Migraine

hello everyone, i am new here, and was prompted to find this site because well, it all started about 4 months ago. I began what they call myoclonic jerks or seizures, i am also a migraine sufferer, have been for a long time. Lots of my migraines have ended up in the ER. I just got over a 6 day bout, which ended up in the hospital getting a depakote drip (yuk). Prior to this 6 day marathon, about 3 days into it i experienced numbness in parts of my face and arm which lasted for 2hrs. and then finally went away. My neuro. had me on zonegran and clonzapham for myoclonic seizures and migraines, as well as relpax which i feel i eat like candy. I have a headache about everyday, and of course some days are worse. My seizures changed anlong with the numbness, which provoked me to research. Instead of some jumps and jerks, well i started to draw up on one side and couldn't speak with each attack (at least once a day). I heard of migralepsy, i just wonder if my dr. has! After this last bout he blamed numbness on my migraine, which shocked me. He was so unworried about it, while me well, i just thought wow, i'm scared. I've never had a migraine do that. He changed my epilepsy medicine, but still on relpax, and hydrocodone for my unbelievable neck pain. People kill me when they don't understand migraines. They say oh it's just a headache get up. Well, i've struggled and pushed my way through each headache, i've got 2 kids, that need alot of attention, and they won't let me stop! Can anyone relate? Or am i just crazy!

I have migralepsy. I get what is called gelastic seizures, occasionally myoclonic jerks, and absence seizures. Every single time, they are related to my migs. usually they occur during a migraine aura or shortly after, making my mig hit after the seizure, but I've seen this vary too.

As for neuro, my case is beyond him, so all he's doing is stabbing in the dark, treating me with calcium chanel blockers in the hopes that "less migraines= less seizures"
hugs
bim

Well, I have basilar migraines & my migraine specialist thinks I have hemiplegic migraines as well (based on my symptoms of one sided weakeness & "stroke-like" symptoms) & IBS. For the past 4 months, I have been having weird episodes of paresthesia, burning/metallic smell or taste, sudden headaches,vibrating limbs, right hand/ leg stiffening & clenching, weird sensations in limbs, as well as occasional weird beheviors at night & hypnogognic hallucinations (which I have had since I was a kid)... they are worse when I have an active basilar migraine, but they (and my external triggers)can cause or make my migraines worse. I am just being treated for Migraines...but on no meds right now.

Since I have slight different MRI & abnormal EEG (which was not explained to me by last neurologist that there is something odd about my brainwaves) along with memory difficulties, my doctors want me to go to neurobehavioral health...

I used to go to ER but got sent home each time & told basically to sleep it off...unfortunately, lately sleep makes it worse!! I'm done with ER. I'm on no meds or any treatment right now & I am trying my darndest to ignore my head pain, zinging & zapping, but it's very hard for me to function as I am a very distractable person to begin with. I can' even focus on books I love to read or watch films unless they are simple.

believe --


i think we can all relate in some ways to your experiences; not everyone has experience w/seizures, but many do. i know some of the neurological symptoms can be scary -- i feel like if you're not satisfied w/your doctor's response, maybe it'd be a good idea to get a second opinion?

the one thing that really stood out to me is that you said you feel like you eat relpax 'like candy'. i have daily migraines, and in most people with chronic daily headache, i know that medication overuse is a factor. i'm not saying it is for you, obviously i couldn't know that. but there's a very good article here, in case your neurologist hasn't warned you about 'rebound headaches':
http://headaches.about.com/od/allheadpaintype1/a/med_overuse_ha.htm

i know whenever anyone knowledgeable about migraines and/or headaches hears of my situation, that's the first thing they ask about; how often do i take painkillers, triptans, OTC NSAIDs, etc. so i apologize if i'm a broken record, and you've heard it all before. i just want to make sure you have heard it. the mods will i'm sure be around to welcome you and give you more ideas and information.
best of luck, pleased to 'meet' you,
emily

Believe,

Hello and welcome! I see that Emily gave you the link to our article on medication overuse headache, aka rebound. Believe me, we're not lecturing, but I do hope you'll read it. Both Relpax and hydrocodone can cause MOH if used more than two or three days a week, and that would only compound your problem.

I'm going to copy and paste the the section on "migralepsy" from the International Headache Society's International Classification of Headache Disorders:

1.5.5 Migraine-triggered seizure
Description: A seizure triggered by a migraine aura.

Diagnostic criteria:
A. Migraine fulfilling criteria for 1.2 Migraine with aura
B. A seizure fulfilling diagnostic criteria for one type of epileptic attack occurs during or within 1 hour after a migraine aura

Comment:
Migraine and epilepsy are prototypical examples of paroxysmal brain disorders. While migraine-like headaches are quite frequently seen in the postictal period, sometimes a seizure occurs during or following a migraine attack. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as migralepsy, has been described in patients with migraine with aura.

