Darianya
01-13-2001, 04:04 AM
My apologies in advance for a very long first post.
6 years ago, while I was living at high altitude (along with wildly fluctuating barometric pressure) in Alberta Canada, I all of a sudden started getting almost-daily headaches. They were constant pressure, sometimes intensifying into severe throbbing pain, in no one place on my head, it shifted. I went to several doctors, numerous hospital ER visits and a list of drugs as long as my arm (literally!). Just over 2 years after the onset of this, I went to a lower altitude for a vacation and discovered that my headaches went away! Within 24 hours of my return home, my headache returned full force. To test my discovery, a few months later, I again went away to a lower altitude, and it happened again. I did the only sensible thing, I moved. My headaches were still more frequent than the 'norm' but bearable, and usually treatable with off the shelf medications.
After 3 1/2 years of being in a lower altitude, I went back to Alberta for a 5 day christmas visit with my mother. I thought myself very lucky, as I spent the entire 5 days headache-less. 2 days after my return home, I developed a headache. It is now almost 2 weeks later, and I still have the headache. I noticed at the time I developed the headache that the barometric pressure was fluctuating wildly, along with very odd weather patterns for this time of year. I have tried to seek medical help this past week, and I basically got told to take Tylenol and Aleve (Like I couldn't have done that without going to the hospital!).
I also get migraine with complicated aura, they call it, but only a few times per year, and it's totally different.
Does anyone have any advice on how to cope?? I have never even been tested (cat-scan, mri, etc), and every time I seek medical attention, they treat me like I'm a drugseeker, just because I tell them that the normal headache remedies don't work for me.
--Darianya, Frustrated and in pain!
6 years ago, while I was living at high altitude (along with wildly fluctuating barometric pressure) in Alberta Canada, I all of a sudden started getting almost-daily headaches. They were constant pressure, sometimes intensifying into severe throbbing pain, in no one place on my head, it shifted. I went to several doctors, numerous hospital ER visits and a list of drugs as long as my arm (literally!). Just over 2 years after the onset of this, I went to a lower altitude for a vacation and discovered that my headaches went away! Within 24 hours of my return home, my headache returned full force. To test my discovery, a few months later, I again went away to a lower altitude, and it happened again. I did the only sensible thing, I moved. My headaches were still more frequent than the 'norm' but bearable, and usually treatable with off the shelf medications.
After 3 1/2 years of being in a lower altitude, I went back to Alberta for a 5 day christmas visit with my mother. I thought myself very lucky, as I spent the entire 5 days headache-less. 2 days after my return home, I developed a headache. It is now almost 2 weeks later, and I still have the headache. I noticed at the time I developed the headache that the barometric pressure was fluctuating wildly, along with very odd weather patterns for this time of year. I have tried to seek medical help this past week, and I basically got told to take Tylenol and Aleve (Like I couldn't have done that without going to the hospital!).
I also get migraine with complicated aura, they call it, but only a few times per year, and it's totally different.
Does anyone have any advice on how to cope?? I have never even been tested (cat-scan, mri, etc), and every time I seek medical attention, they treat me like I'm a drugseeker, just because I tell them that the normal headache remedies don't work for me.
--Darianya, Frustrated and in pain!
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Karla
01-14-2001, 04:38 AM
I suffer from migraines and cluster headaches. I know that changes in altitudes from driving through moutains and flying in airplaines will trigger bad headaches. Also I know that barometric changes will trigger headaches such as right before a snow storm or a rain storm comes in. I have arthritis in my one knee. Poeple say they can tell it is going to tell it is going to rain/snow by their joints. I can to. But I can feel it in my head also. It is very painful. However, this is just one of many other things that triggers my headaches such as heat, humidity, bananas, hormones, trigger migraines plus I get my daily cluster headaches.
You can get migraines without aroras. I would suggest you talk to a nuerologist recently. I understand completely about nothing over the counter working for you. Your neuro should be able to give you a preventative medicine (if you are having frequent headaches) and / or and abortive medicine to take when a headache occures. Work out a plan with your neuro. I take medicine x (Imitrix, zomig, erogot, migranol, maxalt,etc) when I have a ha. If that medicine doese not get rid of my headache than I will take a rescue medicine
Y (Percacet, Vicadin, Firoinal, etc.) If that rescue medicine fails then I will go into the ER for treatment.
Make sure you get a letter from your neurologist on dated clinical letterhead signed by him stating that you are being seen by him for mirgraines and occasionaly need a shot. Every time you need to go to ER make sure that slip is on you. If any dr. wants to give you any grief show him the letter. If he wont honor it ask for a second dr that will. I ran into a dr. in er that wouldn't and gave me a drug seeker look. I asked for 2nd dr. and he said we don't do things like that around here. I was made and said discharge me then. He wanted me to go home and take asprin/motrin which I had been doing for 24 hours already that hadn't been working. The nurse came in saw I was upset and said I could see a different dr. I was happy. The other dr. lied! The second dr. came in saw the note. Said it is dated, signed saw no problem with it, said you obviously have a migrain, you have obviously been here before, you know what works for you, and ordered my shot of dilaudid. I got the first drs. name and called the head of the medical dept. at the hospital the next day and filed a complaint. The director said we like the patient to have a dated note, signed, with dr. instructions. I said I did etc. The director got back to me. The dr. was wrong and was repremanded. He also wrote a letter to my personal physican telling him he thought I was a drug addict and needed to be cut off. I talked to my dr. about it and we just figured it was a personality conflict in the ER. Hoped I helped some. Good luck.
You can get migraines without aroras. I would suggest you talk to a nuerologist recently. I understand completely about nothing over the counter working for you. Your neuro should be able to give you a preventative medicine (if you are having frequent headaches) and / or and abortive medicine to take when a headache occures. Work out a plan with your neuro. I take medicine x (Imitrix, zomig, erogot, migranol, maxalt,etc) when I have a ha. If that medicine doese not get rid of my headache than I will take a rescue medicine
Y (Percacet, Vicadin, Firoinal, etc.) If that rescue medicine fails then I will go into the ER for treatment.
