Migraines?

Hi all,

Short story--diagnosed with UC 10/11 while pregnant with 2nd bubbie. Had complications early in pregnancy that required long-term use of antibiotics--hmm, coincidence? Started developing UC symptoms for the first time in my life after being on antibiotics for about 14 weeks. Delivered baby boy in Jan 2012 (he's one now and toddling around, the darling...). Symptoms became so bad in Feb 2012 that I was hospitalized for 5 days.

Have been on/off pred, Apriso, Rowasa, Pentasa, Imuran, Remicade, etc. Over the course of around 8 weeks or so last summer, achieved a somewhat reasonable "remission" and was able to return to work teaching this fall.

Symptoms stabilized even further when switching to Lialda from Apriso. Currently my only medication is Lialda (2 tabs in a.m.), Imodium daily (with blessings of Gastro), and Rowasa 2-3x/week.

So, reasonably satisfied with my gastro symptoms. Average 2-3 times a day, still some urgency, but no blood/mucus.

Anyway.

My "other" symptoms related to UC seem to be more debilitating. My joint pain can be ridiculous, to the point where raising my arms to put my shirt makes me wince. And now I seem to have developed migraines. I'm 39 years old and have never really "suffered" from any sort of headaches before, but I've had a handful of headaches over the last several months that have really been doozies. Last night, I started to get a headache--skipped dinner and went to lay down. Was sensitive to smell (of my mother-in-law's cooking) and to sound (of my 3-year-old daughter bursting into the room I was laying down in and starting to chatter at me). I was feeling very nauseous and also experiencing diarrhea. I thought that maybe I was coming down with a stomach flu, and we all went home. It's about 1 1/2 hour ride from my inlaws back home, and twice I had to have my husband pull over so I could throw up (there's at least one Diamond Shamrock that I will never be able to go back to).

As soon as we came home, I threw myself into bed and slept straight through until morning. I woke up feeling absolutely fine. No headache, no fever, no upset stomach, nada. So I started googling "migraine and diarrhea and vomiting" and it seems like it's pretty common for all that to go hand in hand. Some other symptoms I experienced, like sensitivity to smell and sound and vertigo, are also classic symptoms.

So, I started to think that maybe there are others of you that started having migraines as an extra UC symptom? Some of the articles I researched this morning said that there is a strong correlation between migraine symptoms and GI complaints.

If you are suffering also from migraines, what is your best treatment for them?

Ta and thanks,

Lisa

I get migraines with nausea but I have never noticed if I get D. I now take several medications to help me with this. I daily take a Topamax. This is really a seizure med and can have some serious complications but for me it is worth it. Was having headaches that could last a week. Otherwise I could have two headaches a week. I was miserable. It works as a preventative. I now have maybe two headaches a month and they are a lot less severe. Also I have a med called fiorcet which is a pain killer and has caffeine in it. Then I am abortative. It can stop a migraine if you take it at first symptom. I don't have to take them all the time because I know it seems like a lot of meds. But for the really bad ones it is a life saver.

If it is hormonal migraines, I found staying on a steady dose of calcium eliminated mine all together, I could predict my cycle from my migraines. For me, best treatment for migraines is cambia.

I am not too sure if I should be proud of this but have not found anyone as expert in Migraine as me on this forum. (Prove me wrong and I want to know what did you do more than me. Seriously, no joke)

That being said, you situation is complicated by the pregnancy so please consult with OB/GYN, plus a migraine specialist before you do anything.

Line of action varies but you could try following.
- On simple forms, supplement yourself with Mg-Citrate and Vit B2 200mg twice a day. You will see some effect in 3 months. Most likely, this is the least complication prone route. This will most likely not get you rid of the migraines but the ferocity will reduce significantly. This is what is helping me now and I am seeing a migraine specialist tomorrow (after 3 months wait)
- You could try triptan derivatives. They are not supposed to be taken daily. You can not take more than 6 per month and if you are a US resident, your insurance may not even cover the dose that you need (For e.g. my insurance covered only half dose/tablet of Relpax per month !!!) The doc could try one triptan after the other if you don't respond to one. Not too sure if thats good stratgy and triptans are no good for me. I only spent truck load of money with no effect whatsoever.
- As an abortive, you are in pretty sketchy area because of your pregnancy. Usually NSAIDs work like charm but they give you flare. I have been using Nabumetone 750mg approx 1X a week and so far so good but I do not expect this to work for rest of my life. You have lot of other options. http://www.montefiore.org/documents/mhc%20new%20patient%20questionnaire%20(with%20allodynia%20-%205-6-08).doc (New patient questionnaire on http://www.montefiore.org/headache-center-resources-new-patient-information) will give you the options you could discuss with your doc.
- If your insurance covers, acupuncture, do consider it. As per the Chinese medicine migraine is a symptom of messed up gall bladder meridian. I have not tried this option. As a matter of fact, I came across this stuff just 2 days ago and have been reading a lot on it. But probably pretty safe option for you.

-Search for food triggers, web is loaded with it and if you are using anything, remove it for your diet.

Pls don't go for big guns at the moment. Record your migraines with a headache diary. Be detailed as much as you can, should it continue post-delivery.

Good Luck.

I only use it about every other month, it has never put me into a flare.