I am 35 and have suffered migraines since I was a teenager, but since I started working 15 months ago I get them almost daily. I was finally sent to a migraine specialist.
He took his time talking to me and my mom. Then he examined me (typical neuro tests), and explained what he felt was going on. Other Drs had said I was already on everything they use as preventive (beta blocker, birth control, and Wellbutrin) even though that is not why I am on them, this Dr said that while that was partially true, there were some other choices and upgrades. He changed me to a different beta blocker (same family, just better for prevention) and added 400 mg Vitamin B2 daily.
He also went through each type of migraine I get and told me what to take for each type. That was a total relief because I always have to guess what will work. He added that taking 2 Naproxin with the Imitrex or Midrin might help.
I have Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome and getting through work is hard enough without dealing with exercise. He knew that before I even said anything and suggested I try just 5 or 10 mins a day of walking. (I'll try it as soon as the heat wave ends.
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The first day after starting the B2 I started getting a headache at work. He had explained that the headache I get as a band around my forehead is a tension migraine, so I took the Midrin and Naproxin and it went away. It has been 3 full days since I started taking B2 and other than that one headache and some sinus pain I haven't had a headache, even though it has been in the high 90s-105 here. One of my triggers is heat. The Dr also sent me for an MRI and told me to keep a journal, check blood sugar (I'm Diabetic) and Blood Pressure (I have High BP), record activities, food, and describe headaches and their durations. This is so we can figure out my triggers and make sure I am on the correct dose of meds.
He also asked that if I get a headache other than a migraine to try nonmedicinal things to get through it so we can rule out the rebound headaches. I see him again in 6 weeks.
This is the first Neuro Dr that didn't treat me like it was all in my head (no pun intended). I don't know if I can name him here, but he is in NW Portland, Oregon.
Hello, and welcome to MyMigraineConnection.com!
What excellent news! It sounds like you may be on your way to feeling better. I will keep my fingers crossed. You can contact Teri Robert through her profile, she keeps an updated list of patient recommended Migraine specialists. We are always looking for patient recommendations.
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Welcome again,
Nancy BonkMyMigraineConnection.com Expert