Case Histories - November #26

I am a 52 year old male who has suffered migraine headaches for most of my life. I have been to family doctors, blood specialists, alergy specialists, neurologists, chiropractors, etc., in an effort to get some relief from the debilitating pain that these bring. The headaches have been diagnosed from "sinus headaches" to "stress headaches", to "allergy headaches", "atypical migraine", "cluster headaches", etc. I am convinced that the average physician, regardless of their specialty, has no concept of the severity and disabling nature of a migraine. I have taken Fiorcet, Fiorcet with Codeine, Demorol, Percoset, Fioronol, Fioronol with Codiene, and many more drugs. None of these worked in a satisfactory manner. The ones that relieved the pain made me "stoned" and unable to function. As self protection, I usually took too many doses of these, thinking that a typical headache was a migraine. I also devour massive doses of Anacin, which is a combination of aspirin and cafiene. Finally, a doctor suggested that I try an Imitrex injection. This worked great! He gave me a prescription and I used the injections for about 2 years. We changed health plans and my current plan wouldn't cover injections, so I tried nasal spray (didn't work well and gave me a sore nose) and tablets. The tablets work (2 to 4 per incident). I get a migraine 2-3 times weekly, which is about 48 tablets per month. My current health plan NOW limits me to 28 tablets per month! Imitrex is non-habit forming and allows life to be relatively pain free. Too bad the Insurance Company is more interested in money than the people they are supposed to be helping. johnheiting@juno.com
John Heiting <johnheiting@juno.com>
Atlantic City, NJ USA - Date: 11/20/98 (Fri) Time: 11:05:24 PM

I am hoping to find some help here. I have suffered from migraines since I was 13, when I first got my period. I have been able to deal with them up until 5 months ago. I began getting them frequently (every 3-4 days or so) and I finally broke down and called the dr in September. I had to go to the ER because the left side of my face and down my left side went numb. I was really scared, thought I was having a stroke or something. So, the good dr puts me on Elavil. I start with 3, and I'm tired, sweating all the time, and still getting what my children call "Momma's boo-boo head". Then she ups it 4. Now I sweat all the time, can't get out of bed. Found the Imitrex site and got a little booklet. Charted all my migraines for a month. They're all horrible, and within the time frame of between ovulation and the start of my period. She does not even want to look at it. NOW she wants me on some kind of calcium-channel blocker used for high blood pressure. I am especially concerned because I have a low blood pressure to begin with. I know my Aunt has been on Elavil, calcium-channel blockers, and some kind of heart medication, all for migraines. I'm starting to feel like a guinea pig, and am concerned about starting with these different medications. My triggers that I know of are sausage, hot dogs, bananas, salad dressing, bacon, bright lights, glare, and birth control pills. I avoid these foods, and I have the photogray lenses for going outside. I can't avoid my period. My family is frustrated and my girls don't really understand. I feel so guilty when plans are ruined because I've got another one. Thanks for listening-I promise it won't be so long next time. Melissa
Melissa <beany_27@yahoo.com>
USA - Date: 11/20/98 (Fri) Time: 10:08:08 PM

Barbara B., your email wasn't posted so I couldn't email this to you but in response to your comment on Midrin, I'm not certain but I think Midrin is loaded with caffeine. I use to take it and some days it would knock me out, and then the next time I'd be wired. Check with your pharmacist, or an online drug reference book.
Pam <koilady@hotmail.com>
USA - Date: 11/20/98 (Fri) Time: 09:42:32 PM

What is it with that light pink writing? I can't read ant of the entries from earlier. Can that be fixed? Or is it just me, losing my mind?
Julie
USA - Date: 11/20/98 (Fri) Time: 09:14:52 PM

For those of you that visit www.pain.com at today's "Ask the Dr."; one of the docts. in his answer to "Headache pain",he refers at the end of his statement to a Dr. Robbins. He is referring to DR. LAWRENCE ROBBINS. His web site wasn't mentioned there but you can reach it at www.headachedrugs.com It is updated at least several times a month. Click on 'TABLE OF CONTENTS' you will find almost every topic regarding migraines discussed from treatments, medications, herbs, books avaliable, migraine & strokes, migraine & other diseases, children & even those over 50. & much much more. It is a very user friendly web site. For those that have suffered whiplash or neck injuries, www.cervicogenic.com lists topics that will be discussed at their annual meeting coming up. & as I have mentioned before, the definitions of cervicogenic & taxonomical migraines & successful treatments. God Bless :)
DC from OK <mcanfield@msn.com>
USA - Date: 11/20/98 (Fri) Time: 07:54:07 PM