Case Histories - January 1999 #2

To AmyJoy Ask your OB about verapamil (a calcium channel blocker) and/or atenalol (a beta blocker) I don't know if they are safe for use during pregnancy. Fortunately, I never had migraines when I was pregnant. Watch what you eat, too. Chocolate, certain breads and root veggies and peanuts can trigger an attack. DOes anyone have any advice for when other non-migraine people just don't understand the severity of the pain? You know . . . "Oh come on it's just a headache", what do you say to these people? Thanks.
Betsey <jobesath@AOL.com>
Baltimore, USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 11:52:09 PM

My name is Angela and I am 21 years old. I have suffered from migraines since about fifth grade and as the years went on they became more severe. It is so nice to read other peoples migraine horror stories because I always feel like Im the only one experiencing them. The thing that worries me most is getting a migraine at a really bad time, such as at work, the day of an exam, while driving or just out anywhere. After reading alot of these stories I guess Im lucky that my migraines are not that frequent, I sympathize with all of you who get them so often, I cant even deal with them once in a while. Right now I take imitrex whenever I get a migraine. I started out taking the tablets and I felt little to no relief, or so it seemed. My last attack I tried the imitrex nasal spray and it seemed to work a great deal better, so maybe that is a suggestion for those of you who are not happy with the tablets. Im still looking for other ways to alleviate migraines completly although I know it is virtually impossible Ill keep hoping. If anyone knows about feverfew or Magnesium please e-mail me personally or write it in the journal, Id really appreciate it. Happy New year and I hope everyone is headache free for a very long time!!!!
Angela Pollara <robsontz@aol.com>
Lyndhurst, NJ USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 11:33:46 PM

Hi There! This is just a heads up to the user of migracin plus. If you have an asprin alergy do not take it. Willow Bark is the natural form of asprin & can lead to serious complications to those who are asprin sensitive. Just wanted to let you know this little bit of herbology. Have a great day! ~Dianna~
Dianna <ghost@gte.net>
NPR, FL USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 11:19:24 PM

Thank the Lord, I've made it through another day without a headache. Hope I don't get so excited that I get one. Alot of good web pages have been printed in this Journal and for some reason I'm not getting them up from my favorite folder, could some of you please reprint them for me and all the newcomers I've seen in our pain-page?? I was a good girl over the holidays, really watched the MSG, nitrates, sugars & caffine. It wasn't alot of fun, but it was great not haveing a migraine. Anybody else out there trying this??? Not saying it's a cure, but any help is a major bonus...Hope you're all getting back to everyday life and calming down. I next goal is to figure out how not to do Christmas shopping next year. I love the wrapping, the decorating, but hate the stores with a passion. THAT is a big anxiety headache for me... any suggestions??
Estelle
USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 10:09:30 PM

Hi all, I hope this finds each and everyone well and happy :o) Well I did jump the gun on my last entry. I've been on adalat 30mg a night for the past 3 weeks or so, worked great entell last Sunday when the worst migraine I've had in along time. NOTHING worked for the pain. It was four days of hell. I went to the doctor and he gave me a shot of compazine (sp) and then Haldol with about 50% relief. Thank god the next moring it was gone. He upped the adalat to 60mg so we will see what happens.I guess I should be thankful it did come on Christmas huh.. Well you all take care and hope your year is pain free (would'nt that be wonderful) :o)
Carol <Flames one@aol.com>
OK USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 10:05:43 PM

I have a question for anyone who is taking St John's Wort. I have read that it can make you "sun sensitive" & since I am a year round tanner (yes I know the risk) I have asked about this with no luck so far. A few years ago I was on a sulfer drug & sat outside for a short time & my face & neck turned red & were HOT. Has anybody taken St John's Wort through the summer & had any reacton? Hopefully everyone knows NOT to take it if the DR has prescribed any type of Antidepressant. Also has anyone tried Migracin plus, from a Health store or Herbalist? It contains Feverfew, Willow bark & Magnesium I think? I am now on extra Mag & take Feverfew (though I'm not good about remembering it daily). But at this point Zomig is the only thing that will touch the Migraines, not 100% of the time but better than Imetrix. Thanks, ~L~
Lynda
USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 08:46:23 PM

