Hi all. I have just found this site and can't wait to find the time to go through and review all of the valuable information on here. I am a 30-year old female who has been dealing with migraine for approximately 4 years now. The problems started after I had my son in December 2003.
At first, my OB/GYN and I felt like they were strictly menstrual migraines because they predominantly came on around my period. Either the week of or the week before. So, the first thing we tried was to stay on a low-dose BC pill continuously so that I no longer had a period and the estrogen drop that went along with it. That seemed to work until a couple years ago.
They have progressively gotten worse and more frequent with no real changes in my lifestyle. Most recently, I've tried Frova and Imitrex, both of which relieve my migraines temporarily but make me feel sick. I also worry about seratonin syndrome with those meds because I take Lexapro daily, albeit a low dose of 5 mg. That's a whole different story - just switched from Paxil to Lexapro after about 3 1/2 years of Paxil use with a difficult taper.
Anyway, this past Sunday I started getting a migraine and broke down and took an Imitrex at 5 p.m. By 3 p.m. on Monday, the headache had returned. I was in so much pain Monday night that I went to urgent care where I was prescribed Midrin. I took 2 caplets which only took the edge off my pain. Woke up headache free Tuesday morning, but it came back again Tuesday afternoon. Took a total of 4 Midrin over 3 1/2 hours and the pain went away. I have not had a migraine since Tuesday.
I started keeping a calendar, and I have had about 10 or so days of migraine since the end of September. The attacks seem to last about 3 days each time.
I am going to see a chiropractor today who also practices a wholistic approach to well-being. My mother swears by him and she hopes he can help me figure out what my triggers may be. I am also scheduled to see a neurologist for the first time next Friday, 11/16.
I just need someone to help me lessen the frequency of the headaches and find me something that will make me feel better when they do come on without making me feel sick or groggy. Is that possible? We'll see...
We're glad you found our site. Information and education can make dealing with Migraine, a genetic neurological disease, a bit easier. A Migraine attack itself can make you feel groggy and sick, hopefully preventive medications, if necessary can reduce the number of attacks you are having.
There are lots of options including complementary therapies to help treat Migraine. Migraine Preventive Medications - Too Many Options To Give Up!
Keeping a Migraine diary is a great idea. This allows you to see if you have triggers, what works and doesn't work for your pain. We have one you can download HERE and bring to your neurologist appointment. I bet he will appreciate it. ( He should!)
Migraine Triggers can be as simple as an interrupted sleep pattern on the weekend or eating too much chocolate; even a combination of the two. Overhead lights at the office, bright sunlight and weather changes can be triggers for some Migraineurs.