Sunday, February 12, 2012
Monday, October 12, 2009 MOMOFMIGRAINEUR asks

Q: Is there anything left to try for my daughter's migraines? She's losing sight in left eye.

My daughter who is 21 has been having migraines since the age of 15. She gets aura, light sensitivity, nausea and intense pain. Tried triptans and they made migraine worse. Was on propanalol as preventative without much success. Took Topamax which made her loopy/out of it (she couldn't function in school). Also took Depakote, but perhaps dose was lower than effective (50mg I believe 2x daily). We're frantic because she's losing sight in her left eye, which her eye doc says is due to the repeated headaches. She has a knot at the base of her skull almost all the time. Now her new neuro won't treat her with any pain meds except Tordol and phenergan for nausea, which never breaks her headache (usually requires something stronger). We're asking for another doc plus a referral to a specialist but feel like we've tried just about everything with no success. She never goes out any more and is having a hard time in college getting her homework done as she has a headache about every day.

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10/13/09 10:36pm

Hi momofmigraineur,

 

Yes,she can see a Migraine specialist. Since none of the doctors have been able to help her, clearly it is time to see one. It's important to note that neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine and headache specialists. Take a look at the article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special? If you need help finding a Migraine specialist, check our listing of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.

 

Has she seen an ophthalmogist, a medical doctor who specializes in eyes, to check way she is losing her vision? Intractable headache, vision issues, nausea, light sensitivity may all be symtpoms of a condition called Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, formerly called Pseudotumor Cerebri. Take a look at this article for more information: Pseudotumor Cerebri (IIH) - The Basics.

 

Don't lose hope because there are over 100 medications that can be used to treat Migraine disease. I know it feels like your daughter has tried so many of them, but she really has many more to choose from.  You can find a list of potential Migraine and headache preventives in Migraine preventive medications - too many options to give up!

Good luck

Nancy

 

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