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Original poster

going to the docs tomorrow about serious migraines. scared to death

44 replies

AnAngelWithin · 16/07/2007 12:20

I have been getting terrible migraines lately, at least twice a week. I have been on triptan tablets for a while. The 100mg ones (standard dose is 50mg) The icing on the cake was on saturday night when I had a very bad attack I was screaming in agony. I took 2 of the migraine tablets 3 hours apart and still nothing so I took some paracetamol after and just ended up passing out with the pain. I had a christening to go to on the sunday as well so I was in a right state. It really is getting too much now. I am having to rely on DH taking the kids to school when I am having an attack and someone else to pick them up. Its so debilitating. I am scared to death they are going to say I have something more sinister than just migraines. The pain just never seems to go away no matter what I do. My head constantly throbs and eventually, escalates into a full blown migraine. I have tried a change in diet, had my eyes tested, wear my glasses when I need them. Nothing seems to help. What else can the doctor possibly do though?? I keep having nightmares about having something more serious wrong with me.

OP posts:
loopylou6 · 16/07/2007 12:38

my firend suffered from this, she was eventually sent for an mri which found nothing wrong, also u say u have had ur eyes tested? well thats a good thing because the optician would of seen something in your eyes that would signal something wrong and he obviousley didnt

Wisteria · 16/07/2007 12:40

Poor you Angel - sounds dreadful. If you don't get anywhere with western medicine then I would advise looking into Chinese Herbalists for a remedy - it worked for a friend of mine.

Original poster
AnAngelWithin · 16/07/2007 12:42

i will try anything. its at the point now where i just want to smash my head against a wall I can feel another one starting now so probably wont be around later.

OP posts:
Wisteria · 16/07/2007 12:47

You have my complete sympathy, my youngest dd gets them and the dr has put her on tablets now that do seem to work. Are you anywhere nr Derby or Matlock? There're 2 fantastic Chinese dr's here.

Budababe · 16/07/2007 12:48

Sounds awful.

I went through a week before Xmas where I had 5 migraines in a week having not had one for about 4 years. They didn't sound as bad as yours though.

I went to the doctor and she gave me prescription meds and recommended lifestyle changes. She also recommended taking 500mg of magnesium a day for a few months.

That evening and the next day I got another migraine and could feel that some of the pain was radiating from my neck so I went to a chirporacter. Fantastic and haven't (touch wood) had one since.

He also recommended the magnesium and said that both he and the GP (work in same clinic) had been to same conference on headaches where a specialist from New York gave a talk on the benefits that were been seen from magnesium. I have no idea if it works but as the chiropractor pointed out, specialist don't often recommend something so easy and cheap so it must really work!

Hope something helps for you.

Wisteria · 16/07/2007 12:53

Can you give magnesium supplements to an 11yr old?

suedonim · 16/07/2007 15:30

Oh you poor thing. Have you been in touch with the www.migraine.org.uk/ people? They are very helpful. Another possibility as to the cause - have you begun grinding or clenching your teeth at night? That gives my ds migraines occasionally.

Budababe · 16/07/2007 16:46

Sorry Wisteria - DS was on puter!

I don't see why not but poss not 500mgs - I think Ghosty is good with supplements - I will post later when she may be around. She may know a suitable dose.

Wisteria · 16/07/2007 18:15

Thanks Bud, much appreciated I really resisted my dd2 being given tablets but when Dr pointed out how much it was affecting her quality of life I relented and she is getting far fewer attacks now, although I would much rather find a natural remedy as I can't imagine all those chemicals are good for her at 11.
Angel I really hope you get some respite from it soon, it sounds horrific to me. It sounds completely debilitating for you.

Original poster
AnAngelWithin · 17/07/2007 09:21

sorry i didnt come back. ended up with another one. doctors is at 3.50 this afternoon. im not sure what else they can do but at least it will be on the record. I didn't know about hte magnesium. I will ask my doctor about that this afternoon.

OP posts:
Idobelieveinfairies · 17/07/2007 09:35

Awww poor you, lots of family members here suffer/have suffered from migraines including 2 of my children. They are so awful and really take over your life. Luckily my DD has outgrown hers since becoming a teen. DS (8) is now on medication for his and he is much better, and a much happier child for it too. He went for an MRI too, the docs just told me it was always precaution when it comes to headaches etc.

I hope the docs can get it all under control for you a.s.a.p.

Wisteria · 17/07/2007 09:51

I do believe - I asked for a referral to a consultant for a MRI or CAT scan and was told that unless the headache was non stop that it wouldn't be serious (the GP did check behind her eyes though as her migraines are always in the same place) - should I push harder?
The reason I was worried was because nobody in the family has ever suffered from migraines to our knowledge on either side. She's on 0.5mg of Pizotifen a night and the headaches have lessened quite considerably.

