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Q: Does anyone have depression because of migraines and daily headaches and what is your solution?
Hi Holly,
Chronic conditions like Migraine disease and depression can be exhausting, frustrating and often times disabling. If one hasn't learned coping and/or life skills to deal with these chronic issues, it is even more difficult. But there is help out there, and one step is getting an accurate diagnosis. This allows you to get the correct treatment and be able to live a more healthful life, which may or may not include medications. Know that you are not alone in the disease, 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/forum
There has been research done showing that Migraine and depression may be comorbid conditions - this means they can occur at the same time, but are not caused by one another. Now there is information that there may be some genetics involved too. Continue reading this article for more information; Migraine and Depression May Be Linked Genetically.
With the correct diagnosis, you and your doctor can start to pinpoint the right medication, especially if you are getting more than three Migraines a month, because at that rate, it is time to talk about preventive medications with your doctor. The reason it is so important to have the correct diagnosis is so you can get the right treatment (as I mentioned,) learn about your Migraines and be able to get care if you're away from home. You can read more about this in The Type of Migraine Does Matter.
How many days a week do you take something to relieve these headaches? 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.
I hope this helps,
Nancy
I do, and the only thing I can do is network and talk to friends online so I don't feel alone. My major issues with my migraines is constant dizziness, disqualibrium, and motion sickness (severe). I try to have friends visit me if I can't get out. Try to stay involved with things I like doing.
If you have a good day and you are able to, get out of the house. Try new things, go out to eat, do what you can, so that when the bad days come, they don't seem *as bad*
I think if it is very bad for you, maybe seeing a therapist would help. Or trying some medication if you feel like it's affecting your daily life and nothing you try helps.
Good luck!
Holly,
-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-•*Welcome to MyMigraineConnection!*•-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-
Been there!
The question becomes whether you're feeling depressed because of the situation your Migraines and headaches present, or if you have depression that needs to be treated.
Have you discussed this with your doctor yet? If not, please do. He or she can help determine which is going on and, if you need treatment, either start treating you for depression or refer you to someone for treatment. If you do have major depressive disorder (clinical depression), it's worth noting that many of the same medications that are prescribed for it can also help with Migaine prevention.
In my case, I have both Migraine disease and major depressive disorder. My solution has three parts:
1) Being treated for depression. Luckily, the antidepressant I talk also helps with my Migraine prevention.
2) Staying in touch with people, even when I don't feel like going out. This takes many forms -- telephone, email, online forums, and so on.
3) Prayer and meditation. I take 30 minutes first thing in the morning to pray and meditate. This helps me take stock of how I'm feeling and get myself focused and centered for the day.
Hope this helps!
Welcome again,
Teri
It is very tough, I tell you. I don't have "depression", but it certainly causes me to feel depressed when I get them or when I'm having an increased number of them. It's been so hard for me the last 2 years or so as I've had an increase in intensity and number of them and it's been over a year of trying to get medication to where it helps. I still get them more than I did a few years back (used to get them about once a month). Then I was up to 2-3 a week suddenly! Now I'm down to 2-3 a month, but it's still frustrating. Over these past 2-3 years I've also had 2 surgeries and scheduled for a 3rd sometime this year. Plus, I not only get migraines triggered by the heat or being overheated, but I have Raynaud's triggered by the cold or in A/C. I JUST CAN'T WIN RIGHT NOW!! So, coming on here and reading others stories helps a lot, because I know it can be a lot worse than it is. Just thankful I have family and friends who understand.
Yes. I have depression due to my long time condition Hemicrania Continua, Ice picks and migraines.
I have found all of the medications that keep my symptoms at bay.
It took seven years.
During that time I would cry every day.
All I did was shut my front door and fall out on the sofa until my next Dr. appointment. It was horrible.
I still suffer from depression altrhough my meds (14) 3x's a day help me. 
I think depression comes with migraine or you get so depressed from being in so much freak'n pain every day that you just can't take it anymore.
I went to my Dr. last week and he asked me how I was doing and I started to cry. He gave me something for depression and I am fine for now.
It is a vicious cycle.(They don't have a smiley face for "crazy") You don't know where it begins and you don't know where it ends. I hope this helped.
Right now I am really fighting it. I have PMDD,and deal with depression around my period evey month. Then my migraines started getting really bad, so now I have the pain and loss of function from the migraines,along with depression from having had a migraine for over 7 months. Along with worse depression because the migraine is making it impossible to exercize and get out in the sun. It really is a struggle.
