Migraines

[rosemoss]

GoodMorning!
Yep, so true, all migraines are different for each person, whether the doctor agrees or not. I almost always vomit, a friend of mine never does.
Stuff like extra strength this or migraine that, that stuff will RARELY even help me when I'm having a "normal" headache, although for awhile there I was taking Excedrin Migraine for the "normal" stuff and it helped then I was finding myself having way too many "normal" headaches, I think I got stuck on the caffeine thats in the Excedrin! geezlouise!
Have a great day everybody!!

rosemoss

 

[Treasurer]

This is soooo crazy, my doctor told me if I take Zomig too often my body will develope a need for it. And I will experience -what do they call that kind of headache-I think it is rebound. Here I thought you could only get that from pain meds. (I know I have psycological dependancy on them, lol, I make sure I take them with me whenever I go somewhere--know what I mean, lol).


Anyways couldnt that be what happens when you take that overthecounter migraine stuff? Although you are right, caffiene sucks you right in. Quit using and you get a headache, did that with caffinated drinks before I went to decaf.

You have a great day too Rosemoss!

Here's a big hug for everyone!!!!

 

[night2day]

My doctor had told me some of those over the counter meds for migraines just added caffiene. I know they used to use caffiene like they use Imitrex now. (Crazy one of my doctors had migraines, he said he could take a couple of asprin and a cup of coffee and it would go away--oh to be so lucky). Didnt Cafergot have caffiene in it--back in the day (short for caffiene and an ergotamine).

Now that's something I didn't know. I was always told caffine would more than likely always make a Migraine worse. Or I could be thinking of just certains meds with reactions with caffine...

That is something interesting about our migraines, not all of them are the same. What works for one may not work for another-medicine wise.

That's true of most if not all conditions and medications...and how individuals will react to both...

 

[night2day]

This is soooo crazy, my doctor told me if I take Zomig too often my body will develope a need for it. And I will experience -what do they call that kind of headache-I think it is rebound.

Actually, what you descibe is a drug dependency or an "addiction". A rebound headache is when you have taken too much of a Migraine relief medication when you don't actually have a Migraine...and instead the drug gives you the pain but not all the other physical symptoms as one. With me, sometimes I wonder if my headaches are merely sinus or actually the big M. (There's only a certain amount of time for the abortive drugs to work.) Or if I overtook the medicine earlier. However, with the face swelling, nausua, IBS, and other things starting...that's a good indication it's not a rebound.

Basically, rebounds only share head-pain as I understand, not everything else.

And a physical addiction is something else altogether. Although if it's a possible side-effect of Zomig, there's is a reason for concern.

 

[night2day]

...all migraines are different for each person, whether the doctor agrees or not. I almost always vomit, a friend of mine never does...

Before I started my Migraine treatments ...I began dryheaving whenever I even tried taking a breath of my regular Asthma inhalor med (Advair) whenever I had a Migraine in progress. I guess it had something to do with my system even thinking anything was going down.

Now that was when I really had trouble understanding the whole thing. I mean, what was wrong with breating in air? Not like I don't do it all the time anyway...

 

[Treasurer]

Night2day yup that's what they tell me now. Caffiene isnt something people with migraines should have cuz it causes headaches.

When I stayed at Diamond Hospital in Chicago, they had to treat us all for rebound headaches. It was because for two weeks they gave us meds introveiniously, and in shots. They had to give us different pain meds to deal with this. (Seemed kinda weird, fill you full of pain meds all week, then give you pain meds to get off the pain meds Viscious cycle-huh.)

Here is what it says in my book by Seymour Diamond, MD -Conquering Your Migraine.

If the tension-type headachs occur intermittently (two or three times per month), and are controlled by over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics, the need to see a physician is not important. However, if the headaches occur several times per week, or are prolonged over several days, consultation with a physician is indicated. With these frequent headaches, and continuous use of OTC pain relievers, a phenomenon known as "rebound" may occur. Rebound is best described as an increasing need for a medication (OTC or prescription), and skipping or missing a dose will result in a headache.

The individual will then take a dose of the suspect drug, and may require a higher dose-and continues the cycle.

My particular case with Zomig was that I was having many headaches, and it got difficult to tell what was going to be a migraine. So instead of taking Zomig at the first warning signs (by the way they told us to take those meds at the onset)I would wait, and try tylenol first. Then one of my muscle relaxers/and lie down with an ice pack. If that doesnt work, then I take a Zomig. Now I just try and know for sure it is a migraine.

Here is what I found on (OTC) and caffeine.

