Hi Dinny,

I have had migraines for years and years, too.  I'm not saying the following to compete, only to highlight that I understand.  Mine started when I was 8 years old, and I am now 47.  I had a year of vomiting starting around 7 years old, which medicine now knows in children is a precursor to migraine headaches.  I understand your isolation very well.  I am on disability for major depression also, but would be getting out more if not for the almost constant migraines I have almost always had.  I used to work, and just had to work in spite of them.  When I went on disability, I was able to finally stay in bed with them, which was such a relief, but there is the isolation.

I have finally found doctor who does occipital nerve blocks -- and if you haven't had one and are interested, or have had one and it hasn't worked well, make sure you find a doctor who does them at the base of the skull by the spine, that is the atlas vertebra, not one who does them somewhere directly on the skull.  You will get the maximum benefit if they are done at the root of the nerve by the atlas.  I have found that this procedure has helped prevent more headaches than any medicine preventative, and wish I could have had it 15 years ago before my headaches got so very, very severe.  I have also had a supra-orbital nerve block, which has helped some, but I'm not sure of the doctor's competence who performed that block.  I think it needs to be redone, as the doctor said afterward that he was used to doing them for eyelid repair, not migraine prevention.  He could have confessed his ignorance beforehand because I think it makes a difference in terms of the medication mix / ratios, and I wasted my time and money (I pay 20%).

I'm thinking you might want to discuss your isolation, or maybe relieve your isolation more than discuss what we've all done for our migraines.  I can tell you I totally relate to what you're saying.  I wish I had more to say that sounded hopeful but I'm in pain so much (between occipital blocks) that I can't get myself out of the door.

I hope that knowing someone else is in your shoes and understands is helpful.

Please tell us more about what you're experiencing, thinking, and feeling, and want to talk about more.

J

dinny lynn

10/29/09 5:12pm

Wow, I never would have made it as long as you have in that shape.

 

I've just slowly gone down hill and was pretty dibilated for over 10 years. I know it probably won't go away either. I'm fairly functional these days, but go through tough periods from time to time. It's hard to feel truly happy and grateful for the life I have, when I've lost so much of who I am. I do try to be happy and grateful, probably about 85%, but there's a lot that's gone and will never be due to the migraines and a lot I've robbed my husband of also.