Migraines

[Milla]

Hey Milla! I was raised that way too. I outgrew it, I couldnt deal with the pain. I think it is cool that you can avert yours like that. When I was like 10 I used to get a migraine, I would take a tylenol, pray, and go lay down in the dark. Rest and prayer seemed to work. I wish it were still that easy, mine got worse over the years.

I agree with you though, stay away from those mind altering drugs. I took some like that, I didnt like the way it made me, I wasnt me.

Hey, you guys have a good day today. Hugs

You too!

I really hope my migraines don't get worse. But I guess I just have to have faith that God won't give me more than I can handle with the help of modern medicine (of course then I will have to get over myself and be willing to take help from doctors )

 

[Treasurer]

My brother, who has panic disorder absolutely hates that commercial. He said they are trying to brainwash him, . When ever it comes on he yells MUTE IT!

I think it was on comedy central they had a spoof on that Zoloft commercial, I nearly fell over laughing. It was the little zoloft looking guy except he was something like ecstasy, or some other drug of that type (illegal). At first I though it was real, cuz it looked just like that commercial, til they got to the pill feeling the effects. I was like yah! Play that one, maybe they will get the hint.

 

[Milla]

My brother, who has panic disorder absolutely hates that commercial. He said they are trying to brainwash him, . When ever it comes on he yells MUTE IT!

I think it was on comedy central they had a spoof on that Zoloft commercial, I nearly fell over laughing. It was the little zoloft looking guy except he was something like ecstasy, or some other drug of that type (illegal). At first I though it was real, cuz it looked just like that commercial, til they got to the pill feeling the effects. I was like yah! Play that one, maybe they will get the hint.

I would like to see that spoof!

I know I should hate the Zoloft bubble rock egg guy but he's JUST SO CUTE I can't help it. I am totally brainwashed just as your brother fears. I want to take the Zoloft thingy home and feed him happy pills and watch him play with bugs.

 

[night2day]

Heaven help me, but I do find that little Zoloft circle kind of cute. I'm so happy when he decides to play with the bug! Most drug commercials are abysmal though.

Wel...ok....maybe the little guy is kinda maybe a little cute. Sure would be cuter if it wasn't for a drug commercial though.

 

[night2day]

I got that TMJ too. Mines not bad though, I think I had aggrivated my jaws by always clenching them. The first time I had my jaw lock open, it scared me, I thought I would never get my mouth closed again.

Mine have nearly locked a few times. But mostly knock and make noises. I'm stuck wearing a mouth splint over my lower teeth. Oral surgeon won't do sugery since it's for a chronic medical condition and the jaw would just do the same thing again.

An orthodonist wanted me to have braces! If a surgeon isn't going to have surgery what good are braces going to do if the problem isn't even with the teeth! (And I was right about that. Several years later after that I read braces do not help TMJ when it's due to a medical problem.)

The sinus thing, really I didnt know that. I had heard that happens with cluster headaches. I did notice my nose running with one of my bad migraines. Didnt know that.

When a migraine happens, several headaches can be happening at the same time. It doesn't haave to be just the one. So cluster headaches can accompany a migraine. So can sinus. Or...sometimes it can be the nerves that travel through the areas that affect both the areas that affect both the sinuses and the areas affected by the migraines since they're the same.

Is it possible for blood vessels in the head to be swollen all the time? My head is super sensitive. I dont like anyone to touch it, not unless they know to be gentle.

Well, there's more in the head then just blood vessles. There's tissue that the blood vessles are feeding. I would think that persons more prone to chronic migraines would be able to answer you regarding the sweling. With myself, there are many times it feels rather warm...and even hot. When the medicine does work, that doesn's mean the migraine is fully rid of apparently. But more subdued.

I didnt know that (fibromyalgia) a type of tendonitis.

Actually, tendontitis is a side-condition of of Fibromyalgia. FM itself affects all the soft tissues within the body: muscles, ligments, and tendons. And was recently classified as a Neuro-Muscular disease by the World Health Organization.

