Case Histories - April 1998 #5

I am so glad I found this website. I too suffer from migranes. They started when I was about 18. They seem to be hormone induced. I get them around the time I am supposed to start my period. (I had a hysterecomy about 6 months ago but still have one ovary.) They seem to have gotten worse since I was in a car accident in January 1998. I have alot of back pain as a result so I don't know what the problem is. I'm supposed to go see a neurologist on March 25. I don't know what to expect or what tests they usually run. As a result of my frequent migranes, I got addicted to pain killers. (vicodin and stadol) But, I'm kind of in a catch 22, I have to have them to get rid of the pain. I had a really bad reaction to Imitrex about 4 years ago. I have mitro valve prolapse to that could be the reason. My heart went crazy and I ended up in the emergency room. I would really love to get off the pain killers but I don't know how and can't till I can find something else to help with the headaches and now the back pain also. If anyone else has this problem PLEASE e-mail me. I need some advice.
Chawna <Nubbish 2>
Granite City, Il USA -

ITS ME AGAIN..DOES ANYONE HERE KNOW ABOUT OCCULAR MIGRAINES WITHOUT THE HEADACHE..IT HAPPENS ALL DAY LONG, EVERYDAY...FOR A YEAR NOW! I SEE WHITE SPOTS AND DOUBLE VISION AND AT TIMES GET SHARP PAINS ON ONE SPOT OF MY HEAD. PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOUVE EVER HEARD OF THIS!!!!!THANKS!

---Lesley <Sugrmtn@aol.com>
USA -

I'm 22 (almost 23). I've been having migraines for going on 10 years now. I already know all my triggers (citrus fruits, MSG, aspirin, mold, certain additives and preservatives, etc., etc. - but not caffeine or chocolate). What helped me find my food triggers was an elimiination diet (quite annoying to do at the time, but it did help a little). If you're not sure if you have food triggers, try to find a book detailing exactly how to do an elimination diet. My problem right now is that I'm on Imitrex - it doesn't really work. I tend to wake up at 5 in the morning with the migraine already in full swing so the Imitrex is pointless. I have about a migraine a week - some of them lasting 2 days or more. I'm a law student so this problem is hurting me a lot. I can't really miss anymore school, but I can't function. I also got the doctors (and "friends") telling me that it was all in my head and they were just tension headaches. No more, though. I can't take beta-blockers (really bad reaction). I have tried bio-feedback but that only works for me when the tension part of the headache is predominant and when I can think clearly enough to do the exercises. Basically, I'm looking for anything that will work without looping me to PREVENT the migraines. I'm on enough painkillers to knock out a giant - I don't need anymore of those. If anyone knows of any drugs that work to prevent migraines in people for whom normal methods fail, please let me know.

---Rebekah Wanger <rwanger@pegasus.rutgers.edu>
USA -

Mylan Laboratories is working on a new drup called DOTARAZINE which will PREVENT migraines. I have heard that it works like a miracle. Keep asking about this one.

---Sally jones <jones3741@aol.com>
Williamsport, PA USA -

Hello, my name is Mary. I am 41 years old and have suffered from migraines since my teens. I have a family history of migraines and I am sure they are inherited. I currently take Imitrex with extra strength Excedrin. The combination usually stops the pain. I really wonder about the long term effects of Imitrex. I would like to stop the meds and try to determine my triggers. I have stopped all chocolate hoping it will help. Does anyone have any suggestions to stop the pain without the medicines? I read about Vicks VapoRub in one of the journal letters but it did not say what the treatment was. Does anyone know? I am curious. This journal has been such a blessing to me. I have realized I am not alone. I am new to the internet and would like to hear from anyone with any suggestions. May God Bless! Mary>jjrice@smithville.net

---Mary <jjrice@smithville.net>
Bloomington, IN USA -

Migraines are a fact of life for me. I've suffered from them since 1983. I missed a lot of work and was always using my vacation time because I'd run out of sick leave. I also suffer from Grand Mal Epliptic seizures since 1966 when I was 5 months pregnant with my first child. Thankfully, I am seizure-controlled and have'nt had one in a year. Back to the migraines. Nothing seemed to help except a shot of demarol. The migraines would last days. My doctor put me on atenolol for migraine maintenance and that seemed to help some. I learned it is very important for me to get plenty of sleep. I'm in bed by 9pm each night. Still I was suffering from the migraines, & sleep disorders. Never knew if I would leave my apartment and go out for a stroll in the middle of the night...in the middle of traffic! Not good, eh? A dead bolt lock with an inside lock to it helped me stay put at night. I believe it was about 1993 or 94 that Imetrix came into my life. Truly a prayer from heaven! I am able to work when a migraine comes on w/o any side affects. About 2 weeks ago during a migraine (ran out of Imatrex) my HMO asked me to try a non-narcotic called DHE. They injected it thru an IV and within 10 mins. I was fine! Help is definetly here. Take hope those who can't use Imetrix. They'll find something. JJ

---JJ <jonesjj2@everett.navy.mil>
Everett, WA USA -

I have had migraines for about 6 years now. I have been to neurologists, family doctors, and chiropractors and neither seems to help me. I have all the symptoms each person displays in this page. I have tried imitrex but it does not work. When I took it, it would seem to fry my brain. It hurt more than the migraine. I need some kind of relief from these migraines. I am a college student and I can't miss classes because of this anymore.

---Mary Moran <mmoran@wnec.edu>
Carmel, NY USA -