Case Histories - January 1999 #8

please tell me if anyone gets migraines with auras without the headache. I also get stroke like symptoms. Is there anyone else like this ANYWHERE?
kelli
salem, nj USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 11:56:13 PM

I have been dealing with headaches now for 3yrs. woke one morning and still going. I have seen all the doctors and have had all the test,but still nothing,except doctors sending me to see yet another doctor. This gets real old when know one can explain it to me,but they can suck up all the insurance money. As you can tell i am very frustrated with the whole deal so if someone would like to talk please do !!!! thanks, kim
kim flores <stardust76567@yahoo.com>
rockdale, tx USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 09:48:59 PM

OOops! The address didn't copy. Sorry. it's: http://www.aafp.org/afp/index.html
catherine <cadms@ilnk.com>
Jacksonville Beach, FL USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 08:05:47 PM

Here's a really good site.... compliments of Estelle (thanks Estelle) It's the family physician home page. go there & enter the search word "migraines" & voila! you get lots of neat articles! the address is:
Cataherine <cadams@ilnk.com>
Jacksonville Beach, FL USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 08:04:12 PM

has anyone experienced a migraine without the pain with aura? HELP PLEASE!! My neurologist said that'a what I have. However it feels as if I am experiencing a stroke. Has anyone ever felt this way?
kelli
cherry hill, nj USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 04:34:53 PM

For Kathy in Palo Alto, I think a lot of people get migraine "hangovers." in thinking back, this does not happen all the time. And I have not known if they were from the headache and vomiting, or from the drugs; I think both....Oh, I got my Newsweek. Like people said, it does not really tell us a lot of new stuff, but it is gratifying to see migraines on the cover of a major magazine! One le was interesting, it dealt with kids who have migraines. Apparently their symptoms can be very different from ours. Everyone have a decent weekend. It looks like we will be snowed in again in Indiana!
Dee <dsjohns@adms.purdue.edu>
USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 03:58:00 PM

Hi im a first time writer. Ive had migraines for 33 yrs three years ago was diagnosed, prior to three yrs I was told they were sinus! I started using imitrix 3 yrs ago and immediately started to put on weight everyone I talked to docs included said it not be caused by this med, but I wonder . I started going over everything I was doing to make this differance but came up with the same thing the only thing I was doing diff, than 3mths earlier was taking this med. In my life I have had to take antidepressants 3 diff times and every time I did I would gain extreme amounts of weight and docs and the like said the same thing that it coud not be the med`s it must be that you are feeling better so you must be eating more! Thats crap. sorry but that has all been disproved in the years since, it is common knowledge that , the med, is very capable of my claim! Furher more I Know that the med`s do this because every time I would becme so upset with the extra weight gain that I would take myself off and within 6mths weight would melt away by its self and my freinds I could not lose weight like that to save my soul. In my research of this med. I have found out that it wrks very much like an antidepressant that it works on brain chemicals much the same way so my QUESTION IS PLEASE TELL ME I AM NOT ALONE! My migraines are also hormonal and I almost never get them any other time of the month, god are we lucky girls or what? Please respond I feel Like everyone thinks Im making excuses, but it is not normal for me to put on 50lbs in 6mth time unless Im taking antidepressants .I normaly stay about the same weight give or take 5 to 8 lbs either way! thanks nancy
nancy <snburnfamily@webtv.net>
D.M., Ia USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 03:38:31 PM

Hi im a first time writer. Ive had migraines for 33 yrs three years ago was diagnosed prior t three yrs I was told they were sinus! I started using imitrix 3 yrs ago and immidiately started to put on weight everyone I talked to docs included said it not caused by this med but I wonder . I started going over everything I was doing to makethis diff but came up with the same thing the only thing I was doing diff than 3mths earlier was taking this med. In my life I have had to take antidepressants 3 diff times and every time I did I would gain extreme amounts of weight and doc and the like said the same thing that it coud not be the med it must be that you are feeling better so you must be eating more! Thats crap. sorry but that has all been disproved in the years since it is common knowledge that , the med is very capable of my claim! Furher more I Know that the med`s do this because every time I wold becme so upset with the gain that I would take myself off and within 6mths weight would melt away by its self and my freinds I could not lose weight like that to save my soul. In my research of this med. I have found out that it wrks very much like anantidepressant that it works on brain chemicals much the same way so my QUESTION IS PLEASE TELL ME I AM NOT ALONE! My migraines are also hormonal and I almost never get them any other time of the mounth, god are we lucky girls or what? Please respond I feel Like everyone thinks Im making excuses but it is not normal for me to put on 50lbs in 6mth time unless Im taking antidepressants .I normaly stay about the same weightgive or take 5 to 8 lbs either way! thanks nancy
nancy nancy <snburnfamily@webtv.net>
D.M., Ia USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 03:26:02 PM