Make sure you get a letter from your neurologist on dated clinical letterhead signed by him stating that you are being seen by him for mirgraines and occasionaly need a shot. Every time you need to go to ER make sure that slip is on you. If any dr. wants to give you any grief show him the letter. If he wont honor it ask for a second dr that will. I ran into a dr. in er that wouldn't and gave me a drug seeker look. I asked for 2nd dr. and he said we don't do things like that around here. I was made and said discharge me then. He wanted me to go home and take asprin/motrin which I had been doing for 24 hours already that hadn't been working. The nurse came in saw I was upset and said I could see a different dr. I was happy. The other dr. lied! The second dr. came in saw the note. Said it is dated, signed saw no problem with it, said you obviously have a migrain, you have obviously been here before, you know what works for you, and ordered my shot of dilaudid. I got the first drs. name and called the head of the medical dept. at the hospital the next day and filed a complaint. The director said we like the patient to have a dated note, signed, with dr. instructions. I said I did etc. The director got back to me. The dr. was wrong and was repremanded. He also wrote a letter to my personal physican telling him he thought I was a drug addict and needed to be cut off. I talked to my dr. about it and we just figured it was a personality conflict in the ER. Hoped I helped some. Good luck.
Darianya
01-14-2001, 01:45 PM
I was beginning to feel like I was some kind of freak until I read your reply! Thank you. I do plan to see a neurologist as soon as I can. I once had a letter from a doctor (not a neurologist, though) saying about that exact thing. The ER had requested that I get such a letter if I was going to need a shot on a regular basis. The very first doctor to see that letter refused to honor the letter and gave me that drugseeker look. What he wanted to do was 'wean' me off. I've also had an ER doctor call my doctor at 2am to find out if I was really in pain. My doctor said I was, and the ER doctor refused to believe her and told me I was a drug addict to my face. It helps just to know that I am not alone and not a freak! I didn't know at the time that I could demand a second doctor. Thanks!
Vickie
02-15-2001, 06:55 PM
I have been having migraines for over 20 years and it wasn't until a couple of years ago that I figured out a lot of it was due to the weather. There isn't much to be done for that right now, unfortunately.
I understand about the Drs. Some of them think they know it all and that a person should be able to handle a "little" headache without drugs. It is very frustrating. One doctor I used to go to didn't believe I even had migraines!
Until I went online I thought I was the only one who got headaches from the weather. Glad (?) to know I am not.
I understand about the Drs. Some of them think they know it all and that a person should be able to handle a "little" headache without drugs. It is very frustrating. One doctor I used to go to didn't believe I even had migraines!
Until I went online I thought I was the only one who got headaches from the weather. Glad (?) to know I am not.
Jester
02-15-2001, 07:24 PM
I am from Calgary. We get chinooks (what Dariana was describing with the wild pressure changes). I have has migraines ever since puberty. It is just something I live with. I find that Imitrex is a good migraine fighter, but the best preventative treatment is drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. It helps to keep the pressure in your brain as equivalent as the pressure outside. The barometric pressure is just one of my triggers. I don't always get the headache with every chinook. I have to have had other triggers as well, eat a tomato, cheese, red wine... :p
Darianya
02-17-2001, 01:12 PM
I've actually had testing now. My CT scan was normal, and I'm awaiting the results of the spine xrays. My neurologist says my headaches are so confusing as they have symptoms of migraines, cluster headaches as well as tension headaches. I've previously gone through all the normal migraine routine for these, keeping a diary of foods and stresses, running the drug gauntlet, so to speak, but after 6 years of these headaches, this is the first time someone took them seriously enough to bother doing a few simple things to rule out anything serious. The problem still remains about getting proper care when flare-ups occur, though. I don't know how to explain my circumstances in such a way that people believe I'm truly suffering, rather than just wanting a fix. Being allergic to codeine, I am feeling very much punished for that. Very few doctors are willing to explore any alternatives to that, and of course, saying you're allergic to the common medicines is one of those 'signals' of drugseekers, as is saying you have a headache.
Although, I dislike hearing that others are suffering, too, I am very glad to hear that I'm not abnormal, but rather just not common. All my research since this started indicates to me that doctors, in fear of addiction or something else that will come back to trouble them later, underestimate and undertreat pain as a matter of course, both in private practice and in the emergency departments. Some days, I wish they could experience what we experience, just for a while, so perhaps they'd have a little more empathy for people who are suffering than they do now. I am beginning to think it's not a problem with how I am handling it, but rather with how the medical profession is trained to handle it. Of course, there's little I can do in that case.
Thanks!
Darianya
Although, I dislike hearing that others are suffering, too, I am very glad to hear that I'm not abnormal, but rather just not common. All my research since this started indicates to me that doctors, in fear of addiction or something else that will come back to trouble them later, underestimate and undertreat pain as a matter of course, both in private practice and in the emergency departments. Some days, I wish they could experience what we experience, just for a while, so perhaps they'd have a little more empathy for people who are suffering than they do now. I am beginning to think it's not a problem with how I am handling it, but rather with how the medical profession is trained to handle it. Of course, there's little I can do in that case.
Thanks!
Darianya
bamboo42
02-17-2001, 03:55 PM
My almost-15 year old daughter just started with migraines about 2-3 months ago. She is on Vicodin (sp?) but because the school nurse will not give her something to eat - a pack of crackers, whatever! - if she takes it at school it makes her sick to her stomach so she has to come home. The school nurse wants her to take Imitrex (sp?) because other students do, but our doctor doesn't agree; says Imitrex is best when the patient has warning symptoms like auras, etc. so that it can be taken before the migraine has a chance to really take hold. The nurse at the doc's office thinks the school nurse is lazy, but my daughter is the one who is being put in the middle, AND she's missing school due to the situation. Megan's migraines come w/o ANY warning. She's stopped drinking soda w/ caffeine, chocolate, etc., and is keeping a food diary. Questions: does Imitrex work for you people if your migraines start w/o warning? How long till it starts working? Does it make you sleepy? There would be no sense in Megan staying at school and napping! LOL! I used to get migraines in H.S., but then seemed to grow out of them. Now I get what I call "my 3-day headaches"; do migraines run in families?