Caffeine is often added to analgesics and other migraine remedies to enhance the effect of the other agent. However, migraine sufferers appear sensitive to consuming high quantities of caffeinge in beverages and medications. A migraine attack may also accur if the individual misses his or her usual morning cup of coffee or tea, or suddenly stops drinking a cola beverage.

A combination of asprin, acetaminophen, and caffeine- commonly known as Exedrin Migraine- This combination agent is suggested for the acute treatment of mild-to-moderate headache without associated vomiting and disability.

Overcomsumption of these analgesics, particularly OTC analgesics containing caffeine, can produce serious side effects. Withdrawal from caffeine-containing drugs may trigger the caffeine-withdrawal headache. These drugs should be avoided in those patients with frequent migraine attacks.

 

[night2day]

Night2day yup that's what they tell me now. Caffiene isnt something people with migraines should have cuz it causes headaches.

Oddly enough, there are only a bare handful of types of caffine I can even take because of another condition (GERDS/Reflux). Soda-wise, that includes Reg. Pepsi for some reson. Have no idea why either.

When I stayed at Diamond Hospital in Chicago, they had to treat us all for rebound headaches. It was because for two weeks they gave us meds introveiniously, and in shots. They had to give us different pain meds to deal with this. (Seemed kinda weird, fill you full of pain meds all week, then give you pain meds to get off the pain meds Viscious cycle-huh.)

Sounds more like running through lab testing.

Here is what it says in my book by Seymour Diamond, MD -Conquering Your Migraine.

If the tension-type headachs occur intermittently (two or three times per month), and are controlled by over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics, the need to see a physician is not important. However, if the headaches occur several times per week, or are prolonged over several days, consultation with a physician is indicated. With these frequent headaches, and continuous use of OTC pain relievers, a phenomenon known as "rebound" may occur. Rebound is best described as an increasing need for a medication (OTC or prescription), and skipping or missing a dose will result in a headache.

The individual will then take a dose of the suspect drug, and may require a higher dose-and continues the cycle.

I see the title itseslf as suspect. If there is only treatment, no cure, how can Migraine be conqoured?

And yes, I have tried OTC before, or tried, for the Migraines. What happaned was it didn't help. And when I tried to take just a little more...I hadda stop since my stomache was bleeding somewhere. Couldn't take it. At that point though, that was the "thought it was the 'just sinus' faze. Although I did read there is a reason why the sinus get flared with some Migraines, it's because of the facial nerves travel along the same lines...

Also, do you happen to have a diary of your symptoms of what happens when you have a Miagraine attack? I ask since there have been times in the past I have wondered if I was either I was dealing with sinus problems or if it was a true Migraine. Yet, usually with me and sinus pain I wouldn't get swollen. Even when I took an abortive med, the pain may be gone but the swelling would remain.

Of course, again, a rebound isn't known for having any other known symptoms.

My particular case with Zomig was that I was having many headaches, and it got difficult to tell what was going to be a migraine. So instead of taking Zomig at the first warning signs (by the way they told us to take those meds at the onset)I would wait, and try tylenol first. Then one of my muscle relaxers/and lie down with an ice pack. If that doesnt work, then I take a Zomig. Now I just try and know for sure it is a migraine.

If you haven't done so, maybe consider the diary idea. Maybe there are several patterns that can help you make more sure.

For myself, it's usually increasing audiosensitivity during the day, then at some point mild facial sinus pain sets in. The pain drifts either to the left or right (usually the former) of my forhead). Hopefully by then I have the idea.

Here is what I found on (OTC) and caffeine.

Caffeine is often added to analgesics and other migraine remedies to enhance the effect of the other agent. However, migraine sufferers appear sensitive to consuming high quantities of caffeinge in beverages and medications. A migraine attack may also accur if the individual misses his or her usual morning cup of coffee or tea, or suddenly stops drinking a cola beverage.

A combination of asprin, acetaminophen, and caffeine- commonly known as Exedrin Migraine- This combination agent is suggested for the acute treatment of mild-to-moderate headache without associated vomiting and disability.

Overcomsumption of these analgesics, particularly OTC analgesics containing caffeine, can produce serious side effects. Withdrawal from caffeine-containing drugs may trigger the caffeine-withdrawal headache. These drugs should be avoided in those patients with frequent migraine attacks.

Just gives another good reason not to trust drug companies too much.

 

[rosemoss]

Hey! Just checking on everybody, hopefully no migraines for anyone today!
I had one of those stupid little irritating headache jobbers right on my forehead for 3-4 hours this afternoon but I called it bad names (and took some advil)and its gone now! Yea!

Time for bed!

