Case Histories - November 1997 (2/8)

After trying every drug known to mankind, I discovered something natural to solve my migraine pain.

Hot peppers. As hot as I can stand them.

Asked my dr. if this was my imagination. She said, no they contain capstacin, which is used for arthritis pain. Now I also put Zostrix cream on my temples besides eating peppers. If the wonders of sapstacin are known, why in 15 years of seeking migraine relief, did no dr. ever tell me.

---WyomingR@KNI.com

Dear Ronda:

Like everyone else, I was glad to find your home page on migraines. I am 43 years old and have had Classic Migraines since I was 10 years old. Over the years I have discovered many things that trigger them, and my favorite cure. I wish that all migraine sufferers had doctors that would prescribe Fiorinal#3's (with codeine). No other kind of narcotic works..only makes me sicker. I take half to a whole Dramamine with it for nausea. I take two to four Fiorinal #3's every day. After a couple of days, they don't nauseate me anymore. (The dramamine helps the headache nausea too). I still get a migraine approx. once a month, but with the Fiorinal the pain is much less, and I don't have to go to bed and I can care for my one-year-old daughter. (at my age!)...I discovered this drug from my former husband, a dentist who gave some to me for a spinal headache (horrible) after I had my now 17 yr. old daughter. (With a spinal headache you can't sit up, but I could walk around, etc. while on Fiorinal#3). I soon tried it on a migraine taking one-half of a dramamine at the SAME TIME, and it worked like magic. When I have my most severe ever attacks, I take two Fiorinal #3's and a half to whole dramamine, and lie down for a half-hour or so and then I'm up and pretty happy again. I can not believe that I lived through all those years with no pain relief. I sometimes think of bad things when I'm in that much pain. Luckily, my General Practioner (family doctor) prescribed them for me...60 per month...I always ran out before the month was up though. She also tried me on MANY other drugs...Anti-depresants of all sorts, blood pressure drugs of all sorts, hormones, counseling, PMS clinics, etc., etc., etc...I finally just quit all those other drugs because I experience side effects from vertually everything. I don't even like Prozac!!! Last year when at age 42 I got pregnant, I thought I would go 9 months without a headache, but no, they got even worse, and lasted 4 days at a time. It was horrible. My ob-gyn ref'd me to a Neurologist who prescribed codeine for me. I couldn't believe that I could take codeine while pregnant. Yeah! Not codeine with tylenol (large quantities of Tylenol are worse for you than codeine!), and not fiorinal #3's (codeine with aspirin, caffeine, and butalbital). Just plain codeine tablets! Sure enough, I have a happy, healthy, super smart baby girl. The doctor prescribed 80 codeine tablets per month. Of course I don't recommend taking any medication while pregnant unless approved by your doctor. But this is something that I was glad to find out. That I could take a pain medication other than Tylenol that would not hurt my precious baby. I took such good care of myself when I was pregnant but really needed the codeine. I was so happy to meet this Neurologist because he did not view taking this quantity of pain meds as being a drug addict, unlike my family doctor that gave me my script every month but made me feel like a drug addict, and when my 22 year-old went to her for migraines (not nearly as frequent as mine), she was told "you don't want to start taking drugs like your mother"! I couldn't believe it. I was stereotyped by my own doctor!!! Anyway, I am so happy to be taking Fiorinal #3's (now in generic form) . They make me feel good, happy, and I don't have to be scared to death whether or not I'm going to have a headache tomorrow. I normally can't take long drives in the car because that too gives me migraines...because of fiorinal #3's I am able to drive a two day drive to New York to see my in-laws next week. My doctor understands that I need a few extra for vacation. He does not give me as many as I want every month though, and he keeps track of my health. ...Another thing, Fiorinal#3 causes constipation so I use something mild before bed...no problem, and not very often..A few weeks ago I saw on MSNBC that all kinds of doctors went to NYC for a huge pain conference. It was decided according to the doctor who spoke on MSNBC, that people are in general not given enough pain medicines, those who are taking pain meds probably need more, and that in general people in pain are ignored. Doctors should not have to fear losing their licenses for prescribing more pain meds than someone else thinks is appropriate..now for the triggers.

My triggers are: 1) Before, during, or immediately after my monthly, it changes from one to the other every few months. 2) Drinking ANY alchoholic beverage, 3) NO Crying ever!! 3) Stay cool, hot and or humid days are for air conditioning, or, take your fiorinal first 4) Do not stare at or be facing (in a restaurant, etc.) sunny windows, flashing bright lights, t.v.'s (Do not watch t.v. for long periods of time. Do not watch two movies in a row. If you're going to anyway, get up and get away from the t.v. for a couple of minutes here and there. 5)Low blood sugar (I read one ladies letter where she suspects this as a trigger. If you suspect it you are probably correct.) I make sure that I always have access to food and never let myself get very hungry. Don't have any sugar for breakfast. Eat very little sugar and have your sugar treat immediately after a meal for best results. I drink water 95% of the time. I just forced myself to get used to it and now I love it. I drink ice tea every once in a while, but drinking a whole coke or pepsi would kill me!...Now for foods to (cry, cry, cry) eliminate: Chocolate-not one bite (I break this rule sometimes, and sometimes I pay dearly for it the next day), Chocolate is the absolute worst thing I can possibly eat. Candy-no more than one hard candy, or like 1/3 of a pecan roll, etc. No more than two cups of tea or coffee per day (no soda pop) and those should be a few hours apart. I also avoid or eat very little of because I suspect something and have read that they can be triggers; cheese, fish, nuts, and strawberries. I am moderate in salt and fat intake although I do not eat low-fat foods, I'm just moderate. Thank God for Fiorinal 3's and for doctors who prescibe them. Oh, and by the way, I don't believe that they are terribly physically addictive. I go without any very often if I take my months supply in less than a month, and I do O.K. Just don't feel super energetic for a couple of days, but no side effects.