Darianya
02-18-2001, 02:27 AM
Imitrex doesn't help me at all, even for my migraines, although I'm told that it's supposed to work right away. However, if your daughter's doctor wants her to take a certain medicine he's got his reasons, and the school has absolutely no say in the matter. You can discuss the situation with the school's administrator, and demand that they provide something as simple as crackers, so your daughter can take her medicine, basically going over the nurse's head, so to speak. They have no right to interfere with a doctors care. I've had my share of dealings with schools! You can also buy crackers in those individually wrapped packages, and send them along with her to take the medicine with. Migraines can, and often do, run in families. My mother gets them, and one of my siblings used to. Hope this helps a little!
--Darianya
--Darianya
renaec
02-25-2001, 11:35 AM
I have had migraines for over 20 years and barometric pressure change is my #1 trigger. I live in central Texas where, if you don't like the weather, just stick around,'cause it's bound to change.
I haven't tried anything preventative in years because nothing ever worked. However, recently I went to a neurologist who specializes in migraines. He prescribed Topomax. He wanted me to work up to 100 mg per day; but after working up to only 50, I have yet to have a migraine since I took my first pill two months ago - so I'm sticking with 50 mg as it's working for me. I'm still a skeptic, but I've got my (tingly) fingers crossed. Tingly fingers and toes are a side effect of the Topomax as is the weird phenomenon of not being able to "find" the word you're looking for in your brain! But dingy beats being in debilitating pain!
Hope whatever you try works for you.
I haven't tried anything preventative in years because nothing ever worked. However, recently I went to a neurologist who specializes in migraines. He prescribed Topomax. He wanted me to work up to 100 mg per day; but after working up to only 50, I have yet to have a migraine since I took my first pill two months ago - so I'm sticking with 50 mg as it's working for me. I'm still a skeptic, but I've got my (tingly) fingers crossed. Tingly fingers and toes are a side effect of the Topomax as is the weird phenomenon of not being able to "find" the word you're looking for in your brain! But dingy beats being in debilitating pain!
Hope whatever you try works for you.
Darianya
02-25-2001, 03:04 PM
My biggest problem is in convincing a whole new set of doctors that my chronic headaches are not vascular, like migraines are. They do not respond to all the normal migraine treatment. I've tried Imitrex, and self-injected DHE, and neither of those had any effect at all on my chronic headaches, and none of the preventatives did, either. As a matter of fact, they had little effect on my actual migraines, too. They stopped the aura from developing, but did not stop the pain that occurs afterwards. However, I only get migraines maybe 2-4 times a year, and they aren't worth taking something every single day. It's the chronic headaches that they can't and won't do anything about that worry me. Most of the time, all I need is 1-3 doses of painkiller, and the cycle of pain-tension-pain is interrupted and everything is back to normal. But, Doctors seem so terribly worried that giving me a few doses of painkillers once or twice in a month will cause me to be addicted, when there is very little evidence to support that belief. (I've been doing research!) It is now my belief that some doctors (by no means do I mean ALL doctors) prefer to see their patients suffer, rather than trying to explore options that are out of the ordinary range of treatment. I don't expect them to know each and every drug in existance, but never once have I seen one do a little reading up to see what else might be out there. Certainly not in my presence. Unfortunately, those type of doctors seem to be the only ones who are taking patients in my area, currently. Most of them are also convinced that I cannot be correct in what triggers my non-vascular headaches. They firmly believe that weather changes ONLY cause migraines, no other type of headache. I'm currently trying to find somewhere that teaches relaxation and meditation techniques, as I'm having a hard time learning from books. Hopefully that will help.
Good luck to all,
Darianya
Good luck to all,
Darianya
Jester
02-26-2001, 07:12 PM
Have you tried going to a headache clinic. There is usually one in a major city. As you suspect that you do not have migraines, and the doctors don't believe you, you should find a doctor that specializes in headaches. Not migraines hadaches. Good Luck. :p
Darianya
02-26-2001, 09:00 PM
Jester, I'm currently awaiting an appointment with yet another neurologist that specializes in headaches. But, that's not for more than 3 weeks. In the meantime, I'm exploring alternatives to control the stress/tension that even mild headaches cause, which usually results in more pain! ;) It seems to be having a slight effect. However, I did go to a headache clinic during my first round of headaches, and they seemed more interested in my mental state than in my headaches, and they put me on all sorts of drugs that just made life not much worth living. I'm going to ask for a referral to the Pain Clinic here, but they apparently have a very long waiting list. Even most headache specialists don't believe that the weather can cause any kind of headache other than migraines, from what I hear. Hopefully your good luck wishes will help, as I (and most people with chronic pain) can use all the luck I can get! :)
Thanks,
Darianya
Thanks,
Darianya
Vickie
03-08-2001, 12:30 PM
Darianya,
I understand some of what you are going through. It took me several years to realize that I was having migraines and several more years to convince a doctor! All of the drugs I have tried so far don't work for more than a year or so then I become immune to them and they won't work for me even years later.
I can't even take hormones because they cause me to have severe migraines. I am trying a chiropractor. Just started this week. He seems to think he can help me and he does seem to be sincere about it. You may try that. A good one will give you an exam which includes x-rays. There could be some nerves pinched that you don't even know about. Just about anything is worth a try!
I understand some of what you are going through. It took me several years to realize that I was having migraines and several more years to convince a doctor! All of the drugs I have tried so far don't work for more than a year or so then I become immune to them and they won't work for me even years later.
