Freakin' migraines

[dropkickpa]

I've had migraines for most of my life now (I'm 29, they started when i was 13). Over the past 6 months the frequency has been steadily increasing from about 1 a week to 3-6 a week (due in part, I'm sure, to increased job stress). I finally called in sick and went to the Dr. about it on Tuesday because the one that started on Sunday still hadn't gone away. He prescribed me Imitrex, which did NOTHING, and in fact seemed to make it worse, even after two doses, not to mention my jaw hurt like crazy (I actually thought I might have messed up one of my molars because I kept getting a powerful ache in the back towards my molars, which feel FINE now). That one finally went away yesterday morning.

I am so sick of headaches. I used to be able to get reasonable relief from ibuprofen, but that's just not cutting it anymore. Go away migraines, you're not welcome here. And my poor kid, she is just so sweet and understanding and patient when I'm in the midst of one. She knows that light and sound make it a thousand times worse so she works extra hard to be quiet and considerate. She shouldn't have to deal with this crap, she should feel free to run through the house and sing as much as she wants!! grrrr. And I started getting aura's about an hour ago, so yet another one is on it's way, it'll probably be waiting for me when I wake up tomorrow morning.

Thanks for letting me vent!!

[mopinko]

1. you need better care.

if you are having that many migraines, you need to be getting more care than- i finally broke down and went to the doctor. if you have good insurance, you should be seeing a neurologist. there are drug you could be taking daily that will help prevent them. take care of yourself. you do not have to be this sick.

[Warpy]

2. Sometimes you need to look at what's causing them

What kind of birth control are you on? How about other triggers? Has anything changed in the past few weeks in your environment?

I've found that slamming down caffeine when I get the aura will often derail the migraine. Try a couple of Excedrin tabs when you get the aura and until you can see the doc. It's cheap, anyway.

The worst ones are the ones I wake up with during the night or even in the morning. They're established and all I can do is tell the cats to stop stamping their feet while I wait it out.

There are other migraine drugs out there besides Imitrex. Talk to your doc about options.

My parents noticed I'd inherited the family migraines when I was FOUR. My triggers are hormones, alcohol and cig smoke. So much for a social life. Avoiding the triggers reduced my migraines to two or three a month.

[dropkickpa]

3. Caffeine is my FRIEND!!!

I've always known it helps. My biggest problem is that the trigger I have going on now, stress from my work, is something I can't really avoid. And I actually love my job, it's just been uber-stressful the past month and a half because of some big issues that cropped up. I almost think I do my job too well, as I can actually deal with this stuff job-wise and the bosses know it and lean heavily on my ability, but my head hates the stress.

In two months I will be moving to a different, far less stressful site, so I need to do what I can to make it through until then. I was told by my doc that, the next doozy 'graine I get, if the imitrex isn't helping, got to the ER, request an MRI (giving them his contact info so they can verify that this is what he wants) and we'll go from there, with him advocating for the need for extensive help from specialists. He is actually very helpful, the issue is just that only recently have they become uncontrollable and I just started seeking treatment for them. I'm just frustrated, with myself in particular for putting it off so long. And I want to kick my mom in the pants for passing on this little gem of a trait (just kidding, but because she has had them her whole life, I know how much it sucks to be a kid dealing with a parent with these).

I was able to slam down 2 cups of coffee last night (I love coffee but my stomach hates it, same with anything containing aspirin) and now, instead of the doozy it was building up to be, I just have a pretty mild one, and ibuprofen is helping it.

The ones that wake me up are the worst, I'm always like "I was SLEEPING, couldn't you at least wait until I'm awake before starting this crap??".

My 9 year-old nephew just went to the ER a couple weeks ago with a killer one, poor kid. At least I got a couple more years before they kicked in.

[OhioChick]

4. You mentioned that

your jaw hurt like crazy. Have you ever had a consult. with a specialist to see if you have TMJ Dysfunction? Headaches are a primary symptom, along with jaw pain. Some other symptoms are:


THE KINNIE-FUNT INDEX OF HEAD, NECK, FACIAL PAIN and TMJ DYSFUNCTION

While many of these symptoms have been connected with TMJ Dysfunction, there is no true "classic" picture of a person that suffers from TMJ Dysfunction.