To anyone who has to go to your local Immediate Care Center like I have , or to the hospital, tell them to give you codeine, preferably in Fiorinal, but two Tylenol #3's should take the edge off, but you'll need to take at least two more that day if you have one bad enough to go to the hospital - ask for a prescription...That Demerol Drip that I read about in a couple of your letters would only make me sicker. Codeine is the absolutely only thing that cures my migraines. The only time it doesn't work is if you don't take enough of it (like two at once) ...don't be afraid...what could be worse than a migraine??? I don't like to give much advice, but here's some! If you don't ask your doctor for something you won't get it. Ask around...see what works for other people. Book research isn't really helpful when it comes to the mysterious migraine. Ask your doctor for what you want (codeine?) and when they refuse, dump them and find someone who cares about you or insist INSIST on seeing a specialist.

Just a note about holding a job when you suffer from migraines. I've had many jobs, and always, bosses and workmates think that you are too stupid or something to go to a doctor and get the right medicine to "cure" you. You are always afraid to call in sick and saying that you have a migraine because you know what they are thinking! Even though your workmates stay home twice as often as you do and for more days in a row for allergies or a runny nose or because their kids are sick, etc. Again, what could be worse that a migraine, but don't expect any sympathy from your boss and only jealousy from your co-workers for your time off with a "headache", and don't expect a promotion. People with migraines are sort of looked down upon unless of course they are professionals. I thank God that I can stay home with my baby right now, and I hope that I can start my own business one of these days. Good luck to you all. Holly Keller: Gkeller@Iquest.net

Greetings from another migraine "patient". I am male, age 46 and have had migraines since the sixth grade of elementary school. I have maintained a log for the past fifteen years and frankly cannot find a specific cause ie. "trigger" for them. I share this problem with several family members on my father's side of the family tree.

My physician recently prescribed a beta blocker (generic: atenolol) although it is too early to tell the results. I usually have the full aura and have experienced word finding difficulty (1988), tunnel vision (1990), etc. At one time my headaches were fairly consistent ie. aura, pain, feeling jittery after etc. Now, however, each one is different.

I am interested in knowing the prognosis for us as we age. Any thoughts? Feel free to email me at

---Ernie-Bert@MSN.Com

My name is Bill, 42 yr old cau male. I have been suffering migraine phenomena since I was 17. I guess my story is not typical. I had no extra neurological experiences until I was 17. I was experimenting with marijuana for the first time, and had an extreme reaction. The left side of my head became cold/numb, and I began to experience radical visual aberrations, where things that I would focus on would "zoom" away, as if suddenly looking at them through the wrong end of binoculars. This happened repeatedly for about 45 minutes. I was also filled with a sense of dread, and panic. I ended up in the emergency room, where I was treated for hyperventilation. (LOL) This experience was a watershed event in my life, and now believe my use of marijuana revealed an underlying defect in my brain chemistry which triggered the onset of mental illness. This episode at 17, was followed by a clinical depression which left me sleepless for two weeks. I also experienced what I know understand to be agoraphobia (fear of outdoors), panic attacks, and migraines with aura. I was filled with fear and a sense of morbidity. I felt very ill for about 6 months. The depressive symptoms subsided, but I was left with recurring migraines and panic attacks. At the time, I did not understand any of this, and did not recieve assistance from the medical community, although I made several attempts over he next two decades. I remained undiagnosed and untreated until 1993. In attempting a second marriage, I confided my dark secrets to my fiance. I went for psychological testing, and was referred to a psychiatrist. I had been treated in 1980 at a community mental health clinic with triavil, and it had helped somewhat with the migraine symptoms. I believe the doctor was influenced by the past use of this neuroleptic/antidepressant, and he placed me on novaine, another neuroleptic. Although it had been twenty two years since my first major depression, after six weeks on the neuroleptic, I experienced a second clinical depression. It was horrible, having spent twenty years trying to put distance from that event, only to have it re-occur. Three years later, I can say that the second event was helpful to me in being able to compare the first and second clinical depressions, so that I could eliminate the issues that were not constants. The experiences were very similar, the differences I think I can attribute to my age and life circumstances. Hell was very much the same as it was when I visited it twenty years earlier. This second time, I went sleepless for just under two months. I would have about 2 hours of unconsciousness every three days, but it couldn't be called sleep. My doctor seemed helpless to help me. I finally went to the library, and read a book on insomnia. I learned that Elavil might have a positive effect, and asked my doctor to prescribe it. It allowed me to have my first real sleep in over two months. That did not solve the depression. I continued to have multiple panic and migraine attacks and felt like I was on chemotherapy. I was placed on serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and began to experience a slow improvement in my symptoms. This time, it took a good year and a half for my brain to rewire itself after the meltdown. It has been several years since this second attack, and I continue to take the sru's, although I am now able to sleep again, without the assistance of medication. I have an opthalmic migraine which lasts for about 30 minutes, every four to six months, but have not had a panic attack since starting the sru. The migraines start with some podromal floating blind spots in my left field of vision. They "migrate" over to the right field, the spots turn to the zig zag aura, which slowly solidifies and then dissapates. The whole thing takes about 30 minutes. After the "headache" (during which I feel no pain), I tend to feel run down and tired, the basic neuralgia.

