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I am really starting to get down about my migraines, which are on the increase, and I don't know why

27 replies

Overrun · 06/03/2007 19:36

I will endeavour not to make this too long, but my history is as follows:
I had some migraines as a teenager, probably connected to menstrual cycle. They stopped by the time I was 17ish.
None in my early twenties, and then at some point in my late twenties, I started getting them again. They were so awful, but because I was lucky to only get about one a year, I never really looked into it, as it was dealable with. I just would take to my bed, and would feel better after throwing up.
Since having the dts Oct 2004 they have slowly increased, but they really started speeding up in late 2006.
I think I am prone to tension headaches as well. Which are horrible but bearable.
My migraines fall into three catergories as far as I can see.
Some start in my neck, and then the pain is excruciating and eventually after sleep and pain relief I recover. And feel fine. I can also have this and have nausea, which increases to the point of being sick, and then I tend to feel better. Occasionally during both types I would get tingling feelings in my hands and feet.
Now I seem to be getting a wierd sort of cross breed from the two above. I start off with a migraine type pain, which I take medication for, and then feel okay (the new anti inflammatory that I am taking with an anti sickness works) But then I make the mistake of eating, and suddenly feel extremely sick and tingly, but no real headahce, the pain is in my stomach. I eventually conk out and sleep like the dead for 4-6 hours, I wake feeling better.
After these attacks, I have had traces of headahce (if I move my head quickly , or feel stressed) for a couple of days. But the tingly feeling goes on, off and on for a couple of days too.
I am going to go back to the gp, but would appreicate talking to any one else who suffers from migraines. Partly just for sympathy and understanding, but also for any suggestions or advice.
At this rate, my dh's annual leave will be taken up entirely with my migraines. In the last 3.5 weeks I have had three

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eenybeeny · 06/03/2007 19:38

you have MUCH sympathy from me! I suffer from migraines as well. They used to be totally disabling but I have them under control (knock on wood) at the moment. Do you have a neuroligist? Mine is great he helped a lot.

FrannyandZooey · 06/03/2007 19:38

Bump for you Overrun. I really hope you can get some support and advice for this; it sounds so grim

eenybeeny · 06/03/2007 19:39

you can get imigran injections - if you dont mind sleeping for 8 hours and using needles they work well.

Overrun · 06/03/2007 19:40

Eenybeeny, thanks for that. At the moment I am just seeing my gp. Part of the problem, is that although I have quite a long history of them, I only went to the gps for the first time a month ago. So they will probably want to try a few things first, and then I will certainly push to see some one else, if things don't improve

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Tamum · 06/03/2007 19:40

I feel for you too- I get them occasionally but had a cluster a couple of Christmases ago that was so grim- up to 2 a day, my head was so sore. Are you getting much sleep, or are your nights interrupted? That had a big effect on me. Agree about getting a referral to a neurologist.

Overrun · 06/03/2007 19:41

I don't mind the needles, but that wouldn't help with dh's annual leave. I am hoping that I can find a solution that will enable to me to carry on, but if it comes to it, oblivion sounds nice

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Overrun · 06/03/2007 19:43

Tamum - I am getting better sleep recently than I have been for a long time, as we recently got tough with the dts. I did think that lack of sleep was connected, and maybe it still is, but that seems less likely now.
Triggers seem to be stress ( I am a very stressy person), exercise or tension in my neck seems to play a part as well. Athough this one started in my temple.
Its frustrating that there doesn't seem to be any pattern

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Overrun · 06/03/2007 19:55

Perhaps its all the computer time I spend on Mumsnet

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DumbledoresGirl · 06/03/2007 19:57

I was talking to someone today who said she discovered her migraines were caused by her drinking tea. She stopped drinking tea and her migraines stopped completely. Worth a try?

flibertygibbetplus2 · 06/03/2007 19:59

I also suffer from migraines and I take medication every night to prevent them. I also have Imigran nasal sprays to deal with attacks, they don't stop you having them but they are far more bearable.

My GP prescribed the nasal sprays initially but then gave me the meds to prevent them once it was established that they were frequent enough to outweigh the impact of taking daily meds forever IYSWIM.

Taking the meds has changed my life, I used to have attacks so often they took over my life. I had 3 in 3 days at one point . It's not completely foolproof (you must remember to take them every night) and it can take a while to get the right dose. The side effect is that you can sleep very heavily, hence taking them before bed.

There is light at the end of the tunnel

Tamum · 06/03/2007 19:59

You know it's even possible that it's your body adjusting to different sleep patterns. Mine are stress related, I am certain, but it's a bummer if there's nothing much you can do about it, and I'm not naturally stressy, really.

foxinsocks · 06/03/2007 20:02

have you filled in a migraine diary?

here's the migraine association website (I'll look for the specific diary link in a minute)

I'm glad your doctor is taking you seriously (that was my biggest battle tbh - they just didn't believe I could be having them so long and so often).

