Migraine

Hello, I'm new here but love bulletin boards - they got me thru the early days of twins. I'm actually rather new to headaches - they started when I was pregnant (WAYYYYY better than morning sickness) 9+ years ago and were mild migrainish and very episodic but really intensified quite suddenly when I changed BCP 3 years ago. Even after stopping that one, trying other and stopping them altogether, they've persisted and gotten worse.

I've had what has been diagnosed as chronic daily headaches and cluster headaches (which I totally doubt) but at least I'm getting meds which HELP now (very recently my doc gave me samples of Maxalt, though they aren't on my insurance so I'll have to switch to imitrex or zomig but at least I know they might help! . None of the silly fioricet/advil only.) I've taken increasing doses of topomax preventively for 2 years though it's not helping the bad days which still seem to "cluster" and increase in frequency after about 4-6 months of each increase. Next we'll try BP meds, which I dread b/c I have a past history of fainting from orthostatic hypotension in college. Though that was 17 years ago....

I've also tried massage, chiro, acupuncture, and hypnosis with little relief, though I love my massage tx and have seen her for 3 years. She works wonders for those tense neck and shoulder muscles and has showed me acupressure points. My one great help has been an NTI device from the dentist to calm my TMJ pain. I've ground my teeth since childhood so that was a nobrainer. Also worn nightguards but mostly chewed them up (like chewing gum all night) and gave me temple HA in AM to go with everything else.

OK, gotta go pick up hubby at the airport. Look forward to becoming an active member here. Or maybe to the day my headache leave forever and I can just worry about why the kids fight so much? Anyone know a good sibling rivalry board? Sigh.....

Diane

Hi again Diane!

You sound very much like me. I went off of birth control to see if my migraines would decrease (15 years ago) but they didn't. However, I got a pleasant surprise, my second son!

I also have tried the chiro and loved it but it drained my wallet for now. I was hypnotized too when I worked at a counseling center so it was free. It didn't work but when I am getting ready to migraine I run my fingers through my hair on the left side...that was my signal to rid the pain LOL.

I hope you have had the chance to browse!

Hi Diane, and welcome! Glad that you found us.

You mention that you've been diagnosed with cluster headaches but you doubt that diagnosis. I'm curious why? If you haven't seen it already, here is our article on Cluster Headaches - the Basics. Some of what you describe sounds like the symptoms of cluster so you may want to check that out.

We also have a great page of Types of Migraines and Headaches.

Let us know if you have any questions. Welcome again!

Thanks MJ,

Actually, I browsed quite a bit in the morning Thursday b/f coming back a bit Friday night. I found this site while ordering the biofeedback kit from Real Simple and then deciding I might look around for a local HA clinic. HA. You'd think a city with a teaching hospital and 7+ major hospitals would have SOMETHING. But I found you guys! I passed on the types of headaches to a friend. He;s apparently been to many doctors while I've only used my primary doc (2, the first retired but got me started on my current regimen). What an AWESOME summary!!!! I've learned more in the past few days than I've know in the past couple years!

And LOL Laura, I'm now a bit past 40 and hubby just turned 42, though he's talked about the big snip since the boys were 1 he hasn't made any effort to make an appt. I wanted "2 little girls" to go with my sweet boys way back then. Actually, they are so independent now I'd be messed up with a new one, but they are the sweetest little things!

As for cluster, hmmm, the migraine component is there and the nausea is getting worse over past few months, not violent vomitting TG, though no doc has diagnosed them as migraines but the more I learn it doesn't have to be classic, but cluster seems like you want to die from your pain and I just don't have that. They just appear in clustery patterns but happen all year all the time so would that really fit? I kept an excellent diary for 3 months and could find no rhyme or reason to the pattern so we were stumped. I don't know. That's where I think my doc gets it. But he's a real listener and thinker so I like that. AND he asks my opinion. I almost think he's a sufferer too though he never said it.

Anyways, plan to stick around as work allows. Small company and had a coworker quit so I'll be super busy til they find someone else. And I have to send out those uhhhh Christmas/New Year, how about Happy Chinese New Year/Valentine's Day Cards! Got 2 year's worth of pictures and lots of news to catch up with for the family. See what those annoying headaches can do to your life??? Boo.

