Migraine

I've been suffering migraines with aura for 10 years. I've tried different preventatives that don't work, and different migraine medicines that don't really touch the pain. I've seen my doctor several times and been to a specialist. I'm at my wits end and I guess I'm just stuck with them since after 10 years i havent been able to penpoint any triggers, even with a migraine diary. It seems mine are hormonal but there's nothing I can do about them. I suffer with a migraine every 6 weeks. usually when they come on, they come in pairs, with me having one, and having another one a day or two later..I've even had them come twice in the same day. I have depression and live in fear each day that it will happen. It usually happens at work where I can't do anything like lay down. I can't really drive after it. I've been in the ER several times because of my migrane and the anxiety it causes. I had one really bad migraine about a month ago where the anxiety was so bad, my arm and hands went numb. I thought I was having a stroke. Im not sure what I will do next. Maybe see another specialist? maybe try another medicine I haven't tried yet.. There's got to be something that works. What works for you?

Welcome to MyMigraineConnection, diogirl.

Yes, please don't give up, there are things you can do. Let's see what I can do to help you out.

First, I'd like to say that all specialists aren't created equal. Just because a neurologist calls himself a Migraine/headache specialist, doesn't necessarily make that true. You see, neurologists treat so many conditions like MS, epilepsy and stroke, it is hard for them to be experts in any one area. A Migraine specialist treats one condition - ours - Migraines and headache disorders.

You may want to think of it like this: when a pipe under your kitchen sink breaks, you call a plumber, the expert. You could call a handyman who could fix the pipe, and broken cabinets, and/or paint the room and so forth. But a plumber is the expert that needed to be called. He only works on plumbing. Keep reading for information on: Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special?Then if you want to look for a Migraine specialist take a look at ourPatient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialistslist.

I hope this helps, let me know what you think, ok?

Hi diogirl,
I'm new here too, so it's nice to meet you. *S*
Maybe I can help you pinpoint a trigger or two by telliing you what mine seem to be. Lack of sleep (thank you, God, for Ambien and Serzone), crying a lot, some plant allergies, and a biggie...changes in the barometric pressure. Not a thing I can do about that one; living in Louisiana, we have to just deal with lots of changes in the weather. I have most of the common food triggers, like chocolate and wine, but I take enough medicine that I don't like to drink much, maybe 2 drinks a year, and never wine. Bananas don't bother me at all. Are some of those things that you've considered?
Nancy, THANK YOU so much for the link to doctors in each state. There is one in Baton Rouge; it's about 3 hours from us, and I'm going to call him tomorrow. My family doctor is wonderful about helping me with pain meds or shots, but I'd sure be happy if someone could just give me something to make the headaches themselves less frequent. Time for a specialist.
diogirl, I have panic disorder, and I've noticed that when I'm having a particularly panicky day, I have a much higher risk of having a migraine. I've always thought that the brain chemistry that causes the two are connected somehow.
Hope you feel better soon, diogirl...
Karenzkritterz

I know it's not always easy, but one thing that I've done in the past that helps with the frustration is to shift the focus from anticipating the bad days to anticipating the good ones instead. It goes back to the self-fulfilling prophecy thingie where we can talk ourselves into experiencing things if we dwell on them. I always figure if you can dwell on the not-so-spiffy, then there's no reason you can't dwell on the spiffy instead and invite that to happen. Sounds kind of cheesy, but it seems to help me.

Since you do notice that some of your migraines seem to be hormonally triggered, I can offer that some of our members in the past have had some success with Frova and Amerge, used as a preventative during key times in their cycles. I've not tried it, but I've heard of people that have with some help from it.