I have had migraine headaches since I was 7 years old. At the time they began, I was living with my aunt and 6 other children. My aunt's solution to my screams of pain was to give me about 4-6 extra strength tylenol. This turned out to be very bad for one very important reason...it gave me a very, very high tolerance for pain medication. In other words, I have to take about 3 or 4 10 mg. Lorcet (Vicodin) just to get the slightest relief from the excruciating pain. I constantly worry about the possibility of addiction, although I wonder how I can get addicted when I only take it for pain, but unfortunately that is quite often.(Does anyone know how common addiction is for migraine sufferers? Has it happened to anyone out there? What did you do? I worry that my brother, who also suffers migraines, may be addicted to Fiorcet.)
To make matters even worse, the Lorcet rarely works now, and I don't want to increase the dose any more because it upsets my stomach terribly. So now I have to have my husband take me to the Dr. about once every 10 days for Demerol and Phenergan injections. Of course, it has to be at least 100mg/50mg in order to get even a small level of relief. I hate the days when I have to do this because I know that the doctors think I am probably faking it just to get drugs. I don't think so! Why would I want to feel sleepy when I have so much to do everyday? What are the chances of finding a Doctor that would prescribe Demerol tablets to a patient to avoid the frustration and pain of seeking out an injection when the pain is so bad?
I am currently on 180mg of Inderal daily. It seems to be reducing the frequency, although I suspect my Doctor will up the dose on my next visit. I think I have tried every possible medication. Imitrex makes me horribly sick so I can't take it. I have tried Toradol, Fiorcet, Fiornal, Stadol NS, Darvocet, Vicodin, Soma, Valium, various beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, and a few anti-depressants. Does anyone know of a pain-killer stronger than Vicodin? I have heard of something called Percocet or Percodan, is anyone familiar with this and what is their experience with it's effectiviness?
Finally, my take on life as it currently exists for me: I have two beautiful children and a wonderful husband that I am missing a great deal of precious time with due to the frequency of my migraine attacks. I would do anything to find a medication that could completely prevent them or at the very least, stop them quickly when they begin. I will be finished with my MBA in December, so at least that will relieve some of the stress I experience. I try and enjoy life, but imagine it could be much better. If anyone has a response to anything I've said please respond to me at mel@deepwell.com (My husband's address). Best wishes to all for a pain-free day, or hour, or even minute:-)
Thank you, Ronda for creating your web site and giving all of us an opportunity to share stories and trade secrets! My story may seem trite compared to some I've read, but for me it is a condition that has changed who I am and what I do, and I don't like that.
I get about 3 migraines/wk. During the non-menstrual cycle of the month, my migraines are brought on by over exertion (exercising beyond my body's set threshold), severe stress (at work), lack of sleep, and sometimes allergies (I think). During my menstrual cycle, one week before and the week during, I get incapacitating migraines and use Imitrex injections.
I started getting migraines at age 25 and I am 36. During the last 4 years of working with a neurologist, my migraines have improved. This is not through drugs but through education. Learning about migraines and learning about my body. I have a fussy body, it likes 3 meals/day, moderate exercise and plenty of sleep. If I throw any of those regimens off I get a headache. I have learned this through keeping a headache calendar for 3 years. I write down every headache I get and rate it on a scale of 4 for incapacitating, 3 for severe, 2 for moderate and 1 for mild. I write down the start and end dates of my menstrual cycle, and anything outstanding that occurred the day before or the day of the migraine that might have been a trigger. The only good that has come from 11 years of migraine is I know my body extremely well. And, I know the benefit of making sacrifices in lifestyle changes to avoid migraines.
I am fortunate that my husband is very supportive and is always there for me; he gets migraines too. I am unfortunate that I had to quit teaching aerobics after 8 years (too many exertion migraines), and I have lost some self esteem or gained fear (I cannot put my finger on it, but I was such a go-fot-it peron, but now I have a fear that inhibits me; I feel weaker and less inclined,) and I often feel guilt. I either feel I caused the headache, or I took too much vicodin and it's a no-no, or guilty when I call in sick at work. In addition, I've been trying to get pregnant for 1.5 years and feel guilty about taking any medication anywhere near the "trying" time, and I worry until I find out I'm not pregnant; I'm always relieved and bummed at the same time.
When I discovered my condition was migraine, I realized I have been a headache person all my life. I can remember taking aspirin or Tylenol as a young girl, and at age 12, vomiting at a horse show after being in the sun all day, getting a terrible "headache" and being told I suffered "sun stroke". Now I know that was a migraine.
Thanks for reading my story. Take care!
---Dana Dana@Gieses.com
I came accross your Internet article on Migraines and I would like to tell my story.
