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Tuesday, November, 24, 2009
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Winter Holiday GuideEnjoying the Holidays Despite Migraines and Headaches --> Info for you...

Worst Migraine Ever?

Nancy Harris Bonk
Nancy Harris Bonk
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My first real experience with chronic head pain...

Nancy Harris Bonk

Thursday, March 06, 2008
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A Migraine attack can often be a horrific experience. How we handle one can make matters better or worse.For example, when using the phrase, "this is the worst Migraine I've ever had," let's make sure it is before heading to the Emergency Room. If this is the "worst pain,"...
  1. Very true indeed!
    Laura
    Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 08:09 AM

    Thank you, Nancy! Well said.  I don't like going to the ER for anything, especially my migraines so it takes a lot of encouragement from my husband to even get me in the car.  Our golden rule is; Treat with abortives, next try rescues and if that doesn't reduce the pain or the pain has lasted consistently for 72 hours without four hours of no pain (while awake) it is time to get in the car and abort the migraine at the ER. 

     

    By then, I'm usually at an 8 or 9 for a long time.  I guess I don't say 10 because I feel like that is when I would have to arrive by an ambulance?  I don't know....

    Reply
    re: Very true indeed!
    Nancy Harris Bonk
    Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 09:25 PM
    Sounds like you have it down pat, Laura.
    Reply
  2. i agree with that
    mcmurraychick
    Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 10:12 AM

    i have only had 2 migraines that i can say were truly a 10.... both in the last year. and both had me in tears from the pain and unable to keep the meds down.

     

    i always try meds first. most of the time my abortive doesn't help. at least not anymore. and the rescue med has to be taken before the pain gets bad or it doesn't help. which unfortunatly requires me to go to the doctor. i am at an increased risk for stroke, as my mom had a massive stroke.... that was initally misdiagnosed as a migraine. took a couple of days for us to realize that migraine wasn't a migraine.

    Reply
    re: i agree with that
    Nancy Harris Bonk
    Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 09:26 PM
    That's when it gets scary, when things are what they are "supposed" to be.  
    Reply
    re: re: i agree with that
    mcmurraychick
    Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 02:48 AM

    yeah the last one that was a 10 even after going to the hospital.... .having a ct done... and getting toradol, nubain, and phenegrin....... i was still at a 7... they only let me come home because i live like 3 minutes away..... and i begged to go home to my own bed.

     

    and the nurses called a few hours later to check on me.

     

    needless to say i worry about it... my mom was only 52 when she had her stroke. and they don't think that was the first one she had either.

    Reply
  3. Great post Nancy
    justgrateful
    Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 02:49 PM

    Another Great post Nancy,

     

    It is always really hard for me to decide if and when to go to the emergency room.  I get the whole panick thing.  I have had panick attacks when I get my migraines.  Once, the vertigo was so bad and scared me so much.  Luckly, I wrote on the forum and someone told me to calm down and take a good breath.  It works.  I use that all the time now.  I think it is a learning lesson.

     

    Since my migraines are I believe "transforming" (I get the headache phase now).  I have only been two times.  Once when I was diagnosed and the second when I had migraines four days in a row (with breaks) but had symptoms that were not typical to my migraines (heart palpatations, weakness in legs, black circles under eyes, hard time breathing)  We finally found out I was probably having a allergic reaction to a supplement I was taking. 

     

    Anyways,   I had a 8 migraine this weekend that would not break and I learned alot. Nutcracker informed me about the "awake" part of 72 hours, Geez I don't know how I missed that when I was reading it.  Also, I filled out the information emergency forms to be prepared if I had to go.  I also am asking my PCP (still trying to get into the Keeler Center) for rescue meds for nausea and pain.  So, I thank you and everyone here for helping me be more prepared.

     

    Thanks Nancy.  I can't say it enough  YOU ROCK!!!!

     

    HeartDar

    Reply
    re: Great post Nancy
    Nancy Harris Bonk
    Friday, March 14, 2008 at 11:20 AM

    A dear friend starting having panic attacks about 10 years ago and they scared her terribly. She was a bit lucky, she didn't have the added component of a Migraine!

     

    Thanks for the kinds words, Dar.  You are a sweetie.

    Reply
  4. Still not sure...
    sleepygirl
    Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 07:41 PM

    I definitely had a 10.  I have had migraines for years and know how to handle them and myself.  But this one was way different.  However, I didn't know what to do.  Demerol didn't even touch it.  It was a different kind of feeling that I haven't experienced either.  It has passed now.  Took 2 and a half days.  I was so scared.  Trying to get in to see my doctor and discuss.  My entire head was throbbing from the base of my skull through my eye into my forehead.  I could hardly move.  But I had to to keep from vomiting on myself.  I was like a horrible dream.

    Reply
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This animation shows one of the key causes of pain during a migraine--changes to the blood flow within the brain.

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