Hi,I have recently being diagnosed as having Migraine, but I don't feel my symptoms match Migraine. Basically I have a headache non-stop since the beginning of this year. Somedays just a dull ache, other days so severe I vomit. On the days it is just a dull ache I also suffer from short sharp stabbing pains several times a day. My headache is localised to the left and this is only where I get the stabbing pains also. When the headache is severe I feel like I am going to die and no pain killers ease it. Do any other Migraine sufferers have the same symptoms as me ?
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9/ 9/12 11:48am
HEADACHESRME,
-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-•* Welcome to HealthCentral! *•-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-
Wow. I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. Although we can't diagnose, I certainly can suggest some things to discuss with your doctor. Several possibilities come to mind as a read your question:
1) Were you given a diagnosis more specific than Migraine? A particular type of Migraine? If not, your diagnosis is incomplete. It can be important to know what kind of Migraine we have for several reasons, including the fact that some Migraine medications aren't recommended with particular forms of Migraine. Please take a look at The Type of Migraine Does Matter.
2) Your description of having a dull ache some days, but more severe headaches accompanied by vomiting could fit chronic Migraine, which is tension-type headache or Migraine 15 or more days a month, at least eight of which are Migraine. You can find more information on chronic Migraine in Chronic Migraine - The Basics.
3) It's not unusual to have more than one type of headache, more than one headache disorder.
4) Short stabbing pains might be ice pick headaches. It's not uncommon for those of us with Migraine to also have ice pick headaches. See Ice Pick Headaches - The Basics.
5) How many days a week are you taking medications to relieve these headaches or Migraines? Taking Migraine abortive meds such as the triptans or ergotamines or any kind of pain medication -- prescription or over-the-counter -- more than two or three days a week can make matters worse by causing medication overuse headache (MOH), aka rebound. See Medication Overuse Headache - When the Remedy Backfires for more information on this. This could explain some of your dull daily headaches.
Last, but not least, if your doctor isn’t able to help, it may well be time to consult a Migraine and headache specialist. 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.
I hope this helps. Please keep me posted on how you're doing?
Welcome again,
Teri
9/10/12 9:54am
Yes, I now how you feel, same side too - Left. The migraines are under control, but not cured. The daily headache...still there - I hate the days when I go to sleep with it and wake up with it. I'd said for the last decade I'e had a headace and I don't remember a day without one. * I keep a headache diary. Ice-picks, those can be frightening and even momentarily debilitating. When they happend while driving it's all I can do do sto stay the course. So what works for me? Good migraine speacialist in my Neuro's office., drink LOTS of water, keep a diary, carry rescure and abortive migraine medication with me. I take an herbal supplement named Migramedic twice a day which works wonders for the keep the migraines under control. The daily, the ice picks, the occasional migraine.....some days it kicks my a#$# and I just get so tired from pain. Some days I'm fighting. I also eat a diet that avoids any known triggers that I have. You are not alone, but there are things you can do to help you gain control or at least track what is happening to you and it really helps your migraine doc. Hang in there!
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By HEADACHESRME— Last Modified: 02/21/13, First Published: 09/06/12
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Hi Teri
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I am still waiting for my follow up appointment with the neurologist as so far I have just been diagnosed by letter. My first consultation he sent me for an urgent CT scan with contrast...for some reason though I actually was given an open MRI without contrast. The results were inconclusive so I was then sent for an urgent Lumbar Puncture as they were suspecting ICH, but this was ruled out due to a low opening pressure of 7cm. What concerns me also are the other symptoms I suffering ie. poor memory, episodes of pins and needles in my head, face, left arm and leg, black spots in my vision in both eyes constant, tiredness and generally just feeling weak and fed up. Are these symptoms consistent with Migraine also ?
I have heard about drug rebound headaches before and I have taken this on board and I now only take pain killers if I feel I can't manage the pain, so perhaps twice a week. The neurologist did prescribe me Amitryptiline to be taken at night but this just made me feel even worse as not only did I still have my headache but I also felt very hungover. I just feel I am being left to rot with my symptoms now, especially as my GP said, there is nothing else they can do.