Hi everyone. I am 44 years old. I have been suffering from migraines since my last child was born ten years ago. My neurologist has tried everything from anti-dresspants,beta blockers,hormone patch,even lupron injection. Either they don't work or I have bad side effects. The only thing that does help is when i go to the neurologist is an iv for demerol,droperidol [ tranquilizer ] phenergan & a steroid. I have been hospitalized many times , because I get so sick that I get dehydrated. The nurses at the doctor's office call me green face because i get so sick! I have tried maxalt,which helped some ,but the pain was back in 2 hours. I hope that someone does find a cure for these terrible migraines. My neurologist is very understanding, because he gets migraines too. Thanks for letting me share my story. Good luck to all of migraine suffers.
Debbie <lrobi5895@aol.com>
USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 07:31:19 PM

Brenda Martin - You asked if anyone else has TMJ. Well, I do and it hurts most of the time and is aggrevating. Sometimes my jaws lockup so bad I cannot get food into my mouth. I don't know if it is hereditary, but, I found out two of my second cousins have it. They are first cousins and their mothers are sisters. My father is their mothers' first cousin. I do get migraines from them too. At least it seems to be from them.
Tammy Wheeler <tammywheeler@netscape.net>
Buchanan, Ga USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 06:13:46 PM

For the person who asked if anyone else gets daily migraines in the spring- I do! Since I have moved to the south they are almost daily. I think they are allergy related. They appeared to ease up when I started taking allergy medicine. But- it has been a few years since I began allergy medicine and it is no longer as effective. I take claritin D and flonase. Hope I helped you.
Jackie <gorjac@studmail.edu>
Houston, tx USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 05:52:45 PM

Barbara, I just read your comment about the possibility of trying the Zomig or Maxalt. I prefer the Zomig. It works with a great degree of reliability if you take it when the first signs of the headache appear, and you must take the 5 milligram dosage. I add a Phenergan and two Excedrin migraine on top of that and an occasional Ambien or two if necessary. It works. You can sometimes abort the headache altogether and the ones you do get are short-lived. Your doctor would probably give you samples of the Zomig to try. I have the classic migraines with virtually the same side effects as you. My sister takes the Imitrex and loves it. It did ,too, when it first came onto the market in the U.S., I had the injections. The Zomig is a wonder drug for those of us with the prodrome. My problem is that I don't usually take the pills when the first signs appear hoping that I can just make it through without anything. My insurance pays for the Zomig, so I shouldn't even have to be so careful and hoarde the pills as I do. My suggestion is ask for the Zomig samples, the 5 milligram ones. My doctor didn't even mess around with the one-half tablets. I really feel empathy for your situation. I suppose it's because it sounds so much like my own. My heart goes out to you because I can tell from your posts you are truly suffering through a hard time; with no end in sight, I worry that you may find yourself in a pit like the one I have been in lately. Take care. I will keep you in my prayers.
Martha
USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 05:01:59 PM

Hi, it is nice to find a place with people who have problems just like you do (unfortunately for us!) My problem is with my 13 year old son who has had problems with headaches for years but recently gotten much worse. We have been told that he has tension headaches with migraines. The tension headache is always there(24 hours a day) and the migraine seems to creep in once in a while. We have seen 4 different doctors been on 13 different medications, had 2 MRI (luckily negative), and are currently on Nadalol (a beta blocker) to help with the tension headaches. He had to be taken out of school the last 3 months which was really hard on him and us. (trying to keep up on school work with a headache was tough) We are going to see a headache specialist at the University Medical Center in Portland. Has anyone out there had a similar experience with kids this age? I have cluster headaches myself and think the poor kid got something from me. Hang in there all of you . Any information would be appreciated. Thanks Karen
Karen <Thurmag@proaxis.com>
Corvallis, Or USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 04:14:16 PM

There are other hormone supplements to use besides Premarin. I have been using an estrogen patch for the last month and have had great success. The patches contain only estradiol, vs Premarin which contains several types of estrogen. Martha, maybe you should make a switch. Deb
Deb <dginder@brainerd.net>
Mmn USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 11:49:54 AM

