Migrane (update)

[tuggyruns]

For those who get migranes, what do you do when you've had a migrane for over a week- no rescue meds are helping. I left a msg with the neurologist- no return call.

It's not bad enough to go to the hospital, but it pretty much sucks.

UPDATE: I got a shot in the butt at my PCP and she called in steroid. Bless her. She also said if I don't hear back from my neuro/get a call back to let her know and she would call him and tell him that he needs to see me ASAP. Love her. 

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[zoidberg]

Cry on the couch.

[ddi741]

Ive never had one that lasted more than 36 hours. For that i took lots of Excedrin migraine, coke/pepsi, and soaking my feet in hot water to get the blood flowing away from my head. (Sex works well for this too). Emetrol for nausea.

[zoidberg]

What do you normally take? If you can get your doc to call you back, see if they can give you fiorocet (sp). It is a controlled substance so some doctors don't like to give it out, but I swear it is the only thing that truly works for me. And works well.

[panicked]

Ice pack on the back of your neck, feet in hot water. Lots and lots of sleep. :-( Feel better!

[shellfish26]

Honestly, sometimes I have those migraines that don't respond to anything. If you can, try to refrain from taking any meds at this point, because it's possible that you may be having rebound headaches. In the meantime, small amounts of caffeine (too much can cause withdrawal crashes) and all the rest you can get. Try to get out and take a walk if you can. Ice pack on the back of the neck, peppermint oil on your temples- its just about getting through the day.

Hope things get better soon!

[tuggyruns]

Thanks ladies! I noticed running helped, but the headache comes back within hours . I totally saw the ice pack on neck/feet in water thing on pinterest. Glad to hear it works.

I haven't taken any meds in a few days bc nothing was helping.

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[tuggyruns]

Sept 3, 2013 19:15:20 GMT -5 zoidberg said:

What do you normally take? If you can get your doc to call you back, see if they can give you fiorocet (sp). It is a controlled substance so some doctors don't like to give it out, but I swear it is the only thing that truly works for me. And works well.

Maxalt

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[sadlebred]

I'd try a different rescue med. Talk to your neuro about it. That is not cool he isn't calling you back!

Prednisone is the only thing that breaks the cycle for me. Dosage varies. It's worth asking about.

[tuggyruns]

Sept 3, 2013 20:23:21 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

I'd try a different rescue med. Talk to your neuro about it. That is not cool he isn't calling you back!

Prednisone is the only thing that breaks the cycle for me. Dosage varies. It's worth asking about.

Yea. Thought about that- maxalt usually works, but not this time. Also considering going back on dopamax as a preventive bc my migraines are becoming more frequent again (on a diff preventative now) and that stuff was the jam in preventing them. Ugh, the word loss sucks though.

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[sadlebred]

There are plenty of other preventatives that don't cause the forgetfulness. I recommend looking at some calcium channel blockers like verapamil or something entirely different. I take Namenda and have zero side effects. I really, really hope that you get some relief soon! I know how badly migraines suck!

[mrsmc08]

I have done prednisone . Showers with the water beating on my head, but that only lasts as long as you are in the shower. Many cold showers at 2am in my house. Good luck. Vicodin helps take the edge off enough for me to continue with life.

[Deleted]

Is it hot where you are and/or are you sleeping well? Last summer, the heat killed me and I had migraines all summer. I also wasn't sleeping well and learned running in that weather was another trigger. I think for me it was a combo of electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, and lack of sleep. We keep the A/C super low now. Maybe one of these will help you figure out something.

[wambam]

I would go to the doctor.

My mom had a migraine for two weeks and it turned out to be a leak of spinal fluid. It was really scary and she wished she had gone to the doctor earlier.

Sorry, that's probably not what you want to hear I'm sorry.

[tuggyruns]

Sept 4, 2013 7:32:30 GMT -5 wambam said:

I would go to the doctor.

My mom had a migraine for two weeks and it turned out to be a leak of spinal fluid. It was really scary and she wished she had gone to the doctor earlier.

Sorry, that's probably not what you want to hear I'm sorry.

EEkkks. Well luckily, I have a physical scheduled for 11am, so even if my neuro doesn't call me back, I can talk to my PCP. 

Hope your mom is doing ok, that's really scary.

[wambam]

Sept 4, 2013 8:08:52 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Sept 4, 2013 7:32:30 GMT -5 wambam said:

I would go to the doctor.

My mom had a migraine for two weeks and it turned out to be a leak of spinal fluid. It was really scary and she wished she had gone to the doctor earlier.

Sorry, that's probably not what you want to hear I'm sorry.

EEkkks. Well luckily, I have a physical scheduled for 11am, so even if my neuro doesn't call me back, I can talk to my PCP. 

Hope your mom is doing ok, that's really scary.

Oh good, I'm glad you'll get to talk to the doctor about it.

Yeah, my mom went through this about 3 years ago. She basically had a migraine for an entire year. She had to go through multiple surgeries and ended up having to have glue on her spinal cord to stop the leak. She got better right before my wedding in 2011 and has been good ever since. I don't think this is what's going on here, but I don't want anything bad to happen to you! Good luck and keep us updated.

[tuggyruns]

Sept 4, 2013 7:02:58 GMT -5 aswartzw said:

Is it hot where you are and/or are you sleeping well? Last summer, the heat killed me and I had migraines all summer. I also wasn't sleeping well and learned running in that weather was another trigger. I think for me it was a combo of electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, and lack of sleep. We keep the A/C super low now. Maybe one of these will help you figure out something.

It really has been relatively mild the past week or so at least for a Hotlanta summer, and I'm inside all day at work (freezing!) It has been raining A LOT here though, I think weather like that can be a trigger. 

