migraine sufferers?

[Maythehorsebewithme]

Post-stress migraines

I get post-stress migraines, which are not uncommon. I am OK during the stressful situation (e.g., horse show, veterinary emergency, etc.,) but about one or two days afterwards, the hammer comes down. And the headache lasts for two or three days.
I thought I was just weird, but I heard an interview with a pain management doctor, who had been a neurosurgeon, describing the same situation. Someone asked him whether when he was a neurosurgeon if he had ever been afraid of being incapacitated by a migraine during surgery, and he said he knew he would be OK during the surgery, it was afterwards he would get the headache.
Only solution is to try to avoid stress. Hah!

[jawa]

Too much sleep, too little sleep, too much caffeine, too little caffeine, too much stress, scented lotions/candles, bright lights, sun glare.

Knock on wood I haven’t a migraine in a LONG time. I take 800 Mg of advil at the first twinge of pain to shut it down before it starts. When I first had migraines, I would get VERY emotional about the pain and how long it would last. Which would only make the migraine worse.

My son, as an infant, would cry inconsolably, projectile vomit, then sleep. As a toddler he would complain of a headache and would vomit. He had a bottle of advil at school and a note that he could take some at the first twinge of pain. As a young child, dehydration was a major trigger as well as emotional triggers (if he had done something wrong and knew he’d be grounded).

He still gets them (he’s 21), but not as often as he has learned to listen to his body.

I’m so sorry for those that have them regularly.

[westcoasteventer]

[QUOTE=Maythehorsebewithme;5830187]
I get post-stress migraines, which are not uncommon. I am OK during the stressful situation (e.g., horse show, veterinary emergency, etc.,) but about one or two days afterwards, the hammer comes down. [/QUOTE] Same here. I spent a good part of yesterday trapped on flooded roads and unable to get home, or really, much of anywhere. The driving conditions were terrible, cars were getting stuck in rapidly rising floodwater, I’d turn around to go back the way I came, only to find that flooded. Took about 6 hours to find a way home from what is normally a 45 minute drive. 20 minutes after waking up this morning… BAM. Blinding migraine.

[stolen_virtue]

[QUOTE=westcoasteventer;5830270]
Same here. I spent a good part of yesterday trapped on flooded roads and unable to get home, or really, much of anywhere. The driving conditions were terrible, cars were getting stuck in rapidly rising floodwater, I’d turn around to go back the way I came, only to find that flooded. Took about 6 hours to find a way home from what is normally a 45 minute drive. 20 minutes after waking up this morning… BAM. Blinding migraine.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I have had to “stock up” on Imitrex before going on a vacation. One of the things I need to take into account when I travel. Business meetings when I am running the meeting, I have had to leave quickly and drive home before the migraine came on. My children are use to it, sometimes when I work on vacations it save me on Imitrex.

[dogdays]

I have had migraines my whole life. Been to all types of doctors, taken every medicine on the market, nothing works for long and the side effects made me think I was developing Alzheimers. The last neurologist I went to, read off a list of drugs and yes, I had already tried all of them, even took topomax before it was labeled for migraines as well as beta blockers. When they get real bad, have to go to the ER for morphine/benadryl/phenergan drip… My migraines are almost daily, then go for a while (week) with no headache. Anything triggers them from stress, heat, bright lights, smells, sitting in one position like on an airplane for several hours, eating, barometric pressure, you name it.
Right now I take Zomig when when I feel one coming on. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn’t, but I don’t go anywhere without it. I feel like a junkie cause when I’m running low and my prescription is not ready to be filled, I panic.
Sometimes I get them as soon as I open my eyes in the morning. I have no pain until then, which is really weird.
Unless someone has experienced a migraine, they have no way of knowing just how negatively they affect your life. I wish I could be pain free, but I have learned to live and somewhat function with my “sick headaches”.

This thread is interesting to read about other migraine suffers. I am always looking for a “cure”.

[redkat]

I started getting migraines at 16. The first time it happened I had just gone to work for the day (summer job) and had no idea what was going on. I ended up laying down on the floor behind my desk until the manager called my mother to come and get me. It was awful. I’ve had them fairly regularly since.

Mine are definitely stress- or hormone-triggered, as well as light and barometric pressure. The only food trigger I’ve identified is salsa/raw tomatoes. I generally get a sharp, throbbing pain in the back of my head that starts at the base of my neck (I liken it to someone stabbing me in the head with an ice pick.) When it switches sides, I know I’m on the mend. I crave sugar/carbs like mad when I have one.