Eye Pain and Eye Problems:
- eye pain above, below, behind
- bloodshot eyes
- blurring of vision
- bulging appearance
- pressure behind the eyes
- light sensitivity
- watering of the eyes
- drooping of the eye lids

Head Pain, Headache Problems, Facial Pain:
- forehead pain
- temporal pain
- "migraine" type headache
- "cluster-type" headache
- sinus headache under the eyes
- posterior headaches, back of head, with or without shooting pains
- hair and/or scalp painful to touch

Mouth, Face, Cheek, and Chin Problems:
- discomfort or pain to any of these areas
- limited opening
- inability to open the jaw smoothly or evenly
- jaw deviates to one side when opening
- inability to "find bite" with teeth

Teeth and Gum Problems:
- clenching or grinding at night
- looseness and or soreness of back teeth
- tooth pain

Jaw and Jaw Joint Problems:
- clicking, popping jaw joints
- grating sounds
- jaw locking opened or closed
- pain in cheek muscles
- uncontrollable jaw or tongue movements

Ear Pain, Ear Problems, and Postural Imbalances:
- hissing, buzzing, ringing, or roaring sounds
- diminished hearing
- ear pain - without infection
- clogged, stuffy, "itchy" ears, feeling of fullness
- balance problems, "vertigo", dizziness, or disequilibrium
- crackling noises in ears

Throat Problems:
- swallowing difficulties
- tightness of throat
- sore throat without infection
- voice fluctuations
- laryngitis
- frequent coughing or constant clearing of throat
- feeling of foreign object in throat
- tongue pain
- salivation (intense)
- pain of the hard palate in the mouth


Neck and Shoulder Problems:
- lack of mobility - reduced range of movement
- stiffness
- neck pain
- tired, sore neck muscles
- shoulder aches
- back pain upper and lower
- arm and finger tingling, numbness and or pain

[ncrainbowgrrl]

5. Yet another migraine sufferer here!

Imitrex does nothing for me either. Well- except it makes me so loopy that I fall over when trying to walk. There are other migraine abortives out there- call your doctor back and ask for a different one... there's no reason why you should have to suffer.

Also, there's a Wonderful headache/migraine site on about.com- it's under the "health and fitness" heading. The guide there is excellent, and there's a wealth of information about medications- both preventatives and abortive meds. Also, the message forum has a whole bunch of other migraneurs who are great for support and ideas, or just to vent with others who have gone through similar experiences.

[Matilda]

6. Not on the Pill are you?

Sorry if that sounds personal, but I've had migraines since I was 13, and I found that when I went
on the Pill in my twenties, the severity and frequency of migraines increased until I was suffering
at least two weeks out of four. In the end, I just couldn't continue, and had to use other birth
control methods.

[flamingyouth]

7. You need to see a neurologist who specializes in migraines.

Sorry you're going through this. I've suffered with them for years and just about a year ago finally got them under control some what with an abortive (Topamax) and some diet changes (sorry - I seriously cut back on the caffeine and I have to say that it helped a whole lot). I was getting so many that I couldn't even tell them apart - my life was like one giant migraine.

Also - I can't take Imitrex either, but there is a similar drug out called Maxalt, which seems to work better. At least it does for me. Now I only get a couple a month, if that (and usually right before my period). Now I think the majority of my headaches are related to my neck problems.

Anyway - good luck. Take care.

[nashville_brook]

8. another migraineur who understands

i've had them since i was a teenager. in my 20s i'd get clusters that lasted days. birth control pills were like poison. i could skate along with my usual stress until the breaking point when i'd wake up vomiting, begging the gods' forgiveness. caffeine is my friend too!

i was helpless until imitrex, so, i respond to triptans. other triptans are Zomig, Maxalt, and Amerge. so maybe it's this class of drug that doesn't work for you.

another class to consider are the ergots such as Migrainal, Cafegot, Parlodel and Wingraine.

the thing about having this kind of trouble is that it's easy to give up trying to convince doctors that we need relief. i was brushed off until i was well into my 30s -- so i used goodies powders and benedryl which helped some.

i have a good friend who was recently prescribed demerol for her headaches. i had not heard of this being used since the early 80s, but it gave me hope that at least some doctors are "getting it." i decided to use this doctor for my primary care and it's made all the difference in the world, because even tho imitrex works and i don't have a problem to solve there -- her understanding of the total experience of this crap has led to other insights with other symptoms i was having. point being -- find someone who is *enthusiastic* about treating you. this calls for creative problem-solving, and a doc who is just punching the clock isn't your friend.