Well, let me re-phrase. I am not relieved that other people are suffering as well, but am hopeful to talk to others who understand.
I have had headaches for about 4-5 years, but in the last year, they have become severe. I wake up with a headache everyday, and 2-3 times a week it is horrible. I have been seeing a Headache specialist for about 8 months, and have tried Topamax (terrible side effects and didn't help), a blood pressure medicine (made me dizzy and didn't help), Relpax (no difference), and now on Cymbalta (gives me the shakes and maybe helped the first month, but not anymore). I have also seen an eye dr, physical therapist, chiropractor, dentist, gynocolist (hormones), had massages, and had an MRI. No luck yet. I have missed a lot of work, and am afraid of getting in trouble.
I can't believe some of you have been living with this for decades!!! I pray that I don't have to go through that, and even though in comparison my time has been brief with this problem, I know what everyone is talking about when I read these posts.
I don't have the "aura", and my headaches are daily, sometimes bad ones lasting for days. My neck and upper back are SO tight, like bricks, and it seems my headaches could be stemming from that. The pain is in the back of my head, and progresses forward. I read an article about a surgery "decompressing nerves" in the back of the neck.
Wondered if anyone had any advice or is going through similar situation?
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Glad I am not alone
8/26/08 6:41pm
Hello, and welcome to MyMigraineConnection.com!
Being in chronic head pain is exhausting and frustrating, I've been there. Let's see what information we can provide you with to help you.
Headache specialists are not all created equal. Some neurologists may say they are experts in Migraine and headache disorders, but that may not be possible because they treat so many different conditions, like MS, stroke, and epilepsy. A "true" Migraine specialist devotes his/her entire practice to treating patients with Migraines and headache disorders, attends scientific conferences to learn the latest information on Migraines and is on the cutting edge of treatments and diagnostic tools. I see you are in MO. You are in luck, we have a wonderful patient recommended Migraine specialist listed in Springfield, only two hours away, that you may want to consult. You can find our full list HERE.
Migraine is a genetic neurologic disease that can be managed. Understanding Migraines is the first step, a good patient - doctor relationship is another step. We have this quiz may help tell you if your doctor is not right for you: Is Your Doctor Right for You?
We also have a discussion forum that you may want to check out. Especially if
you have questions or are looking for information, you may find the interaction on the forum to be quite helpful. To get to the forum, just look for the orange box marked "Manage" and click on the Migraine Forums link. Because our forums are maintained by a third party, you'll need to register for the forum. You can use the same information you used to create your community log-in if you like. If you want to go directly to the forum, you can click HERE. Nancy Bonk
Along with your personal "My Home" page and the discussion forum, you'll find links to a great deal of helpful information and a spot to sign up for our free newsletter on the main page of our site, http://www.MyMigraineConnection.com.
If you have any questions, please feel free to post them to the forum or send me a message through my profile.
Welcome again,
MyMigraineConnection.com Expert
8/26/08 7:50pm
Well, hang in there. I know that sounds crazy, but there's days that I really just wanted to give up. I still get migraines, but I'm not letting them take over my life...........totally. I did miss a lot of work, and now am not working because of migraines. I can only say that not working has helped that I don't get looked at like I'm crazy, and don't have the stress of driving and trying to get through the day at work with one. I can lie down and rest now with some peace.
It's nuts how people treat you, and the things they say! I've heard it all. I know for me, Midrin has been a great drug. It does help, and sometimes takes the migraine away. At least, 50% of the time I can say it's good. I tried all the things you talked about also. I just had my neck, cervical spine operated on about 4 weeks ago. But........this is not my cause of migraines. It's simpy genetic. My mother gets them on occasion, and her sisters get them still and they are in their 50's. I'm almost 42, and it's been terrible to deal with. I'm pretty sure that some of my father's family get them also, so this puts me in a higher percentage rate of getting them. I got headaches as a teen, and younger years, but the migraines just got worse when I was about 26. I'm also on a anti-depressant, which I can't say has made them less frequent.
Good luck to you. Hope you find something that helps.
8/26/08 8:06pm
Thanks so much for your comments. I am 26, and my headaches have gotten severe in the last year. None of my family that I know of has migraines. I wish I didn't have to work, and maybe I'll get there someday, but we can't afford that right now. I think I am going to get off the anti-depressant, because I've still had headaches, and I can't do anything without shaking. I hope and pray someone can help me, and others like you, find relief.
8/28/08 10:54am
I had "migraine" surgery done about five years ago praying this was the answer. They addressed all four of my trigger points, cutting nerve endings in two place above my forehead and two places at my temples. The doctor also cut the occipital muscle in the back of my neck. (The fourth trigger point was a septoplasty to correct my deviated septum). The doctor is Dr. Bahman Guyuron based out of Cleveland, Ohio. He is actually a world reknown plastic surgeon and found through the years that these procedures alleviated migraines in some people. He boasts an extremely high success rate for complete elimination of migraines. I am not one of the success stories. But if you're interested in his work with this, google his name. I've actually had my neck migraines almost completely eliminated through my chiropractor. My neck was actually straight and leaning forward. My Doc is using traction to put the curve back into my neck. So it has helped. I do believe the surgery did lessen the severity of the migraines I get though. Every little bit counts - it's a trial and error process as you have found out. Good luck and keep us posted.
8/28/08 2:02pm
i read your life and it was like i was reading mine, but ya, i have been going through this for over twenty years. i also have been on the same treatments as you and have also done some of the other same things, like MRI. all i got was nothing is wrong with you. i have learned to live with that this is going to be a fight for me until i die. every day!
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hi, this is my first comment, hope to read and write more so i can try to understand more. i have had migraines for about 25 years, starting very few to now , like you, almost everyday and getting worse. i've tried almost everything, like you and nothing has worked. i'm looking forward to finding that "special doctor and help" within this web site. talk to you all later. sorry i don't have any miracle answers for you , but if i find one i will gladly let you know.
Thank you for your comment! This is my first day on here too, and hopefully we can find some answers!