Migraine

I am getting migraines every 3 days. I count the days from the first "clear" day after an attack to the last "clear" day before another starts - and it is 3 every time without fail. I was wondering how often everyone else gets them? This is despite taking sanomigran as a preventitive, maxalt at the first sign, diclofenic with painkillers, and stemitil for the sickness. Sometimes I get a whole day of sickness preceeding the pain sometimes not, so I guess the preventitives are doing something.The headache phase generally lasts 2 days although this one looks as though it is going for a third. The 3 day frequency is really getting me down and I just cannot cope with it any more.
I am really interested to find out if others have this frequency too?

I used to have a pattern, but now the only time I have a pattern that I know for sure is when it's "that time of the month".

Other then that, my migraines are random, depending on triggers.

Is there something you are coming in contact with that could be triggering you?

Hi Carol and welcome to the forum family!!

Before I started seeing a migraine specialist I was getting a migraine every three days and they would last two or three days.

Thankfully, with his help, they don't last as long and they aren't as severe as they used to be. I now go about five days or so, give or take a day, between migraines. I'm still hoping to cross that one week mark

You mentioned they sometimes last three days. Do you have a break in your pain for at least four hours while your awake within that 72 hour period? If not, you may be Status Migrainous and it's important to seek medical attention.

Again welcome to the forum! (I can't remember if I've already welcomed you )

Hi, Carol!

I have a migraine attack several times a week. I've been on preventives for years. I started seeing a specialist in November. She made some changes to my preventive regimen and how I treat my head pain. I usually take Imitrex my permitted 3 times a week. I usually have some kind of head pain during the day, but it's often a 2 or 1. That's a big improvement.

Gretchen in Mississippi

Hi, Carol.

Like Gretchen, I also have migraine attacks several times a week. Recently I average 3-7 random pain-free days a month. That is an improvement from 0.

I began seeing a neurologist November 2006 and I've been seeing a HA specialist for the past 6 months.

I'm still working on finding the right preventative balance for me, but I've improved in knowing when to take my abortive medications, when to use the NSAIDs, and that it's okay to use my rescue medication when necessary.

Excluding times when I encounter my triggers and my cycle, I don't have a clear pattern on when to expect a migraine.

Eileen has a good point about triggers. Do you keep a log of your pain and possible triggers?

Liz

Mine used to be random, once every couple of months.

Since July 2007, I get 3-5 in a row, then a couple pain free days, then another strech. My current streak is in the last 10 days I have had 8 migraines. (ugh)

I started preventives in January, but haven't found the right one for me yet.

My old pattern used to be simply "daily". These days, though, I can usually count on migraine activity around that time of the month. Other than that it's mostly weather that'll trigger me, and that's random.

So far, mine are just " a lot more frequent" than I want them! I have one every month on the 5th day after my cycle starts-without fail. Other than that, they are just dependent on the triggers and if I'm on the suppliments that seem to be work. Aside from the cycle one, there is no predicting them.
Lynn

Before I started prevenatives they were every 2-3 day and more during my period. Prevenatives are working for me. The have decreased the frequency and intensity both.

Cindy

My big triggers are homones and weather. Weather is random, but it does seem we've had a lot of "daily" bad weather this year. Since I'm perimenopausal, the hormones are pretty much random also! In the last year, I've had as many as 25 migraine days in a month (August 2007) and as few as 8 (January 2008.) Average over the last year seems to be about 18. But I'm off to a good start this month; I think my new Celexa is helping. And I was pleased with the Amerge to head off the hormonally-triggered ones at the pass during my period. So I'm making some progress.

Hi Carol -

I agree with what a few of the members said - it's worth a really deep look at what's triggering you - I wonder if there's something in your sleeping cycle or what/when/how you eat in response to the migraine cycles that may be setting you up for the next one?

Good luck!

- Megs

Hi Carol,

Have you tried keeping a Migraine diary? You can find one HERE. It is a useful tool to help you and your doctor see what may and may not be triggering a Migraine attack, what medications are and aren't working.

If you have been on your preventive medication a while, say more than 4 months or so, and still having that many Migraines, it is time to re-evaluate you prevention plan.

Thanks so much for all your responses, it has really helped to read that what I am experiencing is not all that unusual after all. I read out a summary of responses to my partner and he was amazed, he really did`nt think getting so many migraines in such a short period of time was possible - so thankyou, you have also helped him in his understanding. I have been thinking about triggers and I really cannot think of anything but I am going to start a diary again as suggested, I used to keep one when all this was first being diagnosed and it was useful - it may show something i`m missing.
I saw my GP yesterday and he has put me on Prozac - mainly because I told him I am struggling to cope with the migraines and it was really getting me down, I`ve been getting really teary and anxious, and somedays so flat its horrid. So hopefully it will make me feel better about things. He also said it could help with the migraines themselves, which really surprised me. So fingers crossed on both counts!
Thanks again for all your comments, wishing you all a happy and pain-free day
Carol

Carol, there is a long list of meds which can be used as migraine preventives. Unfortunately, figuring out what works for you is a process of trial and error. See this list:

Migraine Preventive Medications - Too Many Options To Give Up!

For me my frequency is once a month if I can stay away from other triggers.

My migraine is like clockwork & starts 3 days prior to my period & finishes on day 3 of my period, so my migraine stays with me for 6 days straight with no pain free period.

When on preventatives, they reduced to only 3 days of migraine, but the side effects of the preventatives were there every day for me.

Fingers crossed, my current treatment continues to work.