I can't even take hormones because they cause me to have severe migraines. I am trying a chiropractor. Just started this week. He seems to think he can help me and he does seem to be sincere about it. You may try that. A good one will give you an exam which includes x-rays. There could be some nerves pinched that you don't even know about. Just about anything is worth a try!
Darianya
03-10-2001, 04:03 PM
Vickie, thanks for your reply. I once tried going to see a chiropractor for a lower back problem, and ended up with a severe headache for 10 days afterwards. And the back problem was still there. I am now very wary of chiropractors, even though I realize that I probably just saw the wrong one. I've learned how to 'crack' my own back. I have had xrays and they show nothing wrong. As I've mentioned in other posts, I'm learning relaxation techniques and with the aid of a heating pad, they seem to allow me to release the tension that's causing most of my headache pain (Which, by the way, is not vascular in any way.. and is quite different from the migraines I get 3-4 times a year). It isn't perfect, it doesn't always work as well as I want it to, but it's better than popping pills that have the same or even less effect, and there's no side affects!
Take care,
Darianya
Take care,
Darianya
sami's mom
04-15-2001, 08:28 AM
Hi Everyone,
Was just reading your messages with interest. Thankfully, I'm not the one in my home who suffers from migraines...my husband does though. I did some research about 12 years ago and had him migraine free for over 9 years until a year ago when he started having them again. What worked for him was 2 salmon oil capsules a day. They are a miracle...one of the best things you can take for your body overall. He has classical migraine, complete with aura and vomiting, numbness, etc. What I learned through my research was that in a study, 70% of migraine patients found a reduction in frequency and severity of their headaches. They seem to work better for men I think because many women's migraines are hormonal. However, I believe they would work equally well for women if the headaches are not hormonally based. Either way, salmon oil ia a natural anti-inflammatory, fantastic for your heart, and can lower your bad choesterol. It is one of the BEST things you can do for your body. The ONLY drawback is that you might periodically burp fish! LOL
Migraines do run in families. My husband's female cousin also started taking it and has not had to go to the ER for a migraine since. Also, 3 of his 4 siblings also have migraines, though not as severe as his. Anyway, just wanted to mention the salmon oil just in case it could help one person! My husband got a migraine 8 weeks after starting it but it was very mild and he was able to work through it....then he went over nine years without one!!! Hope this helps! Good luck to all of you! BTW, changing your sleep pattern is also a definite trigger...you should never sleep in more than one hour longer than you're used to! Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!
Heather
samsmom@home.com
Was just reading your messages with interest. Thankfully, I'm not the one in my home who suffers from migraines...my husband does though. I did some research about 12 years ago and had him migraine free for over 9 years until a year ago when he started having them again. What worked for him was 2 salmon oil capsules a day. They are a miracle...one of the best things you can take for your body overall. He has classical migraine, complete with aura and vomiting, numbness, etc. What I learned through my research was that in a study, 70% of migraine patients found a reduction in frequency and severity of their headaches. They seem to work better for men I think because many women's migraines are hormonal. However, I believe they would work equally well for women if the headaches are not hormonally based. Either way, salmon oil ia a natural anti-inflammatory, fantastic for your heart, and can lower your bad choesterol. It is one of the BEST things you can do for your body. The ONLY drawback is that you might periodically burp fish! LOL
Migraines do run in families. My husband's female cousin also started taking it and has not had to go to the ER for a migraine since. Also, 3 of his 4 siblings also have migraines, though not as severe as his. Anyway, just wanted to mention the salmon oil just in case it could help one person! My husband got a migraine 8 weeks after starting it but it was very mild and he was able to work through it....then he went over nine years without one!!! Hope this helps! Good luck to all of you! BTW, changing your sleep pattern is also a definite trigger...you should never sleep in more than one hour longer than you're used to! Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!
Heather
samsmom@home.com
Vickie
06-23-2001, 05:15 PM
Sorry this is such a late reply. I went to the chiro for about 2 mos. It didn't help at all. At least not with my migraines but it did help my back, but I switched jobs so it's not much of a problem there anyway. But I had to give it a try.
Maxalt along with Codeine helps to get rid of the headache even if it can't prevent them. It's something anyway.
Maxalt along with Codeine helps to get rid of the headache even if it can't prevent them. It's something anyway.
Darianya
06-23-2001, 06:23 PM
Thanks for the suggestion, although being highly allergic to codeine, that wouldn't work well for me. And I'm not sure about the maxalt, either, since these are not migraines, according to most of the numerous doctors I've seen. Very little works for me, except waiting it out using a small stash of strong painkillers for the worst times.
I'm trying to get my sleeping on a regular schedule, but it isn't very easy since I don't sleep well to begin with. Doctors haven't been very helpful in this regard, either, but I'll keep trying! :)
Take care, and good luck.
Darianya
I'm trying to get my sleeping on a regular schedule, but it isn't very easy since I don't sleep well to begin with. Doctors haven't been very helpful in this regard, either, but I'll keep trying! :)
Take care, and good luck.
Darianya
Vickie
06-26-2001, 06:39 PM
Darianya,
Have you ever tried accupuncture? I tried it for about a year. It seemed to help a little. Maybe it wuold help with the sleeplessness. Don't know much about that part of it. But you never know, I just keep trying everything until something works. Sometime, something will work eventually, I hope. Just never give up!
Vickie
Have you ever tried accupuncture? I tried it for about a year. It seemed to help a little. Maybe it wuold help with the sleeplessness. Don't know much about that part of it. But you never know, I just keep trying everything until something works. Sometime, something will work eventually, I hope. Just never give up!
Vickie
Vickie
07-09-2001, 06:57 PM
Has anyone on here tried the salmon oil caps yet?
I just started taking Topamax in April and have had to up the dose already. No weight loss side effect but it did curl my hair-really! I stopped getting perms about 2yrs ago, didn't want them anymore. Oh well.
