Migraine

Hello, I am now six weeks into migraine illness without relief. It is all-encompasing in my body and I have suffered since I was a child at age 12 with abdominal and head migraines. I am now 48 years and still suffer terribly...

I have mostly abdominal migraines, autonomic instability, gastroparesis and head migraines. I also suffer from FMS and autoimmune spondyloarthropathy. I can say that the migraine illness is by far the most debilitating in this line-up.

I am treated with Verapamil 480 mg as a preventative and have followed a careful diet for years. Currently, this is not working. My tendency is to become very ill during the Spring and Fall - perhaps alergans and weather?

Nice to find a good site...

M...

Hello Mere and welcome to our forum family! Our goal is to provide everyone with the information and support that we all need to manage our Migraines and/or headaches. To that end, we consider this a “safe harbor,” where nobody tries to sell us anything, and we all use “family-friendly” language so parents are comfortable letting their children read the forum with them.

Please take a few minutes to review our policies and guidelines along with the other information in the START HERE folder. For information about Migraines, a good article to begin with is Learning About Migraines - Where to Start.

Have you had any break in this Migraine cycle? It's important to seek medical treatment if you've had this Migraine for over 72 hours and you haven't had a four break from it while you're awake. Take a look at this:

• Status Migrainous - The Basics

I've had Migraine Without Aura since I was 15. Thankfully, abortives finally arrived on the scene because when I first started getting them, no one even knew what they were and treated me like a drug seeker. Glad those days are over.

• Types of Migraines and Headaches

Have you thought about adding a Migraine Specialist to your healthcare team? I added one almost two years ago and he's been able to give me part of my life back. I used to get a Migraine every three days like clockwork and be stuck in bed, in terrible pain for two or three days. But, with my Specialist's help, my Migraines don't last as long and they aren't as severe. My Specialist is out of town so I also have a local neuro I see every other month.

You mentioned allergies so I thought you'd like to see this article too:

• Sinuses Giving You a Headache? It’s Probably a Migraine

Welcome again! I look forward to seeing you around the forum and if you have any questions, just ask and we'll do our best to help.

Good Morning Mere and welcome to the Forum,

I joined the forum a couple of years ago and it has been a lifesaver. The information (factual and current) along with the compassion of people who understand what is going on has been incrediable.

Laura gave you great starting information. I would encourage you to have a heart to heart with your current doctor, after you read more about medications and treatment from this site.

I do not see a migraine specialist. I have been fortunate to find a neuro that agressively treats migraines. She and her PA listen to me and work with me. A few months ago I went in with a migraine that has last 5 days to see what else could be done. They immediately had a plan in place, that worked. She made it clear the time frame it should work in and if it didn't to come back to see them.

You did not mention, other then the Rx drug, what you take for migraines. Do you take any supplements? I was shocked when my neuro added just B2 at how it decreased the intensity of my migraines. She has since added Magnisium and CoEnzymeQ10. Both help the intensity. CoEnzymeQ10 also helped with the frequency for awhile.

Again Welcome and remember we are here for you.

Hello, Mere! Please add droolie welcome smooshes to your pile!

That's quite a lot of things to juggle. I'm sorry this latest round of migraine has been so rough on you. I see Laura gave you some info on status. First and foremost, the most important thing you can do right now is to get the cycle broken, since nothing else you try has a fighting chance to help until you do.

Hello Mere!

Just wanted to add my welcome to the pile! I see Laura already gave you some great info! Sounds like you already know quite a lot about Migraine - maybe more than you think! Good for you! Our best defense against this or any other illness is knowledge!!!

Is that an Abyssinian cat in your avatar? I have two of them! Either way, your picture there is too cute!

Welcome again! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Just adding my welcome!!! I hope you'll find the support and answers here that I have been fortunate enough to find!

Cyn

Hi Mere!

Adding my welcome too! Hope to 'see' you around!

Meli

Thank you all for the welcome mat and for the information. I am not taking anything other than the Verapamil and donnatal for the head and abdominal migraine illness. It used to work fairly well with a careful diet...

I have found a neurologist close by that treats migraine and my appointment is scheduled but they cannot see me until December 15! I am thinking that I will see my Family practitioner - sooner the better.

I also suffer from severe pain in my upper chest and mid-back and I have been told in the past that it is some sort of angina but that my heart is fine. It only occurs when the migraine is acting-up and lasts for around one-two hours. My mouth and lips also gets numb on the left side of my face during the angina pain.

It seems as though I am suffering a migraine every day - in one form or another.

Anyone else suffer the angina pain with migraine?

M

P.S. Yes, my avitar is a picture of an Abyssinian. Not mine, but I do have three tabbies. They like to lay with me when I am ill. I always picture them with little nurses caps during this time.