I had never heard of fibromyalgia before coming to this site, I have heard of tendonitis. My family doctor said I have that in my lower arms. Does it effect all the bodies tendons?

It can. If you ever heard of "Tennis Elbow", "Housemaid's Knee", "Shin Splints", "Writer's Cramp"...all types of tendonitis. However, people who develop them usually do so by overworking or in sports. And it can be easily remedied by rest, heat/ice packs, and taking better precautions.
In FM, it's by doing everyday things. And once the tendonitis is there, it's difficult if not immpossible to get rid of.

A good example would be shin splints. Over the last few years I've been developing them when walking. One was able to actually see the swelling right over the bone before it went down. And whenever I walked it felt like my lower legs were breking stright across. The doctors couldn't do anything so I thought I'd try something on my own. I found out lower leg supports works. Made of a stretchy-cotten type material. It's something runners use to combat shin splints by holding the calf and the front of the leg together. It helps immensly.

Edited to add: Unfortunately, the swelling decided awhile ago to no longer go down after a time...but remain regardless. I'm strange that way.

...Hey Milla! I was raised that way too. I outgrew it, I couldnt deal with the pain. I think it is cool that you can avert yours like that.

Same here!

Be mindful however migraines usually aren't outgrown or just disappear. (Would be very nice if they did!) Although they can go into remission. As we get older, they often just take on a differnt set of symptoms.

Just depends.

 

[Treasurer]

Wow, FM does not sound fun what so ever (as if it would be... )

My doctor had told me not to have the surgery for TMJ, it would make my headaches worse. At the time I didnt even know they had a surgery for it. Instead he sent me to some type of therapy. I cant even begin to think braces would help.

You sure have been through a lot N2D. What has helped you cope?
You have blessed me a lot, thank you

Milla-- you crack me up! just gotta sqeeze ya for that one

 

[night2day]

Wow, FM does not sound fun what so ever (as if it would be... )

Not really. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a post-viral neuralogical-immune disease that has the possibility of being fatal in a handful of cases, is something that devleoped 3-4 years prior too the FM with me. Actually, ME started during the mononucleiosis.) . That and ME don't play nice.

My doctor had told me not to have the surgery for TMJ, it would make my headaches worse. At the time I didnt even know they had a surgery for it. Instead he sent me to some type of therapy. I cant even begin to think braces would help.

I have no idea why that orthodonist suggested braces other than he wanted money. He said I would need to wear a retainer for the rest of my life anyway if I did have it. If the problem isn't with the bite...why go with the braces? Duh!

Surgeries, I think, are usually for those with the "wear and tear" arthritis that hits that particular joint and it needs repairs. Much like when some other joint needs to be replaced? Kinda differnt than when your system itself is cauing the soft tissue around it to get the joint unstable. It's how I tend to tend to think on it anyway.

You sure have been through a lot N2D. What has helped you cope?

What has helped the best is being taught that regardless the situation I'm in, or how bad I'm feeling Jesus Christ is right there with me. If I need help in trusting His promises the Holy Spirit prays for me. I know all illness and death is a concequence of the curse of sin. While Jesus paid the full price so we could all be offered by grace, through faith, the complete forgiveness of sins and eternal life, while still alive in Earth, we remain within a world afflicted by the curse until death comes or our Loed returns.

The second is a very loving, very supportive mother who's been a big encouragment every step of the way.

You have blessed me a lot, thank you

 

[Treasurer]

N2D

You have an excellent support team!

Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me too.

 

[night2day]

N2D

You have an excellent support team!

Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me too.

I say.

Oh, short blurb regarding the Zoloft talked about above...I think it was that or Paxil that was among the several --extremelty-- low-dose anti-depressants one doctor had me on to relax my muscles I saw my rheumatologist today and he wanted me to try a new one just being put on the market (He didn't give the name. When he asked if I ever had been on any such drug before and what happened...he backed down...fast.