I have had migraines and tension headaches for over 10 years. I have tried all the "expensive medications" and refuse to buy any more. I have been on St. John's Wort for about 4 weeks and am getting great results. I take 2 capsules a day, the bottle I bought was 5.57 at Wal-Mart. It is working so well, I can't believe it. I have had only 1 tension headache since beginning this and "Migraine Excedrin" took care of it immediately. Prior to getting on the St. John's Wort I was getting headache's 3-4 times a week. I had surmised chocolate as being the culprit. Since being on St. John's , I am eating chocolate again with no problems. The medications I used to use were: Imitrex (both injection & oral), Amerge, and Zomig. The expense of these medications was terrible and caused stress just thinking of having to get these. My doctor had suggested I try St. John's, saying it contains same things as the anti-depressents, which I refuse to take. The last thing I want to do is gain 25 pounds and have other numerous side effects. I'll keep you posted on my next month of being headache free. It is truly wonderful. Sara R.
Sara Rathbun <brathbun@mindspring.com>
Hutchinson, KS USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 07:02:17 AM

What do you suppose Neanderthal or Cromagnon man did when he got a migraine? ...had someone drill a hole into his skull to let out the "evil demons." LOL Well, I think that living with the evil migraine demon over the past 36 years has destroyed my life. So, here's the proverbial chicken-or-egg question. Did the migraine cause the depression or the screwed-up brain chemistry that I must have inherited? Either way, I can no longer view this affliction with the same degree of objectivity. I thought that there would be an end to the pain. I looked forward to it with relish and renewed hope. As long as I thought that menopause would bring an end to the attacks, I could hold on. So, what do I get? Premarin. With the Premarin the migraines returned with a renewed vengeance. So, do I take the Premarin and have a migraine every other day or not take it and sprout chest hair? Let's see, here's the question of the day. Chest hair or migraines? I do believe I'll opt for the chest hair. Sasquatch, move over. I have this ex-friend who is a non-migraineur. I say "ex" because I've decided that I don't want any more friends who don't listen to me complain when I need to. If I have just gone through a 36-hour headache and my eyeballs are still rolling around in my head like a slot machine, then I think the "significant others" in your life should HAVE to listen to you. Is that so wrong? I don't overdo the complaining bit. I promise. I even space out the "migraine" comments so as not to turn my ex-best friend's stream of sympathy off to my eternal suffering. Then, I listen to everything little thing that goes on in her life with the rapt attention of a hormone-crazed fruit fly. I use my reflective listening techniques to mirror her problems with the children, her every little hope, aspiration and peeve. Then, when I expect the occasional empathetic retort, I get "why don't you just ignore the pain, you know, suck it up and go???? Duh!! I'd like to see you suck it up and go,,,when your brain has turned to mush and you can't see and you are throwing up so hard the spot between your eyes feels as if it has been struck by a catapulted bolder. Where's the sympathy? Not that I even want any, certainly not when I actually have one. Then I want to be left alone. Don't touch me, talk to me, look at me...but , people, you know this much pain deserves a modicum of respect. Right? Thanks for listening,,,uh, reading....
Martha
USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 05:23:18 AM

Sorry, pushed the wrong button...I was saying that sometimes a very stubborn headache responds to a trip to the pain management doctor who is an anethesiologist. He does a block that consists mostly of pouring viscous lidocaine down my nose! It's not fun, but it works. Otherwise I will continue on having it for days. In the spring,I have almost continuous migraines.Does anyone else have this? Also, does anyone else have TMJ or tempromandibular joint disease? When it spasms, migraines seem to be triggered. It hurts so badly. The only way to work is with pain meds. I just had botox injected into the TMJ. But I still had a migraine for New Years eve! Thank goodness for Amerge and health insurance to pay for it! To all of my fellow Migraine sufferers, hope the New Year brings less pain!
Brenda martin <petsgalore@webtv.net>
Dallas,, Texas USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 05:22:43 AM

My wife has been suffering from Migraines for 20 years. She has tried all the prescribed drugs which includes Zomig, Fioranol, Excedrin, Imitrex, etc. (please Excuse the spelling). She has experienced some relief over the years but not much. She has also gained weight which is now frustrating her because she can't shed the pounds. As far as I'm concerned, all she has done to herself was take drugs gain weight and has found no relief. It appears from reading these other case histories that no one else has been able to correct the migraine problem with drugs either. Why are you all taking the DRUGS if they are not helping? You should get off the drugs if there is no relief and break the cycle you are on and try an alternative method. I have been encouraging my wife to try a more natural approach to her problem. I believe her migraines are caused by some imbalance in her system. Has anyone had any success with vitamins, minerals, cleansing, nutrition, herbs etc. If so please E-mail me. The body needs balance not drugs that do not work.
Frank <FRK811@aol.com>
Newtown, PA USA - Date: 01/02/99 (Sat) Time: 12:04:13 AM