Holly-
My migraine situation sounds very similar to yours. I have depression because of my migraines and seasonal affective disorder. I utilize an antidepressant medication that is very helpful, but it was my family doctor that really helped me realize I may benefit from this intervention. I was using many coping skills such as trying to manage my sleep (which is unpredictable at best), keep social contacts as often as possible, and participate in social engagements. Although I have seen MANY neurologists, my family doctor was the most beneficial in this area (he has been my doctor for 21 years). I also incorporate yoga and daily journaling. When we suffer so many migraines each month, I think finding whatever healthy solution best fits your situation is important. Many people also find spiritual avenues very reassuring.
I took control of my migraines to the best of my ability. Which simply means I found a doctor I trust and I researched migraines so that I know more about my migraines than anyone else. Found my main triggers and the cause. Had TMJ and orthognathic surgery which helped immensely. Unfortunately, I was hit by a car in 2007 and the migraines became debilitating again. But, what I have learned is that no matter how badly it gets, it could always be worse. So, I try to take advantage of every moment without a debilitating migraine because I never know how long those moments will last. My doctor also prescribed anti-depressants for my migraines that help with the depression. Yoga also helps me with both the migraines and the depression.
Hello,
Your situation sounds similar to mine. I have had headaches and migraines for over 30 years. I have tried many preventitives over this time frame, and some either didn't work at all, or gave me such horrible side effects that I could never get to a higher dose to see if they would even work. I am on anitdepressants, and take imitrex (generic) and tramadol or endocet for rescue. If migraines last longer than a week, I go to the hospital for an IV.
The depression is comorbid to migraine disease, unfortunately, so we are among many struggling with this horrible combination. I also have some anxiety now that I never had before. Just started about 2 years ago. I think my brain is just so sensitively wired with the migraine and headache pain and depression, that it is easily overwhelmed at times.
I still have headaches every day. I get migraines several times a month. I am soooooo careful not to get into the rebound cycle, so I suffer through on those days that I don't take any medication at all. And it is suffering! And those can be my most difficult days.
I found that guided imagery CDs by Health Journeys to be very helpful. They have specific ones for headache and migraine. It is so reassuring to hear the gentle calming music in the background, and a caring, soothing voice talking me through the relaxation and (hopefully) release of the migraine pain. It takes the edge off the tension I carry throughout my body as a result of the migraine.
There is also a CD available for sleep, that is so helpful when you are trying to fall asleep while still in pain. Or if the pain wakes you up in the night, so I keep this by my bedside, just in case. There is a sample on their website, so check it out and see if it is something you might be interested in trying.
I also try to walk every day. Now it is snowstorm weather in the northeast, which means I haven't been able to walk for weeks, and I notice a definite increase in my tension headaches, and resulting neck/shoulder pain. Needless to say, I can't wait for spring!!
I wish there was a support group nearby, but the closest one is in Boston, and I can't drive on days I have a bad head, which is most days. So I am pretty isolated. Maybe there is a support group in your area? A supportive community can be a blessing when dealing with this "invisible" disease!!
I know this website has helped me at various times, and your question has inspired me to write in again. Sometimes the computer glare can be tough, though.
Please write and let me know how you are learning to manage. Maybe we can brainstorm together.
Take care,
Susan
Just wanted to say thank you for your comments. It sounds like we have similiar situations. I have had them 30 years also. Sometimes I think the Imetrex makes me depressed, because it is mostly a physical depression. Somtimes it is because I get tired of having to cancel plans or miss out on things. I have listened to guided imagery through Kaiser, but the voice of the woman was not relaxing to me, it was annoying. When I am in so much pain that I have to lay down I will listen to Christian music and focus on the words and I have found that to be helpful. I love walking and have told myself I need to walk, but I need to push myself. With rebound migraines I know about trying to be careful it's very tricky.
I use to suffer through pain because I did not want rebound, but the last couple times, if I am only taking one in a day and it comes back the next I will take it and about the fifth day it will not come back.I don't know if you have read THE MIGRAINE BRAIN, but that book was very helpful to me.
I have tried so many things and get so discouraged.
I will write more later.
Thanks again for sharing. It does help to know others understand.
I will keep you in my prayers
Holly
I suffer from chronic daily headaches and I too, have depression. I have bi-polar so I have to watch how bad my depression gets. But it mostly comes from just not being able to do the things in life that I want to because I am tired all the time and am in pain. I just started botox treatment, as a last resort so hoping that works. I feel like I have just been through so much, I am hanging by a thread. I know when you are positive that creates a positive out look and can make you feel better, so that is what I am working on. I pray a lot for God's Grace. I pray for all of you too!
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Thank you, I apppreciate your comments and valuable info.
I have tried every preventitive there is and none of them work. I have had these for about 30 years. I take triptans about 2 times a week. I know about rebound,
But I can't allow the pain to go on because then it will last for 3 to 4 days with nausea and vomiting. Doctors do not know what to do with me. I have taken biofeedback recently and that has help a little. I will join the forum.
Thank you ( :