Migraine

Hi guys. I have a question about the diagnosis that my neuro gave me. I still feel real good about my appointment and working with him. What he said is that I have complex migranes, meaning that my migranes are complicated by my CFS and fibromylgia.

I have to tell you a little background about my own attitude to my headaches up until about 8 weeks--they were not my most important symptom of concern in my life. I considered all of my headaches to be the result of my horrid allergies and frequent sinus infections.

I was diagnosised with ADHD when I was 6 years old. Now days I would have been diagnosis with Asperger's Syndrome. I had a horrible time getting along with children when I was a child and consequently landed up with a nose that was broken in three different places.

In 2001 I had my broken nose fixed because I had a chronic sinus infection for about four monthes. My ENT that did the surgery told me that I possibly could have had the same sinus infection because my nose would never have been able to clear. Now I am very suspicous of that theory and think that it is and has been migranes.

I had a doctor at a free clinic 8 years ago (when I had no insurance) told me to take 800mg motrin and a sudafed everyday for inflamation in my ears and sinuses. My PCP last year told me to completely discontinue the sudafed because I was setting my self up for rebound congestion. So then I discovered how many headaches I really was having. I started going into the doctor early in January for just headaches, not any other symptoms.

I blame myself now for not making an earlier connection that the frequency of my headaches might have been a serious issue.

Good Evening,

I'm curious as to why you are questioning your diagnosis. This link will lead you to Migraine Diagnosis . These are the accepted classifications of migraines. You are correct that complex migraines are not listed.

What were the parts of the appointment that went well? What has the neurlogist started you on?

It's good to ask questions, always good.

Cindy

A neuro once diagnosed me with complex migraines a long time ago. He meant migraine with aura.

OK, here are the migraine diagnoses used by the International Headache Society:

Types of Migraine: from the International Headache Society's International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition
1.1 Migraine without aura

1.2 Migraine with aura
1.2.1 Typical aura with migraine headache
1.2.2 Typical aura with non-migraine headache
1.2.3 Typical aura without headache
1.2.4 Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM)
1.2.5 Sporadic hemiplegic migraine
1.2.6 Basilar-type migraine
1.3 Childhood periodic syndromes that are commonly precursors of migraine
1.3.1 Cyclical vomiting
1.3.2 Abdominal migraine
1.3.3 Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood
1.4 Retinal migraine
1.5 Complications of migraine
1.5.1 Chronic migraine
1.5.2 Status migrainosus
1.5.3 Persistent aura without infarction
1.5.4 Migrainous infarction
1.5.5 Migraine-triggered seizure
1.6 Probable migraine
1.6.1 Probable migraine without aura
1.6.2 Probable migraine with aura
1.6.5 Probable chronic migraine



You should ask your doctor for a diagnosis on the list above. That will make it easier for any other doctor who sees you--not to mention us--to know what you have.

Cindy and MW:

My reason for questioning the diagnosis is I didn't see it anywhere in my reading of the site. I still feel good about the visit because the medicines he has put on are on the list.

I started Propanolol ER 60mg once a day about a month ago, yesterday he increased my dosage to twice a day. He gave me Fiorecet to take instead of OTC.

I have also taken 450 mg of Trileptal for the last four years because of spasms and major numbness. This doctor four years ago put me on Trileptal because it was the medicine that worked well for my older brother. He skipped a lot of experimenting for arrogance sake and listened. I have had mixed relief from spasms and numbness--since my surgery in 2006 very minimal spasms.I'm also on amitriptylene 30mg, Lexapro and flexril.

I feel good about it that he completely validated what I had learned about migranes in relation to my diagnosis from the past. What felt good about the visit was he was very open to the fact that the other diagnosises of basilar migrane and HM may eventually explain what is going on--just he doesn't think that the medical evidence is there right now.

He thinks that migrane without aura that is complicated by the cfs and fm diagnosises explains what is going on. He has seen migranes that have severe numbness and all of the other symptoms that I brought up that.

