Case Histories - October #13

In between migraines, I am typing this to say, "Thank God I am not alone!" I really appreciated some of the comments in this journal. Whenever I get a migraine it seems like non-sufferers (especially at work) roll their eyes, or their eyes glaze over as if they are thinking, "oh, there goes the hypochondriac again..." I have to give my husband credit; he is quite supportive and is always doting when I get a migraine. I have suffered with migraines for about 15 years, along with two siblings and my mother. I have tried just about every medication there is, and I have never gained any relief. When Imitrex first came out, I thought, "Ooh, the wonder drug!!" Boy, was I sick as a dog after trying it. Oh well... The only thing that has helped for me so far is Sibelium (flunarizine), which is a calcium channel blocker. I take 5mg a day every day, and while this has AMAZINGLY cut down the frequency of my migraines, it does not particularly lessen the severity. One of the side effects, however, is fatigue. I find I am tired all day and find it extremely difficult to get up in the morning. Hey, if that's the trade-off, I'll take it!! I have a very informative book on migraines, written by an RN who suffers with migraines, called simply "Migraine" by Valerie South, RN. (Key Porter Books, ISBN 1-55013-531-7).
Lynn <lleblanc@idirect.ca>
Hamilton, Ont Canada - Date: 10/13/98 (Tue) Time: 08:22:31 PM

denise -- interesting article -- thanks for sharing! are you able to post exactly which issue so we can make copies to present to our docs?
nancy
USA - Date: 10/13/98 (Tue) Time: 08:05:22 PM

I wanted to share part of an articule that was in Good Housekeeping a few years back. It really speaks to those doctors how think you should "tough out" chronic pain and that you should do w/o pain med- action. "Pain destroys relationships,is disabling, feeds depression, and makes the future impossible to contemplate for millions of citzens",says Norman J.Marcus M.D. director of the New York Pain Treatment Program at Lenox Hill Hospital. Yet it is "one of the most serious, most treatable, and most undertreated conditions in American medicine",adds University of FL.College of Medicine neurologist Stephen Nadeau. One reason millions suffer needlessly is because many doctors overlook pain as a side effect of illness,when, in fact,"pain is as serious and as legitimate a medical condition as diabetes or heart disease",says Richard Pratt.,M.D.at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston,Tx.Many doctors and patient also believe that enduring pain is a sign of strong character and erroneously fear addiction. While it is true that narcotics(opioids)such as morphine can cause a physical dependence,that can be dealt with by gradually reducing the doses to withdraw from the medication. Addiction, on the other hand, involves a psychological craving to use the drug for nonmedical pur- poses that overwhelms the addict's life. COMMAN MYTHS ABOUT PAIN 1)Pain is to be expected w/surgery,cancr and other illnesses.Although uncomfortable, pain itself is harmless. FALSE:Pain stresses the body by sapping valuable energy that's critically needed at times of surgery and illness. Pain also interferes w/the ability to eat and sleep. Unrelieved pain may also take a serious toll onyour immune system. It's even been shown to pro- mote tumor growth in animals. DOCTORS TEND TO OVERPRESCRIBE NARCOTIC(OPIOID)MEDICATOINS SUCH AS MORHPINE,AND i SHOULD AVOID THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THEY CAN BE ADDICTIVE. FALSE ON Both counts.In fact, drs. tend to under- prescribe pain relievers and even when they do appropriately prescibe them,more than half of the patients do not take correctly,thereby un- dermining even the best medical management. Furthermore,studies show that patients who take opioids for pain almost never become addicted. The risk is about one in 10,000 patients. WHEN IT COMES TO PAINKILLERS, IT'S BEST TO WAIT AS LONG AS POSIBLE BEFORE TAKING THE MEDICATION.False:Doctor's have learned that much less med. will be needed of it is takien preventatively or as soon as pain starts. By taking the med. at regular intervals to prevent the pain from surging,you'll have fewer side effects and less discomfort. IF i USE STRONG PAINKILLERS NOW, THEY WILL GRADUALLY LSE THEIR EFFEC- TIVENESS AND THEN i WON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO TAKE IF THE PAIN GETS WORSE. FALSE:Although some people will need larger doses of strong painkilllers(such as morphine)over time as their bodies grow tolerant of the med. or their pain increases, there is no upper limit of doses for opioids & their pain relieving effect does not wear out. However, patients may not be able to tolerate the side effects associated with very high doses. TAKING PAIN MED. AT REGULAT INTERVALS, RATHER THAN "AS NEEDED".Doctors have learned that around-the-clock dosing --continuously taking med- ications at set intervals--is far more effective than "as needed". It requires more med.to relieve a wave of pain that has begun than topre- vent it from occuring in the first place. By providing medications a- round the clock,patients don't have to wait for med and feel more in control, and receive fewer injections. USING OLD MEDICATION IN NEW WAYS:as fears of addiction wane, morphine and other opioids are being more commonaly used for severe pain.But instead of injections,drs. are increasingly using oral med.,pumps that automatically give doses at predetermined intervals,medicaated skin patches, and nasal sprays.In some cases, delivering morphine or simialar opioids directly to the spine w/pumps,catheters orimplants can provide dramatic relief.
Denise <djolly8314@aol.com>
Midland, Tx USA - Date: 10/13/98 (Tue) Time: 07:12:29 PM