I tried Imitrex back in college but it didn’t work for me (plus one of my patterns is that I DON’T KNOW I’M GETTING A MIGRAINE, so how on earth are those ‘take it right away’ medicines supposed to work for me) so I rely on a cocktail of ibuprofen and Dr. Pepper. It puts me into a swimmy state and I can sort of function as long as no one asks me for advanced thinking.

They have begun to become more frequent lately. I recently had a two week headache and then had one of the most severe headaches I’ve ever experienced just a few weeks back. I was in bed for 14 hours. Am thinking a trip to the doc might be in order. Can I just take a vacation instead?

[deltawave]

[QUOTE=Adamantane;5824132]
If memory serves, you’re a board certified cardiologist, correct?[/QUOTE]

Yes. Here is a link to some of the recent studies and discussion.

http://www.theheart.org/article/1061715.do

[deltawave]

Oh and at some point in High school I had a GP tell me when I felt one starting to take a Tylenol, an Advil, drink a 20 oz Mt. Dew and take a nap…ummm yeah I am sure my teachers will buy that…not to mention it didn’t work.

This is basically DIY Excedrin, which can be very effective for migraines (as can sleeping). . . for some people. Again, it is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment!

[Adamantane]

Deltawave: How common is it in doing a workup for unexplained migraines to consider and exclude this possibility? Do neurologists in doing their assessments typically consider it, or is it so tangential to their specialty that it normally goes unaddressed?

ANd thank you for the links!

[deltawave]

Well, back when I was in the world of Internal Medicine and actually working people up for migraines, the link between migraine and PFO was as yet unmade. It’s been a long time since I was in the world of Primary Care. So I’m not sure where and at what point the possibility of a PFO is entertained by your typical primary care practitioner when dealing with a migraine patient, if ever!

The problem is that ONE IN SIX people has a PFO, so it’s not exactly uncommon. And the prevalence of migraines is a lot less than this, and (this thread is a perfect example) the diagnosis of migraine is wild, woolly, inexact, and often just plain incorrect.

Most neurologists I know reserve testing for PFO for people with definite TIA or embolic events, not migraines, although every now and then a migraine sufferer will be referred to look for a PFO. IME usually these are referred from headache specialists, implying that these people have already had the basic stuff tried and the workup or therapy needs to go beyond the basics. Remember that MANY, MANY migraine sufferers are really well controlled with very simple treatments, and not all migraneurs are chronically suffering or failing therapy.

So IMO the real focus of the PFO/migraine connection OUGHT TO BE in people with a) definite migraine-with-aura history, b) people with severe, refractory, or very frequent migraines that are DEFINITELY MIGRAINES, and c) those who have had other indications of possible embolic events (mini stroke, TIA, etc.) or a clotting problem/propensity to thrombosis.

Not everyone with really severe headaches has migraines. In fact, not everyone with migraines even gets headaches! (just to make it really confusing) Not everyone with migraines has a PFO. Not everyone with a PFO has migraines. And not everyone with a PFO and migraines will benefit from closing the PFO, which is an invasive procedure with very definite risks. VERY confusing and difficult to say who ought to get what. :no:

[dressagedevon]

I have them also, had them since I was a kid. Pressure on my head will cause them, changes in barometric pressure causes them, to much or not enough sleep, heat. I have so many triggers it radiculas! Helmets are really bad at causing them, the only one on the market that doesn’t do it every time is the Charles Owen. No daily medicine helped only prescription rescue mess did, and nothing over the counter. Relpax has basically saved my riding since I can take it and it doesn’t mess you up like pain killers which ate a hole in my stomach causing three ulcers! I just stay prepared when I know I am going to do something that’s stressful, strenuous, or whatever. Sometimes if I know I’m going to have a long day like a clinic or show I’ll take a half of a pill before hand so it will take care of it before it even comes on. Also staying hydrated and feed has seemed to help. I hope you can find a way to cope with the worst pain out there!

[westcoasteventer]

Another interesting insight re: migraine sufferers. One of the first things my neuro asked at my first appt with her was whether I got motion-sick. Which I do, and frequently can’t even be a front-seat passenger in a car without feeling sick. Airplanes don’t happen without full doses of dramamine.

She told me that almost all of her migraine patients tend to get quite motion-sick, and while they don’t understand what the connection is between the two, there is definitely a connection. Her suspicion is that the brains of migraine & motion-sickness sufferers over-perceive and over-react to stimuli.

[deltawave]

Or that we’re just weak and wimpy, LOL. I get motion sick , too, but only if I read in rhe car or on boats wirh seas > 3 feet.

