Monday, May 28, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012 Eshuler asks

Q: I feel like I have lost the last two months of my life.

I have tried many different medications, both preventative and symptom treatments but my pills are no longer working.  I don't know what to do and I feel like my depression is flaring back up. 

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Answers (4)
Teri Robert, Health Guide
2/ 7/12 2:05pm

Dear Eshuler,

 

-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-•*Welcome to MyMigraineConnection!*•-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-
Your question is a bit confusing because you don't mention Migraine, but you do mention depression. BUT, since you mention preventive and symptomatic treatment, that leads me to believe you're talking about having tried many Migraine medications.
 
Unfortunately, our medications CAN stop working, and when that happens, we have to work with our doctors to find new treatment regimens. I feel for you. Am in that situation with my preventives right now, actually. What's really encouraging is that there are now so many medications that we can try for prevention. There are over 100 of them! You can find them listed in Migraine preventive medications - too many options to give up! 
 
When you say you feel like your "depression is flaring back up," I'm not sure if you've been diagnosed with depression and that's what you're referring to or if you're talking about feeling depressed. If you're being treated for depression, is the same doctor treating you for Migraines and depression? If so, please discuss this with your doctor so you can feel better. If not, have the doctor who treats you for depression and the doctor who treats you for Migraines consult with each other about your treatment. This can be both especially important and especially helpful because some antidepressants can help prevent Migraines, so you may be able to use one medication for both purposes. It's also possible that you could use some help with coping strategies for dealing with your Migraines, and that's adding to depression. Again, the two doctors working together with you is essential.
 
Another issue to keep in mind is that levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine are affected during a Migraine, so feeling depressed and anxious during a Migraine can actually be a symptom of the Migraine itself.
 
If doctor who's treating you for your Migraines 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?

 

Welcome again,

Teri

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2/ 5/12 5:29pm

Is this about migraines? Because I feel the same way. I was put on a low dose of wellbutrin 75 mg because I am depressed and also just made an apt. to see a pyschiatrist who specializes in patients who have chronic pain. We need to admit when it is too much. It is helpful for me to hear someone else feeling the same way. I also made lots of other specialist appointments, like phyical therapy and massage therapy. I have been making an effort work out more, actually I call them "work throughs" because I can't work out for fear of getting a migraine. It's hard, and isolating. I couldn't take my daughter to swim class today and spent the day in bed. This is my first year as a mother, I should be enjoying this not spending it in bed. However, use your support systems and try to put yourself first. I too and tired of drugs and find that they are no longer working for me. I just posted about switiching from generic to regular to see if it could make a different but don't want to get my hopes up. Good luck and I'm here if you want to talk more!

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2/ 7/12 10:12pm

There were some good suggestions above. Just know that you are not alone, and others have suffered through times like this, then improved. Stay strong! I hope you find something that helps you more consistently! xxoo

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2/14/12 12:27pm

Thanks for bringing this up, Eshuler. I have just come out of a sever (#7-8) 65 hour migraine where the meds I have had only minor effect and I spent most of those hours in pain, with little sleep, just trying to get through it, and finally last night, the pain started to break, and although the migraine is still there, it is around the 3-4 level now, and going down to a 2 level which I can work with and live with since I have that most every day.  I too fell like I am out of options with medications, since the ones I have - 1 triptan which I cannot take much of or too often, and 1 med that has some opiate in it knocks me out so badly I don't like to take it.  My system has gotten so sensitive that I am not the same as I was when I was 40 and I could take any amount of medication and tolerate it.  

 

As Teri said there are so many new medications out now, go to a neurologist who specializes in headaches.  The difference between regular neurologists and specialists is so great that you will be amazed at the support they will be able to give you. I get depressed mostly from frustration at not being able to do things I want to do, and being stopped by these horrible headaches.  Just know that we all get frustrated by this, and you have a lot of company, but the migraines end, and there is a lot of help out there to get the migraines managed and help you have a productive life and keep them under control.

 

So stay in touch, there is a lot of information on this site.  Look at the all the topics, read them, find a good specialists and make an appointment, keep a diary of what you are eating, and everything else that is suggested on this site, and educate yourself.  If you have done all that already, you are one step ahead.  Just write everything down, and work with your doc, or drs. and revise your tx. plans to make your life workabe.  We are all rooting for you here!

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By Eshuler— Last Modified: 02/14/12, First Published: 01/30/12