I just started taking Topamax in April and have had to up the dose already. No weight loss side effect but it did curl my hair-really! I stopped getting perms about 2yrs ago, didn't want them anymore. Oh well.
GRAY WOLF
12-11-2003, 03:35 PM
Yeah, anyone try the oil? I just came to the realization yesterday that this pain may be related to bar press. I always figured it had something to do with whatever the front blew in rather than the pressure. Tracking pollen counts blew that theory away. (sorry for the pun!)
I went to an ENT early this year only to be told the Xray and CAT scan showed nothing up there...('course, my wife said she could have told them that and saved the films!)
I went to Weather.com yesterday and looked at the hourly weather reports for Tuesday and my headache really started to hit about the time bar hit 29.90...it has been over 30 ever since. I developed Gout this summer and the dr gave me a scrip for Indocin which turned out to helped my head a LOT but it appears to be less effective everytime I take it. It now takes about 5hr before I start getting relief.
Anyone had any luck with alternative healthcare? I hate to go to a Dr that will just give drugs rather than try to fix the cause.
I went to an ENT early this year only to be told the Xray and CAT scan showed nothing up there...('course, my wife said she could have told them that and saved the films!)
I went to Weather.com yesterday and looked at the hourly weather reports for Tuesday and my headache really started to hit about the time bar hit 29.90...it has been over 30 ever since. I developed Gout this summer and the dr gave me a scrip for Indocin which turned out to helped my head a LOT but it appears to be less effective everytime I take it. It now takes about 5hr before I start getting relief.
Anyone had any luck with alternative healthcare? I hate to go to a Dr that will just give drugs rather than try to fix the cause.
Mz Migraine
12-11-2003, 10:47 PM
I hate to go to a Dr that will just give drugs rather than try to fix the cause.
GRAY WOLF, just like the common cold, there is no "cure" or "fix" as you call it for a migraine/headache.
:mad:
Why do males hate going to doctors any ways? :D
In my area, last week we had a 2 1/2 day snow storm, for the past 2 days, severe rain storm.....which means I am having a migraine~Zomig~Pepsi party! :eek: :bouncing: :rolleyes:
Another snow storm is expected. So I guess I'll now have a Vioxx pre-party in prepreation for my next Zomig~Pepsi party. Everyone in the forum is invited. It's BYOB = bring your own barbituates. :D
GRAY WOLF, just like the common cold, there is no "cure" or "fix" as you call it for a migraine/headache.
:mad:
Why do males hate going to doctors any ways? :D
In my area, last week we had a 2 1/2 day snow storm, for the past 2 days, severe rain storm.....which means I am having a migraine~Zomig~Pepsi party! :eek: :bouncing: :rolleyes:
Another snow storm is expected. So I guess I'll now have a Vioxx pre-party in prepreation for my next Zomig~Pepsi party. Everyone in the forum is invited. It's BYOB = bring your own barbituates. :D
GRAY WOLF
12-11-2003, 11:39 PM
GRAY WOLF, just like the common cold, there is no "cure" or "fix" as you call it for a migraine/headache.
:mad:
Why do males hate going to doctors any ways? :D
I have to say, I come by it honestly...my mother doesn't like them either! Western medicine isn't designed to cure you, it typically just treats the symptom and ignores the cause.
My fear is that you are correct that I will not be able to find a cure/fix for me, but I will not give up hope. It looks like my daughter may grow up to have the same problem and if I can somehow find the root cause, maybe she wil not have to suffer as I have.
It may be a pipe dream, but it is my pipe dream!!! ;)
Actually, I have kind of been afraid to go to the Dr, for fear he would tell me it was all in my head or that I was just being a wussie!
:mad:
Why do males hate going to doctors any ways? :D
I have to say, I come by it honestly...my mother doesn't like them either! Western medicine isn't designed to cure you, it typically just treats the symptom and ignores the cause.
My fear is that you are correct that I will not be able to find a cure/fix for me, but I will not give up hope. It looks like my daughter may grow up to have the same problem and if I can somehow find the root cause, maybe she wil not have to suffer as I have.
It may be a pipe dream, but it is my pipe dream!!! ;)
Actually, I have kind of been afraid to go to the Dr, for fear he would tell me it was all in my head or that I was just being a wussie!
Mz Migraine
12-12-2003, 12:32 AM
GRAY WOLF, what you need to do is find a Neurologist that specializes in migraines/headaches. Look in your local yellow pages for headache clinics in your area.
I have been suffering from migraines since 1996. Just this past July I found a Neurologist that found the right migraine management program combination that worked for me.
Treating migraines is trial & error. It does take a while to find just the right combination of meds that work just for you. My father suffered from cluster migraines all his life however, I did not inherit my migranes from him. I suffer from 2 different types of migraines. Reason why they were so difficult to treat initially.
I am trying to get on Social Security Disability. Claim is still pending.
There are quite a few cases where some meds and/or physical therapy seem to stop migraines permanently in some people. Those are the lucky ones. Again, its all trial & error. Again, you need to find a good Neurologist that specializes in migraines/headaches.
Good luck.
I have been suffering from migraines since 1996. Just this past July I found a Neurologist that found the right migraine management program combination that worked for me.
Treating migraines is trial & error. It does take a while to find just the right combination of meds that work just for you. My father suffered from cluster migraines all his life however, I did not inherit my migranes from him. I suffer from 2 different types of migraines. Reason why they were so difficult to treat initially.
I am trying to get on Social Security Disability. Claim is still pending.
There are quite a few cases where some meds and/or physical therapy seem to stop migraines permanently in some people. Those are the lucky ones. Again, its all trial & error. Again, you need to find a good Neurologist that specializes in migraines/headaches.
Good luck.
GRAY WOLF
12-12-2003, 01:09 AM
GRAY WOLF, what you need to do is find a Neurologist that specializes in migraines/headaches. Look in your local yellow pages for headache clinics in your area.
