headaches update!

[savan]

I suffered from migraines and other headaches for 5+ years. I saw many neurologists in desperation. I tried all sorts of antidepressants, spent 9 months on topamax, and tried bp meds. Mine turned out to be hormonal. I stopped taking birth control, got pregnant, and was cured. It was amazing.

I also had/have issues with neck and shoulder pain. I had a lot of referred headache pain from it. One of my neurologists prescribed PT for it and it made a huge difference.

[jigsy]

I used to get pretty severe migraine once every 5 days or so. I was taking Midrin...I don't remember why I stopped, but then I switched to Topamax. Topamax helped the migraines be less painful, but didn't really stop them completely. I would have to use Maxalt still once a week, which was f'n expensive.

So I ended up getting the botox, and it has been great. I still get occasional headaches, maybe twice a month, but they are not nearly as bad and are treatable with extra-strength Excedrin. I have not vomited from a migraine since the botox! Yeah!

[trixiedicksnatch]

So far the new combo had helped a lot. My head still hurts but I don't want to hide under a blanket and cry all day.

I have this ridiculous pill hoarding issue where I get worried I will run out and won't have my pills and ill have the worst headache of all time. So I tend to take less than my recommended dose. Me and my dr talked about it and she was like that's ridiculous. Take the max dose until the headache is gone. All you're doing is curbing the pain not getting rid of it.

So I've been taking alllll the pills and I feel like its helping. I have also been drinking tons of water because the number of meds I'm taking freaks me out. I don't know what drinking water will do but in my head its helpful lol


I'm so excited for my upcoming apts.

[secretlyevil]

Drinking 64 oz or more of water a day should be automatic.

[trixiedicksnatch]

Aug 14, 2014 17:16:28 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Drinking 64 oz or more of water a day should be automatic.

With as much fruit and veg as I eat, mr dr said that amount of water is unnecessary and could cause sodium deficiency, especially with me being on a low sodium diet.

[wanderingenough]

Aug 14, 2014 15:57:55 GMT -5 trixiedicksnatch said:

So far the new combo had helped a lot. My head still hurts but I don't want to hide under a blanket and cry all day.

I have this ridiculous pill hoarding issue where I get worried I will run out and won't have my pills and ill have the worst headache of all time. So I tend to take less than my recommended dose. Me and my dr talked about it and she was like that's ridiculous. Take the max dose until the headache is gone. All you're doing is curbing the pain not getting rid of it.

So I've been taking alllll the pills and I feel like its helping. I have also been drinking tons of water because the number of meds I'm taking freaks me out. I don't know what drinking water will do but in my head its helpful lol


I'm so excited for my upcoming apts.

I used to be a major pill-hoarder too. I think it's from a lifetime of hearing my mom complain about her insurance only approving her for so-many rescue meds a month.

Glad your doc has you moving with a new treatment plan. FX it works!

[trixiedicksnatch]

Aug 17, 2014 19:12:01 GMT -5 wanderingenough said:

Aug 14, 2014 15:57:55 GMT -5 trixiedicksnatch said:

So far the new combo had helped a lot. My head still hurts but I don't want to hide under a blanket and cry all day.

I have this ridiculous pill hoarding issue where I get worried I will run out and won't have my pills and ill have the worst headache of all time. So I tend to take less than my recommended dose. Me and my dr talked about it and she was like that's ridiculous. Take the max dose until the headache is gone. All you're doing is curbing the pain not getting rid of it.

So I've been taking alllll the pills and I feel like its helping. I have also been drinking tons of water because the number of meds I'm taking freaks me out. I don't know what drinking water will do but in my head its helpful lol


I'm so excited for my upcoming apts.

I used to be a major pill-hoarder too. I think it's from a lifetime of hearing my mom complain about her insurance only approving her for so-many rescue meds a month.

Glad your doc has you moving with a new treatment plan. FX it works!

Thank you!!

[cinnamoncox]

I'm afraid of trying Botox just yet.
Vicodin is all that touches my migraine pain. I've tried various things over the past fifteen years, and this is all that works, even a little.
I used to take maxalt but it's not safe for women of childbearing age (not on birth control) so I stopped that when I got married and stopped birth control.

I read someone here say for migraines warm lower body cold upper body so when I feel one coming, if possible, I do this:

Take my pill
Have a cup of coffee for the caffeine
Eat something (sometimes)
Blankets over my legs and cold compress on forehead and or back of neck.

[cinnamoncox]

Aug 14, 2014 11:31:01 GMT -5 jigsy said:

I used to get pretty severe migraine once every 5 days or so. I was taking Midrin...I don't remember why I stopped, but then I switched to Topamax. Topamax helped the migraines be less painful, but didn't really stop them completely. I would have to use Maxalt still once a week, which was f'n expensive.

So I ended up getting the botox, and it has been great. I still get occasional headaches, maybe twice a month, but they are not nearly as bad and are treatable with extra-strength Excedrin. I have not vomited from a migraine since the botox! Yeah!

jigsy
Really? The Botox helped that much?
I'm such a wimp I'm afraid to try the Botox but my dr mentions it every appt.

