Wednesday, August 12, 2009 kelly asks

Q: is depression one of the symptoms of IIH?

I was diagnosed with IIh and have had severe migraine headaches daily, I swear my Neuro thinks that I'm nuts. He seems to think that I should just deal with the pain and let the Topamax work along with the other migraine meds. but I swear that with the daily pain I feel that the depression is really setting in. Does anyone else have this feeling with IIH?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

thanks, Kelly

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Answers (1)

Nancy Harris Bonk, Health Guide

8/12/09 9:59pm

Hi Kelly,

That is absolute nonsense! You don't have to "just deal with the pain and let the topamax work," that is just crazy. It is definately time to get a new doctor, and a Migraine specialist at that. 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. So that is the first step, ok?

Now, IIH has quite a few symptoms and to be perfectly honest, when someone is in chronic pain all the time, it is hard not to be depressed! Depression is not listed in our article, but I have spoken people who have IIH and also suffer from depression. They may be co-morbid conditions, that means they occur at the same time but don't cause one another.

I hope this helps.

Nancy

kelly

8/12/09 11:43pm

Hi Nancy,

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post. I have since switched to a new Nuero Dr. this one actually speciallizes in miagraine headaches. I actually have my first appt. with him tomorrow afternoon, the appt. takes about 3 hours pretty intense, I know they teach you how to deal with everything from pain managment down to the emoitional health of daily pain. I have also had alot of side effects with another medicine that I take called Topamax. I have currently been taking it for over a month, I have severe tingling in my hands and feet, insomonia, exaustsion during the day down to stumbling for a loss of words (forgeting the most stupidest things). Not to mention I have turned into a emotional rollar coaster of emotions. With your expertise, are you familiar with this medication causing these kind of side effects? Any advice would greatly be appreciated!

Thanks! Kelly

PinkPatty

9/29/09 5:09pm

Hi Kelly,

I too am being checked for IIH and get daily headaches 24/7. Dealing with pain on a daily basis is depressing and very, very hard to handle. I am on topamax, currently up to 450 mg. because my neuro (who is a migraine specialist) feels it is one of the treatments for IIH. The symptoms you list are ones I've had but they were worst at lower doses and for me they got better as my dose went above 100mg. That is probably different for everyone though.

I'm going to see her tomorrow to discuss setting up the appointment for the lumbar puncture, we are having a real hard time getting it scheduled because she's really busy. I'm going to ask her about trying a different med. that others on this website have done well with who have daily headaches and weather related migraines (which I also have) called Diamox.

The symptoms with the topamax will get better with time, at least they did for me.

I wish you luck. Topamax helped control aura migraines and more severe migraines for me but doesn't touch the daily headaches I get.

Pinkpatty

Q: is depression one of the symptoms of IIH?

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