I hope this helps. If your doctor doesn't know about Migraine-triggered seizures, it's most likely time for a new doctor. Truthfully, if he hasn't warned you about Relpax and hydrocodone and MOH, it's time for a new doctor.

Welcome again!

quote:

Originally posted by believe:
hello everyone, i am new here, and was prompted to find this site because well, it all started about 4 months ago. I began what they call myoclonic jerks or seizures, i am also a migraine sufferer, have been for a long time. Lots of my migraines have ended up in the ER. I just got over a 6 day bout, which ended up in the hospital getting a depakote drip (yuk). Prior to this 6 day marathon, about 3 days into it i experienced numbness in parts of my face and arm which lasted for 2hrs. and then finally went away. My neuro. had me on zonegran and clonzapham for myoclonic seizures and migraines, as well as relpax which i feel i eat like candy. I have a headache about everyday, and of course some days are worse. My seizures changed anlong with the numbness, which provoked me to research. Instead of some jumps and jerks, well i started to draw up on one side and couldn't speak with each attack (at least once a day). I heard of migralepsy, i just wonder if my dr. has! After this last bout he blamed numbness on my migraine, which shocked me. He was so unworried about it, while me well, i just thought wow, i'm scared. I've never had a migraine do that. He changed my epilepsy medicine, but still on relpax, and hydrocodone for my unbelievable neck pain. People kill me when they don't understand migraines. They say oh it's just a headache get up. Well, i've struggled and pushed my way through each headache, i've got 2 kids, that need alot of attention, and they won't let me stop! Can anyone relate? Or am i just crazy!

I also get those myoclonic jerks. Not a symptom I am pleased that started, since really I have no clue what is goin on with them. They started after I started getting these spasms and twitches in my neck, which at first coincideded with my migraines. Then I would get these startling jerks at night while I was trying to sleep... very violent jerks. Although I get a lot of migraines, and am no longer on anti-seizure meds, I blamed these jerks on sleep deprivation more than anything. And since they are not frequent enough for me to be concerned, I have just ignored them really. I meant to mention it to my nuerologist, so I could be put back on a anti-seizure med just in case, but I forgot... brain like pudding and all. Still, I think when this haywire nerological junk goes on it is a good idea to mention it to the person handling your meds, because perhaps an anti-seizure med is a good treatment plan. Although I believe actual migraine epilepsy is supposed to be quite rare, but that does not mean migraines can't cause something close to it considering how similar they are.

when my myoclonic jerks started they were so bad i would drop things or throw them. Sometimes i couldn't speak or walk i jerked so bad.

I do get enough sleep usually, due to my hubby's schedule, actually my kids and i all lay down at night before 8pm. and then my hubby gets up at 3:30 am. I am however a very light sleeper, and at the least loud noise i do wake up. I do know that without the right amount of sleep, i ususally end up with a migraine.

Look i read the article on overmedication, and it said that tripans haven't been proven to cause MOH. I do believe opiates can, or even tylenol because they do aim to relieve pain. Tripans open up the blood vessels and are not like straight pain relievers. They work on light sensitivies, or help with the noise sensitivities. They are not addictive nor do they aim to do what pain killers do. I have gotten rebound headaches off of regular pain relievers. However since the myoclonic jerks began, it leaves you feeling sore and beat up or least me anyway.

I've had migraines for almost 20yrs. I think part of it is hormonal and well i am light sensitive. If i'm driving down the road and the sun reflects hard off of a car mirror and it goes in my eyes, i will have a migraine almost immediately following it. If i smell gas or a strange strong odor, i will have a migraine. I have a ton of triggers. I also know that aspartame can trigger mine, so i avoid it altogether. It also said that you can differiante from a MOH and a true migraine. My six day bout started with no vomiting, but i had light sensitivy. It ended the last two days with vomiting, diarehea, and hot and cold flashes.

