Help! Anyone have any advice for Migraines?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been suffering from migraines and migraine related problems for almost two years (however they think that I've been getting them since I was 4 or 5 years old) I was diagnosed with chronic and serve migraines because normally there isn't a day that goes by that I don't have some kind of head ache, about 3 of 4 times a month they get worse and worse and end up being full blown, they last anywhere from 3 to 20+ days. Once or twice a year I end up in the ED because of migraines because I can just not deal with the pain (Or I speak to my Dr and he either directly admits me or during the night admits me through the ED) at home, and need usually steroids and narcotics.

I'm getting so sick of it though, every day it's the same thing. I've tried topamax, zoloft, elavil, and a combination of zoloft and elavil for prevention, that hasn't helped at all. Then when I do get them I've tried Imitrex, Imitrex injections, maxalt, relpax, migranol, and frova. As long as I take them right away they usually stop them from getting bad or at least calm them down some, but normally I get them in the middle of the night and by the time it wakes me up, it's too late. I've also tried nesopryn, daypro, vicodin, percocet, and just about everything they give for pain in the hospital, and they help, but obviously I don't want to become a drug addict, so a lot of the ones that help I can't take for every headache. I have found lately that Fioricet has done wonders for my "in the middle" migraines and usually stops them from getting debiliating.

When I get them bad, I lock myself in my room no lights, no tv, shades drawn, and covers over my head, but I can't do this for everyone I get, or I'd be in bed all day everday for the most part. I've found that taking baths helps me relax which stops me from getting irritated, but it doesn't really help the migraines.

My neurologist is great, and he's helped a lot (they were worse when I started getting bad ones to begin with) but it just doesn't seem like I should have to be in pain every day of my life. I go to one of the best headache clinics in the country on Monday morning, but I was wondering if there were any tricks that anyone has picked up along the way...

Also I was wondering if anyone had gotten the surgery to correct MVP to see if that helps? I was diagnosed with MVP, but I'm not sure what I want to do about it yet.

Thank you all so much!

~Jenn~

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I have suffered migraines on and off now for about 4 years and while it seems SOME meds work for a while, they lose their effectivess with time. Living with them is tough and frustrating, I know.

I can only suggest you seek more answers and help from your neuro and get 2nd opinions where needed.

Please understand, we can't give you any advice of a medical nature here as well. So as to whether you should get surgery to correct MVP, you need to ask your health care providers, not the members of this board, please. Our Terms of Service (TOS) which you agreed to upon sign-up, prohibit the giving or receiving of medical advice on this site.

For those posting advice: Anecdotal NON-medical advice is welcome, regarding living with migraine. But please keep it to coping mechanisms or non-medical solutions. Thanks!

Good luck. I feel your pain and I know how you feel. I hope you find resolution soon....(((Hugs)))

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I wasn't looking for medical advice, just to see if anyone had it done and what their experience was. My choice is going to come down to what the Doctor and I decide, I was just wondering about whether anyone had tried that alternitive because I know that it is relatively new and not really proven yet. In case I'm wrong... is that considered medical advice? Sorry if I sounded like I was looking for medical advice :-P

I have suffered migraines on and off now for about 4 years and while it seems SOME meds work for a while, they lose their effectivess with time. Living with them is tough and frustrating, I know.

I can only suggest you seek more answers and help from your neuro and get 2nd opinions where needed.

Please understand, we can't give you any advice of a medical nature here as well. So as to whether you should get surgery to correct MVP, you need to ask your health care providers, not the members of this board, please. Our Terms of Service (TOS) which you agreed to upon sign-up, prohibit the giving or receiving of medical advice on this site.

For those posting advice: Anecdotal NON-medical advice is welcome, regarding living with migraine. But please keep it to coping mechanisms or non-medical solutions. Thanks!

Good luck. I feel your pain and I know how you feel. I hope you find resolution soon....(((Hugs)))

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Well, yes, I am sorry, but it did sound a bit like asking for medical advice, especially about the repair of MVP. I am just ensuring those who reply understand this rule about TOS, not just you.

Thanks for understanding.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Nursery, Post-Partum.

My migraines were never as severe as your's sound, but they did exist. I tried a couple different medications, Axert worked well for me for the most part, I could actually take it and be able to function later...a lot of the others left me feeling yucky. Anyway, believe it or not, what really helped (and I didn't notice at first) was getting a puppy! I realized after we had had our puppy for a month or so that my migraines and my headaches in general had significantly reduced. It was pretty odd, IMO, since trying to train/house break, etc a new puppy can be stressful! But it helped. For my good friend, they started her on a specific BP med (can't remember which) and that helped her. She also lost a significant amount of weight which seemed to help as well. But she was also significantly overweight.

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sent you a pm..

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