. I do not have any medical training and anything I say is only my opinion, but depending on your answers I may be able to make some suggestions.

take care

Ann
Posted 9/12/2006 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I have been to a neurologist several in fact. I have had ever test MRI, MRA, EKG, EGG etc... I can not tolerate a lot of preventitives and cannot be on drugs like Ralpax (ergot drugs I think they are called) because I can have a stroke.

The pain when it is bad is like a constant stabbing pain with pressure in the base of my skull. The stabbing is behind my left eye always. I throw up and cannot even keep down water. My left hand shakes and I cannot grasp things well. I get very dizzy and have trouble walking. I also get visual aruas and lose my vision from time to time. Basically during these bad ones I am bedridden until they subside.

When I have a not so bad one. I still get the stabbing pain but not so bad. I get nausous but don't throw up and my auras are less sevre. I get headaches every month for about a week around my cycle than maybe mid month.
Posted 9/12/2006 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi hotgurl,

Thanks for your quick response. Gee, you sure have had a rough time!!! I have got to say I am a bit stumped too now!! Relpax is one of the triptans it is not ergot. The ergot is the for-runner to the triptans. You said that you can have a stroke - I take it that has happened, what did your Neuro have to say about that? Has your Neuro given a diagnosis as to what type of headache they believe it is?

Have you been given anything as an abortive? I am just wondering if you would be able to get yourself referred to a neurologist that is a Headache Specialist, I have and he is now investigating me more thoroughly than any previous Neuro!!

Sorry for all the questions just trying to help. But which ever way you go now you have us here to support you. It is a very special family here at Healing Well. Please don't be afraid to ask us questions and do let us know how you get on.

take care

Ann
Posted 9/12/2006 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Ok. to answer your question I was going to a headache specialist but I had a bad experience there. I am senesitive to medicines so I had an episode that landed me in the ER due to reactions to meds. I was put on 21 different meds in less than a year.

Right now I am taking BC which helps because I also have a hormone imbalance polycystic Ovarian syndrome. When not on BC I have headaches all day every day. I also take topamax which has cut down my migraines a lot to once or twice a month not weekly.


I have basilar migraines which is very rare. I have never had a stroke but basilar migrianes significantly increases your stroke risk. In fact at one time they thought I was having mini strokes.

I guess I was just wondering is anyone else has cycles. My doctors are stumped because of my intorlerance to a lot of drugs. I had one specialist tell me basically I was screwed because there is nothing more they can do. I've been to Boston. Darthmouth clinic, Bringham's & Young women's hospital and locally.
Posted 9/12/2006 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi hotgurl,

Sorry for all the questions. I was originally wondering it might have been Cluster Headache because they can come in cycles. Sorry you had a bad experience with the Headache Specialist, my word 21 different meds in that short space of time is quite something!

I have heard of basilar migraines and roughly know what they are, but have never come across anyone who suffers from them hence the rarity I suppose. It is unfortunate that as soon as we have an intolerance to something it just complicates things so good treatment is hard to find.

At the moment I have been taken off Imitrex until I have had some tests completed to ensure Imitrex is still ok for me to have. Unfortunately nothing else works for me so for the next few weeks at least I will have to ride it out!! I hope you don't mind me asking what is BC? Please keep posting. I for one would be interested in learning more about basilar migraines!

take care

Ann
Posted 9/13/2006 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
I really was his PA that was bad. they really did over medicate me.

I am on Yasmine a low estrogen BC. I that it for three months straight. Then off a week then three months.

It seems like I get a really bad spell once a year or once every six months. I know stress can make tehn worse and lack of sleep over excertion MSG & Artifical sweetners can bring one on as well as my period.

The worst part or the weirdest part are my auras. I just get these bizarre syptoms. I know not many peole have baisilar migraines so many doctors don't know about it and there is not a lot of info.

Good luck with your tests.
Posted 9/14/2006 5:12 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Hotgurl-

Mine go in cycles sometimes too. I can go for a couple of months when they aren't quite as severe and then a month when I have more episodes than usual and they are worse. I have kept diaries looking for triggers; what I ate, things I smelt, not wearing my sunglasses, sounds. I haven't come up with anything. It is really frustrating.

I'm sorry you can't take Relpax, I love it. It works for me better than anything else I've tried. I'm also on Inderal LA twice a day. It's supposed to keep them from happening or lower the intensity. I tried Topamax and Zonegran. I hated the Topamax and the Zonegran didn't work very well either. The Inderal seems to work better so far, it's usually for prescribed high blood pressure, but my neurologist wanted me to try it. I haven't been on it for very long, so we'll see. Have you tried something like this? Maybe you can tolerate it.

Also, something I wanted to share. I just remembered this because it's new to me. I'm taking a stress management class in school. I stress like crazy and know it can and does contribute to my headaches and migraines. We did this thing called a power nap last week. I went in to class that day feeling crappy and came out feeling better. The effects lasted all day. Then on Friday, I was at the point of going to hit the clinic and I remembered the power nap, which I have on CD. I put it in and did it. It takes about 15-20 minutes to do. By the time I was done, I didn't need to go. It was still there, but the roaring and pounding had subsided so that I could care for it well enough at home. I will ask my professor tomorrow if there is a web site for it and share. I was skeptical, but now am amazed and can't wait to learn some of the other techniques. Anything to be able to stay home.

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