Every time i go to he ER, they treat my migraine with opiates or some type of pain med with phenagran or something for nausea. I try to handle mine at home, but if i can't stop vomiting i go to the ER. I am being treated with depakote for the seizures, and thankfully it has stopped them. I can feel them coming on, but it stops them. I've had to take less Relpax since then. Since the myoclonic jerks, i've had more headaches than ever. My doctor has given me so many drugs and trust me, i could take more, i choose not to. It's hard enough to function when you suffer migraines, who wants to be dopped up to the gills? Yeah you want to feel better, but trust me, I am a mother to 2 kids and I have a big job to do. I can't lay around all the time dopped up. I do understand the rebound headaches, as i have had them in the past. It was a good article and very informative. Thank you for welcoming me and giving me this information. I hope everyone is well today and if they're not, my thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.

Believe,

With the added information from a recent conference, I need to update the MOH article to say that triptans CAN cause rebound. It has been proven now. The exception, which isn't well understood yet, is using Amerge or Frova daily for a week at a time for the prevention of menstrually triggered Migraines.

A bit of a correction to whatever you've been told about the action of triptans -- The do not "open up the blood vessels." They constrict blood vessels. The pain of a Migraine results from dilated blood vessels and the resultant inflammation of the surrounding nerves and tissue. I realize triptans aren't straight pain relievers. They actually have four main actions:
1) Vasoconstriction to reverse the vasodilation that occurs during a Migraine.
2) Stabilize the levels of neurotransmitters, especially serotonin, which are sent off balance by the Migraine.
3) Reduce the inflammation of the nerves and tissue.
4) Calm the pain receptors.

Regarding your sleep -- Are there times when you have several days of being able to get sound, uninterrupted sleep? I know you're getting enough sleep, but for many of us, interrupted sleep can be a trigger because the quality of interrupted sleep may not be as good, regardless of the amount of sleep. Just a thought. I know I can trigger from too little, too much, or interrupted sleep.

How long have you been taking the new antiseizure med? How's it doing for you? It doesn't sound like you're very confident in your doctor. Have you considered finding an actual Migraine specialist?

Please let us know if we can help you with anything.

quote:

Originally posted by believe:
when my myoclonic jerks started they were so bad i would drop things or throw them. Sometimes i couldn't speak or walk i jerked so bad.

I do get enough sleep usually, due to my hubby's schedule, actually my kids and i all lay down at night before 8pm. and then my hubby gets up at 3:30 am. I am however a very light sleeper, and at the least loud noise i do wake up. I do know that without the right amount of sleep, i ususally end up with a migraine.

Look i read the article on overmedication, and it said that tripans haven't been proven to cause MOH. I do believe opiates can, or even tylenol because they do aim to relieve pain. Tripans open up the blood vessels and are not like straight pain relievers. They work on light sensitivies, or help with the noise sensitivities. They are not addictive nor do they aim to do what pain killers do. I have gotten rebound headaches off of regular pain relievers. However since the myoclonic jerks began, it leaves you feeling sore and beat up or least me anyway.

I've had migraines for almost 20yrs. I think part of it is hormonal and well i am light sensitive. If i'm driving down the road and the sun reflects hard off of a car mirror and it goes in my eyes, i will have a migraine almost immediately following it. If i smell gas or a strange strong odor, i will have a migraine. I have a ton of triggers. I also know that aspartame can trigger mine, so i avoid it altogether. It also said that you can differiante from a MOH and a true migraine. My six day bout started with no vomiting, but i had light sensitivy. It ended the last two days with vomiting, diarehea, and hot and cold flashes.

Every time i go to he ER, they treat my migraine with opiates or some type of pain med with phenagran or something for nausea. I try to handle mine at home, but if i can't stop vomiting i go to the ER. I am being treated with depakote for the seizures, and thankfully it has stopped them. I can feel them coming on, but it stops them. I've had to take less Relpax since then. Since the myoclonic jerks, i've had more headaches than ever. My doctor has given me so many drugs and trust me, i could take more, i choose not to. It's hard enough to function when you suffer migraines, who wants to be dopped up to the gills? Yeah you want to feel better, but trust me, I am a mother to 2 kids and I have a big job to do. I can't lay around all the time dopped up. I do understand the rebound headaches, as i have had them in the past. It was a good article and very informative. Thank you for welcoming me and giving me this information. I hope everyone is well today and if they're not, my thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.

I can testify to triptans causing rebounds. The only time I ever suffered a rebound headache problem was from Zomig. It did not work at all or effectively when it did. Since my doc told me to take every time I felt a migraine coming on, no matter how bad the migraine was, I took it for too many days, which led to a nonstop headache punctuated with debilitating migraines.

