Case Histories - September #14

Hi, everyone. How are you all doing? Not to well if you are at this site, huh? Well, I posted previously and am just updating all this crap. I would like to thank the people who replied to me. Sorry that I didn't reply back after a few days, my stupid computer blew. Anyway... Since last entry I have been hospitilized yet again for these monsters. Last Saturday (the 12th) in the night I had a terrible pain behind my right eye. I had been suffering with a migraine the previous five days of my period. The pain was so intense I couldn't yell for my parents or move. So I lay in a fetal position on my bed with the knife like pain traveling down my entire body on the right side only though, paralyzing me. After about 30 minutes I was able to lay and throw up. After that I was able to sleep. Waking in the morning found my mouth to be drooping and my memory distored severly. Mom needlessly freaked. I was extremly happy because I was virtually pain free. After consulting my neurologist in Morgantown we(actually she) decided a trip to the ER was warrented. That proved to be useless. On MOnday I felt incrediblely miserable. So out to the University hospital it was for IV's and stupid inconclusive tests. They prescribed a new med called Diamax that I take during my period. Can anyone relate to my story? This has to give sometime. I am going to be a senior in high school next year and want it to be a blast. Thanks for reading JAne
Jane <buffetbuff@iname.com>
Baker , WV USA - Date: 09/19/98 (Sat) Time: 02:50:45 PM

I am responding to Wanda's question about Ultram. Ultram is a very interesting drug--it seems to work better for orthopedic/back pain. Many headache sufferers do not seem to get relief with it--Ultram is a non-narcotic, non-anti-inflammatory drug--kind of in a class by itself. In fact, one of the most common side effects with Ultram is headache!!! I would be interested in knowing if there are any headache sufferers who find relief with Ultram..... Linda Wixom, Rph
Linda <wixranch@msn.com>
Otis Orchards, wa USA - Date: 09/19/98 (Sat) Time: 01:16:35 PM

Hello everyone. Sorry to hear so many sad Migraine stories, especially Barbara with a 10 year old. I was fortunate that mine did not start till late in life. I am 61 yrs of age now, have another yr before I can start Social Security and am also wondering if it would be worth my while to apply for disability from Social Security. I am now having migraines every other day whereas until a few weeks ago it was ONLY two per week. Before this yr it was several a month and then a few months in between. I can't work because it takes a day to recover from the drugs. I started accupunture last week with two treatments, and am very hopeful that this will help. She says she has had great success with Migraines. I also have a new drug, Ultram 50mg to try. Hs anyone tried this. Everyone seems to react differently As someone else mentioned, I do feel elated after a bad day, but only if I don't have to take a codine type drug. Goodluck to everyone, and thanks Rhonda for this page. Wanda
Wanda Crayton <wcray61>
Austin, Tx USA - Date: 09/19/98 (Sat) Time: 12:59:19 PM

Wow! I knew many others suffered migraines but no one I know seems to have symptoms as severe as those I have suffered over the years. I was amazed to read the many different entries in "Rhonda's Journal" and find that I am not the circus side show freak I thought I was. I have been suffering from migraines for as long as I can remember. I was ten when my parents first sought help outside the family physician. I have been told by many who suffered migraines from youth that they eventually grew out of them or the severity lessened. I have not been that fortunate. I am now 33 and a mother of two. My 10 year old son also suffers from migraine and has been having them for about 3 years. Watching him when he has a headache is like looking in a mirror when I was young. Unfortunately for me and my children, migraines run in the family (both sides for me and one side for my husband). My headaches are very debilitating with the excrutiating pain, nausea, vomiting, hyperventilating, loss of consciousness, loss of facial muscle control and speech, numbness of limbs, etc. I have no aura or warning signs with the onset of a migraine. They can be onset by excitement, stress, fatigue/lack of sleep, menstrual cycles, and over-heating but are not limited to these factors. I can suffer from headaches numerous times a week or go a couple months without having one. My meds were recently changed from Midrin and Fiorinal 3 to Inderal and Imitrex (nasal). The Imitrex causes some bothersome side affects but does seem to alleviate the pain. I was told if these meds don't work the next alternative is pain killers. I have been given pain killers in the past, of which some helped and others did not. For now I do my best to get through the attacks and go on with life. Perhaps someday soon there will be a better understanding of migraines and a cure will be found. This is my hope and prayer for myself, my children, and all those who suffer this misery.
Tesi Jester <jester@gator.net>
Gainesville, FL USA - Date: 09/19/98 (Sat) Time: 11:26:36 AM

Wow! I knew many others suffered migraines but no one I know seems to have symptoms as severe as those I have suffered over the years. I was amazed to read the many different entries in "Rhonda's Journal" and find that I am not the circus side show freak I thought I was. I have been suffering from migraines for as long as I can remember. I was ten when my parents first sought help outside the family physician. I have been told by many who suffered migraines from youth that they eventually grew out of them or the severity lessened. I have not been that fortunate. I am now 33 and a mother of two. My 10 year old son also suffers from migraine and has been having them for about 3 years. Watching him when he has a headache is like looking in a mirror when I was young. Unfortunately for me and my children, migraines run in the family (both sides for me and one side for my husband). My headaches are very debilitating with the excrutiating pain, nausea, vomiting, hyperventilating, loss of consciousness, loss of facial muscle control and speech, numbness of limbs, etc. I have no aura or warning signs with the onset of a migraine. They can be onset by excitement, stress, fatigue/lack of sleep, menstrual cycles, and over-heating but are not limited to these factors. I can suffer from headaches numerous times a week or go a couple months without having one. My meds were recently changed from Midrin and Fiorinal 3 to Inderal and Imitrex (nasal). The Imitrex causes some bothersome side affects but does seem to alleviate the pain. I was told if these meds don't work the next alternative is pain killers. I have been given pain killers in the past, of which some helped and others did not. For now I do my best to get through the attacks and go on with life. Perhaps someday soon there will be a better understanding of migraines and a cure will be found. This is my hope and prayer for myself, my children, all those who suffer this misery.
Tesi Jester <jester@gator.net>
Gainesville, FL USA - Date: 09/19/98 (Sat) Time: 11:24:46 AM

Hello all, well my attempt to go drug free was a failure. I missed a total of 3 days this week & still have the residual pain from the original headache that started on Tuesday night. I just recv'd info from my insurance co. that my visit to the ER on 8/25 was NOT CONSIDERED AN EMERGENCY visit. Excuse ME???? Let me see, I had taken the maximum ammount of Imitrex for the day, I had used all the "home remedies" I know of (ice pack, hot shower, massage... etc) and the pain was still there. Now I will have a headache over the $300.00 bill from the ER. I will have to call them because this is not fair. I covered my deductible & expected treatment to be covered. Grrrrr that gauls me. Sorry, I'm venting. I get to go see my Chiropractor & massage therapist tomorrow morning (thank the powers that be)and hopefully I can get rid of the monster in my head. I know that it probably doesn't to get worked up, but sometimes I can't help it. Does anyone else have combination headaches? My Migraines are often acompanied by sinus headaches as well. This is not a fun situation. Well I wish the best of luck to you all. Have a pain free day. ~Dianna~
Dianna <ghost@gte.net>
NPR, FL USA - Date: 09/18/98 (Fri) Time: 10:22:08 PM