Have you ever had any problems with your neck? accidents?

foxinsocks · 06/03/2007 20:04

it's on this page in the first line of self help measures

I know it is an absolute pain filling in one of those but it can really give you an insight into why/when you get them and it also serves as a very useful piece of evidence for presenting to the doctor/neurologist (if you see one). It's hard to remember all your symptoms and exactly when they happen without writing them down.

suedonim · 06/03/2007 20:05

Sympathies, Overrun, I get migraines too. Have you looked at the Migraine Association pages? Lots of useful stuff there. Hth.

suedonim · 06/03/2007 20:07

X-posted with Fox!

Overrun · 06/03/2007 20:12

Thanks every one, I will do look at the migraine association and do a diary. My mental attitude has shifted from, oh I only get them occasionally to , this is getting too much, so am up for doing pretty much anything that stops these awful things.
Flibertygibbetplus1 - that sounds awful, that you had them so frequently I mean, I'm glad that you have found something that helps.
Dumbledoresgirl - I can never find any food links, but its interesting some one else told me about that, and it wouldn't do any harm to cut caffeine out.
Thanks every one for posting, at least I am not alone

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foxinsocks · 06/03/2007 20:18

if you are in/near London, the City of London Migraine Clinic is supposed to be fabulous (so my GP friends tell me - they often refer people there but I see, on their website, you don't need a referral anymore).

Migraines are difficult things - there are lots of medications out there but it will probably be a case of trial and error.

I too was CONVINCED that mine had no food trigger (and were all related to my period) but I can see now that cheese is a massive trigger for me (now that my main trigger, periods, has been taken out of action). It's so so hard to see the wood for the trees!

tigi · 06/03/2007 20:28

my friend swears a (expensive type) magnetic bracelet helps a lot....
Have you tried reflexology? I know another friend who has great sucess with this. Also Bowen is supposed to be helpful.

foxinsocks · 06/03/2007 20:30

I also wonder whether it would be worth seeing a chiropracter/osteopath/physio for your neck (but maybe see what your GP says first because they may want to do some sort of X-ray or something). Perhaps you have a trapped nerve or something along those lines.

Tatties · 06/03/2007 21:20

Much sympathy Overrun. I had a few classic migraines when I was around 9-12 yo. Then throughout my teens and uni years I used to get a different type which used to last for days, almost certainly stress-related, and would often occur when I took a break or finished an essay. When I came off the pill and finished uni they more or less stopped. But they have been slowly creeping up on me again

I don't tend get the classic excruciating headache, although it can be bad; but I get the nausea, needing to go to bed for the day, and spending-the-next-day-feeling-like-I've been-hit-round-the-head symptoms. Their occurrence seems to coincide with the run-up to my period. I think not getting enough sleep is also a factor. And my other theory on why they happen to me (which I think may apply to you to) is that I never stop, I rarely get much of a break and so every so often my body just gives up and says NO MORE!

Tiggerish · 06/03/2007 21:25

I used to get stress related migraines - turned out they were caused by me grinding my teeth. A night plate from the dentist sorted it within 3 weeks and I've never had another

Overrun · 06/03/2007 22:02

Fox, I am not in London, but I could always travel up. As you say, it doesn't hurt to rule out food intolerance. I keep wondering about an Oesteopath, but the cost does put me off,that and the occasional stories you hear of them making some one worse.
Tgi - I enjoy reflexology,so wouldn't hurt to have a go
Tatties - I think you are probably right, that having small children and never stopping as you put it, comes into it. It can't be a coincidence that I am so much worse these days.
Tiggerish - now that is really interesting. As I do wonder if I do that sometimes, and occasionally get jaw ache in the morning.
All good ideas that I can explore further, so thank you again

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frumpygrumpy · 06/03/2007 23:40

Hi sweetheart, god, it never rains but it pours........

My DP suffered bad migraine for 2 years. He would get the tingling and visual disturbance about half an hour before the pain and vomitting set in. He would be doubled up in a dark, quiet room for a day so badly I would feel quite ill. Then I got used to it. Eventually we realised it was nothing to do with a particular food or drink. Just sleep and regular food. He needs 6/7 hours a night and more if poss plus three square meals a day plus fruit. He doesn't live the kind of life where that is always possible so if he has a time where sleep has to be less he MUST compensate after a day or two and have a very early night.

I am so tired tonight I haven't given this the attention it deserves. Will re read tomorrow and fill in where need be. xxx

Marscentio · 06/03/2007 23:51

Oh babe!

Looks like you've had some good advice here. I hope it helps.

catASTROPHE · 06/03/2007 23:58

sympathies

I used a drug called 'Mersyndol' in Australia - not sure what its called here - when mine are bad. Its Paracetamol, codeine and a muscle relaxant, if I remember correctly. Its great on the pain, but I feel a bit dozy and can't drive - still, means you can get through the day with DCss.

A neurologist put me on something to slightly lower my blood pressure (for a few months), lessened the severity, though not the regularity.

I've found a few food trigger - finally! I do get them at othet times as well, but now I avoid ricotta cheese, cream cheese and oranges.

HTH -