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.
Hey Everyone,
I'm about at my wits end here. I used to get migraines when I was in my late teens and early 20's, but then they subsided and I hardly got them anymore. But 2 weeks ago yesterday I got a migraine. It still hasn't gone away. I've tried everything I can think of, even went to the ER twice so far.
My first visit to the ER was this past Monday. They gave me Dilaudid, Toradol, and Phenergan. They also did a CAT scan and everything came back normal. The second shot of Dilaudid helped some, so they discharged me around midnight. They sent me home with a script for Fiorcet and Phenergan. I can't take meds like Imitrex becaused I had a bad reaction to it. When I woke up the next morning it was worse. I waited as long as I could to go in again. Getting an appointment with my doctor is hard right now because he is out of town for a couple weeks. It's a free clinic so they won't let me see anyone else..Anyway, yesterday morning around 4am I woke up with the worst migraine in my life! I just curled up in a ball and cried and cried. My boyfriend made me go back to the ER. After sitting on a hard exam table for hours...all they did was give me some more Dilaudid, toradol and compazine this time. I had a horrible reaction to the compazine, so they had to give me benedryl to counteract it. I left there with a Migraine still...
I don't know what else to do or take. I've tried all the OTC meds, Fiorcet, Lortab, an Amerge that my mom gave me, wash clothes on my face and neck, relaxation excercises, muscle relaxers, etc. (not all in one day though) LOL But it's still there! Any suggestions? I'll try anything at this point. LOL
Thanks in advance!
Jessica
I'm about at my wits end here. I used to get migraines when I was in my late teens and early 20's, but then they subsided and I hardly got them anymore. But 2 weeks ago yesterday I got a migraine. It still hasn't gone away. I've tried everything I can think of, even went to the ER twice so far.
My first visit to the ER was this past Monday. They gave me Dilaudid, Toradol, and Phenergan. They also did a CAT scan and everything came back normal. The second shot of Dilaudid helped some, so they discharged me around midnight. They sent me home with a script for Fiorcet and Phenergan. I can't take meds like Imitrex becaused I had a bad reaction to it. When I woke up the next morning it was worse. I waited as long as I could to go in again. Getting an appointment with my doctor is hard right now because he is out of town for a couple weeks. It's a free clinic so they won't let me see anyone else..Anyway, yesterday morning around 4am I woke up with the worst migraine in my life! I just curled up in a ball and cried and cried. My boyfriend made me go back to the ER. After sitting on a hard exam table for hours...all they did was give me some more Dilaudid, toradol and compazine this time. I had a horrible reaction to the compazine, so they had to give me benedryl to counteract it. I left there with a Migraine still...
I don't know what else to do or take. I've tried all the OTC meds, Fiorcet, Lortab, an Amerge that my mom gave me, wash clothes on my face and neck, relaxation excercises, muscle relaxers, etc. (not all in one day though) LOL But it's still there! Any suggestions? I'll try anything at this point. LOL
Thanks in advance!
Jessica
Or next time you go to the ER, get some Decadron.
Another OTC option you may not have tried:
Gelstat Migraine. It comes in a red box. It is Feverfew and Ginger sublingually. It can also be found online. www.gelstat.com
You can also try upping your current dose of magnesium. They sometimes use magnesium in an IV to abort migraines. The problem with oral Mg for aborting a migraine is that it is slow-acting, so don't expect immediate relief. I'm just throwing this out there as another possibility.
I'm so very sorry you've got such a bad cluster. Are you taking a preventive med? If not, this may be the time to check that out. My doc said they really can help prevent or atleast lessen amount of migraines you get. God Bless,
Stacie
Jessica
BARRINGTON
I am highly sensitive to many medications-I have to insist on a child's dose and never taking something new when I'm in a migraine cycle. I just don't want to add another problem to the head pain I already have.
I would recommend the fioricet, I've taken it for years. At the first sign of a headache-for me it could be an aura or pain, I take fioricet immediately. I can often shorten the duration of the headache and get a head start on the pain.
Hope you're feeling better, I've got to get ready for school-we have a -3 windchill and several inches of snow with more falling. Of course, the Jeep is outside. Cold, cold air can trigger a headache for me. I'm going to bundle up and keep my exposure to this as brief as possible!!!
EvieS
meaning you did not have multiple Migraine 1) Your Migraine headache has "converted" to another type of headache (the most common being a Cluster Headache); OR
2) It is MORE than a headache, which would need a more specific type of imaging scan like an MRI or MRA, even perhaps a CT Angiogram to rule out an aneurysm. I have NEVER been given a CT to investigate a Migraine - I have always been given an MRI or MRA with and without contrast.
I have had two Migraines just like yours - A typical Migraine attack that lasted about 2 weeks and eventually became so painful and intollerable, I was throwing up. I went to the ER both times, and found out that the original headache had turned into a Cluster Headache. My Neurologist's "cocktail" (Morphine, Benadryl and something else - a steroid?) given IV in the ER, positively did the trick in about 2 doses.
1) Your Migraine headache has "converted" to another type of headache (the most common being a Cluster Headache); OR
2) It is MORE than a headache, which would need a more specific type of imaging scan like an MRI or MRA, even perhaps a CT Angiogram to rule out an aneurysm. I have NEVER been given a CT to investigate a Migraine - I have always been given an MRI or MRA with and without contrast.
I have had two Migraines just like yours - A typical Migraine attack that lasted about 2 weeks and eventually became so painful and intollerable, I was throwing up. I went to the ER both times, and found out that the original headache had turned into a Cluster Headache. My Neurologist's "cocktail" (Morphine, Benadryl and something else - a steroid?) given IV in the ER, positively did the trick in about 2 doses.