Looking back at my life, I try to be philosophical. I wander how I did it. I was fortunate to be able to maintain employment. The psychological impact of not understanding the cause of my symptoms, or what had happened to me at 17 had a devastating impact on the quality of my life. (especially on my ability to project a positive outlook, necessary in facilitating relationships, making committments, assuming responsibilities.)

This history may seem to be more about mental illness, than migraine headaches. I guess it is important to note that psychiatric illness is neurological illness, and that there is significant co-morbidity among symptoms of neurological illness.

The information that I am able to find today, did not exist in 1971. It makes such a difference just to know that you are not alone, and that others can relate to your symptoms. Today we can talk about migraine headaches, and no one thinks were crazy. Maybe tomorrow....

Today, I am philosophical about my life. I'm not disabled. I have a home, a job, a supportive wife, and good friends who don't mind that I suffer from mental illness.

I have read the report of the national institute of mental health to congress, on the decade of the brain, and am optimistic about the future. Hey, If I do end up as a casualty of mental illness, I won't be alone. The center for disease control is predicting that Depression will be the number two killer in the USA by 2020.

Over the last several years, I have become active as an advocate for the rights of the mentally ill,(particularly education and appropriate treatment) and currently chair the Virginia Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness advisory council. (PAIMI is a federal statute designed to protect the rights of individuals institutionalized with mental illness.)

---wamiller@inmind.com

I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING I CAN DO TO GET SOME RELIEF FROM MY MIGRAINES. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH MANY TREATMENTS AND HAVE BEEN ON 5 DIFFERENT ANTI-DEPRESANTS TO TRY AND COUNTERACT. I AM CURRENTLY ON PAMALOR AND TAKE FIORICET W/CODINE FOR THE PAIN ALONG WITH COMPAZINE FOR THE VOMITING.I USE AROMATHERAPY AND SELF HYPNOSIS WHEN I CAN BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP. I AM 27 YEARS OLD AND HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FOR 10 YEARS NOW AND I HAVE HAD ENOUGH. MY DOCTORS DO NOT SEEM TO HELP ALL THEY DO IS GIVE ME MORE PAIN PILLS AND SEND ME ON MY WAY AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO SEE A SPECIALIST. MY FAMILY HAS A HISTORY OF MIGRAINES AND I GUESS THE GENES HAVE BEEN PASSED DOWN TO ME. THE NEXT THING TO DO I GUESS IS HAVE A BRAIN SCAN DONE BUT IF ANYONE COULD LET ME KNOW ANYTHING THAT HAS BEEN TRIED AND HAS BEEN A SUCESS PLEASE LET ME KNOW I AM SOO FRUSTRATED..

---G1mmeedat@aol.com

My symptoms have been diagnosed as migraine or epileptic. I experience numbness in my left arm and left side of face. I can't speak clearly and am very disorienated. The length of each episode is about thirty minutes and sometimes a terrible headache follows and sometimes its a milder headache. I have not noticed that it was one sided. They increased during my third pregnancy, my first boy. I am 24 years old and the onset started at age 17 with less numbness than I experience now. If this experience is familiar to anyone please contact me at painnzhed@aol.com.

Hi everyone. I wrote a little while back. Things haven't been very good lately. Like I said, I am 16 years old, and I have been having these since I was about 6. I went to the Neurologist yesterday. He put me on Imitrex, and gave me this stuff to take everyday called Nortriptyline. I don't take the Midrin anymore....it never helped. Well with my great luck, I started getting really hot yesterday in his office. I got a migraine in about 2 minutes after that. RIGHT IN THE NEUROLOGIST'S OFFICE!! He gave me some medicine, and let me stay till I could get up. Mom had to practically carry my to the car. I got home and I told my mom to kill me. I was so sick. That was the 7th one I've had this month. I threw up for hours. The Imitrex really seemed to work, but it made me awfully weak. I woke up this morning very very hungry. I guess it is just because I got really sick yesterday. Thanks for listening.

---Megan Archer HecOnWeelz@aol.com