He said regardless if the anti-depressant is new or old, and there was a rare side effect such as phycosis, there was always a chance it would return. Anyway I'm know rather sensative to medications. Others may not be. Depends on the person.

There are many sites on the web to check on medications and their side effects, btw.

 

[rosemoss]

Hi everybody,
Haven't been on for awhile, partly dealing with headaches the other part, laziness.

I just have to give my take on the poor little zoloft guy, he makes me sad everytime I see him, poor little dude. smile.

Hope and pray that each of you sleeps well tonight!

God Bless You,


rosemoss

 

[marblehead]

Hi everybody.

My migraines have been worse lately, but I'm going to see my neurologist Friday to adjust my meds. I know it's stress and what it does to my appetite and sleep that is causing the migraines.
I really need a change of meds because I'm worn out.

How is everyone else?

 

[night2day]

marble, Hope everything goes ok with the neurologogist. Migraines themselves can really wear one out--before, during, and after.

======================================

My regular appointment with the neuro was yesterday. Apparently he's not liking how many migraines are still breaking through as they are which forces me to take the Maxalt. So, I'm supposed to double the amount of Topomax I take each night before bed while remaining on Depakote.

The drawback right now is...I have a sinus infection. Sinus pain and allergies are two triggers for my migraines. I did read the same nerves that travel through the sinueses are the same ones usually affected during Migraines. The Maxalt helps the sinus pain. Thus, I would gather taking it during an infection when there is the facial pain and not many other symptoms would be wise...especially since the trigger is a known one.

I see the my regular doctor in a week for my regular check-up. Although a call before then may be needed.

First it had been the weather. Speaking of which, please pray for all those who were and are in the path of Dennis.

(Btw, on arelated note, regarding the spike in sharks coming too close to shore in various areas...certaianly nor just one, I've heard scientists reported this was due to sharks detecting strong, dangerous disturbances within ocean--related to the hurricane seasons.)

 

[Treasurer]

Yes I just had my regular appointment too. My meds stayed the same and got my TPI's. Doing pretty good today.

I hadnt heard that about the sharks. I knew they were coming in the water up close and there were more attacks. We have hammerheads in our area. (Not much going on there tho). I feel really bad for all the people who have been heavily hit by the hurricanes. I hope they are in all our prayers . May God be with them .

 

[LienShen]

I have awful aura migraines with nausea and vomiting sometimes. Maxalt works if I notice the headache before it hits me over the head. I've found that smells become powerful and my taste buds are off right before the headache comes, so it's a good indicator for me. Clearing Maxalt through my insurance company was a pain the rear... but after letters and phone calls, it finally went through. Once they hit though, it's almost impossible to function. I have to work (I'm the sole breadwinner in my family) and I can't drive on the painkillers that actually work. Vicodin never worked for me, and I was on darvocet for a long time as well. Now I am using Tramadol (Ultracet) when the pain gets so bad I can't function. It usually breaks the cycle, but I can't take it and drive.

We've tried so many preventatives, and right now I am on depakote (anti-seizure) and Torprol (beta blocker) for the headaches, and it's made them come less often but they still come. I tried a dental device, but that didn't help and just added to my problems sleeping. I am a chronic insomniac, and always have been since I was about 4. I've had the migraines since puberty, but they have gotten a lot worse after my second son was born. While I was pregnant, however I had no migraines at all. I tried to convince my husband to keep me pregnant all the time and we'd just give them up for adoption because there are so many parents waiting to adopt... but he wasn't convinced. (lol.) The only other complication I have is Crohn's Disease. We suspect that it causes the migraines because all around I don't get the nutrition my body needs. I am anemic, and have serious vitamin deficiencies that affect my eyesight, my energy levels and other things. It's a constant battle with people with Crohn's to keep a balanced diet and try to stay off being on prednisone (steroid) on a constant basis. On the flip side, I don't get many headaches while on the steroids, but I get all bloated and seriously moody which isn't good for my marriage or my work.

I feel pretty ****** most of the time, because of a lack of B12 and iron, but I try to get it all in my system without causing a flare-up. It's a real pain, that's for sure.