Hello, I am 32 year old female with two children. I have suffered from migraines since I was 6. I have been through every test, been on and off of meds since that age. I did get a break in high school. (reason unknown). However, in 1995 I was in a terrible car accident and suffered a bad head injury. As all can figure the migraines came back full strength. I did get some relief in 97' when I underwent 6 surgeries to correct the internal damage from the car accident. I was on so much pain meds nothing hurt. Well that had to stop, when the meds stopped the headaches got worse. My MD sent to a Nuerologist and he was a "preventative" doctor. He wanted to prevent them and not treat them when they came on. I was in the ER at least 1xweek having to get demerol shots (100mg) just to dim the pain. Needless to say the hospital labeled me. The neurologist put me on, verapamil, amitryptylin, nortryptlyline, depakote, xanax, vicodin, elivil and midrin. Well, I felt horrible, some of the meds were to help me sleep, which of course I became immune to them within 6 weeks. I hated all the pills. I had found out about Stadol NS. I did alot of research on it and finding how incredibly dangerous it is, I still decided to go over it with a new neurologist. I met with this doctor and he agreed with close monitoring we would try it. We did the Stadol NS, Xanax and Midrin together. He instructed I use 1 dose of Stadol, 1 xanax and 2 midrin at the first sign of a migrain and 1 dose of Stadol and 1 midrin 1 hour after onset. When it happened I did as he instructed and it worked. I continued with this treatment for one year. The prescriptions were given to me every 3 months. Pick each set up on a determined 30 day period. This really worked for me. The migraines went from 3 a week down about 1-2 times a month and now maybe 1 time in 2-3 months. I'm not happy about having to use such and addictive and dangerous medication, but if used "AS DIRECTED" is can be effective. No cause was ever found and to the origin of my migraines. No family history, no serious illnesses, no accidents until adulthood. All tests say I'm perfectly healthy, head to toe. Also, during both of my pregnancies the migraines never stopped. Hopefully one day there will be a breakthrough on this debilitation that won't require any of us to use so many meds and run the risk of serious addictions in order function normally.
Leslie
Austin, TX USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 02:28:36 PM

Does ANYONE OUT THERE experience migraine with aura without the pain? I'v had stroke like symptoms and my neurologist said they are migraines. IT SOUNDS CRAZY!!! IS THERE ANYONE WHO EXPERIENCES THIS!! PLEASE RESPOND!!!!!
Kelli
Cherry Hill, NJ USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 02:19:44 PM

Hello good people, its been a while since I have written but I have some questions and I would appreciate it some could help me. Has anyone every had facet injections to the spinal area of their neck to relieve the pain of a whiplash like injury. If so, did it really help you, and does it help with the headaches that occure from the ligement and muscle damage. I go in this wednesday and for some reason(suprise suprise) the doctor preforming the proceedure wont call me back to answer my questions. I would also like to take a minute and thank a very special person that I met through this journal. Estelle, thank you for information and friendship that you have given me. Im not one to blow smoke but you are a special person and you have helped me a lot.I hope everyone has as pain free of a day as possible. Thank you ....Morgan
Morgan Walker <mwalker@vom.com>
Sonoma , CA USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 02:18:52 PM

I went and checked out "BEYOND MIGRAINE". Please note that this is not a program developed specifically for migraine sufferers. It is a food trigger program which claims it can help almost anyone-Lose weight, Control diabetes, fix respiratory problems and basically cure whatever ails you. It is written in very simple english with some very obvious psychological hooks. The idea is, you complete 18 days of a restricted trigger avoidance diet (with a volunteer to help you through it online) and after that you graduate and get to go on to the rest of the program. The catch is that after your free 18 day diet trial, you then have to pay to continue on with the program. You must buy a book and pay for monthly "support". Buyer beware. Make sure you check with your doctor before you start this. I don't want to seem overly negative but if it looks to good to be true it usually is.
anon please
canada - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 01:00:44 PM

To Kathy, NY( Your e-mail address is not working).Hi Kathy, My friend is alright now. She has only had the flashes once in August. She has never had them again. Yes the doctor told her that they were migraines with auras. She had no pain also. Thanks for the encouragement about having a child. I am still very scared because the pain is tremendous for me and I get them almost every day. BYe, Gen
Genevieve <marsgen@visi.com>
Plymouth, MN USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 12:47:14 PM