I have been suffering from migraines since 1996. Just this past July I found a Neurologist that found the right migraine management program combination that worked for me.
I have been wanting to do that, the last clinic I called sait it would be like 3 months before I could get in so I kind of dropped it because I hadn't had any for a while and was hoping moving in to a new house would help (thinking they were allergy related sinus headaches)
I jsut discovered barometric pressure as a possible cause and am working on a diary for that. I made the connection to weather fronts before but in terms of being allergy related...but could never find anything consistant in the pollen counts.
I also figured it couldn't be migraines because I don't have light or noise sensitivity and Excedrin migraine didn't help.
The info I have found over the last 2 days proves that wrong!
My mother and all her brothers have or have had similar headaches. one seems to have "out grown" them. I was not aware of the others having them until recently.
I have been suffering from migraines since 1996. Just this past July I found a Neurologist that found the right migraine management program combination that worked for me.
I have been wanting to do that, the last clinic I called sait it would be like 3 months before I could get in so I kind of dropped it because I hadn't had any for a while and was hoping moving in to a new house would help (thinking they were allergy related sinus headaches)
I jsut discovered barometric pressure as a possible cause and am working on a diary for that. I made the connection to weather fronts before but in terms of being allergy related...but could never find anything consistant in the pollen counts.
I also figured it couldn't be migraines because I don't have light or noise sensitivity and Excedrin migraine didn't help.
The info I have found over the last 2 days proves that wrong!
My mother and all her brothers have or have had similar headaches. one seems to have "out grown" them. I was not aware of the others having them until recently.
Mz Migraine
12-12-2003, 02:17 AM
GRAY WOLF, my 1st Neurologist appointment took 3 months. But, it was well worth it. I was there for like 3 hours. The physical examination took approximately 2 hours. After that, the dr took me into her office & we talk for a few hours more about the "history" of my migraines/headaches.
She "explained" the different types of migraines & how no people suffer the same way. The way she explained was that migraines are like fingerprints. No 2 people suffer them "exactly" alike nor do they have the "exact" same symptoms.
Example: One of the types of migraines I suffer from are called peri-menopausal migraines which females are suppose to get once a month. However, I do not have hot flashes or night sweats. Instead I have migraines when I am suppose to be hot flashing or having night sweats. So I can get a migraine right out of the blue!
When I asked how long will this last, she stated from 1 - 15 years!!! :mad:
The other kind is called occipital migraine. I only have migraines in the back of my head. Never in the front or sides. Those are my worse ones especially when the weather is bad. I am in bed for days at a time, under the covers in a darken room, no lights, sound, TV, radio, phone off the hook, etc. :mad:
The migraine management program I am currently on has made the above "manageable" & I am able to function somewhat.......better than I have been w/in the past year. I have more good days than bad. :D
She "explained" the different types of migraines & how no people suffer the same way. The way she explained was that migraines are like fingerprints. No 2 people suffer them "exactly" alike nor do they have the "exact" same symptoms.
Example: One of the types of migraines I suffer from are called peri-menopausal migraines which females are suppose to get once a month. However, I do not have hot flashes or night sweats. Instead I have migraines when I am suppose to be hot flashing or having night sweats. So I can get a migraine right out of the blue!
When I asked how long will this last, she stated from 1 - 15 years!!! :mad:
The other kind is called occipital migraine. I only have migraines in the back of my head. Never in the front or sides. Those are my worse ones especially when the weather is bad. I am in bed for days at a time, under the covers in a darken room, no lights, sound, TV, radio, phone off the hook, etc. :mad:
The migraine management program I am currently on has made the above "manageable" & I am able to function somewhat.......better than I have been w/in the past year. I have more good days than bad. :D
mellierene
12-13-2003, 02:13 PM
I was so excited to see others have headaches that are weather related! I thought it was "all in my head". :dizzy: I finally figured it out when we vacationed near the coast. I had headaches EVERY day at home and even under extreme stress, while on vacation at the beach, I had not one headache. We recently moved to the coast and I have been headache free for four weeks!!!! I was diagnosed with migraine headaches when I was 10 years old (now 41). I can not tell you the relief I feel, knowing thunderstorms can roll in and I won't be in bed wishing to die!!
MagnaV45
12-16-2003, 12:14 PM
Living in Michigan (surrounded by water=rapid barametric pressure changes) I have always known that weather is one of my triggers for migraines. If the BP gets over 30 I may as well put my Relpax and Fioricet in my pocket cause I know I will need it any time.
I used Imitrex for several years either when warned of a migraine (aura) or when one started (wake up in middle of night with blinding pain) or if I get to tensed and stressed at work and a headache threatens. It worked either before or during and usually only required one dose, thank god, the side effects were bad for me. Sore throat, burning ears, fast heart and nausea. Relpax works better for me now.
I have not been to the ER for over 14 years due to the local dr.'s reactions to migraine sufferers. Around here if you go for a shot for pain they red flag your file after the 2 or 3 rd time in a 1 year period :(. So I stay home and throw up instead of dealing with the drug seekers looks and attitude.
I get migraines from weather (rain, snow, pressure fronts, thunder, high winds, etc.), food, alcohol, (cant even get drunk to drowned my sorrow and pain ;)), perfumes, stress, hormones,and if I aggrivate an old shoulder injury. Lots to watch out for.
I agree that most dr's and medical personell are difficult to convince that the pain is real (yep, it is all in my head ;)).
I love the support and information on the posting board. I too realize I am not a freak of nature anymore. :) :)
Best wishes - R
I used Imitrex for several years either when warned of a migraine (aura) or when one started (wake up in middle of night with blinding pain) or if I get to tensed and stressed at work and a headache threatens. It worked either before or during and usually only required one dose, thank god, the side effects were bad for me. Sore throat, burning ears, fast heart and nausea. Relpax works better for me now.
