Two weeks ago Friday I was at work, battling a migraine for 4 days. I took my second injection for the day. Within 6 minutes I had severe chest pain that dropped me to the floor. I also fainted two times trying to get to the phone. A customer called the EMT's and was rushed to the nearest hospital and was told I was having a coronary artery vasospasm which turned to a minor heart attack. The ER doctor was convinced it was the Imitrex. I have since followed up with my Primary Care Physician because I was told to never take triptans again. I had always had chest pain when I took any of the many triptans. My doctor gave me Nitroglycerin and another prescription for Imitrex and samples of maxalt. I was desperate yesterday for releif, took the maxalt sublingual. Within 4 minutes it happened again. Ended up taking 6 of the Nitroglycerin as I live so far from town that an ambulance on average takes 45 minutes to get to my area. Even in an emergency. I was seen by a Neurologist who claimed she was a migraine specialist. She gave me no answers left me in the room for over an hour and came back saying she had an emergency in the hospital but had ketchup on her face. When I contacted my primary care again, it seems that I was talking to a wall. He gave up on me. So has my family and friends. I have no insurance, and little other choices for care. My primary said I could come in for emergency shots anytime. 120.00 for an appt. with him for 4.00 shots. I am so disheartened. I do not know what to do. The nausea and vomiting are getting so bad that I now bleed from my tear ducts. How can I get help that won't kill me? I don't know what to do anymore. I'm going to lose my job over all this. I cannot even get rescue meds. And I have never had an addiction problem. I am also allergic to ergotimine. Any help is beneficial right now, as I am losing hope with life. I feel so useless and a burden that I am now in deep depression from all these past incidents, and am giving up completely.
WhoGirl
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First let me say how sorry I am to hear you've suffered a heart attack. That must have been very scary. I can hear you are very down so please bear with me as I'm going to give you quite a bit of information, and touch on as many points as I can, OK?
Did I read that correctly? The doctor prescribed you more triptans AFTER you had a heart attack? If so, it'is time to find a doctor who understands the implications of cardiac issues and triptans, as soon as you can. You can read more about this in the article Migraines, Cardiovascular Issues and Triptans.
I understand how you feel to be pain most of the time; it is frustrating and exhausting. People become isolated and depressed which may make them feel like giving up hope, please don't, there are still lots of things out that to help you. I need to tell you when someone posts about wanting to give up or feeling suicidal, it is something we must take very seriously. We need to be sure that the person seeks help and is safe. Please contact your doctor and tell him how depressed you are feeling. I need to hear back from you so you can tell me how you are feeling and what the doctor said. Please get back to me as soon as possible. When someone has been feeling as you have been, if we are not able to contact them and be sure that they have sought help, we must take steps to have someone in authority find the person and confirm that they are safe. So, I must hear back from you within 24 hours or determine what steps to take to verify your safety. We are not suicide prevention professionals. However, we care, and have a responsibility to take steps to ensure your safety. Please contact me. And if you find yourself in a crisis, here is information to help; If You’re Having a Crisis they have immediate resources for you.
It is very difficult not having insurance and I understand the problems that go along with that. I've been in that position myself for several years. But you still need care and there may be options for you in your community. Are there any university centers in you town? Sometimes they have clinics and centers that are quite good. I went to one at Syracuse University once and he was the doctor who discovered my neck issues. There may be free or low-cost health care services available in your community. Check with your county health department and the closes office of your state Department of Health and Human Services. Also, there are federally-funded clinics that base their fees on your income level. To find out more about them and see if there's one in your area, see HRSA Health Centers Can Provide Basic Migraine Care.
How many Migraines are you getting a month? When we have three or more Migraines or headaches a month, we need to be talking with our doctors about prevention, not just stopping the pain. There are now over 100 medications and supplements that can be used for Migraine and headache prevention. The frustration of trying to find what works for us can make it seem as if we've tried it all, but with so many possible preventives, it's literally impossible to have tried them all. See Migraine preventive medications - too many options to give up! for more information.
Could you talk to your doctor about something to break the current migraine cycle you are in? Perhaps a steroid taper such as a Medrol DosePack could be prescribed to break the Migraine? Or go to an urgent care center for one?
Please let me know how you are doing, and try not to lose hope.
Not to worry, I am not suicidal. Just losing faith in the medical community. There have been so many thigs I have tried. The oral steroids I tried twice with very terrible side effects such as losing the ability to control myself. Outrage, anger, hives, etc. Topamax did the very same thing. I asked my primary care if having insurance would change the way he treated me, he didn't actually respond to my question. Rather gave me Demerol, compazine and Vistaril injections and knocked me out. I tried to express my concerns over my heart health. I quit smoking, swim 4 times a week. I cannot do high impact as I have had 4 cervical diskectomy and fusions in my neck due to a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004. My migraines didnt actually hit me until Oct. of 2009, out of the blue with no warning. it has been progressing in intensity and length ever since. I am not the type to give up. Call me a type "A". I don't know how to fail. It's the insurance and money issue that is a problem. I went to Veterans as I am a disabled veteran, I wouldn't trust them with a nerf football, nor my healthcare. They botched my neck surgeries twice, told me I had prostate cancer. I did'nt come with on of those, I'm sure, I asked to make sure. They sent me medication for my muscle spasms in my neck, which on the pills read VIAGRA. I will try to find low cost health care near me but if they find out I am a veteran they tell me to go there. If I need emergency care for migraine at Veterans it takes hours. Last time was 17 hours in the waiting room. I need help to find more information. I am living on white rice and white meat chicken. No caffiene. I have lost the quality of life I used to have. Have lost my friends. Family and doctors gave up. I feel like I'm screaming and no one can hear me. How do I advocate for myself, and actually get favorable results? Obviously I am a bit lost and out of options.I realize now that if I leave my migraines untreated I can have stroke or heart attack, learned that the hard way. But if I take the meds I am prescribed, it may double the chance of it happening. I was desperate again last night. Took a half of a maxalt disolvable and ended up in the same predicamet. Have Nitro, but the fear is making things worse. Send a prayer for me. Know I will not give up. Just need help. As I cannot get help here, near Portland, OR.
WhoGirl
Thank you so much for getting back to me. It is good to know that you are not suicidal. For some reason, I was unable to get onto the site yesterday when I tried to respond to you, for that I am sorry. I'd like to take a minute and thank you from the bottom of my heart for serving our country. It's brave men and women in the military who make our way of life possible - Thank You.
No wonder you have lost faith in the medical community, who would blame you. The care you've received so far has been less than optimal, no doubt about that.
I'm not trying to pass you off, but there are places where veterns can get medical help. I have an email out to a vet to see who he recommends, and in the meantime, The National Headache Foundation has a special section focused on Resources for War Veterns. Check that page out and see if there are any resources, better doctors who will be able to help you. How does that sound?
Nancy
Hey again,
My vet friend has suggested one site so far while he had a minute but will get back to me with a few more. Take a look at Intrepid Falled Heroes Fund and see what you think.
Nancy