Case Histories - January 1999 #12

Thanks to all who have responded with their words of wisdom and encouragement to my story. Just wanted to let everyone know about an article about migraines in the JAN 11, 1999 issue of NEWSWEEK magazine. It is really quite interesting and some you "new" sufferers might find it enlightening!!! Peace & love-
Emily <ekm310@aol.com>
Lawton, OK USA - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 09:33:56 PM

Look for this months edition of NewsWeek it has Migranes! on the cover, new stuff!
Todd Wilson <lux22@aol.com>
CA USA - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 07:21:01 PM

I've been setting here reading my life in most of your letters. I am 46 and I have had headaces since I was 21 about 12 years ago they confirmed that they were migraines. I have the light flashes, pain behind one eye that I could draw a line to where it connects at the back of my head. I have numbness on the same side of my face and my blood pressure is now a added problem. And there is a family history of headaches (4 generations). Sometimes I think I have read to much about migraines and the medicines they experiment on you with. And let's face it after reading these letters we are being experimented on when it comes to meds. I have tried just about everything and maybe I not as strong as some but lately the migraines have been to the point of Demerol injections. In November I started have the light flashes one lasted at least 30 seconds, two days later there was another, a week later and then in a few days another. I have explained all that to the doctors and try to tell them that when that happens the headache is coming strong and it did. I have gone 4 days now without severe pain. Face it when you have a migraine not a headache but a migraine you cannot function clearly because you are working in a fog. And you are forcing yourself to try to be that person that everyone knows. I have had to take disibility and that is not a pleasant thing to accept at 46 it is an added guilt. I have worked all my life and now when I could enjoy just working not because I have to but because it is something I want to do, I can't(just thought I'd add that.). The meds that most of you have listed alter your abilities in some way it may just be alittle and it may be alot. I READ anything I can get my hands on about the medicines. Your pharmacist sometimes will give you the enclosed pamplet if you ask and most do print out a sheet about the meds. The internet also has places that tell you about meds. I could write forever but the bottom line is: If so many people have migraines why instead of covering up the problem with meds do they not help you find the cause? I know so many of you like me have very specific symptoms from start to finish so each of us even though we have migraines, they are different. How can they be treated the same way? Thanks. Bev
Bev Sanders <Kent@kvnet.org>
Hardinsburg, KY USA - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 06:45:18 PM

I have had a form of migrane since about the age of 10. The migranes have usually never bee a form of pain but I experience numbness throughout mt right arm and shoulder, right side of my neck and same areas on the right side of my face. This is usually accompanied by slurred speech. The onset of my migrane brings on nausea and dizziness and the episode lasts approximately 30 to 40 minutes. The frequencies of these episodes are usually about 6 to 8 months apart. I am now 37 years old and no pattern has been found for same. I was however diagnozed with a pituitary tumor in 1977 and had it removed through surgery and a follow-up radiation therapy. I had thought that these migranes were corelated to the tumor but alas, I still from them. I am not exactly sure what causes these but any help and/or information would be greatly appreciated. If are also suffering with these symptoms please feel free to contact me.
Derek <redfive@ils.net>
Sutton, on Canada - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 06:45:09 PM

Hello Friends,
Its good to know that my attacks aren;t as severe as they used to be, thanks in part, to Paxil. However that knowledge isn;t helping me much now. This Migraine has lasted since Thursday evening when I went blind in one eye. I went home & rested, took it easy over the weekend & still felt like I'd been hit by a truck. Today I got fed up. I went to a massage therapist (my insurance didn;t renew my visits with the chiro-so I had to pay for this one) who is proficient in deep tissue massage. My muscles in my neck & chest were very tight, making it difficult to get comfortable & breathing was painful. This young guy was very good. he was very concerned that he might hurt me. I explained that any other type of pain I could handle, Migraines, however are a different story. He got really deep into the trapezius muscles & along my neck. I feel a lot better. No it has not gone away completely, but at least my body is not fighting itself right now. Perhaps I'll be able to rest & let it heal. I hope it goes away befor Friday, as I know getting on a plane will only agrivate it!
I don't know if this trick will help you all in reading this format, but if you use the command for Paragraph which is the letter P enclosed by <> you will be able to seperate your pragraphs, and it will make it] easier for you to read.