I have had migraines since the birth of my third child in 1983. They have gradually increased in both frequency and intensity over the past 15 years. I recently found astounding relief by following the program written by Chuck Bates called Beyond Migraine. You can view it yourself at www.beyondmigraine.com. I recommend it to all- I have gone from 10-15 migraines a month to only 2 or 3, and I have only gotten those when I chose not to follow the program. Try it and see if it works for you- then let me know, okay? email me at cuttergap@juno.com Good luck!
Beth <cuttergap@juno.com>
USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 11:26:50 AM

Hi Genevie! Just wanted to let you know that I too was apprehensive about becoming pregnant. I thought that my pregnancy would be horrible, our "baby to be" would be effected, etc.. I was quite nervous about becoming pregnant. Nov. 1, of 97 we had a gorgeous baby boy. Believe it or not my "flashes" never occurred.(during pregnancy) I don't know why, I don't understand why not. However, in Feb. of 98 after I experienced the "flashes" is when I had a weak feeling throughout my body, numbness in my arm and face, confusion, etc.. (you responded to my other entry) That's when I went to my doctor, etc.. I don't know if it was "migraine build up" as I call it. For nine months, after eight years, I was migraine free. Than two months after his birth BAMMMMMM! Than again in Nov. of 98(exactly nine months, after first attack). All I can say is GO FOR IT! It was the BEST decision of my life. Kathy, Haddonfield
kathy <m.priest.69>
haddonfield, nj USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 11:26:29 AM

To Bernzie Hi! I have been experiencing "flashes of lights"since I have been 20. I am 29 now and until a year ago, that's all I experienced was the flashes. In Feb. of 98, after the "flashes", I experienced numbness in my arm, face, I was weak, and I thought that it was a stroke. After being evaluated by my doctor and neurologist, I was told that these episodes were migraines without the pain, with aura. It was the SCARRIEST thing in the world. I figure as long as they aren't fatal I could deal with it. The Flashes were my only symptom for eight years. They would last 20 minutes, disappear, and that was it at least until another month or so. I had my vision checked, and my blood in my early 20's, everything was fine. I was in college and I thought the flashes were from lack of sleep, too much studying, wearing my contacts too long, etc.. I wasn't diagnosed with migraines until a year ago. In Nov. of 98, the same thing occurred. Once again I thought stroke. Went to my neurologist again, he insisted they were migraines. I told him I wanted tests. I had EEG, CAT, and MRI Everything checked out fine. He said if these symptoms occur more frequently he would prescribe medicine.I agree with you that these episodes appear to be mini strokes. They are very frightening. I strongly believe that you should have some tests done, because it WILL ease you mind. It definitely eased mine. Good luck
Kathy <M.Priest.69>
Haddonfield, N.J. USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 10:56:17 AM

Well, I got to my doctor's appointment in spite of the snowy weather. He decided to increase the amount of preventative that I am taking. Now, I have to take one pill in the morning, 1 in the afternoon, and 1 at night. He feels it is easier to try and prevent one then to try and control one once one hits. Of course, I figured that one out a long time ago. It just bothers me to be on so much medication, because I am also on medication for my skin disorder, too. Sometimes I wonder if they are'nt all playing off of one another, or something, that I get so many headaches. I take neurontin as a preventative, so will keep you all updated on the progress with it, so to help out those who are also on neurontin. But that is what I got out of this visit, that it is easier to control the frequency of migraines rather than control the pain once it starts, no matter what new wonder drug happens to be out there.
Barbara B
USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 10:41:47 AM

To Bernize. I don't know how your doctor could tell that you were having a migraine instead of a stroke without doing any tests like a CAT scan or something. It is true that you can start migraines at any age, but anyone over 50, especially with a family history of stroke , I think, should have it checked out. Although, I don't know if there is anything that can be done to prevent it, except making yourself as healthy as posible. Mini strokes don't usually show up on a CAT scan and a bigger one doesn,t usually show up for a couple of days.
Kathleen
NY USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 08:52:05 AM

I subscribe to the on-line Mayo Clinic News Letter. There is an excellent article on Migraine. That, while it says nothing new, it puts a number of things into perspective. It's written very understandably. To get to it, type:http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9707/htm/migraine.htm Hope everyone is having a pain free or low pain day.
Mary <mcn4@msn.com>
NY, NY USA - Date: 01/08/99 (Fri) Time: 07:26:15 AM