Migraine

Hi, my name is Phil and I suffer migraines.
(This is migrainuers anonymous isn't it? )

I was diagnosed with migraines several years ago by my eye doctor who is on some type of research board for migraine sufferers and suffers them herself. I had gone to see her because of headaches that I thought were related to my vision. I saw my doctor afterward and he confirmed her diagnosis. When I first saw him I was in severe rebound from constantly taking OTC medications.

As that cleared up we discovered that I suffered Occipital Neuralgia in addition to migraines and chronic daily headache. The O.N. exists independently of and in conjunction with the migraines. I get a migraine and the tension/pain triggers the O.N., or something irritates my occipital nerve and that pain triggers a migraine. Because my O.N. closely mimics-sensitivity to light, noise, etc.-my migraines, I often don't know which I have and wind up taking a Frova followed by a naprosyn or vicodin chaser. (Although, now that I think of it, my O.N. pains-pain that radiates from my neck just below my head on the right side to my shoulder and farther down my arm when it is really bad, and up the back of my head along the top side to my temple then across the top with tendrils of pain that I can trace leading to my ear,eye, nostril, and teeth; I can even trace the nerve because of the "bruised" feeling along the side of my head- do not have my prodrome ie: irritability, unable to cope with noise/chaos, the need to straighten up everything and not being able to stop picking up-as if everything has to be in order RIGHT NOW, and smelling weird and bad smells everywhere.

Well, writing this has made me realize some things that I have never thought of before. Now if I can just remember this when the pain starts.)

I am on a daily regemin of Naprapac (500mgs naprosyn am and pm and prevacid) and Lyrica 25 mgs twice a day. I have midrin, vicodin, and naprosyn (750mg) at my disposal for breakthrough pain. I also have flexmid a muscle relaxer for O.N. flare-ups.

I am needle phobic. If anyone ever told me that I would be wanting a shot, much less a needle in my neck, the back of my head, or a painful knot in the back of my shoulder I would have been rolling on the floor laughing. Now it is two weeks before I can get in and I am living on vicodine and flexmid until I can see him.

I apoligize if this seems disjointed and for all the spelling errors.
Thank you for letting me "blech" on you figuratively so to speak

Hi Phil!

I'm Jamie, and I also have ON in addition to migraines...

Glad you found us, sorry you also have the need to be here, though.

If there's anything we can do to give you info, let us know... otherwise, feel free to post away! There are NO stupid questions around here, ok?!

And text length is rarely a problem... I'm usually much much more verbose and tend to ramble.. but... It's okay to do that here. The only request is for some text breaks or paragraphs- easier for people to read- especially with a migraine!

Anyhow, welcome to mymigraineconnection and our forum family!

Welcome Phil!

Glad you found us! Let us know if we can be of any help - feel free to ask away!

HI Phil and welcome

(shouting) HI PHIL!

That's the correct response, right?

You have a good sense of humor, that will help. We'll also help, just let us know.

quote:

Hi, my name is Phil and I suffer migraines.
(This is migrainuers anonymous isn't it? )

Welcome, Phil!

Welcome to MyMigraineConnection Phil!

Is it time to tweek the medication? How many Migraine attacks are you getting now?

I hear you about the needles. Last week, or was it the week before, I went to the doctor for my 6 week deal. She felt my shoulder, I said "ouch" she said how about a nerve block? Gave me the shot right there, never had one before, and off I went. My shoulder pain and tension was gone ALL day long..... what nice relief.

Anyway, welcome. We hope to hear more from you.

Ms. Nancy,

When I see the Doctor, he probably will change my medications some. Mostly what I am taking works, I have so many "extra" medications because the O.N. and C.D.H. cause problems beyond the scope of my abortives. Also last time I saw him I was doing so well we skipped any trigger injections, then a couple of weeks later, I ran out of some of my daily medications and went without for a couple of days. Add to that some stupid stuff that I seem to do (picking up really heavy items) and I have a very active nerve (Of courseI can be a very active nerve according to my beloved wife )

He, he he...

Phil ~ we are falling in love with that sense o' hoomer already! It's a delight to have that on a forum like this. Thanks for sharing that, and add a big droolie welcome hug to the pile!

Hey Phil! Are you still with us? Wondering how you are....

Ms. Eileen,

I'm still here, thank you for asking. I have been away from the computer a lot. I got one trigger point injection and was in too much pain/to scared for more. I go back on Friday for a re-evaluation and maybe some more. I am more of a lurker than poster when I am at the computer. I try not to lurk when I am off of the computer-that would be too creepy . BTW- I like the new smilies.

Well please don't lurk too much! You've got a great sense of humor we need to hear more from you!!!!!!!

As for the injection - yikes! Well let us know how your follow up goes ok? I would have been scared too! I hate any type of needle.

Did it help at all?

Hope this finds you well!

Hi Phil! I agree with Eileen, your sense of humor is great to read; especially when we aren't feeling good...a smile or chuckle is always appreciated!

What is a trigger point injection?

Hope you are feeling pain free today!

Laura

I am sure that our hosts could provide a more scientific answer than the one I am about to give, but here goes. The doctor magically takes all the pain along my occipital nerve and puts it in a syringe with a long needle. He then picks a very sensitive spot along that nerve (Usually in a knot right above my shoulder blade, sometimes in the back of the head or neck.) and jams that needle in and injects all the pain so I can experience it all at once right in that one spot and get a month or so worth of hurting all done at one time.

Well...that's kinda what it feels like

Actually it is not always that bad. I don't know exactly what he gives me, I do know that he uses kenalog (Sp?) and some type of novacaine along with other meds. Last week he gave me a toradol chaser to lower inflamation. When the I get the shots the area is sore for a day or two and sometimes they themselves give me a headache the first night, but after about a night the track of pain along the side/top of my head is gone. (I can actually trace the pain like a line.) My O.N. triggers my migraines, which in turn irritate the O.N. So the shots turn the ON OFF.