Nursing and migraines

smilin_gp · Mar 9, 2006

I have migraines as well, and have been through soo many types of meds for them. Now, I'm taking low-dose daily Nortriptyline(sp?), Midrin for those that I can medicate as soon as I have visual symptoms and Zomig for the bad ones that I can't treat immediately. I'm down to getting them only a few times a month. After starting the daily coverage, I'm mainly getting them at the end of my clinical and work shifts, right before I go home. The few times that I have gotten a hardcore migraine at work or in clinical, I've been able to find coverage to go rest in a dark room without repercussions, as I have shown that I will work through other illnesses and situations.

Don't give up because of these, I guess my advice would be to continue working with your medical provider on treatment regimen and keep trying to identify extra or new triggers.

Hoosiernurse, ADN, RN · Mar 9, 2006

The few times that I have gotten a hardcore migraine at work or in clinical, I've been able to find coverage to go rest in a dark room without repercussions, as I have shown that I will work through other illnesses and situations.
Don't give up because of these, I guess my advice would be to continue working with your medical provider on treatment regimen and keep trying to identify extra or new triggers.

That's what I was wondering...if everyone saw that I was willing to really go the extra mile all the rest of the time, cover for others when they were sick and work together, maybe if I got a migraine at work it wouldn't be so bad? I don't want people thinking I'm not a good nurse.

Cara

smilin_gp · Mar 9, 2006

I think that if you are working with a supportive team and take extra steps to back up others when they are needing assistance, that it shouldn't be much of a problem :)

P_RN, ADN, RN · Mar 9, 2006

Migraines are AWFUL....it's like taking a stick to your brain.

If you were to explain it to your NM and offer to make up any time lost she will probably see that your patients could be covered if it happens at work. Mine were primarily in the late evening after getting home from a 12h shift.

When I started taking tegretol for excruciating leg neuropathy, all of a sudden I had NO migraines for a couple of years.

When I was hospitalized a few weeks ago my doctor started tinkering with my meds and stopped the tegretol. Wham bam Migraine. It made me forget my leg for a while :) My internist ordered Midrin (pretty good stuff) and will do some more rearranging when I see him next week. Tegretol was like $16 a month and Im sure that any new med will be a LOT more expensive. Some time life hands us lemons, (or migraines) we just have to make lemonade.

fotografe · Mar 9, 2006

Are you seeing a headache specialist? They can help you indentifiy triggers. I have found that B vitamins help me. They don't eliminate the headaches, but I get milder ones when I take the supplements.

I've posted about this before but didn't get many opinions. I'm applying to a nursing program for this fall and have a good GPA in my prenursing classes. All seems well, except that twice a month (most months) I get migraines for one reason or another. I have taken drugs for them which work temporarily and then stop being effective. I do everything I can to avoid the triggers, but sometimes they just happen and I have no idea why.
I am so worried that these will stop me from being a nurse. When they happen, I am blind for about 15-20 minutes (mine have the aura) and then I am usually hit with so much nausea and light sensitivity and pain that I had to lay down. Usually they last for 4 hours and then are gone as if they were never there. I can just see me being at work and everyone needing me in several places at once and I get hit with one of these! I am in a panic to try to find some medicine that will control these, or I fear all my dreams of being a nurse are over!
Do any of you have migraines or do you work with someone who does? How do you work around these? I don't want to just have to give up everything because of something that happens a couple of times a month (I do actually have some months where I get away with having none).
Cara

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2006

Cara,

Please hang in there. I was really doubting my ability to get through college for a while because I was having such a problem with migraines. I also have auras- I had to leave an exam once in high school because I honestly could not read my paper. Luckily, during college I found a good neurologist and got on a preventative medication (with abortive meds just in case). I have been able to complete one degree and am well on my way to finishing another. I still get migraines and also have problems with chronic daily headache, but it is rare that I miss a day of school or work now.

There is hope! Please do not feel that you cannot achieve your dreams even though it can seem like this condition controls your life. The key is to learn your triggers (mine are Nurtisweet, MSG, caffeine, white wine, stress, weather, hormones, hypoglycemia and inconsistent sleep schedule) and avoid them as much as possible. Sometimes you can't avoid them, and that's what the preventative medications are for. A good neurologist will be your most valuable ally; don't settle for one who isn't willing to work with you to achieve YOUR treatment goals. It is also important to learn all you can about your condition, so that you can participate fully in the treatment process.

I recommend this book: Conquering Your Migraine : The Essential Guide to Understanding and Treating Migraines for all Sufferers and Their Families by Seymour Diamond & Mary Franklin

Good luck and you can pm me if you would like.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 10, 2006

I get migraines too......horrible things. I am on meds now that I take the MINUTE I feel anything coming on and hope for the best. SO far, no interference w/my work as a nurse.

pickledpepperRN · Mar 10, 2006

Not so long ago Imitrex was only available in 6 mg SQ injection form.

It worked in 20 to 30 minutes. I got tingling around my mouth and a bit lightheaded for a while.

The headache would move to the other side.

I prefer the tablets. Compared to days of hurting and vomiting a two hour wait is tolerable.

nurseabc123 · Mar 10, 2006

Not so long ago Imitrex was only available in 6 mg SQ injection form.
It worked in 20 to 30 minutes. I got tingling around my mouth and a bit lightheaded for a while.
The headache would move to the other side.
I prefer the tablets. Compared to days of hurting and vomiting a two hour wait is tolerable.

No I agree, I've been there. But I just can't help but think there has to be something out there that is better. Thanks for the reply.

rgrgray · Mar 10, 2006

wow, im not the only one! I have suffered with migranes my whole life. I can remember getting them when I was 5 years old. I have tried Imitrex but it left me feeling very wierd and pretty much gave up there. I did not know there were new meds out there. Its time to make me a doctors appt. ASAP!!!!

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 10, 2006

I am on Relpax. Good results for most part....

Sometimes you have to work extensively w/your HCP to find what really works and it takes a lot of time.