Case Histories - October 1996 (3/5)

I am a migraine sufferer. I am sixteen years old and my first migraine experience was when I was in the sixth grade. I had a really bad one; I couln't tell my mom my own name or where I was or what hurt, and my house looked completely different. It was a really scary experience for my age. I began seeing a neurologist and was placed on inderal. I was fine for a good while ; however at the begining of this school year my headaches began to return. I was put back on the inderal at a greater strength, but I still suffer from them occasionally, especially under times of extreme stress, something my college-prep high school offers a lot of. I am gathering information for an internet-based research project and that is how I stumbled upon your page, so I thought I might write my "case history" for you.

---Lauren Laurain@aol.com

Hi Ronda and fellow sufferers,

I would like to know if anyone out there has any information on feverfew for migraine relief. The link on your page isn't working and one of the doctors I've recently seen suggested feverfew but couldn't tell me how to take it. Once a day, twice, three times?? I've tried so many drugs with little relief that I am at my wits end. Out of the last three months, I think I've had a total of maybe two and a half weeks without a headache and nausea. Anyone who could tell me anything about feverfew would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch! Alli hps@best.com

NOTE: The link to the feverfew info has been updated...thanks for pointing this out! --Ronda

Hi Ronda. My name is Kathy. I am a mild sufferer of migraine and thankfully they do not happen often. I would like to tell of my experience which took me by surprise. I was at work and serving some clients when my vision started to go patchy. As the minutes ticked away I was having trouble even making out the people let alone trying to read the documents. I thought I was going blind and never been so scared in all my life. I promply got myself to a specialist and a few tests showed it was a migraine. The strangest part was that I didn't even have a headache. I have experienced wavey vision and the sorts and nausea etc, but this was a first and one I hope never happens again. I would love to hear from people that have had this happen. I was thankful that I wasn't driving at the time.

---Kathy svc@pop.gateway.net.au

My doctor would like me to go to the Diamond clinc or Mayo Clinic but my heath insurance won't pay. Does any one know about the Virinia Mason Clinic or the Univ.of WA Med school? Have you have sucess with these programs?

I am at about the end on my rope. I have weekly headaces with constant vomiting that last 2-3 days. I have had headaches sice I was about 6 years. Each year seems worse. I moved to Alaska from Southern California becaused it seemed liked the heat and bright light of summer was causeing more headaches. It is also seemed less stressful here. Not so much keeping up with the Jones. I am 39 years old and tried more medicines than I can remember . Imitrex worked great for a few months, but then the headaches started coming back after a couple of hours. The headaches would be even worse. My doctor just put me on prozac here a few days ago. I don't have much hope for it. When The sickness is imbearable I go to the emergency room for a shot of demeral and visteral. I never know if I will get it. I am treated like an drug addict living off the street instead of living with my family. I have five year old twin boys. This is not the life I imagined for them. My husband is so forgiving and understanding it makes me feel quilty.

I have tried herbal remeidies, acupuncture, biofeedback, counseling with a physchiatrist along with every kind of medicine by doctor could find for me. I also joined a gym and do water aerboics three days a week along with bike rides and walks with my sons. In the winter we cross country ski. I have run out to things to try.

Any suggestions or comments please Email me at paadland@alaska.net.

Well, when a friend suggest I look up "migraine" on the web, I didn't think I would find so much information. Your page was very informative and made me realise how fortunate I am.

My migraines began about 4 years ago now - I am 31. I work for a scientific research organisation in Australia (CSIRO - Div. Forestry) mainly in the laboratory. I think my migraines were triggered by stress which I soon had to manage. Compared to others (especially after reading your web column!) my problems are insignificant. I was probably getting an "aura" style migraine once every 6 weeks for around 2 years. I was taking over the counter drugs - Mersyndol - I don't know if you have that in the States - which basically put me to sleep. I could control them with sleep.

My first migraine: I "saw stars" which is really odd!! Then I had immense pressure/pain behind both eyes. I panicked and went straight to my local GP. I had never experienced anything like this before. My GP was concerned for me so he wizzed me around to an Opthomologist. By this time (half) my head was throbbing as if it were to explode! I was really worried by this stage. After examining my eyes, the opthomologist assured me I would live but that what I was experiencing was a migraine.

This is how it began. The last 2 years have been much better. 2 or 3 migraines a year - up until now. I couldn't find anyone from your column who had the same problem so I thought I would display mine, in the hope that someone out there can offer me some advise.

My husband and I thought it was time to start a family. 2 years of unsuccessful attempts! we went on to an In Vitro Fertilisation programme in Adelaide - South Australia. We were very lucky in that our first attempt was successful. Very successful in fact!! We are expecting twins in March next year. I am 16 weeks pregnant now and my migraines returned about 10 weeks ago.

I was under a bit of pressure at work on a Friday afternoon. I knew I was tense but as I hadn't had a migraine for so long, I didn't think much of it. I went grocery shopping and within 5 minutes of being in the shop, an aura began and I knew I was doomed!!

I don't think it has really stopped since then. Just the degree of pain changes. I am usually OK in the morning and by 2 pm, my head is booming. Sometimes it even begins in the morning so I don't even bother going to work. A dark room with pillows all around my head and eye pads (and sleep - if I can get it) are about the only way I can find relief. As I am pregnant I am loathed to take even Asprin (which I can't!!) in case I harm my babies!!

My GP assures me it is OK NOW, to take mild analgesics but I still feel very concerned about doing so. As a result, I have had a lot of time off work and when at work I am not really putting in a full day for fear of making it worse.

Is there anyone out there who has been through this?? I am hoping that at the end of my pregnancy, things will return to normal but in the mean time - HELP!!!!

Please feel free to contact me on the email address below.

Cheers and thanks ~

---Colleen Schultz Colleen.Schultz@ffp.csiro.au