My story appears unusual to me as well as others that I know. I am 32yrs old and was diagnosed with, "Basilar Migraines". I have had these Migraines since I was 13yrs old. They have enabled me to finish highschool, as well as pursue any type of career. I get an attack anywhere from 8-15 times per month. My attacks consist of extremely sharp pain in the head, vision blurred, speech affected, mobility affected, and on occassions really bad spasms which tingle from my legs and shoot through my back. These spasms cause me to jerk, which over time have left me with a rupture vertabre and a buldging vertabre in my back. I have seen many of neurologist, had many test ( CAT Scan, MRI's) and have tried many prescription medications, nothing has helped. I am seeking advice from anyone out there that might know what I'm going through. Is there any hope?

Thanks, nova3

[This message has been edited by nova3 (edited 02-20-2003).]

Originally posted by nova3:
They have enabled me to finish highschool, as well as persue any type of career.

How does having migraines help a person finish highschool
and pursue a career? Is that what you really meant to say?

I would suggest you find a st. john method neuromuscular
therapist trained in axis-atlas mobilization. They have
about a 70% success rate with migraines from early studies.



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~p

I would suggest that you try having some acupuncture for these migraines. It can be very helpful and can help you to feel more relaxed generally, although it is not for everyone.

Also, homeopathy is very good and will treat you as a whole person, rather than just treating the disease or pathology that you have prevented with. In this way, homeopathy can actually treat the cause of your migraines and by treating the cause, can actually prevent your tendency to getting them in the first place.

You can find ND's who practice these alternatives, or acupuncturists/homeopaths in your area in the phone book or by looking on the internet.

Posted>>Originally posted by nova3:
They have enabled me to finish highschool, as well as persue any type of career.<<

Given the nature of the migraines described it was my assumption that communication might have been a bit fuzzy due to the migraines condition and the original post was refering to the problem of the migraines interfering with the normal process of life and function.
Would that be correct?
In a basilar migraine headache, there's an abnormal dilation of blood vessels in the brain, followed by a spasm of the blood vessel with a transient decrease in blood flow. That's the reason for the Basilar artery migraine. The basilar artery is located in the back of the head. It is connected to the part of the brain that includes the visual center and the cerebellum.
The source of these things are becoming better understood so I personally am looking forward to better treatments.
Having had some pretty bad migraines with the aura myself, it is beyond doubt that Migraines do indeed interfere with life in a big way.
It would be helpful to look backwards at each specific therapy or medication and go by reasonable deduction as to what does not work, while trying to figure out what might work.
The whole problem of migraines is so complex that
it is widely uncertain as to why the class of meds in the triptan category have so many variations that work on some people and not on others.Beyond the classification of migraine there are other complicated factors that seem to be individual. I think it's taking the pattern of the individual migraine into consideration that can be helpful in determining the right kind of relief. For me, the key came down to timing more than substance, although substance does play an important role too.
Here are some questions to ask about the possible medications.
Does one need a medication that affects the smooth muscles of the arteries in the brain, esophagus and coronary arteries? Or do they need a substance that works more on the brain and less on the coronary arteries. Or, what about the migraine patient that requires a longer lasting medication that can outlast the long slow profile of certain kinds of migraines.
Frovatriptan lasts for 26 hours. That's the longest acting one that I know of these days.
Is the need for an abortive migraine plan or a preventitive migraine plan.
I am currently being tried on one med with 3 different ways of administering dose and finally this current method seems to hold most promise. But it's been trial and error. I don't know if there's any other answer but to keep attacking the problem with opinions, new doctors and perserverance in the new medical breakthroughs of migraine therapy.
I think of all migraines that the basilar migraine is considered more a risk for strokes due to the nature of the decrease in the blood flow.
In addition to the triptans, blood pressure meds and blood thinners are sometimes given for preventative therapy. Sometimes there is a need to be a couple of different control meds.
I really hope you find some good answers soon. I know it is terribly frustrating.
Take care,
kat






[This message has been edited by kat721 (edited 03-15-2003).]

Have you tried the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago? They have done wonders for me. Good luck!

I hate to hear anyone who suffers from migraine,especially complicated or basilar.I have complicated migraines and I have tried almost everything to no avail.Be cautious about any trypophan type drugs,Like Imitrex and such. Be very sure that your heart healthy with a pretty decent family history.These drugs have been known to cause stroke and heart attack in susecptable patients. I took Imitrex the one time and they did not take a family history or ask such questions and I had a very bad reaction to this drug.My heart went crazy. I would have rather had the headache and the numbness and flashes and allthe other migraine symptoms then that reaction. When I get a headache now I take demerol and Vistaril combo and go to sleep. I used to run to ER with every one because It scared me so bad because my ears would tingle and my vision went crazy and I would get numb and had trouble with speech and walking. My doctor has givenme a prescription for a mild demerol liquid,vistaril and ativan, I also use massage therapy and I keep telling myself that I am ok, this is just a migraine(feels like a head on collision with a truck) and it too will pass.I also use a TENS unit on my neck and shoulders. I wish you the best and I hopeyou are ableto find some relief....