Journal of Migraine Sufferers
I have had migraines for eighteen years. I started treatment with a Neurologist 13 years ago. I have found certain foods to be triggers. I watch my diet very closely. I do not eat anything with cheese, nitrates, yogurt, shell fish, pork, red wine, carageenan, sodium benzoate, cholocate, avacados, bananas, citrus or sodas. I am sure that I have left some things out. That brings me to the next point. The migraines and food sensitives dictates my lifestyle. I have accepted my limitations, but it is a very lonely. I have to get a perfect amount of sleep, etc. I see my neurologist every four months. He is very compasionate and supportive. I am very thankful for that. The medication hasn't helped my much. I do my best to keep my life on an even kneel, but that too is challenging. Keep your stories coming. The words written here acknowledge all of our lonliness, frustration and pain. Thank you Ronda for your dedication to this. Thank you to my family for the support and understanding you have given me even though it hasn't been easy over the years.

---Jennifer <jsalzano@rational.com>
USA -

Thanks for this site

---Jennifer <jsalzano@rational.com>
USA -

I have suffered from migraines for the past 4 years. It seems that I have traced it back to when I went on the Pill before I got married. Istarted having terrible headaches that decreased but never totally went away once I stopped taking the Pill. My headaches have been blamed on stress, foods, water0skiing accident, and neck muscle tension. Just in Feb. '98 were they diagnosed as being migraines. Istarted taking Imitrex and was taking 50-75mg per day. That is way too much to be taking everyday as I am sure you all know. I have gone to see several doc's but the one who helped is an anesthesiologist in a pain clinic. He made me stop all my meds (aspirin, tylenol, advil, imitrex, vicodin, phenergan, etc) to see if I was having rebound headaches. I did this but only for two days because the pain was so bad. He started me on a medicine called nortriptoline and another called propranalol. It took about a week, but now I am virtually migraine free. I went from having migraines everyday to only having a mild one approx. once a week or less. I only take 20mg of nortriptoline and 80mg of propranalol. I hope this info helps someone out there. ann (AnnNScott@aol.com)

---Ann Seaman <AnnNScott>
Knoxville, Tn USA -

I am a migraine sufferer and have been since the age of 8, I'm now 43. I can definately say that my life have been shaped by these headaches. I remember as a child, going to my brothers room on the top floor of our house to get away from the noice abd light. I have tried all the standard preventative therapies will little or no luck. The only thing that every helped was depakote. I had a 90% reduction in the number of headaches. The only problem was my HAIR FELL OUT. They took me off the drug. (Maybe bald would have been better) I have sinced thried neurontin which is supposed to be similar in result to depakote. My hair stayed in but the headaches didn't leave. I am now taking a drug called GABITROL. If anyone has taken this, please let me know if you had any help from it or any bad side effects. Good luck to all of us migraine suffers. There has got to be help out there somewhere.

---Maria <MARIA EDF@aol.com>
Tewksbury, MA USA -

I have had migraines since an early teen. Sleep seemed to be the only way to live through them. At some point I noticed that food triggers the headaches. Upon a little examination of my diet, I found that nitrates (sp?) were the common denominator. Just last night I ordered a cup of New England Clam chowder. I'm suffering now because the clams must have been preserved. I have great success with Midrin, Isocome, or Duradrin. I take two at onset of headache and a third if necessary. It works for me. It might work for you.

---d.mills <d2mills@blazenet.net>
PA USA -

I have had migraines since an early teen. Sleep seemed to be the only way to live through them. At some point I noticed that food triggers the headaches. Upon a little examination of my diet, I found that nitrates (sp?) were the common denominator. Just last night I ordered a cup of New England Clam chowder. I'm suffering now because the clams must have been preserved. I have great success with Midrin, Isocome, or Duradrin. I take two at onset of headache and a third if necessary. It works for me. It my work for you.

---d.mills <d2mills@blazenet.net>
PA USA -

I wanted to thank everyone who responded to my letter...even though this sounds strange...it's a comfort to know that there are people out there who experience the same feelings as I...such as the lady who sees the blind spots or the lady who relates to the medicine I take that doesn't work. Again I really appreciate all the feedback...keep it coming! And if anyone learns anything new...visit me first! Thanks, Christi Lux

---Christi Lux <lux@erinet.com>
Franklin, OH USA - 

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