Migraine

Hi, I am new to your site and I have learned so much already. I have had migraine's for 15 years. I have had a migraine now that has lasted approx 2 weeks with one day almost completely free of pain. I started seeing a neurologist right before this started and we tried about 6 triptans and they didn't work, I also started 50mg of topamax . He also gave me some fiorcet which I think made it worse. I spoke with him today and I asked him if I have a refractory migraine and he said I do. He said that there is nothing that he can do for me. Is this really true? I feel like I am losing control of my life. I have 2 kids(3 & 1 1/2),I feel like all they ever see me do is lay around and try not to be too crabby. Please tell me there is hope. Thank you-sorry this is so long!

Believe me, Cam's mom, that is NOT a long post. Never worry about the length of your posts on this forum.

Welcome to the forum. We're so glad you found us.

Yes, there is hope. Do NOT give up.

If your migraine has lasted that long without a break, at least four hours while awake, you have a situation called status migrainous. It is time to head to the emergency room. See this article:

Status Migrainous - The Basics

Please take a look at this as well:

IV Treatment of Refractory Migraines

IV Lidocaine - Effective Treatment for Refractory Migraines in the Clinic

After you've been to the ER and broken this migraine, it sounds as though you will need to look for a new doctor. See this list:

Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists

All right, I know that's a lot of links, but the most important thing right now is that you head to the ER and get that migraine broken. Your safety is at stake. Keep us posted! We love to celebrate with our members when their migraines finally break.

Take care.

Hi Cam's Mom -

Please go get this migraine broken and then come back and tell us about it! You deserve some relief! Hope to hear from you again soon and welcome to the forum. Nutcracker gave you a bunch of good links there.

- Megs

It may be true that there's nothing *he* can do for you, but that doesn't mean there's nothing *anyone* can do for you. Do NOT give up, there IS hope. Like Nut and Megs said, please seek some immediate medical attention for that migraine, then come back here and talk to us. We surely do understand what you're dealing with.

Some hugs for you.

Welcome Cam's Mom! Please take what everyone has told you to heart. It is very important you get that migraine broken. Once it is broken than you can focus on preventing them in the future.

There are over 100 medications that can be used for migraine prevention.

A word of advice, please be careful while using Fiorcet. To much use can cause medication overuse headache.

You have found a fantastic place on the internet for education and support. There is always hope!! Please keep us posted on how you are doing, k?

Hello, Cam's Mom! Welcome to the forum!

I see the others have given you links, so I won't bog you down. I do hope you're much better today, and have found some relief.

Cam's Mom,
Welcome!
I'm sorry you are going through this! I hope you know that you are not alone. I think it's time that you seek help and you definitely need to find another neurologist. It was hard for me to finally decide to look for a new doctor.

Good luck! I'll be praying for you.

I went to my family dr today because mu neuro still wouldn't help me. She gave me some zofran which definitly helped with the nausea, but the headache is still persistant. I have been to the ER so many times for this headache that I am trying to not go. I think I have been there about 5 times now. If I do have to go again what do I tell them? My family dr wants me to get an MRI and to get a 2nd opinion from another neuro. She is a really good dr, but I know that she doesn't really know what to do in this situation. Is there even a chance that this will magically go away??

I would follow your family doc's advice in this situation, and consult with a new neuro. An MRI isn't a bad idea if you haven't had one before, just to rule out anything else.

It's unlikely your migraine will go away on its own. Your best bet really is to go to the ER and let them know your migraine still hasn't broken. Is there another ER nearby, or an urgent care, that you can try?

Hope you start feeling better soon.

Camsmom, Im ss you are going through all this! I think many of us have been right where you are more than once!

I would print out that article about IV refractory treatments and bring that to the ER. Ask if there is a dr that is more informed on migraines. Then stick to your guns about not leaving the hospital until the migrine is gone.

Another option is to ask your neuro or GP to admit you into the hospital for several days of IV treatment. Sometimes drs wont take the initiative, you have to!

Good luck hun and keep us posted!

tawsha

Hi Camsmom!

Welcome to the family!

I am really concerned about your post. You say you've gone to the ER five times for this migraine? The same one?

Ok - it's time to get you some better treatment. What have they done for you at the ER? An IV? DHE? Narcotics? How are they treating you?

After we break this migraine, we will get into more specifics about getting you a better doctor and all of that.

Are you sure this is a migraine and not Medication Overuse Headache? That could be why "nothing seems to help" as well.

Please keep us posted and let us know how you are.

I'm glad you found us. We're here for you every day.

I won't repeat what others have said, but IMO, it's time to fire your neuro's Sorry Butt. If he says he doesn't know what else to do, it's time to move on. Your primary is right that you need a second opinion. Actually you need a new doctor, one who knows more about migraine disease.

Hang in there!

Gretchen in Mississippi

I agree it is time for not only a second opinion but definately a new neurologist. MaxJerz is right....just because he can't treat you doesn't mean there is no treatment. A two week migraine is a serious issue, and obviously beyond his ability to treat.

I know going to the ER is an awful fiasco but if you have gone two weeks without a break, I really think you should.

Glad you found us, and keep us posted!

Good morning Cam's mom,

I hope you are feeling better this morning. I hate to sound like a broken record bit if you haven't had a break from your migraine yet, it is time to head back to the ER. I know it's not our favorite place to be when we are in pain but it is important to get your current migraine cycle broken.

I brought in a letter from my doctor about IV treatment and the hospital was more than happy to treat me. Bringing the article on Refratctory Migraines is a great idea.

Please keep us posted, k?

All my best

Hi Cam's mom,
I'm a medical student and I would second the posters here who suggest that you find a new neurologist. Even though you have tried several different treatments, you have by no means exhausted all the possibilities. Any physician who would tell a patient that there is nothing he/she can do for them after trying just a few different medications is not worth your time or money. It seems to me that he is either disinterested or lazy or both. You need to find a physician who will be committed to working with you on your medical care and who will take an active role in your treatment. It is also clear that this guy has never had a migraine and has no idea how debilitating they can be. I was in a similar situation a while back, and it took me a long time to work up the "courage" to seek out a different physician. Life is too short to waste time on a physician who is not committed to treating your condition. Also, just because he is a doctor doesn't mean he is infallible. Believe me, there are plenty of folks in my class who have no business being in medical school or being a physician, and there are plenty of physicians out there who graduated from medical school but are lousy doctors. If I were you, I wouldn't waste even a single visit more to this doctor. If you poke around on this forum and others like them, you are sure to find recommendations for physicians in your area who treat migraines.