Migraine

My mother has suffered from migraines since she hit puberty. As she's gotten older, they've gotten worse and more frequent, to the point now where she has chronic daily headaches. She's become depressed because they control her life so much. She lives in fear of going out too far from home and getting sick. She won't travel or go on long vacations because of it. Finally, she is seeing a specialist. If this guy is good, I may try to go there too. I am thrilled that after so many years, she is seeing a headache specialist, not just a general neuro (one actually told her that migraines are just headaches and to stop whining and seeking drugs) or her GP.

The headache doc wanted her to completely stop all her meds except her blood pressure meds (calcium channel blocker)-- especially the fioricet, and maxalt which he thinks is causing rebound. And she's done so, for a month now. He gave her a prednisone taper, effexor, some heavy anti-emetics and a phenobarital taper to prevent seizures if her body had trouble coming off of the fioricet. She's been in horrible agony, many days she can't keep anything down it hurts so much. We've taken her a couple of times to the prompt care for some IV's (fluids, phenergan, ) and that's helped. He was hoping that she'd be showing some improvement by now, but she isn't. The cycle just won't stop. She feels like a total failure, like it's her fault. I've told her it isn't and that I'm proud that she's stuck with it for an entire month. I don't know if I could be so strong!!

She is scheduled to go in Thursday for a stress test, and if she passes, she'll be admitted for 3-5 days for IV salumedrol, DHE and I guess whatever else they decide to do to try to break the cycle. They are hoping if they can get it to break, maybe, just maybe they can get her back to a more normal sequence of migraines, and then explore some new preventatives (she hasn't tried any of the anti-seizure meds).

I really hope it works. She's suffered for so long, I want her to be free from this, so that she can enjoy life again. Please keep her in your thoughts while she goes through this! She's in so much pain right now, and is so scared of going into the hospital.

I'm sorry your mom is going through all this, but she's seeing a migraine specialist now and it sounds like he's doing a good job so far.

Please let us know how she's doing.

I am so sorry that you mom is going through this very rough time right now. She sounds like a very strong women. I will keep her in my prayers and thoughts Hopefully, the specialist can help her and she will see pain free days soon. Take care of yourself too.

Dar

Oh my! I'm so sorry your mother is having such trouble! I've never experienced rebound, but understand that rebound headaches can be absolutely horrible. Your mother must have a lot of courage! A month is a long time to have so much pain!

I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I sure hope things go well with your Mom's stress test so she can be admitted for more help! (I know when I've been admitted in the past for status migrainous, the doctors were able to give me meds that would just put me to sleep while they worked to abort my migraine. Something like that would probably be a welcome relief to your Mom!)

jenny

ps--I know what it's like to watch your Mom suffer. My Mom was a very severe migraineur, as are my sister and I. It's hard to see someone you love hurt so much! Please take good care of yourself, too!

I'm sending lots of good thoughts and hugs your way.

I will gladly keep her in my thoughts, and you, as well. What a draining experience to have to go through! My heart goes out to your mom.

How difficult for your whole family! I'm so glad she's seeing a specialist. Take care of yourself, too.

I will keep you and your mom in my prayers. Way to go Mom for sticking it out! She certainly is very strong! Give her hugs from us! Rebound is a stinky place to be. I'll be praying that this works for her and she gets pain relief soon. When I was in rebound it took a while for me to get relief too. It is a nasty place to be. My heart goes out to her. Know we're in your and your mom's corner!

Kelly

My thoughts and prayers are with your mom. Please keep us posted; you guys are a strong family.

All my best!