We also tried some anti-depressants. I was on Paxil for a few months, and then had to gradually step down from Paxil when it caused my hands to tremble all the time and my speech to become a little slurred. Luckily for me, I recovered from it but have heard of many women who have become permanently disable from the use of Paxil. Scary that it's all written in the warnings, but in really small print. We also tried zoloft, which did nothing for my headaches but made me feel like a zombie so I went off of them. Then we tried Wellbutrin XL... which really did work wonders. I was in the middle of a Crohn's flare up when I went on the Wellbutrin, and was also on Steroids. I had no headaches, and I felt really good about life. But when I went off the steroids, I had an allergic reaction to the Wellbutrin, and nearly died of anaphaltic shock. My throat closed up and I was rushed to the emergency room in serious danger. They treated me, and two days later I went home with lots of benedryl and aveno baths. The problem was that you are not supposed to abruptly stop any anti-depressants, and I had the worse depression I had ever had in my life. Driving home from work one day I actually thought about how to make it look like an accident so my family would still get insurance. I sought help right away, and they explained it all to me. I really thought I had gone off the deep end, but it turns out that messing with the chemicals in your head can really screw you up. Now when my doctor suggests a preventative anti-depressant for my migraines I answer with a resounding NO.

I hate that we all have to suffer with these things. I think that are sickness and stress related in all of us. If I could afford it, I'd move to a ranch out in the boonies where no one else was around... home-school my two boys, plant a garden, have a few horses, cows and sheep and live out the rest of my life with as little stress as possible. It's a good dream anyhow.

Sorry for rambling on. It's good to have people who understand

 

[Treasurer]

It's good to hear other stories like our own. To know we are not alone out there. You know I never knew that about Paxil. I took that stuff, scary! I had the trembling hands and slurred speech but doc never took me off the meds for that. I had taken Depakote too, made my hair fall out. Doc didnt take me off that either when that happened he just called a hair doctor and prescribed some leave in treatment. Doctors.

From time to time you see some of those meds on television where they are recalling them. Lawsuits. I seen one the other day I used to take, I was like hey! I coulda died!

Just the other day I went to Curcuit City with my friend to pick up a hard drive for my brother. And I had to tell the cashier my name and phone number, well she wanted me to spell it after she told me the amount of the bill. So I had two thoughts in my head right, lol. I was giving her the spelling for my last name and thinking about money, well I only gave her half my name. She gave me a funny look and I said, I didnt do it right did I.

It is this medicine I am taking. I can feel it messing with my brain. I cant explain it, but its like my head sometimes gets clouded.

Makes me wonder if the prevenatives are really worth it sometimes. I wish they could make medicines that "worked" when you "had" the migraines. You know ones that are perfect.

 

[marblehead]

I have another appointment with my neurologist tomorrow. He's trying to change my meds so they work because i'm not sure the inderal is working as he intended. I still have a lot of migraines and my other doctor thinks it may be because of TMJ because my jaw has been hurting more. My neurologist gave me a medication for my sinuses that he thought would help with my migraines because i have sinus problems, but the drip in my throat left a nasty taste in my mouth for the rest of the day.

I hope everyone else is doing okay and not in too much pain.

 

[night2day]

I have awful aura migraines with nausea and vomiting sometimes. Maxalt works if I notice the headache before it hits me over the head...I can't drive on the painkillers that actually work. Vicodin never worked for me, and I was on darvocet for a long time as well. Now I am using Tramadol (Ultracet) when the pain gets so bad I can't function. It usually breaks the cycle, but I can't take it and drive.

And I would think driving with a migraine is nearly impossible. (Not much of an option.) I was diagosed with chronic "common" migraines (w/o aura). However, with or without aura I read that a majority of migraines at least follow some sort of cycle for each individul. A pre-migraine phase, (the small window to stop the migraine) the entering migraine phase, the migraine phase (what I call the "point of no return"), and the post migraine (or the "leave me alone, I was run over by ten 18-wheelers" yesterday) phase.

