Migraine Headaches Support Group
Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.
Hi all
I have had migraines on and off for the last 8 years. I finally started on a presentative med (topirmate) and had an emergency (sultriptan) medication, this started in June 2019. I had hardly any migraines. Then a few weeks ago I started to have a lot of body aches; my doctor thinks it’s just a viral infection, along with this I’ve been getting migraines almost daily and some of the worst I’ve ever had, pain wise and cognitive ability during wise. I don’t medicate unless it’s a bad one but I’ve been missing a ton of work. I’ve tried massage therapy, the chiropractor, a few rounds of acupuncture and physio and the treatments seem to trigger migraines and I still get migraines after. All of this is having such a bad effect on my mental health. My anxiety is high, my emergency relief pill has a temporary side effect of chest tightness so I feel like I’m having a panic attack which makes me have panic attacks. My depression has been worst probably because of how miserable I’ve been. I see my doctor again in two weeks and if I still feel like this he said he’ll send me to a specialist which means months of waiting. So I’m frustrated and I don’t know what else to do.
First, please stop going to the chiropractor. Especially if they are cracking your neck. Migraine patients are at an increased risk of stroke just to begin with. Every time your neck is cracked, there is a great likelihood of damage of the delicate blood vessels in the neck that could lead to a stroke, but chiropractors won't acknowledge that.
Also, if even massage is triggering a migraine, stop going. There are many muscles involved when migraines are triggered. I know when I get one, my body can hurt from head to toe. You may be trying to fix it, but if it's making you feel worse, stop. Try something else instead. Maybe try a guided meditation. Something that doesn't involve someone else triggering your muscles.
Last, and most important. Please DO go to a specialist to be treated for your migraines. Yes, it will take months to get in. But no primary care doctor should be treating this condition. They just don't know enough and they just are not up on the latest treatments and studies and research. They also do not have access to some of the newest medications that are on the market for migraines. There are so many stories of doctors who are not headache specialists who undertreat and give up on patients because they just don't have the knowledge. It may take a few months to get in, but in the long run, you will have the best outcome.
Please hang in there. And if you have any questions please feel free to ask.
I feel your pain and can relate to you 100%!!! My primary Dr. put me on Topirmate and it gave me my life back!!!!! I was like you I had migraines everyday of my life I was lucky to have on average maybe 2 days a week without one.
I found out there where triggers for my migraines as well. Such as I am allergic to bananas and they would give me migraines, Also Jalapeno peppers, and latex. So you could be like me and have some food allergies that you are not aware of.
Another tip is when you have your next head ache apply ice to the area, that will help relieve some of the pain. As well as take your finger tips and massage your head and you will find points that are more tender than others. At that location put more pressure at that point and it will help relieve the pain.
I fully understand where you are coming from with your depression!!! Life and quality of life is no fun at all with migraines in your life.
Topirmate Saved MY Life!!!!!!!! I don't know how much you take but I take 50 mg 3x a day and I will be on it for life.
Hang in there and I will be praying for you!