Suicidal due to hemiplegic migraines

I haven't read all of the responses above, but you are not alone. Many times in my life migraine made me think about suicide to stop the pain. I have had migraines since I was 5 years old - I am 50 now. However, they are suddenly tons better recently. These are things that have helped me: 1. Avoid MSG (do a search on Internet - it goes under 43 secret names and it is in most restaurant and grocery store food. I eat mostly just health food store food now), 2. Go to sleep early, avoid bright lights, loud noise - all the normal triggers, 3. Try a diet with only vegetables, fruits (no meat, bread, deserts), 4. The medication Cafergot worked pretty well for me during the past 30 years (impossible to find in the past few months, but maybe you'll have better luck than me), 5. Menapause is starting and boy have things gotten better! Finally in my life my hormones feel normal - not going crazy like they did until the past year or so.

Hi HemiL,

As an acute sufferer I haven't found topamax a benefit to me so my neurolost has started adding other drugs along side it, gabapentin and propranalol. At 400mg the only side effect I have is severe weight loss, I started off at healthy 9.7 stone and now I'm only 6 stone. It truely amazes me that absolutely nothing touches these migraines, I have no idea what they wull try next, topamax was supposed to be my miricle cure, then they said the botox would be. I think we end up putting so many chemicals in our bodies they just become immune!

I have been in your shoes, and have felt what you have felt! THERE IS HOPE! I too have have suffered from extremely severe Hemiplegic migraines since being a teen. I have also had strokes as a result of them and being prescribed improper medication. I work, and have three children ages, 10, 11 and 14 so I am not able to be bedridden.

While I still have severe migraines, the quality of my life HAS drastically improved with proper treatment - YOURS CAN TOO.

People who have Hemiplegic migraines need to be treated by Migraine specialists, not just neurologists who generally are the "general practictioner" of the brain.

YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE TRIPTANS. While we all have different situations, I have had two strokes, over 5 concussions, and have multiple CYSTS on my brain due to trauma which complicate my case. If I can find SOME relief SO CAN YOU!!! I had to talk to over 10 neurologists over the years....DON'T stop at ONE

My Regime:
Zonegran = 400 mg daily taken at night
Monthly IV infusions of Toradol, Depakote, Magnesium and Zofran
Tramadol = 300 mg / day as needed for pain

Zonegran = It works similar to Topamax but does not have the same side effects, and I have found it to be very helpful for the aura symptoms, if not for the reduction/frequency in the pain alone.

Alternatives: 33 injections of Botox (tried) but did not work for me - perhaps it will work for you.
Monthly infusions have been working great - exception - when the weather changes. They have offered me bi-weekly infusions.

For Breakthrough headaches, (when the weather changes) I have a prescription for Tramadol, as I have been diagnosed as having "chronic moderate to severe pain" and this is the approved through my insurance company for long term chronic pain relief.

Hi! I too, was suicidal because of Hemiplegic Migraines. However, After seeing 5 Neurologists who each gave up on treating me because nothing worked or I was allergic to it, I was finally referred to a Headache Specialist who combines natural medicine with prescriptions. I am currently taking a supplement called Petadolex as a preventative. He told me it is the 1st thing prescribed for migraines in Germany. Because it is all natural, it is the last thing known about by the doctors in the USA. It hasn't completely stopped the migraines, but--- I no longer go unconscious for 2 days because the pain is too great for my brain to handle!!!!!! All my symptoms have greaaaaaaatly decreased in intensity and the migraines have decreased in frequency as well. I have no noticeable side-effects from it either!! It has been a miracle for me and I don't need a prescription for it! The doctor told me to take 2 - 50mg tablets in the morning and one at bedtime since most of my hemiplegic migraines were happening late at night, while I was asleep, or in the early mornings. Petadolex is sold over the internet. Shop around for the best price. I get mine from Better Health International and if you buy 2 you get one free! When I told him the only thing I have found that remotely helps when I am in an attack is a prescription of Fiorinal, which I keep in my purse, he asked why I was going to the hospital then? I told him Fiorinal only comes in pill form and they don't work when you throw them up in a bucket! So, he also gave me Tigan shots to give myself at home to stop the profuse vomiting so I could keep down the pills and avoid going to the hospital! I can tell you a million horror stories about my hospital stays, so I can't thank that Migraine Specialist doctor enough!! My current Neurologist had never heard of Petadolex and when I told him it had saved my life, he started telling any patient who he had trouble treating their migraines about it. He says many of his hardest cases have responded well with it and thanked me! I started having Hemiplegic Migraines at 15 yrs. old and am 44 yrs. old now. Hope it doesn't take you as long to get good help as it took me! Good Luck to you!

hi to you all ,
me also I've been to hell and back with hormonal migraine and as i am a sufferer of cervical spondylosis, the headache can at times got worse. i will appreciate any help from all of you out there.

so thanks in advance

I have the daily...for over three years. Penguin...this everyday part of life...basically robs us of living a life. My eyes are effected also. I'm about at my limit for today....but I wanted you to know that I am where you are at. If your doctor has given up...find a new one. There is a lot of meds out there. You should ask him about seizure meds too. There is hope...but you will need to find a better doctor.

My girlfriend suffers very bad with hemiplegic migraines her mouth droops her head feels it's goin to explode weaknesses in her arm and leg dizziness she's on topamax and loads of painkillers nothing works

Hi There,

I know it's been a while since this thread started, but I thought I'd write in my question anyway. I was diagnosed with hemiplegic migraines last year. My life has changed a lot for the better lately as I just got married and my husband is encouraging me to get the help I need (he's the reason I actually went to see a neurologist in the first place). I'm also beginning to accept that I have depression that may not be managed successfully without medication. I've been seeing a therapist once in a while and working on my own to manage my depression, but I still have high anxiety almost all the time and panic attacks once a month or so.

Has anyone else experienced what I am now? Any advice or details about your own experience is appreciated. Thank you and peace to all of you with migraines!

Thanks, Trina. I appreciate your post, and I think you're right about therapy. Peace to you.