HEY GANG!
I haven't been around for a while, but I thought I should drop in and update y'all on the amazing (although not perfect) improvement in my migraines/headache situation. Just to recap, I've had migraines for 37 years, since I was 8 years old, and have had them treated since I was 12. They have been chronic for the past 10 years, and I haven't been able to work a regular job in about 8 years. I've been on SSDI for 6 years for multiple issues, including chronic migraines.
Anyway, up until the last year, I was having migraines 3-4 days a week, and keeping a lower-grade headache on the days when the migraines weren't full-blown. My migraines were common, no aura, mostly brought on by changes in weather/temp/environmental conditions. I tried and failed on every type of medication out there. I had CT scans, MRIs , regular X-rays, you name the test, I took it with nothing weird showing up. I went thru neurologists left and right. Nothing ever helped. Basically, I was miserable.
SO....WHAT DID WORK??? OK...I ended up at the DUKE UNIVERSITY PAIN MGMT CLINIC. Wonderful people willing to try things others might not thing about... I'm taking a combination of ZONEGRAN(Zonisimide)400mg/day (as a Preventative) and SEROQUEL -300mg & HYDROXIZINE -50mg (as an Abortive) when I get a migraine. Basically, the idea with the off-label use on the abortive medications is that they put me to sleep and I sleep off the migraine. I don't get as many migraines now, and when I do, the meds usually do the trick.
I used to have to seek treatment at the Emergency Room several times a month. I've only been one time in the last year. Now I just have to get an minor injection of Nubain/Phenergan every couple of weeks, which is a vast improvement. I also have gotten rid of the permanent headache that I had every day. I can't tell you what a RELIEF it is NOT to have your head hurt ALL THE TIME. I thank my lucky stars I pursued the DUKE Clinic because I saw where someone in this forum recommended it. Thought I would just pass along my experience for what it's worth.
Leigh Ann