Migraine

I've made it to the 2-week mark with little to no pain everyday! I haven't gone this long in the 10-1/2 months since I developed chronic headaches. I think it's a combination of the new beta blocker and diet. In addition to total MSG avoidance, I've been working with my chiropractor on other dietary changes, which have me feeling better overall.

I saw my neuro yesterday, and he thinks the intracranial hypertension is worth ruling out, but he doesn't want to do the spinal tap while I'm pain-free. So we're going to wait and do it if I go into another pain cycle. That way, if the spinal tap helps my headache, that will aid diagnosis. Plus, he doesn't want to risk breaking my streak with the spinal tap.

So keep your fingers crossed that my streak goes on.

Robin

Robin,

That is an AWESOME milestone and record! WOW!!!!

Fingers crossed for another 2 weeks.

Jamie

AWESOME! Hope it continues!!!

They are sooooo crossed for you.

Robin:

WAY COOL!!!

Sol and I hope that your record continues and hey maybe they will never have to do that spinal tap if the pain stays away.

Wishing you the best.

Peace,

Dave and Sol

Robin,

Wow, I'm so happy for you! That is awesome!!!!

Beth

Robin,
Congrats on the 2 week record!

Joyce

Well, I made it through a medical procedure with anesthesia today with my record intact I had to have an upper endoscopy - I have gastroparesis, and my GI doc needed to check on the state of my esophagus and stomach lining. I had a chance to talk to the anesthesiologist beforehand and asked him not to break my streak. He gave me profolol (sp?), which I've read actually seems to help migraines.

15 days and counting!
Robin

Robin,
Would you remind me of what headache/migraine meds you're on? Now with my new diagnosis of chronic daily headache and migraine w/out aura I thought it might be interesting to compare notes, since it looks like you've got the chronic headache thing going on too?

It appears that tricyclics are first line for the chronic headaches? I'm trying to adjust to vivactil, not too well though I might add.

I am encouraged with your winning streak though!

beth

Yup, I definitely have the CDH thing going on, with a strong suspicion of pseudotumor, although we're putting further assessment on hold as long as I'm on this streak.

I'm on 300 mg of topamax, 60 mg cymbalta, and 20 mg nadolol. We just added the nadolol about 6 wks ago. I'm also on a pretty strict diet that I've been working on with my chiropractor, for the most part. Total MSG avoidance, as little processed food as realistically possible, and I'm loosely following the Metabolic Typing eating plan, if you've ever heard of it. I'm not following it to the letter, because, frankly, parts of it are really complicated and a royal pain in the tush. But I've been gradually incorporating many of the diet's components, and I feel better overall since I've been doing it. I think the improvement in my headaches is a combination of the meds and the diet. So the work (and expense!) involved in the diet has been worth it.

Robin

I found diet was the most important thing to help me. Once I had my diet under control I was able to do away with my medications. I have now been medication free for 2 weeks and pain free for a week. I hope it continues because the medication wasn't working.

I'm not ditching my meds anytime in the foreseeable future, but diet is definitely a big issue for me, too. MSG is probably my biggest trigger, but I have several other food triggers, too. Cutting way back on processed foods seems to be helping me a lot, and also adjusting the ratio of protein, fat, and carbs that I eat. I also take magnesium, and I think changing the form of magnesium has made a difference, plus I increased from 400mg to 600.

Robin