I have not been to the ER for over 14 years due to the local dr.'s reactions to migraine sufferers. Around here if you go for a shot for pain they red flag your file after the 2 or 3 rd time in a 1 year period :(. So I stay home and throw up instead of dealing with the drug seekers looks and attitude.
I get migraines from weather (rain, snow, pressure fronts, thunder, high winds, etc.), food, alcohol, (cant even get drunk to drowned my sorrow and pain ;)), perfumes, stress, hormones,and if I aggrivate an old shoulder injury. Lots to watch out for.
I agree that most dr's and medical personell are difficult to convince that the pain is real (yep, it is all in my head ;)).
I love the support and information on the posting board. I too realize I am not a freak of nature anymore. :) :)
Best wishes - R
GRAY WOLF
12-16-2003, 02:07 PM
At the risk of sounding naive to the ways of migraine, Has anyone ever tried a "liver cleanse" in an attempt to eliminate them?
I started one this past weekend under the direction of my Dr. It is a bit of a pain to limit my diet in the fashion of the 2 week diet but the worst part is the weeklong headache in the beginning.
I have been going to an accupuncture dr for other issues and I walked in his office the other day with a (what I have started calling) mini-migraine and he said "I can fix that". He stuck a needle in my foot and the pain was gone instantly. Unfortunately, it came back shortly after leaving his office.
A couple of visits later I walked in with a full blown migraine and he suggested this liver cleanse. It was my birthday so I was not willing to start it that day (6yr old daughter wouldn't understand my not eating the cake she picked out at the store). So I waited a couple of days and started it this past Saturday.
I'll report back after the 2-weeks are up and let you know how things work out.
It is tough, I can't have any flour/wheat products, no sugar, DEFINITELY NO ASPARTAME or other artificial sweetner, no caffine, no alcohol...Basically, I can only have meat (red/white/sea) vegetables and fruits. Plus I have to eat every 2 hr and drink 6 quarts of water (for the non-math majors that is one and a half gallons of water per day)
I started one this past weekend under the direction of my Dr. It is a bit of a pain to limit my diet in the fashion of the 2 week diet but the worst part is the weeklong headache in the beginning.
I have been going to an accupuncture dr for other issues and I walked in his office the other day with a (what I have started calling) mini-migraine and he said "I can fix that". He stuck a needle in my foot and the pain was gone instantly. Unfortunately, it came back shortly after leaving his office.
A couple of visits later I walked in with a full blown migraine and he suggested this liver cleanse. It was my birthday so I was not willing to start it that day (6yr old daughter wouldn't understand my not eating the cake she picked out at the store). So I waited a couple of days and started it this past Saturday.
I'll report back after the 2-weeks are up and let you know how things work out.
It is tough, I can't have any flour/wheat products, no sugar, DEFINITELY NO ASPARTAME or other artificial sweetner, no caffine, no alcohol...Basically, I can only have meat (red/white/sea) vegetables and fruits. Plus I have to eat every 2 hr and drink 6 quarts of water (for the non-math majors that is one and a half gallons of water per day)
Tick Tock
12-17-2003, 12:43 AM
I am also very sensitive to pressure changes. I believe it was in the July, 2003 issue of the National Headache Foundation newsletter, they indicated that Diamox 250mg the day before and the day of travel can be a very good preventative for air travelers. This can also work when traveling to higher altitudes. I would ask your doctor about it. It is usually used for altitude sickness for mountain climbers, etc.
Be aware that you should NOT take it if you are allergic to Sulfa medications.
Be aware that you should NOT take it if you are allergic to Sulfa medications.
MagnaV45
12-17-2003, 03:22 PM
Gray Wolf
I hope your migraine fix works for you.
But as any migraineur (sp?) will tell you...each person with migraine headaches is different!!!!!! :)
I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use anything with aspertame (Nutasweet). I can not tolerate it at all - I have found many people I know with migraines can't have it. I also can't drink alcohol unless I plan on a migraine the next day. Caffine in small doses will sometimes help stop a ha from hitting me.
Acupuncture is a tried, and for some sufferers, true method for dealing with migraines.
To me, your Liver Cleansing Diet looks like the No flour, No Sugar Diet. :)
Good luck
R
I hope your migraine fix works for you.
But as any migraineur (sp?) will tell you...each person with migraine headaches is different!!!!!! :)
I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use anything with aspertame (Nutasweet). I can not tolerate it at all - I have found many people I know with migraines can't have it. I also can't drink alcohol unless I plan on a migraine the next day. Caffine in small doses will sometimes help stop a ha from hitting me.
Acupuncture is a tried, and for some sufferers, true method for dealing with migraines.
To me, your Liver Cleansing Diet looks like the No flour, No Sugar Diet. :)
Good luck
R
Aurashim
12-27-2003, 05:32 PM
My son is only 11 but for years he has had incredibly accurate bouts of grouchiness when the weather changes. We finally figured out he is getting headaches when the weather changes rapidly.
I have a friend who had a persistent migraine, He finally found a neurologist who gave him a shot of coritisone? or something like that in the back of his skull and that relaxed a nerve that had become "stuck" in the pain-producing tightening/inflamation from a severe migraine headache. The shot relieved the headache within 24 hours and the headache had lasted about 12 months. He has been pain free for three months now, and might have to return in three more months if the nerve spasms again. Sounds weird! but it is very true and he is so much more cheerful now!!
