Migraine

So my doctors still can't pin down anything specifically that could be causing my migraines. I'm not really surprised, as we don't have a headache/migraine specialist here in town and because of money situations haven't been able to afford to travel to find one.

But, what's annoying me now is that they don't want to consider something that my husband and I and my MIL (who happens to be a nurse) all think is telling. Out of curiosity one time when I had a migraine, hubby put pressure on the veins in my neck. I know, that sounds like something very strange to do, but within about 10 seconds, I felt at least 80% better! If he put pressure on his own veins, within just a couple seconds his head was throbbing. I didn't get that until he'd kept the pressure on for almost 3 minutes, which was startling to him. About 5 seconds after he'd release the pressure, my headache would be back. This seems to indicate to us that there is something vascular going on.

On top of that, a couple months ago (after I ended up in the hospital overnight - they initially thought I'd had a stroke but could find absolutely nothing wrong with me, so they decided it was either a seizure or a complex migraine) I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and arrhythmia. So already we know something is wrong with my cardiovascular system. Couldn't that have something to do with my headaches?

We've decided that even though we're living on my paycheck right now (hubby lost his job back at the end of March and hasn't been able to find a new one yet), we're going to go hunting for a headache specialist. Anyone have recommendations?

Good Morning Jane,

Here is the list of Migraine Specialists. This list is compiled from patient recommendations. Some people travel significant distances to see their doctors (fly from Virginia to Texas). Others are fortunate enough to live near good specialists. As you know, all neurlogist are not migraine specialist.

Hope this list helps. Let us know if you need additional info on something.

Cindy

Jane,

Migraine is a genetic neurological disease. It's caused by genetics and overly active neurons in the brain.

Once a Migraine begins, there is a vascular component. The blood vessels in the brain constrict for a fraction of a second, then dilate. The pain of the Migraine comes from inflammation of nerves and tissue around the dilated blood vessels.

I don't know if that dilation extends to the vessels in the neck or not.

It's well known that women with Migraine disease frequently have mitral valve prolapse, but it has never been shown to affect their Migraines. It's a comorbid condition -- comorbid conditions exist simultaneously, but neither causes the other.

I know how hard it is to travel and pay a specialist. Been there, done that, still do. But, it's well worth it.

Thank you Cindy and Teri!

I've got the list of specialists bookmarked and will be going over it with my husband, and I have a feeling that we'll be making a trip before too much longer - he's just so fed up with me not having a "tried and true" way to deal with these migraines and with doctors who just want to throw a variety of meds without really looking to see whether or not the meds have been tried with other migraine sufferers.

It's interesting to note that migraine and mitral valve prolapse are comorbid. My doctors seemed very surprised to find it in me.

Will post more later. Have to get ready for work. :P

Thank you again!
-Jane

Hi Jane,

I know how hard it is to survive on one income. Times are difficult for everyone now. Being sick certainly doesn't make it any easier.

Maybe if you think of seeing a Migraine specialist like this: when a pipe under your kitchen sink breaks you call a plumber, the expert. You could call a carpenter who can fix the pipe, then fix the cabinets, paint the room and so forth. Neurologists treat so many different conditions it is hard for them to be experts in any one area. A Migraine specialist is just that - an expert treating only Migraines and headache disorders. This is a wonderful article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special?

Let us know how you make out,ok?

Jane,

You're very welcome.

UGH! It's not good that your doctors were surprised that you have MVP. A neurologist had me checked for it BECAUSE I have Migraines, and that was over 20 years ago. This is aa very well known comorbidity.

quote:

Originally posted by Jane from ND:
Thank you Cindy and Teri!

I've got the list of specialists bookmarked and will be going over it with my husband, and I have a feeling that we'll be making a trip before too much longer - he's just so fed up with me not having a "tried and true" way to deal with these migraines and with doctors who just want to throw a variety of meds without really looking to see whether or not the meds have been tried with other migraine sufferers.

It's interesting to note that migraine and mitral valve prolapse are comorbid. My doctors seemed very surprised to find it in me.

Will post more later. Have to get ready for work. :P

Thank you again!
-Jane