Where did they inject it?
The neck?

I'm so freaked out by a needle in the neck. But if it keeps me from vomiting and getting so damn sick from migraines maybe I could try it.

[jigsy]

Aug 25, 2014 8:49:19 GMT -5 cinnamoncox said:

Aug 14, 2014 11:31:01 GMT -5 jigsy said:

I used to get pretty severe migraine once every 5 days or so. I was taking Midrin...I don't remember why I stopped, but then I switched to Topamax. Topamax helped the migraines be less painful, but didn't really stop them completely. I would have to use Maxalt still once a week, which was f'n expensive.

So I ended up getting the botox, and it has been great. I still get occasional headaches, maybe twice a month, but they are not nearly as bad and are treatable with extra-strength Excedrin. I have not vomited from a migraine since the botox! Yeah!

jigsy
Really? The Botox helped that much?
I'm such a wimp I'm afraid to try the Botox but my dr mentions it every appt.

Where did they inject it?
The neck?

I'm so freaked out by a needle in the neck. But if it keeps me from vomiting and getting so damn sick from migraines maybe I could try it.

I was very worried, but it really didn't hurt at all. My doc injected all over the place. Sometimes it is ongoing treatment, but I only did my initial injections and one followup. It has been amazing. 

[cinnamoncox]

Aug 25, 2014 10:53:44 GMT -5 jigsy said:

Aug 25, 2014 8:49:19 GMT -5 cinnamoncox said:

jigsy
Really? The Botox helped that much?
I'm such a wimp I'm afraid to try the Botox but my dr mentions it every appt.

Where did they inject it?
The neck?

I'm so freaked out by a needle in the neck. But if it keeps me from vomiting and getting so damn sick from migraines maybe I could try it.

I was very worried, but it really didn't hurt at all. My doc injected all over the place. Sometimes it is ongoing treatment, but I only did my initial injections and one followup. It has been amazing. 

Thank you! It's worth a try. I imagine the needle is thin anyway.

Thx again

[nursewife]

Aug 8, 2014 21:21:50 GMT -5 trixiedicksnatch said:

Aug 8, 2014 19:06:21 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

I took topomax at one point and I didn't have a good response. Why no to the Botox?

I'm terrified of the side effects. I got the pamphlet at my last appointment and it freaked me out.

Botox isn't so bad. It's been a game changer for me. 

[nursewife]

Aug 17, 2014 19:15:57 GMT -5 trixiedicksnatch said:

Aug 17, 2014 19:12:01 GMT -5 wanderingenough said:

I used to be a major pill-hoarder too. I think it's from a lifetime of hearing my mom complain about her insurance only approving her for so-many rescue meds a month.

Glad your doc has you moving with a new treatment plan. FX it works!

Thank you!!

Any updates Trixie?

[foundmylazybum]

Aug 14, 2014 15:57:55 GMT -5 trixiedicksnatch said:

So far the new combo had helped a lot. My head still hurts but I don't want to hide under a blanket and cry all day.

I have this ridiculous pill hoarding issue where I get worried I will run out and won't have my pills and ill have the worst headache of all time. So I tend to take less than my recommended dose. Me and my dr talked about it and she was like that's ridiculous. Take the max dose until the headache is gone. All you're doing is curbing the pain not getting rid of it.

So I've been taking alllll the pills and I feel like its helping. I have also been drinking tons of water because the number of meds I'm taking freaks me out. I don't know what drinking water will do but in my head its helpful lol


I'm so excited for my upcoming apts.

I used to NOT take the max dosage of medication to knock out a migraine b/c I was really afraid of getting rebound headaches (which you said you are in a cycle of getting these).

My neuro gave this analogy and it really changed my perspective--and this might help you too:


If you had a fire on your stove in the kitchen--would you throw a glass of water on it? OR would you get a fire extinguisher right away to put it out?  Personally I would get the fire extinguisher. Why? B/C I don't want it to get bigger and bigger and bigger.

Migraines are the same way: you want to hit them hard while they are small to knock them out early.  Take the MAX first while they are small and weak before they get huge and out of control.


One reason WHY you might be getting rebounds is b/c you are taking the min dosage and it's not working--so you take more, and more, and more..over and over.

What is the better outcome if you hit it hard FIRST? You actually SAVE medicine--and feel better.

[Alyssa]

I'm a few months late to this post but my husband gets daily headaches and migraines. He's on Norco's, tizanidine, morphine, occasionally Frova when he loses control of a migraine. Sometimes he goes into a walk-in clinic for a shot. He's had RFA procedures done where they burn nerves in his neck which is nothing more than a band-aid that wears off within 4-5 months.

I live out in Ca. and I have a weed card for depression and anxiety so I went into a dispensary a few days ago and bought some CBD drops. The drops have really helped him a lot so far. They numb the headache and you don't get high at all, it's something like only 1% THC which is NOTHING. Only catch is the small dropper bottle cost me $65 cash.