Migraine

Hello all!
So glad to have found this forum! Looking forward to the moral support that comes from chatting with people in similar situations - people who have "been there" and know what it's like. I don't have much family and sometimes feel as if I unload on friends too much.

Have had migraines on and off for 20 some years - usually 1 every 4-6 weeks - but a year and a half ago the migraine pain became 24/7, varying in level. (A disk in my neck became partially herniated, pressing on nerves, and these headaches seemed to trigger constant migraine pain.)

Took me awhile to find a specialist who could correctly diagnose me. I then started on a daily preventive regimen of Topamax, Neurontin and Sinequan and tried different abortives to see what would be most effective. Went through phys. therapy and some traction to deal with the disk. Cervical epidurals really helped with the neck pain and helped further lower daily pain levels. We also tried Botox last spring to work with remaining forehead and temple pain. Was doing soo much better this summer - much lower pain levels, less frequent severe migraines - and then it all fell apart in August. Not sure why. Docs are trying nerve blocks in my forehead and temples. I'm not sure how successful they are...still higher pain levels.

Weather is a huge trigger for me, so fall is naturally a bad time, I guess. I am much more accurate than all those Weather Channel people!
I have been working a lot with meditation and find that helps me deal with the pain better.

Also am in counseling to deal with the depression that comes with trying to deal with chronic pain and the changes it brings to my life. I am newly retired, so don't have to worry about getting to a job every day, but still, this was not exactly my retirement plan!

Thanks for listening! It is great to have found all of you!

Hi cathya,

Some of the moderators will be along shortly to welcome you and give you all of the useful information about the site. But I wanted to send my greetings.

I'm very sorry the pain kicked back up this fall! Many of here know what you mean about being better weather predictors than meteorologists. I usually know when changes are coming, too.

I hope we get to see you on here often. Best of luck with all the crazy meds trials. I know it's frustrating, but I'm glad you are continuing to work with your doctor to try to find what works again.

I hope you have a blessed week.
~Rachel

Hello and welcome to our forum family, cathya! 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

We're glad you found us, too. The more the merrier around here!

I've got some neck issues triggering my migraines, too. I've been going diligently to my chiropractor extraordinare since last March, and as the neck issue gets better, the triggering eases up. My late spring was pretty great, but summer not so much, since the goofy-heighted counter at the pool ticket office aggravated things all over again. It's a good thing I'm patient, because it's kind of slow going somtimes. There are several of us here that have neck issues that affect our migraines.

There are lots of us with weather triggers, too. It's my biggest, and it aggravates my fibro, too. I'm usually pretty achy, sore, and tuckered out when the weather first starts to shift and get icky in the fall. Once I adjust a little, it's not as bad, though, except for days I overdo.

I think you'll fit in just peachy around here, because so many of us can relate you you right off the bat!

I'm kind of intrigued that they would give you two different anti-seizure meds as preventatives at once. Not that I'm an expert or anything. It's just that most of the time preventative coctails are comprised of meds of different types. Both Topamax and Neurontin can be pretty heavy duty. I can't fathom taking both together. That's not gonna stop me from hoping you do splendidly with your regimen, though.

Here are some links to profiles on your preventatives, if you're interested...

Topamax Profile

Neurontin Info

Settle in and get comfy. If you're looking for something you don't see, the search tool at the top of the site above the posting window will pull up info from not only the forum, but the question and answer and sharepost features as well. If you still can't find something, just ask, and we'll try and help.

Welcome Cathya,

Cervial spine issues may trigger a Migraine attack. It sounds like your doctor is working with you, but your Migraine frequency has become an issue again. Is your specialist a "true" Migraine specialist? You see, some neurologists say they are headache specialists, but they really aren't. While these neurologists are fine doctors, it is difficult for them to be experts in one area because they treat so many different types of conditions like MS, stroke, and epilepsy. A Migraine specialist treats one condition - ours - Migraines and headache disorders. Take a look at the article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special? If you need help finding a Migraine specialist, check our listing of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.


You mentioned that weather changes were a trigger. Do you know what any of your other triggers are? When working to identify triggers one of the best tools is a good Migraine diary. You can read more about this and download a free diary workbook in our article Your Migraine and Headache Diary.

I hope this helps and we look forward to hearing more from you. Please let us know how we can help.

Welcome Cathya!

Cyn

Hi Cathy! Please add my welcome to the pile

Weather was a huge trigger for me too but my specialist started me on Diamox and I've seen a great improvement with it. I also invested in a weather station, I bought it off of The Weather Channel's website for less than $100 and that's been my saving grace too. It helps let me know when it's time to take that extra dose of Diamox to pre-empt an attack.

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!

Wow! Thanks so much for all of the warm welcomes - what a great group! And coming after a really bad 3 day migraine that did not respond to my abortives. You all are just what I needed. That's really what I was looking for when I found this group - that sense of support and "Yes, I've been there and know exactly what you're going through."

I do feel that I have a good team of docs -finally found my way to MHNI - by way of a family member who lives nearby. I live near the capital of my state - population over a million people - and really thought I'd be able to find help here. But it took 2 neurologists (alas, not headache specialists - I later learned the difference) misdiagnosing me before, absolutely desperate and unable to get out of bed for weeks, I finally got headed in the right direction.

Nancy - I love the diary that you mentioned. I have been able to identify some triggers besides weather ( lack of sleep, sometimes bright light or strong scents, stress can be an aggravating factor). But this gives me a much more organized way of looking at it. I do keep a diary for my doc, but this is more detailed. I also like the food checklist as this is something I haven't really looked at yet.

Cyn - I love your quote about "Life may not be the party we hope for...." That one is being added to my " positive thinking collection" on my bathroom mirror.

And Laura, I love the idea of the weather station. I am going to look into that - what a great idea.

Once again, thanks to everyone and so glad to have found this site!
Cathya

I'm so glad all the information we've given you has been helpful. We look forward to hearing more from you, and don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you like.