Good luck, my thoughts are with you all. Be well, ~Dianna~
Dianna <ghost@gte.net>
NPR, FL USA - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 03:02:28 PM

I am requesting some assistance from anyone who is willing to offer me some. I will be seeing a new doc in a month and I want to get together a game plan for my first visit. I saw a Neuro. a couple months ago that is referring me to this doc., a headache specialist. Just a bit of background on myself: I have had migraines for 20+ years now, and I just turned 28 Jan. 1. I knew that migraines ran in my family (maternal), but just recently found out that they have been traced back 6 generations. I think that that is rather astounding. Anyway...I am having no luck with any treatment thusfar and I am worried about my family life and my employment. The migraines have been growing worse and more frequent lately. I have had a constant "throbbing" for the last 3-4 years that develop into migraines about 3-4 times a week. I have a wonderful wife and two perfect young boys that I am affraid are missing out on life because of me. I want to be there for them more than my father was for me, but that is sometimes impossible when I have a migraine. I am also worried about my performance at work. I am an Architectural designer. I draw up Architectural construction documents on the computer. I am the senior designer in my office and I am worried about losing my position due to these darn episodes. What I am doing is trying to do is put together a list of questions and ideas that I want to go over with this new doc. Does anyone have any that they would be willing to share with me. I would greatly appreciate it. I am willing to try almost anything.. God bless and keep fightin'!
Greg Rebennack <reby1@fuse.net>
Cincinnati, OH USA - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 12:31:56 PM

Last week I had a migraine attack that lasted 3 full days. I'm on Imitrex (oral and nasal), but it didn't work. I took the first one right away on Monday when the attack started. Well, I was careful about monitoring when I took it because I didn't want to have a rebound. As I said, 3 long, excruciating days. Had to take time off work. Well, after the storm was over on Thursday, I was okay... Until last night. I saw the flashes of light, and I knew another one was coming. Well, good thing I have an appt with my promary care doc today. The only thing is that she won't refer me to a neurologist! She has been treating my migraines. (My insurance is an HMO.) But I'm really getting frustrated.
karin <dancethis@iname.com>
san francisco, USA - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 11:09:39 AM

Hi Barbara B~ You were wondering about Neurontin? I've heard this has been prescribed lately for Migraines. What did your Dr tell you about it? I know it's for Mood disorders & Epilepsy but that it's used for AIDS patients also, for pain? It's so confusing all these meds that are for something else but may help with our headaches. There is a web site with a lot of medication on it, primarily psychiatric ones, but it seems the Drs are prescribing these to us more now. www.mentalhealth.com/fr30.html Hope that helps. ~Lynda~
Lynda
USA - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 08:38:02 AM

This is to Michelle in Radford, VA. I feel so sorry for you. I know that there is nothing that I can do to help you, but I just wanted you to know that I feel for you. Don't you wish that that doctor could experience a real whopper of a migraine for a day. Although, as we all know, our spirits are still fairly ok with a one day attack. It's when it goes on day after day that you get really down. Take care. I know that every one on this forum is thinking of you.
Kathleen
NY USA - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 08:32:32 AM

Hi~ First let me tell you I know practically nothing about computers but for the people having trouble reading the page, I just changed the FONT. I had the type larger to make it easier to read but it made it all too big for the page. So I just clicked the FONT (on tool/status bar area) til the print was smaller. Now the page fits...but I have to squint to read it! :-) ~Lynda~
Lynda
USA - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 08:28:50 AM

Hi, I am an 18 year old student in my final year of my three A-levels at Greenhead College Which is in the top league of results for A-levels in the north. My migraine hisory goes back to two years. It started of with unbeliveable pain in my eyes which has now also expaneded to the head. I have been to the opticians and the specialists for my eyes I have even had allergy eye drops and tablets but nothing seems to be working. Therefore I am really struggling with the pain and my studies because my eyes are always hurting. The pain in my eyes has prevented me from watching too much television, going near heat and concentrating too much. I really would appreciate any comments and suggestions which will help reduce my pain. Thank you Yours faithfully, R.Kauser Miss Rukhsana Kauser
Rukhsana Kauser <ka3rk1@greenhead.ac.uk>
West Yorkshire, Huddersfield UK - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 07:24:11 AM