He really wants me to do something about my estrodial patch--find some alternatives to it. I had a horrible time with birth control pills, but spent about 10 years on them to minimize my periods and fibroid cysts. I had run out of options in 2006 and that is what led to my complete hystoerectomy. So that is the next thing I am going to be trying to find out about. Which makes alot of sense to me since I had dysmennorea that was terrible and endometriosis that complicated everything about my CFS and fibromyligia.

He also asked me if a different diagnosis would change any of the medicines he has me on? I don't think it would. He didn't put me on Triptans and I think that would be the only contraindicated drugs. Am I right?

I think that his approach at this time is effective and makes sense.

Nut

That is exactly the information I was looking for!!

I LOVE THIS SITE AND ALL OF YOU!!!

Mary in NM

Mary,
In reading your last post it would appear he has not finalized your migraine diagnosis?

quote:

I feel good about it that he completely validated what I had learned about migranes in relation to my diagnosis from the past. What felt good about the visit was he was very open to the fact that the other diagnosises of basilar migrane and HM may eventually explain what is going on--just he doesn't think that the medical evidence is there right now.

Last summer when I saw my GYN for my annual exam she had alot of questions and was making notes about using Frova for menstral migraines. I could tell she was going to investigate that. Are you comfortable with your GYN working with you to find the right answer with the hormone issues and migraines? Can your neuro recommend someone if you are not?

So it does sound like you are on your way. Good luck and keep us posted!!

Cindy

Mary,

I don't think we've spoken yet, so...

-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-•*Hello!*•-:¦:-•:*'''''*:•-:¦:-•*Welcome to the family!*•-:¦:-

Everyone has jumped right in and given you great information. Looks like your doctor is doing great by you. He gave you the official diagnosis of Migraine without aura plus the added description of them being complicated by CFS and FM. That should be really helpful to you should you ever need to get care from someone else. It's also great that he's keeping HM and BTM in mind.

Propranolol was a great preventive for me for several years. Took my Migraines down to about half a dozen a year while it was working for me. Hope you see the same success with it!

welcome again!

quote:

He thinks that migrane without aura that is complicated by the cfs and fm diagnosises explains what is going on

Thank you so much for the information Teri.

It is reassuring to know I am on the right track with my diagnosis and new medicine. New Mexico is a very rural state and my greatest fear is that I haven't had top notch medical care.

I appreciate the work you have done in running this site and publishing your book. I haven't had a chance to read your book yet, it came in the mail today from Amazon. I have already learned so much from your posts and articles.

Cindy I my GYN is awesome. She actually is a Nurse Practioner, but she is so great that her speciality in our small town is as the pain specialist for the hospital. She knows her meds, daily supplements, and a few non traditionals. My only issue with seeing her is getting appointments--sometimes a couple of weeks.



Mary in NM

Mary,

You're very welcome.

I know what you mean about living in a rural area. Living in West Virginia doesn't make medical care easy either. I ended up driving eight hours to Philadelphia to get help with my Migraines. It's wonderful that you don't have to make a long drive to get help!

Doing this site and writing my book are/were quite rewarding. It's so easy to feel isolated and hopeless when Migraines and headaches go out of control. I'll never forget how that felt, so when we can help others keep hope, it's a blessing.

If we can help you with info on anything specific. Just ask!

quote:

Originally posted by mlhrail:


Thank you so much for the information Teri.

It is reassuring to know I am on the right track with my diagnosis and new medicine. New Mexico is a very rural state and my greatest fear is that I haven't had top notch medical care.

I appreciate the work you have done in running this site and publishing your book. I haven't had a chance to read your book yet, it came in the mail today from Amazon. I have already learned so much from your posts and articles.

Cindy I my GYN is awesome. She actually is a Nurse Practioner, but she is so great that her speciality in our small town is as the pain specialist for the hospital. She knows her meds, daily supplements, and a few non traditionals. My only issue with seeing her is getting appointments--sometimes a couple of weeks.



Mary in NM