God Bless,

rosemoss

 

[Treasurer]

Never really did the diary thing, although when I went to Diamond Headache they wanted us to. I did keep a record on my calendars. If I had a headache, what I took and at what time. Also a small highlight of the day.

I did find out whenever I had my period, I was sure to get a headache. And with certain foods I would get a migraine within an hour. For me its things like lunch meats, sausages and hotdogs, raw and undercooked onions, real cheeses, alcohol of any kind, smoked foods, food from oriental restraunts, and diet sodas.

My migraines are usually one sided on the right, but from time to time it will switch to the left. I get nausea and vomiting, light sensitivity, sensitivity to sound and smells, blurred vision, and sometimes slurred speach, black outs, --symptoms that come with dehydration: like light headedness and weakness. My right eye is more dialated than my left during a migraine.

I do know that tension in my shoulders and neck will trigger a migraine, that is why the doctor gives me trigger point injections. I have always had problems sleeping, mainly because it hurt to rest on my head, there was a lot of pressure pain there.

For the longest time I used to think it was because of my eyes. It seemed that was where the most sharp excrusiating pain came from. And it felt like someone was stabbing me at the top of my head on the right side. Pain came from the base of my skull too. During a migraine it hurts to lie down, stand up, sit up, bend over, there is no comfort zone.

Not sure if that's what you wanted. My doctors never told me it was because of my sinus's. (Dont they check for that?) I have had EEG's, MRI's, EKG's, that wonderful ear test that makes you dizzy and puke, and CAT scans. I know they checked me for seizures, they were concerned about my black outs that they called amnesia.

I think you have a very good point about that book title, I wish I would have figured that out while I was at Chicago I would have told him a thing or two, lol.

Drug companies and doctors have done went to bed together. It really sucks. (Anyone else bothered by them advertising on television about migraines and medicines. Its like they are trying to sell us drugs over the tv. I personally dont like it).

 

[rosemoss]

I don't like it either, my husband and I were just talking about that last night. We saw the Levitra one last night and its just dispicable how they turn a physical problem for men and women into a big sex commercial.
Don't get me wrong, sex is a good thing but come on, my kids are watching this and my oldest says after the commercial, "So is that pill saying you can have good sex but you might have diarreah and a heart attack, too?"
GEEZ LOUISE!!!!
Talk about a conversation starter!!!!!!!!!


rosemoss

 

[Treasurer]

Oh my gosh, that was sooo hilarious Rosemoss!!!!! Kids are great.

You gave me my smile for the day, and a good chuckle, thanks!

Hope everyone is feeling well today. Glad you got to feeling better Rosemoss.

Blessings to ALL!

 

[night2day]

Hey! Just checking on everybody, hopefully no migraines for anyone today!

Ok...this is a day late. Sowwy.

To answer your question, Hint: I took a Maxalt and will have to be getting off the computer soon.

Weather change with prediction of 4-5 days of T-Storms. Whaah!

 

[night2day]

...Not sure if that's what you wanted...

Meh...fairly much. Was asking basically if the triggers were found and if there was a set pattern in the way the migraine would always begin to develop. Sounds like you have quite a few triggers.

My doctors never told me it was because of my sinus's. (Dont they check for that?)

Hmmm...I would think they would...but only if your symptoms would fit in to the problem. My Migraines started out with facial pain where the actual sinus cavities are...which is why the orginal diagnosis was made that they were sinus headaches. But, the one doctor in my former city should have noticed they weren't merely sinus if they carried symptoms not related to sinus headaches.

I have had EEG's, MRI's, EKG's, that wonderful ear test that makes you dizzy and puke, and CAT scans. I know they checked me for seizures, they were concerned about my black outs that they called amnesia.

I know of two people who have had black outs. They weren't Migraine related, but they did get headaches, nausea, and the ill-feeling right before they collasped. One of them is a friend I met online who's in Canada. He has some sort of Nuerological Disorder has to do with his blood pressure. Sometimes the bp would go waaay down for a few moments causing the black outs. Had to be home schooled when he was in high school. Not sure yet of he's allowed to drive. The other one, the doctors never found out...but could have been the same thing.

I wouldn't doubt Migraines could be causing seizure-like symptoms or black outs depending on what parts of the brain are being effected. They can cause all sorts of neurological symptoms. And since the medical feild FINALLY got off the "it's just stress" junk, hopefully they'll be learning much more about it in the near future.

I think you have a very good point about that book title, I wish I would have figured that out while I was at Chicago I would have told him a thing or two, lol.

It's usually common to know exactly what to say...about 2 hours to 20 years later. Don't feel bad. The people who wrote the book probebly never had Migraines themselves.