I have been suffering from severe headaches from the age of 32. I am now 50. As the years progressed these headaches changed into migraines. I was on hormones with the result that the hormone level would be stable for about 3 weeks and then drop considerably during my menstruation week. That was when the migraines would start, with PMS.
I spoke to my Gyneocologist who said he could do nothing about my headaches. I was not happy about that, so I read everything about HRT and PMS that I could find. I came to the conclusion that my problem was the ups and downs of my hormone level. So I went to see another Gyneocologist for a second opinion, who, after 6 months of trying different hormones, decided that the best results would come about if I had a Hysterectomy, remove the ovaries as by this time they were completely useless and put me on continuous hormones so that the level would remain stable.
It is now 2 years since I had the Hysterectomy and have not had a migraine for a year. I still do get some tension headaches but with 2 pain tablets namely Vacudol Forte and 2 Arthrexin (which are used for arthritis) my headache disappears within half an hour. Before, only an injection would relieve the headache but would not disappear completely for a couple of days. Apparantly the Arthrexin helps the flow of blood to the veins in the brain. I am very happy with this treatment. I can now go on holiday without being incapacitated for days, especially after a long trip. In fact I went to Europe for 5 weeks and had a wonderful time and only had a few minor headaches, but I think that was from the very busy schedule. Maybe my story can help some other Migraine sufferers who might have the same problem.
Regards.
--Julie Smit, SOUTH AFRICA, eng-secr@loraine.co.za
However, I discovered like some others, that frequent use of medications could lead to rebound headaches. I got some help with this at a pain clinic which stressed staying busy and exercise (which helps the body generate endorphins, the natural pain relievers). I have also gotten some help from antidepressants and from Depakote. I try to avoid my headache triggers such as certain foods and certain odors. I do try to eat meals on time so that my blood sugar will not get too low.
I hope that this is helpful to someone.
My doctor had told me over a year ago that when I had another episode to come into the office and he would give me the injection of Imitrex and observe me to see if it was right for me. Well, by the time I got in there 30 minutes had passed and the shot didn't help. That was a waste of $55.00!!
I am wondering if my Zoloft worked against the meds? Had too much time passed before taking the Imitrex? Is it wrong for me?
The way that I cope with the pain, that I will probably just do in the future and forget meds, is to take something I know makes me drowsy and go to bed. I know exactly when my migraine will subside...4 hrs. following the aura. If I can get to bed then I am ok in 4 hours. Just wiped out for the day.
Sorry to be rambling on. It never occurred to me to check out migraine on the Internet and it is nice to have this opportunity to "vent" my feelings. If you would like to email me you can do so at: heatherf@provalue.net
---Heather Feasley, Oklahoma
Doesn't anybody else out there get Ice Pick Headaches? When I was nine years old, I remember standing on a pier at a lake and looking around for who just whipped a baseball at my head.
That was my first IcePick. After going to the hospital a few times as a child, my mother being convinced I had a tumor, they insisted she was "encouraging me to have headaches." Right. These things would knock me off my feet, leaving me moaning and crying and crazy.
But it took me years to connect the dizziness, tunnel-vision, numbness, confusion and inability to talk to these mysterious "personal earthquakes" as I learned to call them.
I was told I had a heart problem, a seizure disorder and hypochondria. Then it became PMS. FINALLY, after a quick once-over and a long talk with a neurologist, he said the magic word: migraine.
It was actually a relief. Finally I knew it wasn't going to kill me. It probably wouldn't even get worse!! And now, thought I, I had something to work with. Something to treat!
Problem is, nobody seems to know about the elusive IcePick. A one-sided (left) affair, for which I can't seem to think of a painful enough word, accompanied by a host of other symptoms. Other migraineurs seem to think this isn't a "real " migraine because the pain lasts only seconds, but any pain is too much. Not to mention all the other stuff.
Now I need help: I need to figure out a way to stop the cycles once they've started. I have found that managing diet and sleep help reduce the likelihood, but I can't do a thing once they're happening.
Also: what to do with my husband? He feels so helpless when he sees me collapse in the kitchen, or suddenly go blank and then have a headache. What do other sufferers do to let their spouses know ... that it's not on purpose, and that they didn't do anything to bring it on, and that it's not something to be afraid of?
Any input would be welcome, to K. Prouty
However, I discovered like some others, that frequent use of medications could lead to rebound headaches. I got some help with this at a pain clinic which stressed staying busy and exercise (which helps the body generate endorphins, the natural pain relievers). I have also gotten some help from antidepressants and from Depakote. I try to avoid my headache triggers such as certain foods and certain odors. I do try to eat meals on time so that my blood sugar will not get too low.
I hope that this is helpful to someone.