[fordtraktor]

[QUOTE=westcoasteventer;5831855]
Another interesting insight re: migraine sufferers. One of the first things my neuro asked at my first appt with her was whether I got motion-sick. Which I do, and frequently can’t even be a front-seat passenger in a car without feeling sick. Airplanes don’t happen without full doses of dramamine.

She told me that almost all of her migraine patients tend to get quite motion-sick, and while they don’t understand what the connection is between the two, there is definitely a connection. Her suspicion is that the brains of migraine & motion-sickness sufferers over-perceive and over-react to stimuli.[/QUOTE]

I heard that theory from my neurologist at Harvard when I was in law school, and it is consistent with my experience. I get motion sickness if I turn my head too fast. I can only swim in the ocean for about 5 minutes before I feel queasy. My head is a mess. :lol:

I do have a very successful motion sickness cocktail – 2 regular dramamine, plus 2 non-drowsy dramamine (or bonine, same thing as non-drowsy Dramamine), plus those sea-bands for your wrists (I call them “magic armbands” and don’t leave home without them), plus ginger capsules, plus a peppermint will get anyone through about anything if you stare straight ahead and don’t get too hot. Put a little non-smelling Aspercreme on your temples (Ben Gay if you are in a car and do not worry about the scent offending others.) It helps to have a cold fizzy Coke too. You have to take the dramamine with some food or it doesn’t work as well. Very effective – but if I leave any one of the above out, avoid my plane/train/automobile.

Oh yes, and retake the dramamine every 4 hours and the bonine every 6 on the dot. Do not be late! This has carried me all over the world without puking. It is great, I swear. I am so thankful for medicine, it allows me to enjoy my life instead of being miserable every time I leave my house.

Note, you should speak to your doc before taking/mixing meds. I can speak to the efficacy but not the medical advisability of the above.

I don’t think we are wimpy. I have a pinched nerve in my back and can deal with that, have ridden with broken bones, and generally have a very high pain threshold. You can’t talk yourself out of nausea/migraines, though. Why suffer when you don’t have to?

I do think my inner ear is kind of pathetic. And my headaches – I would never pass a PPE! Good thing you don’t have to in order to write checks.

[paintedtrails]

I’m going on over 10 years with migraines, probably longer if I only knew about them back then!
I finally got sick of having a headache every day and went to see a specialist. They did the scans etc and found nothing other than that the jaw surgery I had as a teenager cut off my sinus cavity which explained why I got infections so often and sinus pain, but nothing more.
We tried vitamins first, then on to Topamax which once I worked up to the full dose I couldn’t handle the fuzzy thoughts and lack of concentration. At this point I was already on a Beta Blocker for MVP (significant symptoms which need control) so that wasn’t an ‘new’ option. Not until then did I even know there was a connection between having MVP and getting migraines!
I did the food trackers, etc. It came down to stress (which I also have IBS), hormones and sleep. I got put on Nortriptylene (generic Pamelor) to help with sleep and it did wonders! I had to get used to taking a pain med right away, cause I tend to try and wait out a headache rather than medicate (since I had them so often). I still have that ‘issue’ so my fast acting stuff doesn’t always work since I don’t get to it quick enough.
I was miserable with headaches frequently while pregnant with #1, but they were rarely to the level of function prohibitting at least. I was happy to restart my meds after he was born and now I’m off again while we are TTC.

I had a great doc in MI that did some treatments using basically novacaine to the nerve bundle. He could pinpoint by my muscle tightness that was causing my migraine and give me a tiny shot. Felt really funny as as the numbness moved through, but instant relief without a trip to the ER.
I have found that my neck/shoulder tightness and issues play a role, so I try to do chiro/massage often…not so easy anymore, lucky if I get around to it every other month

[mysaygrace]

My sister get’s crippling migraines, I feel sorry for her, her life has been consumed by going to many doctors hoping for answers only to get let down again & again. The other week she received Botox that her doctor recommended, to try to relieve her migraines, so far she hasn’t seen any difference. She’s tried accupuncture only to find out she’s allergic to it, no lie, the doctor told her she was having a reaction to it and had to stop after two sessions. My sister is only 35 and had ovarian cancer at age 30, luckily when they removed the tumor the size of a cantaloupe it was contained and she didn’t need to go through chemo or radiation. She hadn’t had her period for years but once that tumor was removed she got her period while in the hospital, the doctor’s had hoped then her migraines would get better in thinking the tumor & hormones were related to her migraines. At first she had some relief from migraines after the surgery and she was elated but as time wore on the migraines came back more severe & more often. She said she counts the good days on one had each month, my heart breaks for her. I get migraines too but I’m lucky, one pill of 100 mg of Imitrex and that usually does the trick for me. I wish there was something I could do for my sister. A few years ago she had to stop taking all her medications to cleanse her system, watching her go through detox was horrible. My heart goes out to those of you who suffer from migraines, praying they soon find a cure.