Diane, who is moping about today with the after effects of last nights HA but hoping a good walk will help!

Diane, that's interesting about your HA that you can't find a pattern. (Then again, my only "pattern" is that I always have them. ) Are you only seeing your primary doc? Have you ever seen a neurologist, or better yet, a migraine/headache specialist? It may really be worth it for you to get a referral to a specialist. Have you seen our list of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists? A good PCP is essential, but they won't be as up-to-date on treatments as a headache specialist would be. Just think of how many conditions a PCP has to be familiar with!

I'm very happy you found our forum! This site is the best collection of reliable HA/migraine information on the internet. I've learned so much from both this site and the forum - it's amazing how much I didn't know!

Hope you're feeling better after last night.

Hi Diane! Welcome to the forum!

I have 4 wonderful boys, and VERY greatful no girls Im a tomboy at heart, and wouldnt know what to do with a girl!

Anyway real glad ya found us and hope you keep finding lots of info! Theres SO much on this site, and its always updating as well!

Tawsha

Hello, Diane, welcome to the forum.

Hi Diane,

Welcome to MyMigraineConnection, we are glad you found us.

Cluster Headaches, attacks of severe pain lasting 15 to 180 minutes. These attacks can happen once every other day up to eight times in one day. There are some pretty specific symtpoms that go along with cluster headaches. If you click HERE you can read more about them.

Chronic daily headache on the other hand, (click HERE) occurs 15 or more days a month. There are two types: primary CDH and secondary CDH. Our link above will explain this out nicely.

If topamax is not keeping your Migraine frequency under control then it may be time for another medication, as you suspect. But BP meds are not your only option. There are over 100 medications that can be used to treat Migraine disease. This article, Migraine Preventive Medications - Too Many Options To Give Up! will show you just how many there are!!

How old are your kids? Sibling rivaly board? Very funny? Our "children" are 18 and 13....boy does time fly.

Anyway, let us know how you are doing.

You may want to download a headache and migraine diary if you haven't already. It will be useful to track triggers, the effectiveness of medications, and any patterns to your Migraines and headaches. I use mine faithfully and my docs love it and so do I because it avoids potential medication overuse headaches. Especially during a "bad" week when the beast rears it's ugly head to many times.

As far as anymore kids, three is plenty! Two teenage boys and an 8 year old girl, whew! I got my tubes tied, burned and banded LOL!

Hi Diane -

Adding my welcome to the pile. I love that you are doing so much thinking and researching about this - knowledge is power! I could identify with a lot of what you said - increase in migraines in my late thirties and forties - and difficulty in identifying a pattern or triggers - tho I know some now, and have learned what I call my "early warning system" - i really think the better we get to know our own bodies/heads the more chance we have of managing this - anyway, I'll get off my soapbox! I was just writing about recognizing early warnings on my blog - here.

So sorry your HAs have become chronic. You made me laugh with the chewed up mouth-piece! I'm like that too. And chiro and massage doesn't cure my tenseness, but does keep it more manageable so I keep doing it as the wallet allows...

I've got 17 y/o daughter and 13 (in 3 wks) y/o son. I've always been glad to have one of each, especially now since we're busy having teenage-girl-separating-herself-from-Mom dramas. I'm awfully glad to have my easy-going, affectionate boy! Anyway, looking forward to seeing you around the forum!

- Megs

My husband talked about a vasectomy for years, right up until I went through menopause and threw away my diaphragm!

Welcome to the forum!

Gretchen in Mississippi

Hi Diane,

Welcome to the forum...I have twin girls (18) and a eight year old son. My migraines also increased in my thirties and fourties, so I hear ya. Anyways, I know you will love the forum. And I look forward to your future post. And again, Welcome!!!!

Dar

Hi Diane, welcome to the forum

Welcome Diane,

Ah the debate on children. I have one of each. A 17 year old daughter (senior) and a 16 year old boy (junior). When my daughter came back from 8 long weeks in Nicarguia this summer I was so happy to see her. After about 3 days I was wondering how much the ticket back to Nicarguia would be and if her summer family would enjoy her for the upcoming school year.....My son and I had such a lovely peaceful summer.

Welcome to the forums. The sense of community here is wonderful. The support is beyond anything I have ever experienced. People here understand what you are going though.

Cindy