Mercy · 17/07/2007 10:01

Angel, do you take the pill or have high blood pressure?

(I do sympathise - I used to get some really awful migraines when I was younger)

Good luck for this afternoon

Original poster
AnAngelWithin · 17/07/2007 10:10

no i dont take the pill. the doctor refused to put me on it because of the high risk of stroke and heart attack. my blood pressure is ok too.

OP posts:
Mercy · 17/07/2007 18:13

How did you get on at the Drs?

Eeek · 17/07/2007 18:33

Wisteria - just because it's natural doesn't mean it isn't full of chemicals. They may (or may not) be different chemicals, that's all.

Wisteria · 17/07/2007 18:59

Eeek - thanks for that and good point, what I meant though was that I would feel happier in myself if she was to take something that is a naturally occurring chemical (one already present in the food or the body) rather than one which means nothing to me IYSWIM. I am probably a bit paranoid (and clueless too) but I have a long history of being prescribed things for myself which have ended up playing havoc with my kidneys etc so am wary of things tbh.

Idobelieveinfairies · 17/07/2007 19:12

Hi wisteria.

My son is on that medication too. It is amazing isn't it. I live in the channel islands so i think scans etc are done different here.

It took a year for my sons condition to be confirmed. He had no headaches at first but severe abdominal pain, vomiting, paleness and sleeping for hours on end (inbetween vomiting). No pain relief would help his pains. My g.p diagnosed constipation and he was put on laxatives. There was no difference so was referred to the paeds. He once again said bowel problems and he was put on other medication. No differnce. After doing my own research i came across abdominal migraine which in some young children the pain comes through in the abdomen...and then later developing as head pain. After suggesting this to the paediatrician (SP!) and him then asking the family history on migraine he ordered the MRI. He checked DS eyes and did blood pressure. He said the MRI was a precaution as it had all been going on for so long. The MRI was clear and he started on the medication and there was an instant change in my son. He was also a much happier child too!
The attacks were happening at about once a week.

We are due to see him early August. He did mention that he can't be on the medication forever, and ideally i would like to find out what is triggering these attacks but will see what happens at this next visit!

If the medication is working for your child then i wouldn't be too worried about not having an MRI done tbh. SOunds like that cause has been found!

Idobelieveinfairies · 17/07/2007 19:12

How did you get on Angel?

CalifrauniusFudge · 17/07/2007 19:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wisteria · 17/07/2007 19:19

Ido - thank you for that, put my mind at ease.

Angel - how are you feeling, did you get anywhere? Really hope you're not lying in a dark room with a cold flannel over your face xx

Original poster
AnAngelWithin · 17/07/2007 19:50

hi. doctor was running really late. she did a thorough examination. she is concerned about my right eye drooping so much and the fact that I am losing feeling in my hands and that my speech is slurred, and also the fact that my symptoms have got so severe so suddenly. She has written a letter to the hospital to get me referred to a specialist and for some more tests, scans, MRIs etc. Am scared shitless now! She also put me on pizotifen which is apparently supposed to stop the migraines occuring in the first place but she said that i am likely to put on some weight while taking them. Ive got to take 3 of them every night and wait for an appointment with the specialist. I forgot to ask about the magnesium though. idiot i am. head still hurts. will get my prescription tomorrow all being well. everyhting i look at has got a funny haze around it too. thanks for all your help.

OP posts:
Wisteria · 18/07/2007 09:36

Angel, you didn't mention any of your other symptoms before; how thoroughly scary, I can't imagine what you're going through but at least something is being done now and you will have some answers soon.
Please keep us posted and let us know how you get on (even if you just need some hand holding). Your dh sounds very supportive which is a relief I would imagine.
Much love and cyber hugs flying your way xx

Original poster
AnAngelWithin · 18/07/2007 09:51

DH sat here crying last night. He is thoroughly convinced that I have got a brain tumour or something. We haven't been getting on that well lately, but seeing him so upset last night upset me. I have just got to wait for the appointment to come through now. Got to plod out and get my prescription this morning.

OP posts:
Wisteria · 18/07/2007 10:03

The pizotifen has worked well for my dd2 although obviously her symptoms aren't anything like yours.
I hope that you manage to have some respite from the pain, it is so draining emotionally and physically to be in pain 24/7. We don't get on very well because of it either, a lot of the time.
I'm not going to say silly things like - you'll be fine etc because you don't know and nor do I, but I know it will be easier when you know what you are dealing with - it's so frightening when you don't know what's going on and I feel for you at the moment.
Always here if you need to offload. Do you know any relaxation techniques at all that can help with pain? I can send you some if you like.