Case Histories - October #23

Well, its Sunday morning and I am sitting at work, wondering how i got here. On the way down my head blew up again and it was a struggle to focus and drive!! Not the safest thing I have ever done, now that I am here I have a full days worth of work to do - I promised some work for someone monday morning and I cannot even turn on the office lights or take off my sunglasses. The pain is piercing through my left eye and making me sick to my stomach, but you all kknow the feeling. What do I do about this work???????? I am tired of this - I am on my 8th week of a migraine everyday except for about 5 days mixed in where i felt pretty good. We went to a halloween party last night, but had to leave early because my head blew up again. Sound familiar? Just wanted to vent today, its nice to know someone out there knows how I feel right now.
Alicia Dagosta <alicia.dagosta@kutakrock.com>
Omaha, NE USA - Date: 10/25/98 (Sun) Time: 11:07:05 AM

To Paula-Just remember that just because you are on an antidepressant, does not mean you are having mental problems or anything. It means the doc felt that this was the right drug to try for your particular type of migraine. It can eventually calm them down. I was on Paxil for 3 years. The only reason I was taken off is that it aggrevated a skin disorder I have. It worked really well, so give the Paxil a try. Also, have you tried Imitrex or any of the other things available? You don't have to suffer needlessly. The pain can be brought under control. It is a matter of finding the right combination of meds to make it happen. Hang in there!-Barb B
Barbara B
USA - Date: 10/25/98 (Sun) Time: 08:50:10 AM

To Paula-also know that there are drugs out there that work on more than one type of problem. It just so happens that an antidepressant is also good for the headache. Have you tried any thing like Imetrex, Amerge or Zomig, or any of the other new abortive medications out there? The nature of migraines is that regular old over the counter pain relievers usually do not work well. Check with your doctor on this.
Barbara B
USA - Date: 10/25/98 (Sun) Time: 08:27:07 AM

To Paula-Just wanted you to know that being on Paxil does not mean that you have any mental problems! I was on Paxil for about 3 years for my migraines. It worked very well at controlling them, because it works on the neurotransmitor that is responsible for triggering the migraine attack. I only had one every 4 or 5 months. The only reason I was taken off of it was that I have a skin disorder that it was aggrevating. Since then, I've been on neurontin, but it does not work as well. If anything, I've noticed an increase, and they are harder to get rid of once they start.
Barbara B
USA - Date: 10/25/98 (Sun) Time: 08:23:18 AM

i am 22. i've been suffering from migraines for at least five years. i cannot remember when they started. i have been diagnosed "depressive". does the chemical imbalance in my brain have to do with this? being so young (apparently) i didn't (don't)know if these were the 'growing pains' my mother (also a migraine sufferer) was always saying they were. luckily, i only get them about 7 times a year. however, i really feel for those of you who get them more than once a month. i've always loved biology and my doctor and i have had extensive conversations about the chemicals in my brain that make me feel things at certain times. where does my pain fit in to all of this? when i cannot get out of bed and have a class (an exam i cannot defer for a "headache" - regardless of how severe) who will take sympathy, and take notes for me (i cannot audio record this particular lecture)? how come i have to be so different from everyone else? why can't it be easy for me -(easy is the way i see it when you don't have to lie in a dark quiet room in order just to LIVE (suicide has crossed my mind at these times) through the pain - pain , i am sure no one "normal" has to endure)thank god (or whatever higher power is out there) i guess i just needed to validate my illness. i don't want to take up anyones time i just wanted to expess myself and to know - in my heart of hearts- that i'm not alone. i think alone is how we all fell in this disease. anyways thats my two sence (spelt like that for a reason) to all sufferers, best of luck, i'm glad i'm not alone.(even though my mother suffers, she refuses to acknowledge my pain) to strenght in numbers, --CHEERS-- heather
heather skrinda <hskrinda@uoguelph.ca>
guelph, ont canada - Date: 10/25/98 (Sun) Time: 01:38:16 AM

I have suffered from daily headaches for 12 years. I started having migraines last July. Since then I have been searching for some kind of medication that I can take at work. I can't miss work every time a migraine strikes...it simply happens too often. I am interested in any information regarding migraines. I feel like my life is on hold for the moment...I don't even want to consider having children until I have this "thing" under control... I am currently taking Nortriptylene to try and "prevent" the headaches from happening...it has helped somewhat. Imitrex no longer works for me. The only thing that will work is to take 2 tylenol 3 with codeine and go to bed...as I said, a medication that could be taken at work would be wonderful. I am now trying Feverfew as well (recommended by my doctor) we'll see! Thanks for listening. Katrina
Katrina Clark <katrinadclark@hotmail.com>
British Columbia, Canada - Date: 10/24/98 (Sat) Time: 11:43:55 PM