I'm on Depakote and Topomax. The meds don't stop the migraines (especially when the mold and pollen reaches up to 50,000 and 83,000 like it has the last few days. ) Their severity and longevity is shortened at least. But then, the doctor increased my Topmax doseage that I had to up s-l-o-w-l-y. (I just hope all the fluid don't make me flote.)

I've had the migraines since puberty, but they have gotten a lot worse after my second son was born. While I was pregnant, however I had no migraines at all. I tried to convince my husband to keep me pregnant all the time and we'd just give them up for adoption because there are so many parents waiting to adopt... but he wasn't convinced. (lol.)

Cute.

Have you asked an ob-gyn if there was anything that could help? Sounds as if there's something that could possibly be hormonal involved for them to start during purberty but then not during pregnancy. Then return afterwards.

The only other complication I have is Crohn's Disease. We suspect that it causes the migraines because all around I don't get the nutrition my body needs. I am anemic, and have serious vitamin deficiencies that affect my eyesight, my energy levels and other things. It's a constant battle with people with Crohn's to keep a balanced diet and try to stay off being on prednisone (steroid) on a constant basis. On the flip side, I don't get many headaches while on the steroids, but I get all bloated and seriously moody which isn't good for my marriage or my work.

I would suspect any inflamatory disease, especially one which would cause cause a conflict between diet and medicine in order feel well and begin a domino effect in either case isn't good. Unfortunately, it happens in alot of illness where conditions and symtoms overlap.

...The problem was that you are not supposed to abruptly stop any anti-depressants, and I had the worse depression I had ever had in my life. Driving home from work one day I actually thought about how to make it look like an accident so my family would still get insurance. I sought help right away, and they explained it all to me. I really thought I had gone off the deep end, but it turns out that messing with the chemicals in your head can really screw you up. Now when my doctor suggests a preventative anti-depressant for my migraines I answer with a resounding NO...

My rheumatologist recently wanted to try me on an anti-depressent to help with the pain. Due to my past experiance with the drug....he quickly back off. He commented if any ever had a bad reaction to an anti-depresent, more than likely they would do so again. Had something to do with the seritonian levels within the brain.

Also, I checked on the internet...and anti-depressents are not supposed to be given to those who are taking anti-seizure medications due to possible interaction. (ref. rxlist.com)

I recently found there was the same warning with anti-convolsant drugs...as with the above that individuals who have been on them awhile and need to remove themselves from the drug need do so gradually. In one case that did not an 80 year ond woman had adverse effects...

Source:

'MR imaging studies of the patient's brain taken three weeks after the onset of symptoms showed an area of edema -- fluid buildup -- in a part of the brain called the corpus callosum. Similar lesions have been seen in MR images of patients with epilepsy who had abruptly discontinued use of other AEDs, but those changes had been attributed to the seizures. "The fact that our patient had never had seizures suggests that suddenly stopping these medications could be enough to cause these problems," says Oaklander. "Also, in the past these MRI changes have been considered not to cause illness. Now that we know the kind of symptoms that they may produce, doctors will be able to look more carefully at other patients with these changes to see if they also became ill...

'...The researchers also noted that this patient's symptoms and MRI changes were similar to those that occur in severe high-altitude sickness. There are good treatments for high-altitude associated edema, so the authors suggest that those therapies be considered for any other patients who develop symptoms after suddenly stopping AEDs...'

 

[night2day]

...Makes me wonder if the prevenatives are really worth it sometimes. I wish they could make medicines that "worked" when you "had" the migraines. You know ones that are perfect.

I guess it depends on everyone's triggers and whether or not how controllable they are and how much they really can be helped. I noticed with mine the medicine would work jusr p-e-r-f-e-c-t if the pollen counts remained all but nill and the atmosphere/weather behaved itself.

Unfortunatly, I happen to have alot of allergies. Alot of allergies provokes the sinueses which in turn provokes the migraines. The medicines have at least helped so I can perhaps handle the mold when it's 30,000 (which is really rather high) but not when it's 50,000 or 80,000 like it has been. (I can't remember when it was that high. Dennis the Menece is right!)

