Has anyone tried this book? Change in migraines---long post

My migraines  have come and gone for a long time, but really went on the upswing about seven years ago after the birth of my third child. I started with Midrin which was okay. Then I went to propranolol and midrin. I started on Frova at about this point. Propranolol mads me feel incredibly fatigued (to the point of not functioning very well). Then atenolol with midrin. Next I went to verapamil. That was okay for awhile. The Frova has almost always helped, but not always. I was referred to a neurologist and he increased the Verapamil as well as prescribing Fioricet for when I needed that when the Frova needed a boost or for in-between Frova doses should they be necessary. I went to gabapentin last year. I found that worked better than the Verapamil and took myself off it.

 

I was doing fine, but needing to increase the gabapentin. I can go to 2400 mg a day. I'm at 1600 mg now. I was taking 1800 mg, but the headaches weren't so good. Found out that since I'm out of school for the summer and not drinking caffeine everyday, that caffeine was making my migraines worse and 1600 mg works okay.

 

Here's where I am now...back in the spring, I had a migraine where my head hurt REALLY bad---not worst headache---and I could barely stand up and walk. When I saw my PCP after that, he ordered an MRI. I was afraid I might have had a stroke---him too. In the time since then, I've had what's pretty close to one of my worst headaches ever---you know it is when hitting your head against the wall makes you feel better even for a little while.

 

This week is kind of a long story, but I'm pretty convinced that it wasn't a hangover of sorts from the two Vicodin I took the night before for the pain from my bursitis. The night I did take the Vicodin, I started getting pins and needles feelings in my arms. I don't take it every night and not even every other night. That said, I woke up with a headache. I just wanted quiet. I get phonphobia with most of my migraines. My right eye dimmed a bit. I had pins and needles on one surface of my arms, and numbness in the other surface. I managed to sleep it off, but the pins and needles feelings came back that night.

 

Decided I ought to call the doc about it Thursday because I was having the pins and needles and numb again...mostly in right arm (same side as headache of previous day). Off to the ER for a CT this time. The palm of my left hand had the pins and needles feeling and my right leg was getting that feeling.

Again, nothing.

 

I know these could be TIA's, that my doc is concerned about that. However, the scans have come up okay. My migraines seem to be changing, but I also have a type of ankylosing spondylitis which could cause the nerve symptoms and be responsible for some of my migraines which have increased in some frequency this summer.

 

I'm tired of taking meds---take so many already that I think adding more is not a good idea. I'm 43 and was just diagnosed with high cholesterol (avoided a statin, but even so, still have to take a prescription med). Hemiplegic migraines??? Complex migraines???

 

Has anyone here with severe migraines tried this book:

 

Heal Your Headache: The 1-2-3 Program for Taking Charge of Your Pain

 

If anyone here has some insight, I would so appreciate it!!! Thanks for sticking with me through this book.

 

Elaine

 

 

Parrotrosie,

Thank you! I've wondered if this might be a complex migraine among the other possibilities. LOL I've been to a neurologist who put me on the gabapentin. I trust my PCP a lot and he will probably be sending me back after my appointment this week. Last night I broke down and finally took something for my migraine. I hadn't taken anything since Wednesday. I woke up with no headache this morning, but the pain is back on the right side of my head tonight. :(

I'm worried about rebounding on my rescue meds and I've read that the only way to get out of that cycle is to not take them. I can't handle headaches for days on end, but I may have to.

Until I read here, I didn't realize that people had these kind of headaches. I'm glad to hear that you are better. I don't mind your book at all! :D

Thanks again,
Elaine

Hey Elaine,

I checked out that book about six years ago, but I just didn't find it helpful in my situation.  It didn't offer any information I didn't know, and having had migraines since I was eight(35yrs), I've been through all the steps.  Unfortunately for me, my most significant triggers are changes in weather/temperature and hormones.  Neither of which I can do a darn thing about.  If you don't know what triggers your migraines, the book might be helpful in figuring out if you can eliminate some of your triggers.  Hope you find out something useful.

Leigh Ann