Migraine

My pattern of migraines has changed drastically this week. I do not have a current physician or migraine doctor. I never really needed one before as my migrianes were only 1-2 a month or so before and sometimes I would go almost a year in between. This summer they started coming every 2 weeks, but I just blamed it on the humidity.

But now I'm worried because just yesterday I was feeling better after having a bad week of migraines and long post drome. And now this evening, another one just started (this will be number 4 in 8 days). My right eye is totally jazzed out with aura right now. I was so tired today and not feeling well and now looking back realize I was in prodrome again.

I just told my husband that he might have to cancel his overtime day at work tomorrow because usually my right eye migraines are really bad. But he'll get written up if he does. So it's starting now at 11:30 pm and I have to be up and get my kids on the bus at 7:30. I hope I can do it. Ugh-now the shakes are starting.

I just feel so messed up and lost for what to do. I know I need to see a doctor, but in the past, they've always pushed migraines meds and antidepressants at me so fast and so far they've all made me really sick. Plus, now I take meds for anxiety and I don't know if they can be mixed. (I can't take antidepressants either, I've had bad reactions-last summer I ended up in the hospital for almost a week after taking zoloft--oh no, they all said, it is safe.) So I'm really frightened of medicine. Doctors always assure me that it'll be okay and it rarely is. I'm so sensitive to everything. Then they say, well, we've never seen that before. Argh.

What do I do? What do I say to doctors to make them understand I know what I'm talking about when it comes to my body and my reactions to drugs. What kinds of tests should I ask for to make sure it is just migraines and not something else wrong in my brain?

I'm just reaching my freaking out moment! Thank you all for your support.

:Flower

Hey Ursula, sounds like your having an anxiety attack right now.

If your migraines have changed your doctor needs to know.

What anxiety drug are you taking? Did something change about how you have taken your meds.

Hi,

Sorry if I sounded like I was having an anxiety attack, but it wasn't. I wouldn't have been able to type or be on the internet if it was. I do get the shakes during panic attack, but it's different than the shakes I sometimes get with migraines. I was just freaking out. I'm feeling a bit better now. I just hate not being able to trust my body. My aura has let up some, but I feel like a knife is poking into my head on one side.

My anxiety is under control pretty much and I only need a small dose of Xanax. I also had some good counseling and have good techniques to help. I have not changed the amount I take. The other med I take is a zofran because I get really nauseous during panic attacks. I also was just diagnosed with IBS, but only also take zofran for that because it helps calms my intestines down. These meds are only used when needed. And I use them limited. So far I have not found a connection between when I take those meds and the migraines.

I need to find a doctor. My last doctor was nuts so I never went back. Doctors tend to blame every problem I have on anxiety or depression. Well, I do have anxiety and accept that fully, but I do not have depression. And of course, everyone tells me that it's stress. Even my own mother who also has migraines keeps telling me that it's stress. It's so hard to find people that understand.

Hi Ursala,

How are you today? Since your Migraine pattern has changed, it is important to find a new doctor and needs to be one of the first things you do, TODAY. (Maybe a bit of tough love here )

We have two Migraine specialists in VA. Please check into them; here is the link:Migraine specialist

Finding the right combination of medications is not easy. I take two antidepressants, zonegran, methazolimide, synthryoid and that's the start. Do I like it? NO. Do these meds help me get through the day....most of the time.

I have to get going...but I will check in on you later....hopefully with a doc appointment

Ursala,

I hope this finds you feeling better this morning. You need very much to find a physician, perferably a Migraine Specialist. This link will take you to the patient recommended list, it's by state.

Your pattern has changed dramatically and you need to find out what is going on. There are over 100 medications that can be used for prevention Migraine Meds. This is a partial list to describe some of the medications available.

Also this page Migraine Triggersmight help you determine what has changed that might be contributing to your increased migraines before you get into see a doctor.

If you are unable to get to a specialist soon, finding a good primary care doctor that you could see sooner would be a great idea. Also than when something else comes up you've got a doctor!!

I hope this information is helpful to you. A change in pattern is always upsetting and I can understand your concern about what is going on.

The girls seem to have given you some good places to start so I just wanted to send my and . I really hope you do look into a new doctor and see what kind of answers you can get. I'm having a hard time with doctors at the moment too. I hope a new doctor can find you a good combination of meds that don't make you sick.

Good luck and remember we're always here.

Meli

Ursala,
I hope you're better this morning. You've gotten some excellent advise here and I hope you can soon find at least a PCM to help you.

I totally understand about your problems with meds. I'm EXTREMELY sensitive to meds as well. After several nasty reaction, my rule is that I don't take new meds and go to bed and I don't take them when I'm going to be alone for several hours. Generally, I won't take new meds unless I'm at home with DH or I'm at work with dr/boss. I've had several reations that nearly killed me-literally. I'm terrified of new meds.

I didn't have a PCM either. The doc I work for was terrible as MY doc, so I found another one. Thankfully, I have a friend that is a neuro and agreed to see me. Migraines aren't his speciality, but he does treat them and agreed to take me. He's been absolutely wonderful and I don't know what I'd do without him.

Please find a doctor that will listen to you NOW and get you some relief. We're all here for you when you need a shoulder to lean on too.
Lynn

Lynn, you sound like me! I have a "routine" for trying a new med that I try to stick to. It involves me and my best buddy going and sitting in the parking lot of the ER for a couple hours (and running our mouths) while I wait to see what happens. One of these days the security people are going to come ask us why 2 middle age women come hang out in the hospital parking lot at weird hours.

Hello everyone! Thank you for your responses!

I am in the process of getting a new primary care physician. A while back someone gave me a recommendation to a new doctor and I called them today. I have to go in and pick up some papers to fill out and then once they have me set up in their computer, I can make an appointment. So hopefully, that will get moving by next week. I discovered that we do have neurologists in our town that treat migraines, but I have to have a referral to get in. And my aunt goes to the pain clinic here to treat hers (I don't talk to her much anymore so I kind of forgot).

Last night, the migraine that I got while I first posted didn't turn out to be as bad as I thought it was going to. It still hurt some and I had alot of aura. I was finally able to get to sleep about 2:30 am. My children were great this morning and were cooperative (they are usually good when they know I'm having a migraine). So I was able to get the older ones out the door on time. I rested alot today, but did get up and do some things when I felt like it. The tv was a good babysitter for the 3 year old today.

My husband is off work tomorrow, so I'll be able to relax.

I'm trying not to stress out about this, but I'm in the process of job searching and I'm also wondering how in the world I'm going to have a job if this keeps going on like this. My husband is working as much overtime as he can for us to make ends meet. Why does it seem like these things always happen during the worse times?

Thank you all! I hope to one day provide some supportive words back to you instead of just complaining all the time.

Thank you for the update, I was just wondering about you.

Please don't worry about coming here "just complaining all the time." Sometimes it works that way, and when you feel better maybe you will be here to support those who don't!

Take care - try to relax. A Migraine diary is a great idea to start keeping track of what may or may not be triggering your attacks, and what is and isn't working to break the Migraine.

Let us know....

Hope your able to cope with the migraines and stressors in your life.



Mary in NM