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Still dealing with this migraine....

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Migraine Headache
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Posted 12/28/2006 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
This one is horrible. It's the same one that's been haunting me for the last 7-10 days, maybe longer. I'm absolutely beside myself. I don't know what to do. My neuro's office is closed until the 3rd. I may have to go to the ER. I hurt so much. I looked up DHE on the web and still don't really know what it is. Is it a narcotic? If not, what is it exactly and how does it work? I'm as close to giving up as I have ever been. I can't take this much longer. I'm at the end of my rope. Any other advise would be helpful too. I really am willing to try anything, anything.
Posted 12/28/2006 8:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi seechell,

So sorry you are still dealing with this. DHE is a dirty drug like Chemo and has to be administered in a hospital setting. It is strong and works in the same way as the triptans. It is not a narcotic! In fact it was the drug of choice before the triptans came into being!!!

DHE constricts the blood vessels that expand during a migraine attack, but patients must be closely monitored during infusions! An anti-emetic (anti-sickness) drug is usually given before infusions start. DHE can make you feel very lethargic! I hope this helps.

It may be the best thing for you to go the the ER and have whatever would normally work for you just to rid yourself of this attack as soon as you can, and then talk to you Neuro about DHE for another time!

The other thing is, can you get a prescription for a short course of steroids for 5 days to give you a pain break? I did just before Christmas as the pain was so bad for me I could not function at all and was running round the house screaming with the pain!!!! I feel so much better now!!!!! You cannot do this too often!

Hang in there seechell, let us know how you get on, take care

Ann
Posted 12/28/2006 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Like Ann said the course steriods--Occassionally, I know my doc has done a shot of steriods and that has worked also...

Does your neurologist do on call service or do they just have you go to the Emergency room for this type of situation? Would you be able to call him and explain the situation that you are having and would he be willing to call something in over the phone to break the cycle or his practice not set up/willing to do this?

I haven't done much else for long standing ones besides steriods and hospital for DHE...I hope you find some relief really soon, take care!
Posted 12/28/2006 3:25 PM (GMT 0)

Unfortunatly, my neuro is out of the office until Jan. 3. I can't do much except go to the ER or to an urgent care clinic. I hate the ER that I have to go to because of my insurance and it's a game of russian roulette on who is going to be in the urgent care. There could be a Dr. or a PA. Some of the PA's are unable to give narcotics. I'm afraid that's where I am with this one. I hate asking for demerol or stadol because of the possible stigma of being labeled as a drug seeker. That makes me so angry. The pain is very real and some of these "professionals" think that all you want is drugs. I would love to give them this migraine for about 30-60 min. and see how well they do. They'd be begging for some relief and some compassion.

I appreciate the real info on the DHE, Annuk. All the info I found was murky and made no sense. I appreciate it very much. Now I can make an educated decision on what I need to do if the pain continues past the weekend. I can also ask about steroids. I'm out of my Relpax and can't refill it until Jan. 15. I tried to use it sparingly but 6 pills don't last long. My other option could be to call my PCP and see if he would perscribe Maxalt. This was what I was on before I switched to the Relpax. It doesn't work as well, but it does ease the pain more than just the Esgic Plus and Xanax. I'm also afraid of taking so much that I get in the rebound headache mode.

Ya know, this whole thing just sucks! I know everyone can relate and sympathize and I appreciate you all so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You guys are awesome!


Posted 12/28/2006 5:06 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Chelle:

Why suffer when you can go to the ER? Just do it! You are torturing yourself when relief is waiting at the hospital...I"ve had to go 3 times this year, and was given Demerol which didn't work, and then Dilaudid which did. So get dressed and get in the car and get relief.

God Bless You,

Mr. Christian

Posted 12/29/2006 4:01 AM (GMT 0)

Dear Chelle,

I also suffer with 3-7 day migraines. I wanted to let you know what I've done in the past to stop the pain. I realize this may or may not work for you, however I hope it will help you in some way.

I  go to the ER when I can't stand the pain anymore. I go to a migraine clinic at the hospital where I live and they give me an IV called a cocktail. Anytime I've been out of town and had to go to another hospital, they try to take the pain down with just Demerol and other drugs, but they don't work, of course. All ER docs know about the cocktail (a mix of drugs that treat all symptoms) but rarely offer it unless asked. Show them that you know what you're talking about and that you won't accept anything less. Sometimes it helps to take someone with you who is strong and willing to be pleasant but assertive to make sure you get what you need...and don't leave the hospital until you're better.

Regarding the worry about asking for drugs...don't worry about it, only care about yourself. I had a nurse ask me one time what my pain level was on a scale from 1-10. I said I thought about a 9. He replied with "uhhh ...a 10 is a person who has been lit on fire, I don't think you're a 9!" That is ignorance talking. People with migraines have to deal with it often, but you can't let it stop you from seeking treatment.

Take care. My heart goes out to you and I wish you the best.

Katesmom

Posted 12/29/2006 4:00 PM (GMT 0)

I broke down and went to the urgent care. And do I have a funny story. Some of it is muddled so bear with me. Hubby took me. We went in and I saw the only PA I trust, who just happened to be there. Yeah! So, he looked at my history and saw that I'd been in on the 17th already and asked if I wanted to try a shot of stadol and phenergan again. I said yes, please! I think I heard him order 300 mg of stadol and 50 mg of phenergan. I could have been just hearing things. My usual dosage is 200 mg of stadol. We stayed for the obligatory 15 min and then we left. I decided I was hungry, so we stopped and got Arby's and brought it home. Hubby said I fell asleep on my way up the stairs to our apartment, there are 4 flights. He said I wasn't even leaning on anything, just standing there, snoring. He woke me up. Then came dinner. I kept falling asleep while trying to eat! I put the reamaining dinner in the fridge and went to bed at 7pm. Hubby came and wole me up to take my regular meds and I got up to try and finish dinner. Not very successful. So, I gave up and went back to bed. Hubby said I kept saying all of these funny things and that I was acting "weird". I felt almost drunk and my mouth runs non stop when I'm drunk, which is never now, but years ago it was alot. I'm a happy drunk. Peace, Love and Happiness. I've never fallen asleep over my dinner. My hubby was a bit irritated with me. I felt bad, but I was so sedated that I couldn't do anything else. My migraine is almost gone, just the vague remnants remain and hopefully that will go too. I feel good. I hope that was the magic bullet. Wish me luck.

Posted 12/29/2006 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
Chelle,

Glad to hear you finally went to the doc and got your stadol... Weird/funny they gave you more than usual and you fell asleep! I know when I get toradol even, they tell me to get home and get into bed cause I'm out like a light.

Hope your migraine is gone by now... :)
Posted 12/29/2006 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
So glad you have finally got some relief Seechell, just sorry you are not able to be more awake to reap the benefit of it!!

take care

Ann
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