Hi!
I am dealing with many of the same problems - have tried many many meds to no avail - and triptans don't work. I get frustrated because MDs seem to blame me b/c I'm not finding solutions. I am also in a position where I haven't been able to work for a year - I'm going to persue disability. I may have some options you haven't tried though.
I have been to two Migraine Specialty Clinics - one in Chicago and one in Michigan. I had some success at both - there were things I would improve on - but found more solutions than with my regular neurologist. Insurance coverage may be a consideration though.
Also - I have tried Accupuncture - which until I tried it at one of the clinics I didn't believe in. It worked so well when I thought it was a crock that I became a believer. It helps a lot with my smaller migraines but not so much with my severe ones.
Finally - the MOST success I've had has been in Therapy. Not to insinuate that the Migraines are in my head or anyone elses - but the therapy that I have found that helps isn't the "tell me about your childhood" talk therapy. I was referred to a Cognitive Behavior Therapist who works a lot with Migraines and other cronic pain sufferers. I had gotten into a position where fear of the migraines would cause anxiety which would trigger migraines. I had retreated from my life into my home trying very hard to avoid triggers so I could avoid the migraines. The end result was that it increased instead of decreased my migraines - and when I wasn't sick I was trying so hard not to get sick that I didn't have a life anyway. I was making lots of ER visits and taking high doses of a lot of different meds. Anyway - somehow - this therapy is working. I had tried therapy before and would get so upset in sessions it would precipitate a migraine - with cognitive behavior you somehow learn how to be a person who also has migraines instead of a migraine sufferer. It sounds soft and fuzzy but you learn how to change your behaviors so not to let small migraines become huge and be more in control when you do have big ones. I can not stress enough that this is not about feelings but about behavior.
I am still looking for a "cure" or an end to my major episodes - but this training has given me a large part of my life back when I couldn't find a medication that would do so.
I wish you the best of luck.
Also - if you have Auras they've been testing a new medical device thats a magnet type thing that has had some success - you could look into that too.