[BigPaintHorse]

I don’t know if my experience will help anyone out or not but since it is very fresh and I am a bit excited about the possibility of a headache free day or more I am going to share.

I have had headaches with total and partial vision loss since 1998. For ten years they were misdiagnosed as seizures (the vision loss part) and normal headaches, hormones, and a “mental issue”. By GP’s and Neurologists.

In 2008 I was DX with Pseudo Tumor (very high CSF Pressure) and put on Diamox. When this spring my Diamox was at a maxed out dose and not working any longer I started looking for a new doctor.

I was sent to a Neurosurgeon for a consult for a Shunt to be inserted to remove the CSF but the Neurosurgeon wanted an Angiogram first to check for “easier to fix issues”.

It turns out that they are finding in the past five years that high CSF pressure can be caused by a blockage in the veins in the head that “bleed off” the excess CSF.

So in my angiogram on Thursday they found that the left vein is 80+% blocked and the right one is 95% blocked. The pressure above the blockages is around 35 when it should be 8-10.

I will be having a stent put in to open up the blockage in the right vein and hopefully this will remove the cause of years of crippling headaches…

I am almost to scared to be hopeful for a day with out a headache or a week with out one that sends me to bed crying.

We will see

[jconnors]

[QUOTE=BigPaintHorse;5835609]
I don’t know if my experience will help anyone out or not but since it is very fresh and I am a bit excited about the possibility of a headache free day or more I am going to share.

I have had headaches with total and partial vision loss since 1998. For ten years they were misdiagnosed as seizures (the vision loss part) and normal headaches, hormones, and a “mental issue”. By GP’s and Neurologists.

In 2008 I was DX with Pseudo Tumor (very high CSF Pressure) and put on Diamox. When this spring my Diamox was at a maxed out dose and not working any longer I started looking for a new doctor.

I was sent to a Neurosurgeon for a consult for a Shunt to be inserted to remove the CSF but the Neurosurgeon wanted an Angiogram first to check for “easier to fix issues”.

It turns out that they are finding in the past five years that high CSF pressure can be caused by a blockage in the veins in the head that “bleed off” the excess CSF.

So in my angiogram on Thursday they found that the left vein is 80+% blocked and the right one is 95% blocked. The pressure above the blockages is around 35 when it should be 8-10.

I will be having a stent put in to open up the blockage in the right vein and hopefully this will remove the cause of years of crippling headaches…

I am almost to scared to be hopeful for a day with out a headache or a week with out one that sends me to bed crying.

We will see :)[/QUOTE]

It’s helpful to know that you have this too. I am a member of this club since January 2010. I am still taking Diamox but only take 1 at night. I have tried to wean off the medicine but it still comes right back and I know if I forgot to take it. Thankfully back when I was dx it was about a week after wanting to dig my eyes out with spoons. The onset of the pain was very quick and I knew this wasn’t a regular headache. I went straight to my eye doctor and he refered me to a neuro. I hate taking the Diamox but the doc says I might just be one the people who have to take it for the rest of my life. Yippee! Hopefully mine does not get worse and I wont max out like you have.

Good luck on your shunt and please let me know how it goes.

[BigPaintHorse]

Jconner,

Luckily they are coming up with procedures that are less risky and more reliable than the shunt placement. This Stent will be inserted into the vein in my head that is blocked just like a heart stent is to open up a blocked vein. If it doesn’t work we can always go to the more radical placement of a shunt but the drs are hopeful that I won’t need that

I was on 2000 MG of diamox daily and the headaches were becoming unbearable again and the swelling in my optic nerves was really returning with a vengeance.

So if it does come to needing to do something surgically about the problem at lest there are more steps available between medical intervention and shunt placement now

[Derby_Lyn_Farms]

Relpax is my best. friend. ever. If I feel one coming on I pop a pill and all but one time it has taken the migraine away completely. I am now on hydoxychloroquin for fibromyalgia and sjogrens. I can’t say that its that medication for sure thats helping, but I have noticed significant changes in my pain level on a daily basis, and I no longer get the daily headaches. I use to take 4 motrins everyday just to get thru the day. I am down to about motrin once every 2 weeks now for the occasional headache. Migraines use to control my life.