Weather and the unstable atmosphere does the same thing. Or it can be the domino effect in which it it affects the pollen and mold...either way...the docs can't control the uncontrollable triggers.

Besides...if I had to deal with a migraine...I rather deal with a baby one rather than the alternative. if given the choice.

 

[LienShen]

I've had the MRI and there is no damage to my brain thus far. I've also had several spial taps, lots of cat scans, numerous tests. Nothing shows anything, until I have a migraine. Then, my blood pressure goes up (it's why I am not taking the beta-blocker to keep it low) and my MRI actually looks different. I suffered one of the major ones in the hospital after passing out from low iron count, and they asked me if I'd do an MRI. They did not sedate me, so it was agonizing to hear the machine and trying not to look at the lights, but it was worth it. We found that there is definately some sort of differentiating markers in my non-migraine and migraine MRI's. My neurologist would love to get me hospitalized for research, but I am the sole breadwinner in my family and I have to support my children. Maybe once my husband finishes school and I don't have to work anymore.

I did talk to my OB, but short of taking out my uterus, there is nothing we can do to stop the hormones. We've tried various birth control pills and injections but they don't seem to effect it. His conclusion was that my life was so much easier when I was pregnant, and my Crohns didn't flare up that I was getting the right nutrition and was relatively stress free. If I could emulate that, or even hope to I might try.

I also have allergies to maple trees, cedar trees, and several pollens. I've been on zyrtec and it seems to be working for my sinuses at least.

 

[night2day]

I've had the MRI and there is no damage to my brain thus far. I've also had several spial taps, lots of cat scans, numerous tests. Nothing shows anything, until I have a migraine. Then, my blood pressure goes up (it's why I am not taking the beta-blocker to keep it low) and my MRI actually looks different. I suffered one of the major ones in the hospital after passing out from low iron count, and they asked me if I'd do an MRI. They did not sedate me, so it was agonizing to hear the machine and trying not to look at the lights, but it was worth it. We found that there is definately some sort of differentiating markers in my non-migraine and migraine MRI's.

I'm grateful something was discovered. At least it was in black and white for the doctor to see per say. With many, the scans are scheduled in advance. And if the prcocess isn't going on at the time as it needs to in other medical conitions...everything just may look otherwise nomral. A before/after scan is even better since the specialists can contrast and compare.

When I had an MRI done I was had just begun seeing my present nerologist who soon diagnosed me. While the migraines are chronic to need preventative medicine...unfortunately I didn't have one that day. If I had I suspect the MRI would have showed something. I feel it's a part of my migraines...but not much else. The crown atop of my head gets warm to hot and there's pressure...but usually it's not painful. It feels more like it's being subdued. (My doctor didn't have much to say of it either.)

My neurologist would love to get me hospitalized for research, but I am the sole breadwinner in my family and I have to support my children. Maybe once my husband finishes school and I don't have to work anymore.

Hospitalized for research? Doesn't conjure up the best of images. *gulp*

I did talk to my OB, but short of taking out my uterus, there is nothing we can do to stop the hormones. We've tried various birth control pills and injections but they don't seem to effect it. His conclusion was that my life was so much easier when I was pregnant, and my Crohns didn't flare up that I was getting the right nutrition and was relatively stress free. If I could emulate that, or even hope to I might try.

Birth control and/or having no uterus leads to their own sets of problems...or gets them started much earlier than they're supposed to. I'm sorry to hear there wasn't much there could be done in that area to help.

I also have allergies to maple trees, cedar trees, and several pollens. I've been on zyrtec and it seems to be working for my sinuses at least.

I'm glad Zyrtec works for you. Deconimine and Nasonex usually keep me controlled. Well, when nott dealing with anything...er...obnoxsiously abnormal. Course, I say too much about that in two days the pollen counts will prolly reach 150,000. *faint* JK.