I went back to the doctor yesterday and it was a disaster. He had taken me off all pain meds (even Tylenol) for a month and just taking Depakote everyday. Well, it did nothing. I have had this headache for over a month with 4 days in the bed with ice packed on my head. I told him all this and he then started talking a mile a minute about what would be my best option and then he said "PROZAC". He got up like our visit was over and was heading out the door. I said "what about my pain?" He said for me to still not take anything and give this Prozac a month to kick in and see how it does. I then bursted into tears and started crying and talking. I told him how I was afraid of loosing my job and my family because it is all I can do to get up in the mornings. He then chuckeled and said "sounds like you are falling apart". I then started crying again. He then asked me if I ever had thoughts of doing harm to others or myself. I told him no, but that I felt like nothing was ever going to work. He then patted me on the back and said "oh now, it's not as bad as all that". I don't know what to do. I hate his guts for not understanding my pain, but I don't know of any other doctors to see. Thanks for letting me vent. I feel so alone.
Michelle <mbishop@kollmorgen.com>
Radford, VA USA - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 06:39:06 AM

Hi ! I'm a 16yr old female, and i suffer from paralyetic migraines. i've suffered since i was 11, and now my diet is restricted to try and prevent attacks. If anyone wants to talk, pleae e-mail me, and i promise to write back, Id love to talk to people with similar problems.
Jaymie <Jaymie16@hotmail.com>
England - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 05:00:57 AM

Note: Has anyone had experience with Depakote? Please read. I am a 29 year old female who has suffered from migraines since I was in my mid teens--they have gotten increasingly worse since my early 20's & now they consume my life. I have been working with doctors for years in an attempt to find meds that work for me--Caffergot, Fiorinol, Proprananol & others were first, but none of them worked. I was also put on mild tranquilizers to "calm me down" & "reduce stress" to see if that would help, but they didn't. I am a 3rd year law student who has fought the migraine-game, trying to stay ahead of the pain simply to get through daily life. It has been horrible. I have found tha tIMITREX is a "life saver", for the most part. If I catch the migraine at the onset about 50% of the time a 50mg tablet will work to reduce it--at least to dull the pain & take the edge off. The injections, however, I have had better luck with. Approximately 90% of the time one injection during an attack will serve to completely take the migraine away w/in 1 hour---typically 2 hours later I have forgotten I had an attack. There were a few rebound headaches & a few times where I had to do two injections to relieve the pain, but those times are rare. Without Imitrex I would not be able to finish law school, much less survive daily life. I know that you all understand what I mean when I speak of the attacks. The fear that comes over you when you identify that first sign (whatever it may be for each of us) that a migraine is coming is tremendous. I have tried to "second-guess" the migraines, but there is no rhyme or reason to them---no food especially triggers them, lack of sleep or too much sleep doesn't induce them---there is simply no way to know when they will come. That, in and of itself, makes you a slave to the pain. It is impossible to predict a migraine, but I have found that they happen more often during ovulation & menstruation. I actually mapped out their occurances for four years of my life to determine if they happen more often at certain times of the month, however, I found that there really wasn't a day during any given month that I had not had an attack--so much for theories!!! I recently started taking DEPAKOTE for the migraines (I take 250mg three times/day) along with Folic Acid to supplement the Depakote. The Folic Acid was suggested because we still want to have children & my neurologist was concerned about the adverse affects of Depakote--Folic Acid, I hear, helps. Does anyone have any experience with DEPAKOTE? Has it worked to reduce the frequency of your migraines. My short term experience (I have been on it for 5 weeks) is good. I have not had a full attack in 5 weeks---this, for me, is incredible. My migraines typically came about 1-2 times per week & were so incredibly painful I couldn't stand or speak. I did have a couple instances where the onset of an attack seemed to begin, but I took 50mg of Imitrex orally & the effects were nearly immediate. I wonder if that has to do with the Depakote? Any history &/or info that anyone can give me re use of Depakote for the treatment of migraines would be greatly appreciated!!!! Please respond to McPMusic98@aol.com. Also, I picked up a Newsweek this week that is dedicated to Migraines (Jan. 1999)---it is a great source & I learned a lot from it. I highly suggest it!! I wish everyone the best of luck with their fight against these attacks.....take care! Micheala.
MICHEALA <McPMusic98@aol.com>
TN USA - Date: 01/12/99 (Tue) Time: 04:36:37 AM