However, never had that effect with painkillers or any other abortive out there.

i've been on antiseizure medication for about 4 months. My doctor just changed my meds with the seizures, and it's stopped all of my seizures for now. I actually got my info about migraines from my nero. He too told me to take a migraine pill (relpax) every time i felt one coming on. In my area I'm pretty sure there are no migraine specialists. It's hard enough to find a competent neuro. I don't have much confidence with my neuro. because when i started to have seizure like activity, he just said oh its myoclonic jerks (seizures), and well we'll just give you this medication and no explanation or tests for why this began. It's scary that a dr. can feel comfortable enough to give you medication and not do any tests. I guess he may have been going strictly on my history. I ask questions and well, his answers are so vague. I ask about the myoclonics and why now. He said oh it can happen to anyone at anytime. You were talking about my sleep, well, my oldest daughter never slept good, and when she was younger, she would sleep only 2 hrs a day. well, i would try and keep up with her, so she wouldn't be walking around in the middle of the night and get hurt or get out of the house. Shes a little better now, but 8 yrs ago i didn't hardly sleep at all. I'm just a real light sleeper. I do have a job that requires me to be on call at night, and when i go out, i'm gone for about 3 or 4 hours. I'm on call from about 4pm until 2am. I don't go out all the time, just every once in awhile. I know too much sleep will trigger for me also. If the grandparents get my kids, and i stay up a little late, then sleep in the next day, I usually have a migraine. I love my job, so i can't see that being an option. I'm also in school full time, while taking care of my two kids. I do get stressed out sometimes, but who doesn't? I just found out however, that my aunt has a brain disease, which is irreversible. It's called mecro vascular. The blood vessels in her head are constricting and theres very little blood or oxygen getting to her brain, causing the cells to die. I've never heard of it before, but the dr. said it is hereditary. Maybe its something going on that runs in our family. I know my brother gets migraines also. He too suffered epilepsy as a child but grew out of it as an adult. I think i need to find a specialist like you stated. Thanks for the info. and as always, you all are in my prayers, and thoughts. Lots of love.

I have been suffering from severe migraines for about 9 years. They were well controlled with 200mg topamax taken daily, which I took for about 7 years without incident. Over the last year however, I feel like I am falling apart. I went for about 7 days without taking the topamax (not on purpose) and thought I was going to have a melt down. That episode led to much research on my part into the drug, which in turn led me to a neurologist who specialized in migraine therapy and who was well informed regarding topamax therapy. Through MRI, I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor, and have since changed neurologists and have consulted an endocrinologist. I was at the end of my neurological rope - if you will; eating treximet like candy along with lots of coffee to get rid of the headaches every day. The neurologist explained the ramifications of triptan, caffiene, etc.. rebound headaches and put me on an intense withdrawl program to get me off of the treximet, and caffiene, to wein me from the topamax and start me on depakote. He prescribed a med called DHE-45 SQ along with Reglan for the nausea that would be sure to ensue from that drug and an NSAID similar to anaprox. He advised me that the treatment course we were starting was normally done on an inpatient basis over the course of about a week to two weeks, but he allowed me to do it at home because I am a trauma/ER/ICU RN, and I begged him not to hospitalize me. Over the past 6 months or so, I had begun having terrible side effects from the Topamax, and had actually been having them for quite some time - but did not coorelate my symptomology to the drug until I began doing my homework. Once I educated myself completely about Topamax, I couldn't get off of the drug quick enough. The only problem was that I had to wein off of it safely. My new neurologist suggested that I could wein off of it much quicker than I had thought I would be able to. I had read that you should wein very slowly due to the high seizure potential, however he did not seem to be concerned. I thought that because he had started me on Depakote and gotten me to a therapeutic level prior to having me taper the Topamax, it was safe to stop it so rapidly. I weined off the topamax in 2 weeks. I then stayed on 1G of Depakote for about 2 months and he began weining me from that as well, as he had also started me on Amytriptline. The goal being to prevent migraines from happening and having to take the least amount of meds as possible. I was certainly on board. I am scheduled for a follow up appointment with him next month to discuss my progress and it's not good news. I stopped the depakote as directed and have only been taking the amytriptline at night up until a couple of weeks ago. I had a seizure. I thought I was just getting a doozie of a migraine coming on; I saw little spots everywhere, it sounded like I was in a tunnel, I tasted metal in my mouth (and that was new to me), I dropped my patients arm (I was at work)- it was the scariest thing because I knew I was seizing, but couldnt stop it. I don't know a whole lot about seizures, but I it felt like I was completely disconnected from my body and my arms were jerking and so was my jaw. I am so freaked out by the whole episode. I have been sitting at home afraid to go out, afraid to drive, afraid to go to work.