I actually have been wearing my fitbit to measure my sleep and it looks like it's getting better. I know it's not entirely accurate, but once I started running more, I went from waking up 25-35 times a night to 10-15. 

Dehydration is something I have to be very cognizant of too, I keep my nuun in pocket like my cell phone. I love the daily hydration and think it really helps.

[tuggyruns]

Thanks for everything ladies- hopefully I should feel better in about 3-4 hours (besides my backside which is rather sore from the shot)

[shellfish26]

Glad to hear that you were seen and hopefully on the way to recovery! I actually keep a Sumavel Dose Pen on me at all times. It's my 'big gun' remedy. It's just Imitrex in a self-administered injection (needleless). According to my neuro, digestion stops during a migraine, so oral medicines are less effective.

Although I am convinced that the pain of a shot in my stomach helps the migraine because I forget all about my head and focus on where the shot went in!

[wambam]

Hope it helps

[sadlebred]

Glad your PCP is calling it in for you! I can't believe your NEURO didn't call back!

[tuggyruns]

Sept 4, 2013 13:33:36 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Glad your PCP is calling it in for you! I can't believe your NEURO didn't call back!

Yea, still no word.. I'm more than a little irritated. 

[jreeds]

I know you already got your relief but I wanted to let you know I had this same issue this week. Migraine going on 3 days, nothing was helping. Finally today it was so bad I couldn't walk. Went to the Dr and they gave me a shot in my bum, I slept 3 hours and I feel better. But it's still there. He also called in fioracet for me. I hope you are able to get rid of it completely. Migraines suck!

[foundmylazybum]

Sept 4, 2013 8:12:36 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Sept 4, 2013 7:02:58 GMT -5 aswartzw said:

Is it hot where you are and/or are you sleeping well? Last summer, the heat killed me and I had migraines all summer. I also wasn't sleeping well and learned running in that weather was another trigger. I think for me it was a combo of electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, and lack of sleep. We keep the A/C super low now. Maybe one of these will help you figure out something.

It really has been relatively mild the past week or so at least for a Hotlanta summer, and I'm inside all day at work (freezing!) It has been raining A LOT here though, I think weather like that can be a trigger. 

I actually have been wearing my fitbit to measure my sleep and it looks like it's getting better. I know it's not entirely accurate, but once I started running more, I went from waking up 25-35 times a night to 10-15. 

Dehydration is something I have to be very cognizant of too, I keep my nuun in pocket like my cell phone. I love the daily hydration and think it really helps.

Weather--especially barometric pressure drops cause migraines for me...the rain could have been causing a problem.


I know everyone is different, but I've been on Topamax for almost 7 years. I have *some* word finding problems but it's really rare. Not sure how long you tried the medication but the side-effects will balance out within 3-5 months. That may seem like a long time--but if it stops migraines, and gets your life back, it's worth it.

At least it was for me

***Signed*** haven't had a migraine in 8 months.

[tuggyruns]

Sept 4, 2013 18:50:56 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

Sept 4, 2013 8:12:36 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

It really has been relatively mild the past week or so at least for a Hotlanta summer, and I'm inside all day at work (freezing!) It has been raining A LOT here though, I think weather like that can be a trigger. 

I actually have been wearing my fitbit to measure my sleep and it looks like it's getting better. I know it's not entirely accurate, but once I started running more, I went from waking up 25-35 times a night to 10-15. 

Dehydration is something I have to be very cognizant of too, I keep my nuun in pocket like my cell phone. I love the daily hydration and think it really helps.

Weather--especially barometric pressure drops cause migraines for me...the rain could have been causing a problem.


I know everyone is different, but I've been on Topamax for almost 7 years. I have *some* word finding problems but it's really rare. Not sure how long you tried the medication but the side-effects will balance out within 3-5 months. That may seem like a long time--but if it stops migraines, and gets your life back, it's worth it.

At least it was for me

***Signed*** haven't had a migraine in 8 months.

True story about the weather and Topamax. I was on it for about a year and a half, however, nothing has helped my migraines since. I've also heard that finding the right dosage for you personally helps with the word loss.  I think the other factor was that I do a lot of public speaking for a living so when I was standing in front of a group presenting and couldn't find the word "ball" I started to question things. My word loss is still existing which is why I'm like eff it, gimme back my Dopamax.

On another front and to a prior poster's point, apparently what I consider "good" sleep (only waking up 10-15 times a night according to fitbit) isn't actually all that good and could be the cause of the word loss/migraines in general. 

Doc wants a sleep study, I'm not so convinced that it won't just show me what I already know?

[foundmylazybum]

tuggyruns, I also do public speaking as my job so the word finding situation is definitely something I worry about! We get evaluated all.the.time, and it's never ever come up--so I figure I'm doing okay lol (plus I asked MH ) I think now, I'm aware enough it can happen and if it does, I just take a deep breath and sub in a word...and that seems to work.


In my personal experience, getting my sleep under control--so a good, consistent sleep routine, was imperative to getting migraines under control. The topamax helps a LOT, but if I don't do the right things too--like sleep right, eat right, manage stress, keep hydrated, exercise etc--then really, the medication is seriously not as effective.


A sleep study might tell you that yes, you are waking up a lot--but it might also tell you why, when--give you ideas for helping your routines etc..it could be really helpful for you Might be something to consider.


Good luck! I'm glad you are feeling better today. Migraines SUCK. I feel bad for all the posters who have them.

[tuggyruns]

foundmylazybum you are so right. About having other things under control. I will likely do the sleep study- I already met my deductible for the year so it won't hit me too hard. I also think that I will talk to my doc about going back on Topamax for the time being. It literally changed my life not having headaches.

Thanks for listening all!