Migraine

OH my Jamiee! I do hope you have a wonderful trip

But as a fellow HM, I was petrified to see your dr had prescribed Imtrix! I use Midrin, though it makes me loopy so I frequently cant take it if i need to drive. In that case I use gelstat migraine. I know you dont have time to check it out now before the trip but do check it out! also, PLEASE get to a good migraine specialest!

Quick question, what is petadolex?

Anyway have a wonderful getaway! I know how exciting it is to get away with the gals and NO kids! wooo hoooo!


Tawsha

Tawsha, Glad to hear you've tried the gelstat. I have not been able to find it in pharmacies here, but am planning on ordering some online to try. I've been wanting to give it a go.

The petadolex is a brand name of butterbur, an herb which is supposed to relax the blood vessels of the head without side effects. It is handled like a medication in Germany, and is even used in children. Some people use in as a preventive but it can also be effective as an abortive. I really feel so much better. Im going to see about getting a larger quantity online for a better price, as I only got 2 migraines worth-- 10 pills for $11.50.

Any idea WHY you cant take the imitrex with hemiplegic migraine? Just curious what it might have done to me if I'd taken it? I'm funny that way.

Its all this dancing around that makes me second guess going to the doctors in the first place... like maybe I should've messed around with all the herbs and stuff more... I just get so sick of being sick all the time ya know? Boy, yesterday was a bad day.

Im so glad we get to start over every day aren't you? And it's cool, with migraine, you almost get a memory re-do too! Woohoo!

If you're going to use butterbur, stick with the brand name petadolex. There have been some purity problems with other brands of it.

Also let your doctor know you are using it, please.

Hi Jamie-

The reason it is important to be careful when taking butterbur is because it has to be processed properly. There are natuarlly occuring toxins in it that this company removes. This link has the information Teri's preventive plan (I do not sell this or endorse this product in any way - only information purposes.)

We always need to let our doctors know what supplements we are taking to make sure they are not contraindicated with any other medications.

The reason triptans are contraindicated for use in Hemiplegic Migraine is due to their vasoconstrictive properties and concerns about stroke. The key is getting the number of attacks under control. How many attacks are you having? Please forgive me if I am repeating myself.

No Nancy, you're not repeating yourself... at least I dont think so!

I have been having hemiplegic migraine, oh, about maybe every 4-8 weeks... maybe lasting between 2 days-6 weeks long.

But then I have also been having some other migraines almost constantly, not always hemiplegic, with vertigo, pressure, aura, etc... seems to be related perhaps to hormones. Like I said, I have JUST been diagnosed, previously thought to have MS, so still investigating. But Seems like I have a huge 2 week long migraine with period, and a smaller one with ovulation that lasts just a couple days, so maybe 3 weeks out of the month. Plus the hemiplegic ones thrown in all willy nilly.

Its all kinda bazaar.

We had a great time at the beach!!! I hardly knew what to do with myself, not taking care of everyone!

Jaimee - so glad you enjoyed your beach trip. It really is a revelation getting away with no one to care for but yourself! I love that!

- Megs

A good vacation is sometimes the best medicine. I was curious what tests/procedures did your doctor use to rule out MS and arrive at the FM?

Mary in NM

Well, for the MS, it was basically just the MRIs and CTs... We just kept doing them because the symptoms persisted and each time I had another "episode" we figured we would have to find some evidence this time!

Finally, when nothing showed up this last time after adding in a thoracic MRI as well, the neurologist said definitively no MS and haphazardly mentioned something about, maybe youre having migraines.

I never would have thought that because I typically do not have what I would think of as classical migraine pain. I have pain and I have a lot of very scary and debilitating symptoms, but never would I have classified them as migraine.

I guess my newer family physician though had been putting 2 and 2 together though with my family history especially (my mom had similar episodes for 10-15 years) and was pretty well ready to diagnose me when I came back to him with the negative MS news.

So it has been interesting. I am super excited to know what "it" is. It doesn't always make it easier to deal with, although at least I know I'm not dying, because I wasn't always sure, ya know?

Ahhh relaxation. Every woman should have a vacation at the beach every so often. It was truly a wonderful thing.

Jaimee

That helps me to know that I am on the same path. I have never had a lumbar puncture, just lots of CT and MRIs.

So did you experience any problems at the beach, such as migraine brought on by the sunshine or fatigue or was it totally monster free?

Mary in NM

Jaimee,

I love the beach! We got so lucky when my DH was transferred to the east coast. I grew up by the beach and now (hopefully) we'll be able to retire by the beach. I just took the kids there Saturday night and then again Sunday afternoon. Wooo Hooo! Summer is here!

Laura, how fun! I hope to take a family vacation there soon too, we are actually talking about going for Thanksgiving! I really liked it.

Mary, I never did have a lumbar puncture done. The neuro said that with the severity of symptoms, I would definitely have had something show up on MRI by now if it was MS.

I did wear sunglasses 24/7, even when it wasn't bright sun. People think I'm strange, but it helps so much! The heat got to me and I had some nausea and diarrhea the second day. I don't know if it was migraine related or not. I trudged through it and am recovering from vacation slowly but surely! lol.

It was hard on me in ways but not in others. It was relaxing in ways but not in others. The main thing was that I didn't have to take care of anyone. I didnt have to change any diapers or feed anyone or get up in the middle of the night with anyone.

It was a little hard to keep up with my mom and sis. I didnt realize how low energy I was. Again I dont know if that is the migraine or if it is my personality or what. It was a little disconcerting though. It was like they were my teenage grandchildren or something! I had to keep resisting a nap! I honestly do think it was health related.

I really do believe it will get better. Its just a matter of time. But to a point I have always been more of a browse through a bookstore person while they have been more a bounce on the beach type. So. Anyhow. Not sure how I got off on that there. Well, going to take all 4 kiddos to the dentist now. Should be tons O fun. Wish me luck.

Hi Jamie,

Do your neurologic symtpoms resolve after each Migraine attack? Are you still having then long after the headache phase is gone? Hemiplegic Migraine is a rare form of Migraine disease. Have you read the article on it? (Again, forgive the repeating) Click HEREfor it.

There is some newer technology used in MS diagnosing, something called VEP tests. You can check out the MS society website if so inclined to ease your mind. Second opinions are always a good thing.

Symptoms resolve quickly after brief attacks.

Episodes that are 2-6 weeks long sometimes leave me with residual motor and cognitive symptoms for weeks to months.

I can be virtually symptom free for weeks at a time and then for months have nothing but trouble. I am hopeful that we will eventually put a finger on what is the key problem. My hunch is hormones.

I am back to fertility charting right now as well to see if we can sort some of that out too. I figure the more things we can fix, the better.