I have a friend who had a persistent migraine, He finally found a neurologist who gave him a shot of coritisone? or something like that in the back of his skull and that relaxed a nerve that had become "stuck" in the pain-producing tightening/inflamation from a severe migraine headache. The shot relieved the headache within 24 hours and the headache had lasted about 12 months. He has been pain free for three months now, and might have to return in three more months if the nerve spasms again. Sounds weird! but it is very true and he is so much more cheerful now!!
theresa9466
01-07-2004, 03:01 AM
I understand how you feel. I have been having these headahes since 1987. I have been treated as though I were a drug seeker as well even though I wanted to try everything besides drugs then when nothing helped then I wanted the pain meds. to make the pain stop. A month or two straight is TOO long to have a headache. Mine gets much worse when cold weather comes or rain. I feel it also has to do with the barometric pressure too. I have had three neck injuries ove the years so I have neck pain, right shoulder blade spasms and then headaches. IT's terrible! email me if you need to talk anytime..anniebell1966@aol.com
My apologies in advance for a very long first post.
6 years ago, while I was living at high altitude (along with wildly fluctuating barometric pressure) in Alberta Canada, I all of a sudden started getting almost-daily headaches. They were constant pressure, sometimes intensifying into severe throbbing pain, in no one place on my head, it shifted. I went to several doctors, numerous hospital ER visits and a list of drugs as long as my arm (literally!). Just over 2 years after the onset of this, I went to a lower altitude for a vacation and discovered that my headaches went away! Within 24 hours of my return home, my headache returned full force. To test my discovery, a few months later, I again went away to a lower altitude, and it happened again. I did the only sensible thing, I moved. My headaches were still more frequent than the 'norm' but bearable, and usually treatable with off the shelf medications.
After 3 1/2 years of being in a lower altitude, I went back to Alberta for a 5 day christmas visit with my mother. I thought myself very lucky, as I spent the entire 5 days headache-less. 2 days after my return home, I developed a headache. It is now almost 2 weeks later, and I still have the headache. I noticed at the time I developed the headache that the barometric pressure was fluctuating wildly, along with very odd weather patterns for this time of year. I have tried to seek medical help this past week, and I basically got told to take Tylenol and Aleve (Like I couldn't have done that without going to the hospital!).
I also get migraine with complicated aura, they call it, but only a few times per year, and it's totally different.
Does anyone have any advice on how to cope?? I have never even been tested (cat-scan, mri, etc), and every time I seek medical attention, they treat me like I'm a drugseeker, just because I tell them that the normal headache remedies don't work for me.
--Darianya, Frustrated and in pain!
My apologies in advance for a very long first post.
6 years ago, while I was living at high altitude (along with wildly fluctuating barometric pressure) in Alberta Canada, I all of a sudden started getting almost-daily headaches. They were constant pressure, sometimes intensifying into severe throbbing pain, in no one place on my head, it shifted. I went to several doctors, numerous hospital ER visits and a list of drugs as long as my arm (literally!). Just over 2 years after the onset of this, I went to a lower altitude for a vacation and discovered that my headaches went away! Within 24 hours of my return home, my headache returned full force. To test my discovery, a few months later, I again went away to a lower altitude, and it happened again. I did the only sensible thing, I moved. My headaches were still more frequent than the 'norm' but bearable, and usually treatable with off the shelf medications.
After 3 1/2 years of being in a lower altitude, I went back to Alberta for a 5 day christmas visit with my mother. I thought myself very lucky, as I spent the entire 5 days headache-less. 2 days after my return home, I developed a headache. It is now almost 2 weeks later, and I still have the headache. I noticed at the time I developed the headache that the barometric pressure was fluctuating wildly, along with very odd weather patterns for this time of year. I have tried to seek medical help this past week, and I basically got told to take Tylenol and Aleve (Like I couldn't have done that without going to the hospital!).
I also get migraine with complicated aura, they call it, but only a few times per year, and it's totally different.
Does anyone have any advice on how to cope?? I have never even been tested (cat-scan, mri, etc), and every time I seek medical attention, they treat me like I'm a drugseeker, just because I tell them that the normal headache remedies don't work for me.
--Darianya, Frustrated and in pain!
GRAY WOLF
01-07-2004, 11:41 AM
I have had three neck injuries ove the years so I have neck pain, right shoulder blade spasms and then headaches.
Have you seen an acupuncture dr? If you can find a acupuncture/chiropractor would be even better. If you are afraid of needles some can use alternate methods to stimulate these areas.
If anyone is interested, the main objective is accupuncture is to get blood flowing in the pained area. This will speed the healing.
Have you seen an acupuncture dr? If you can find a acupuncture/chiropractor would be even better. If you are afraid of needles some can use alternate methods to stimulate these areas.
If anyone is interested, the main objective is accupuncture is to get blood flowing in the pained area. This will speed the healing.
budster
09-11-2005, 10:40 AM
Jester,
where did you hear about the 8 glasses of water a day eqaulizing the pressure in your head. I'm very interested because my 10 year old seems to have pressure (cronically) realated to pressure changes in the weather. Nothing seems to be helping?
Budster
where did you hear about the 8 glasses of water a day eqaulizing the pressure in your head. I'm very interested because my 10 year old seems to have pressure (cronically) realated to pressure changes in the weather. Nothing seems to be helping?
Budster
Chaswick
09-14-2005, 03:02 PM
Hi budster
The last post in this thread before yours was made in January 2004. You must have been reading some of the posts from prevous pages? It happens quite often.
Regarding changes in the barometer causing migraines, in my case it is 100% true and has been for years. I belong to another headache board and most there notice the same thing.
It was never 'officially tested' until a few years ago when a study in Calgary made it official.
I feel sorry for your child. Does he have most of his problems in the spring and fall? For me it makes no difference if we go from high to low pressure or the other way, I still pay for it.
Good luck!!//Chaz
The last post in this thread before yours was made in January 2004. You must have been reading some of the posts from prevous pages? It happens quite often.
Regarding changes in the barometer causing migraines, in my case it is 100% true and has been for years. I belong to another headache board and most there notice the same thing.
It was never 'officially tested' until a few years ago when a study in Calgary made it official.
I feel sorry for your child. Does he have most of his problems in the spring and fall? For me it makes no difference if we go from high to low pressure or the other way, I still pay for it.
Good luck!!//Chaz