Saturday, November 29, 2008 Rose asks

Q: My migraines have become continous over the past 5 years. I can no longer cope. Who can help me?

I inherited migraine from both sides of my family. I had them infrequently as a child, more fequently when my monthly cycles began. Over the past 5 years my head pains have become continous. I have had CT Scans and other tests that prove there is nothing nasty.

I split my headpain into two types the first are migraines occuring once or twice a week, I have learned what my triggers are from when I was quite young. The other head pain is like a mild migraine that increases and decreases in intensity. I am extremly photophobic wearing sunglasses at all times, I can watch no more than 90mins of TV, I can not drive when the sun is in view in fact I do not go outside during those two periods of the day. All windows are shuttered off as sunlight makes my head worse.

I saw an Opthamologist and he said that I have continous migraines. I have started seeing a Neurologist who immediently said that I was having rebound headaches, I pointed out that the problem started to occur before being diagnose with a spinal condition and being placed on Tramal. I have spent the past 4 months ridding myself of any pain killers with no alterance to my headpain. I have sort information on both Tension-type headaches and Transformed Migraines but am uncertain as to what to ask the Neurologist next? I can not keep living like this?

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Answers (5)

Teri Robert, Health Guide

12/ 2/08 1:22pm

Rose,

Rebound headaches, aka medication overuse headache (MOH), can occur when you take any type of pain reliever or Migraine abortive more than two or three days a week. For more information, see Medication Overuse Headache: When the Remedy Backfires. How frequently were you taking medications for your Migraines before the spinal diagnosis? Your neurologist may have thought of MOH because it's a factor in 80% of cases of transformed Migraine. Ask your neurologist and the doctor treating you for the spinal condition to consult each other. Tramal (tramadol/Ultram) is a medication that some people can take without getting MOH.

Transformed Migraine is when episodic (occasional) Migraine transforms into daily headache punctuated by severe and debilitating Migraine attacks. You can read more in Transformed Migraine - The Basics.

Are you keeping a Migraine and headache diary? If not, start one. That can be a good source of information for you and your doctor. You can download a free diary workbook from our article Your Migraine and Headache Diary.

I would suggest that you ask your doctor about your diagnosis, triggers, preventive and abortive medications, lifestyle changes that might help. You can find some information including questons to ask your doctor in our Migraineur's Guide To a Successful Doctor's Appointment.

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

rainynurse

11/29/08 11:01pm

If nothing else,Rose, I may not have your answer,but I AM a fellow sufferer. Sometimes it helps just to know that there is someone else going thru the same thing. I've also been a nurse for 35 yrs.

I had my first migraine at age 10. They told me then,when I started my periods they would go away...I just got through menopause and they have just gotten worse. I have literally tried everything in every orifice and what I am

left with is a "medication roulette" so that I do not become addicted to narcotics. I tried all the abortives, Topomax gave me glaucoma,I vomit sometimes,all over my walls,and finally had to quit work because they have become so violent and frequent. (at LEAST one a week that lasts a min. of 2-3 days)

My bedroom looks like a tomb..I had special room darkening drapes made. I understand what you are going through. I'm 54,so I've been at this war for over 40 yrs. See a GOOD,board certified neurologist,that specializes in migraines.....and God wiling, you'll keep trying the latest things as I do, when they come out !! Good luck. Keep in touch.

gardengal

11/30/08 10:44pm

I have had migraines since I was a young child-probably 5 or so and was diagnosed in my late 20's. I have been taking Imitrex for my migraines which occur at an average of 12 per month. Have you tried any of the triptan medications to get rid of migraines? They have worked for me if I take them right away as soon as I suspect that I am getting a migraine. It has been important for me to learn to slow down when I know I am getting a migraine, and not try to get more done before it gets worse. I take the medication and lay down right away if possible, and find relief faster.

So far, none of the prophalactic medications like seisure drugs, beta blockers, or calcium channel blockers have worked for me, but I am still trying. I did not like any of the neurologists that I have seen because they all wanted to put me on anti-seisure drugs, which make me very sleepy, unable to concentrate, depressed etc. I have had the same family doctor for many years and I like to have all of my health care in one place, since my doctor feels he can handle it. This way, I don't have to worry about reactions between drugs if doctors are not communicating, and one doctor can see you as a whole person and will have a better chance of recommending the best course for you. I wish you luck, and many pain free days!

LynnT

8/26/09 9:38pm

I have had migraines since I was 15 and get headaches sometimes 2-3 days a week during a bad spell, and maybe 2 a month minimum. I have tried all the preventive medications you mentioned and they haven't worked. I have also tried all the triptans and have found that only one works BETTER than the rest--RELPAX. It is one of the triptans that, taken as soon as I know I have a headache (or sometimes after one has emerged in my sleep), works for 6-12 hours before my headache returns. In addition I can take 2 pills over a 24-hour period. My insurance pays for 12 tablets per month--it is one of the only triptans I can get in a larger quantity prescription. Otherwise, I'm still dealing w/migraines. I watch my triggers, ease up and lay down the minute a headache is coming on and try not to do more stuff before the headache gets worse. I don't suffer any rebound or side effects with RELPAX either. Good luck and know there are others like you out there.

lynnelee

12/ 1/08 11:06am

See Teri's answer to my similar question... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/question/998022/47943

I am seeing a new pain mgmt doc, today for possible IV TX...like Lidocaine. I'll let you know what happens. I have also stopped all pain meds thinking it was rebound but without avail...but read it can take many months. The IV meds to stop the cycle sound hopeful. My old neuro blew me off about them or finding any help at all but finding this website gives me some hope, again.

lynnelee

12/ 2/08 10:20am

Well, the new pain mgmt said Botox was the way to go, yesterday. It hurt like hell, too. I do have a "tilt" from the cervical spasms so my migraine should respond well to the injections but so far...I am significantly worse & feel on the threshold of a full blown, migraine. I am not giving up, yet...maybe getting worse is normal for a day or 2.

Q: My migraines have become continous over the past 5 years. I can no longer cope. Who can help me?

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