Chronic daily headache/migraine continuously for 6 years with no relief, any ideas?

I have had migraines for 15 years.  At one point I was sick 5-6 days out of 7.  I was lucky, I live in Texas where there is a widely known migraine clinic.  It is in Houston.  The name is the Houston Migraine Clinic.  I had to check in for 7 days.  I still have migraines but they are so much better now, one to two a month.  It was worth the trip.  Migraine is the only specialty practiced there.  Look it up on the web. 

I have migranes for about 29 years, but for the last 7-9 years I also have chnonical daily headaches. I also tryied everything that is available. Accupancture helped but not much. In my case working out helps a lot and after the workout I ddon't have a headache for an hour or 2, but unfortunately I can not be in the gym for 24 hours. Also any time we go to Bahamas, I almost forget about my headaches, htis doen's appl to other Carribean islands.

Dear Patty,

 

I know exactly what you are going through, and I do not say that easily.  (I always hated it when someone said "I know how you feel.")  Three of my four siblings have intractable migraine.  Mine started when I was nineteen and have run my life ever since.  My last medication was Topomax, but at a level that knocked back the migraine it also made me unable to concentrate.  I can't have that, as I'm a stage performer.  

 

After suffering for years, I'm starting to get better.  I won't bore you with everything I've tried, but sometime last year I told an immediate care clinic that I just couldn't see continuing to live like this.  He took me seriously and referred me to an Integrative Medicine specialist:  an internist who does acupuncture and looks at the entire life.  

 

I learned that my history of childhood sexual assault is a contributing factor, as it is with a high percentage of chronic pain patients.  (I had been in therapy to work on it so there was no surprise there.)  I quit Topomax and started weekly acupuncture and daily dietary supplements.  I take 400 mg of B2 and about 1200 mg of magnesium every day.  This takes months to start working, but now I'm not afraid of a rainy day any more.  I still cannot convince my brother and sister to take supplements.  My big brother is unable to work because of migraine and my sister has withdrawn from the world.  We think she is now chemically addicted.

 

I'm not out of the woods yet, but I have some hope.  It's been five months since my last Demerol--something's happening!  I'll pray for you.  Only another migraine person will really understand.

 

primrose1685

Patty,

 

Waking with a headache or Migraine is VERY often an indication of a sleep issue. Too much, too little, disrupted, and poor quality sleep are all problems that can be triggers. Have you ever discussed your sleep patterns and quality of sleep with your doctor?

 

In your list of tests you've had, I don't see a lumbar puncture/spinal tap. Have you ever had one? There's a condition called idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) or pseudotumor cerebri in which the spinal fluid pressure is too high. IIH can trigger Migraines and cause headaches. You can read more about it in Pseudotumor Cerebri (IIH) - The Basics.

 

You said you can't identify triggers. Changing weather/barometric pressure changes is a huge trigger for many Migraineurs.

 

Headaches and Migraines that don't respond to treatment are called "intractable." There are several IV infusion treatments that can be used to bring them under control. For more information on this, see IV Treatment of Refractory Migraines.

 

If your doctor isn't able to help you, 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 know you're going through a rough time. If you'd like some additional support, come join our discussion forum. You'll need to register again once there because it's a separate membership database, but you can use the same member name, email address, and password that you used here. You can find our forum at http://forums.healthcentral.com/discussion/migraine/forums.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Teri

Hi Patty, I'm Penny and I'm just like you. I'm 46 and have daily headaches and migraines sometimes 3 times a month. I've had all the tests, taken all the preventative meds, been to all the doctors (5 neurologists too). My headaches will turn into migraines when a storm comes, when I smell perfume, or see flashing lights. 3 years ago none of that bothered me and I would only get a migraine 4 times a year, but I still had the daily headache. Yesterday I just finished giving myself the ninth injection (over 3 days) of DHE-45. Today I have a headache. So over the past 10 years things have gotten progressively worse and now I'm left wondering when I lost my life and when will I get it back? My husband talked to someone at Cleveland Clinic this morning, and their program is a 3 day IV of DHE, then therapy with a psychologist, stress management, biofeedback, relaxation therapy, & dietary therapy. It's basically pain management plus DHE treatment. The treatment is outpatient because they only teach you how to live with your pain, not cure you. We are going to check into programs at Emory University Hospital and also Duke University. If their programs are similar, I think I will just stay here and do the same myself. There is a biofeedback therapy program near me and a massage therapist who has helped others with migraine. I have also gotten relief from accupuncture, but you have to keep going and it is expensive. I'm not yet ready to accept that I have to live the rest of my life like this. If you want, I'll update you on what we find out about the other Migraine Programs. Hope you have a good holiday. Penny