Drug companies and doctors have done went to bed together. It really sucks. (Anyone else bothered by them advertising on television about migraines and medicines. Its like they are trying to sell us drugs over the tv. I personally dont like it).

Oh boy, you got me started...

No joke! Not only go I dislike the advertizing, they have no business doing it, no buisiness wasting money to make and broadcast those stupid ads to make people want to have the drugs they have no knowledge about, especially when the doctors hardly know anything about the drugs the public wants because of the ads.

And I hate, hate, HATE how alot of the ads trivialize the more serious and/or painful conditions. The Imitrax one I can't stand. How they can justify treating the illness like a cute monster with a hammer or driller is beyond me.

 

[Treasurer]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!Night2Day, cant stand the imitrex commercial either!

(Have my bp tested all the time, so hopefully it isnt that. My nurse says she would give her left arm to have my blood pressure, lol).

One of the people I worked with his wife had migraines. She called him to come home because she was having a really bad one, by the time he got home she had already passed (he only lived about two blocks away). Man that really scared me, went right in for a head scan, know what I mean.

Another of my close friends had migraines, and she had a migraine one day and then had a stroke. She was a college graduate, had a wonderful career, and lost it all. Ended up working in the factory where I worked. (Those are the only two scary stories I have) My doctor assured me I was fine. I dont know if that made me feel better or worse, cuz like you said at that time they just said it was all in your head.

I really hated it when they would say that. It took me years to work that doctor chip off my shoulder. (Actually I still got a little bit of one, lol).

I had been having a lot of really bad headaches so I went to the ER a lot (would call my doctor first and have him call in something for me). I went in one day and I overheard the doctor say to another person there that I was a frequent flyer. Boy was I ticked. Bad enough they make you wait for five hours to be seen. So I told the doctor I have a way for you to never see me in your hospital again and solve my problem for me, get a gun and shoot me. I dont really care how the pain goes, just make it go away!

I really hate ER's, I avoid them at all cost. If I am lucky I only have to go into one of those twice a year. Otherwise I try and make it to the clinic. At least there they are compassionate. Its like they dont care or even try to understand, have you ever had them flip the lights on on you without warning. So not cool. Had that happen to me a about a week ago.

I certainly hope its not just me that has some bad feelings.

 

[Treasurer]

I have a question: has anyone taken Relpax before? My doctor gave me a sample of it to try, I really hate trying new meds. Is it any good?

 

[marblehead]

I'm on Relpax at the moment. It just seems like any other triptan and triptans hardly ever work on me.

 

[night2day]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!Night2Day, cant stand the imitrex commercial either!

I think a poster I've seen at the doc's office, where someone is just literally flattened by a big ole boulder is more fitting.

(Have my bp tested all the time, so hopefully it isnt that. My nurse says she would give her left arm to have my blood pressure, lol).

That's good.

I usually run around the low to low-normal. (Once I ran down to 90/60 which caused a former rhuemie some concern.) Why runs the the concern when the Maxalt plays havoc with it whenever it's taken.

One of the people I worked with his wife had migraines. She called him to come home because she was having a really bad one, by the time he got home she had already passed (he only lived about two blocks away). Man that really scared me, went right in for a head scan, know what I mean. Another of my close friends had migraines, and she had a migraine one day and then had a stroke. She was a college graduate, had a wonderful career, and lost it all. Ended up working in the factory where I worked.

I'm sorry to hear what happened. I can't recall the name for the type of migraine right now. However, it might by Basilar Artery. From what I read they're the one's that cause the strokes. From the M.A.G.N.U.M. website. I also learned:

...is not a benign disorder. For example, 27% of all strokes suffered by persons under the age of 45 are caused by Migraine. (Stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country.) In fact, more people died from Migrainous stroke last year than were murdered by handguns.

Migraines also cause a host of other physical problems: permanent visual loss, severe dental problems, coma, and death...

Pretty serioius for the doctors to have blanketed Migraines as "just stress" and "not much to worry about".

(Those are the only two scary stories I have) My doctor assured me I was fine. I dont know if that made me feel better or worse, cuz like you said at that time they just said it was all in your head.

I really hated it when they would say that. It took me years to work that doctor chip off my shoulder. (Actually I still got a little bit of one, lol).

I have other conditions that have been labeled as "IAIYHS" (It's All In Your Head Syndrome)by certain doctors who probably got their degrees from moons orbitting Pluto and knew little to nothing about said conditons even though they've been in existance for quite some time. (One's been listed in the World Health Organiztion since 1969, but has been acknowledged to be about since at least the 1930'a...even earlier than...) So I know the feeling. I may have had migraines since I was young. But, I suspect my overall chronic illnesses made them much more worse than they would have been otherwise. Especially given the timing in which the Migraines came back and did steadily grow worse both in severity and longevity.