Hi everyone just thought I would keep you updated on my situation. Well we are now into the 8th week of this damned migraine. Every day in the last 2 weeks has been spent in the Dr. office or the ER. i am now becoming so distraught I'm not quite sure what to do. So guess what I'm now on my way back to the nuerologist, so that they can tell me once again that I will grow out of them HA!HA! I asked my doctor about the nerve blocks that I have read that some of you have had, could you please tell me how they are given and who would have to administer it. Sorry I can't talk long as usual I am on my way to the Dr. office for once again anoter shot. Take care & here's hoping to a migraine free day for many. Maureen
Maureen <mbeers@genesys-tech.com>
WI USA - Date: 10/13/98 (Tue) Time: 12:58:50 PM

I have had a headack for two weeks. My doctor took me off the bith control pills and I have a shot called Imgoz which was bad. I did't work and make me sick. I'm now on vicodin which just makes it a little easier to bare. I have an approntment with a Neurologist this week. I hope to find that its just a pinched nerve. I work a full time job and have an 8 year old. Its hard to deal with work and the child and everyday living with this ack all the time. It just don't go away. I wish someone had an answer for me because the doctors don't seem to know. My boyfriend has giving me massages and hot tub rubs. We went out to eat on Sunday, we had to leave early because my head hurt so bad when we got home I just wanted to lay down for a few minutes. Well 3 hours later I got up. It still hurt but not as bad. I never thought I would say this but I hope the doctor does find some thing wrong. At least I'll know what to do and how to prevent them for now on. Thanks for the ear.
Colleen <scubadu@gte.net>
Venice, FL USA - Date: 10/13/98 (Tue) Time: 10:25:56 AM

Hello fellow migraineurs. I was in an accident about 8 months ago at work where several items fell on my head. Ever since then, I have been getting these severe unbearable headaches where I would also experience nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound and light. I don't need to tell you how frustrating and dibilitating these headaches are. I have been seeing a nuerologist since the accident. He calls what I have "Intractable Migraines". I am currently on elavil (100mg), inderal, predinsone and lortab. Up until a few weeks ago, I was on a duragesic patch and I was hospitalized for 7 days. Nothing seems to be helping. I have these unbearable headaches day in and day out. When they get to a point where I can no longer handle the pain, I've run out to the emergency room for a shot. Isn't there anything that could help us? This disease has had a great negetive impact not only on my social life but on my personal life as well. I am unable to go anywhere anymore. I can't even be intimate with my husband of 10 years. It is literally tearing me apart. My question to anyone out there is, has anyone ever been able to get disability? what do I need to do? How long must I suffer before I can apply? What is the approval rating? I would greatly appreciate any response. P.S. I dictated this letter for my sister to type on her computer since I have been unable to even read a small article without irritating my migraines further....has anyone else felt that way? My migraines intensify whenever I try to concentrate on anything, whether it's watching tv, reading or even trying to follow a conversation. Does anyone else feel that way? I look forward to hearing from you. Please email me at....NICEGRL000@aol.com
Brenda <nicegrl000@aol.com>
chicago, il USA - Date: 10/13/98 (Tue) Time: 03:22:21 AM