I had been having a lot of really bad headaches so I went to the ER a lot (would call my doctor first and have him call in something for me). I went in one day and I overheard the doctor say to another person there that I was a frequent flyer. Boy was I ticked. Bad enough they make you wait for five hours to be seen. So I told the doctor I have a way for you to never see me in your hospital again and solve my problem for me, get a gun and shoot me. I dont really care how the pain goes, just make it go away!

Some doctors are really insensative. Whne getting ready ready my Disability case for SS I was getting medical files. One doctor mention to another that I "liked to play medicine cabinet" so "keep it easy on the drugs". What?!?!?!?! Like it's my fault I'm on about 12-15 medicines and doctors have a hard time finding the right ones my system can even accept without the too hard to handle side-effects?

The last docter I saw was my allergist who, like several others, called me a "walking toxic site" and asked why I got defensive. (Like I haven't heard it before.) Then asked me what I meant about my allergies overlapping with other conditions. Well, lessessee. There's the asthma Mild & persitant, but I have weak muscles within the lungs themselves which seems to sometimes make that worse (which the Migraine medicine ironically helps...! ) There's the sinuses. Then there's the Migraines that are triggered by both the sinuses and the allergies. (Duh!) And...then there's also the Reflex/Gerds. Too much congestion always causes a problem with eating.

After all that, all the doctor would say was, "I was just joking." Thhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhbtbs. Yeah, right.

I really hate ER's, I avoid them at all cost. If I am lucky I only have to go into one of those twice a year. Otherwise I try and make it to the clinic. At least there they are compassionate. Its like they dont care or even try to understand, have you ever had them flip the lights on on you without warning. So not cool. Had that happen to me a about a week ago.

Fortunately, mine haven't been severe enough that I've needed to be taken to the hospital. However, I can't drive and live with my parents. My mother is pretty well knowedgable about chronic conditions in general and what Migraines are like in particular (she has the Ocular, for some reason if there are weather changes I get mine about 10-12 hrs before she does). So, she has alot of common courtesy about it.

Some relatives never had one so...they don't have much sympathy. They'ed just turn on the light switch.

I certainly hope its not just me that has some bad feelings.

Nope. The medical field basically physically ruined my grandmother's health from start to finish. (Some real horror stories in there too. She had plenty of good reasons to distrust doctors. Not to mention medical abuse at the nursing home she was in. Unfortuntely, she was determined to stay in the only city she knew. Problem was...no family lived there. Abuse was bound to happen.)

My mom's had them, and I've had them. I'm sure there are really good doctor's out there. But, there are some real flakes too who think a woman hasta be sick simply because...she's a woman. Doctor's have actually told me and my mother that. Some have also told me that all girl babies were born anemic. While another tried to pass off a full blown staph infection of my skin as for onr thing or another and then as mere depression for 3 monthsbefore he begrudgingly sent me to the skin specialist who took one look and exactly knew what it was. Took me 9 months to get rid of that stuid thing. And now I'm always at risk for folliculitus and staph. Then there's the one where I was given 5 mgs of various anti-depressants as muscle relaxants (not at the same time of course) which all caused symptoms off major psycosis and I was driving everyone in the house up the wall. The reg doc at the time thought since I was on too low a dose I must really have it. So he wanted me to double it. I was advised strongly
by my parents to get off it. In 3 days, the symtoms left. Later, whenever I got net access, I looked some of the drugs up. The reactions were those of rare side-effects---. I better stop with the recounting or I won't stop.

So, heh, no...you're not the only one with bad feelings at all.

Ok, so the halo's crooked. Big deal...

 

[Treasurer]

Good to know I'm not alone in it, hehe think my halo's a bit crooked too, lol.

Man I never knew that about the migraines causing strokes. In that age braket, pretty scary. I did have a doctor want to give me a spinal tap to check for blood. I was like no thanks, it seems like a regular bad migraine to me. Just knock me out and let me go home. (I know I'm a sad case).

I bet a lot of us could go on and on about our experiences. Its sad that we all have them. Cant wait for Jesus to wipe them tears away, .

 

[Treasurer]

Oh, I forgot to thank Marblehead, thank you

Losing my mind, lol.

 

[night2day]

I bet a lot of us could go on and on about our experiences. Its sad that we all have them. Cant wait for Jesus to wipe them tears away, .

Just can't wait!