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.

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pippiphurray 02/25/2016

I'm new to this support group. I'm a member of Pseudo Tumor Cerebri which causes high pressure headaches, blurry vision, pain in neck and shoulders. I originally thought I was just having migraines but turns out I have PTC. I'm sharing this information just in case someone reads this and might be misdiagnosed.

These headaches are pure hell! I am having difficulty coping and for those of you who have them everyday I don't know how you do it!. I'm on day 7 now of this one. My Neuro Ophthalmologist who is treating my PTC has given percocet for headache but not sure it helps much. I'm also on zonismide which helped originally.

Can someone please recommend medications? Maybe I can get my primary doctor to prescribe something else for me to battle these monster headaches.

Thank You,
Pip

devanthony 02/25/2016

My neuro tried me on absolutely everything to prevent pain, and none of it worked. I have had good luck treating migraines with injectable Sumatriptan, though. He prescribed that for me a couple of months ago, and it has about a 50% success rate at stopping the pain, which is a hell of a lot higher than the rest of my prescriptions.

YvetteK 02/25/2016

There are at least a half dozen triptans on the market. Sumatriptan was the very first one on the market. Try each one, and stay with what ever one gives your relief. For me, sumatriptan is like taking tic tacs. It's like that for several of them. Only one helps me, which is Relpax. But ever person is different.

I really hope you find something that works, and quickly. Good luck!

pippiphurray 02/28/2016

Thank you both for your help! I will try anything at this point! Hoping my primary prescribes something and doesn't wait for a referral to a neurologist.

rcaschbacher 03/01/2016

Hi Pip, I have what I believe are migraines...though I also get the pain in my neck, shoulders, and upper back along with my head pain. I will have to look more into the PTC. Is your head pain one sided with light and sound sensitivity? That is how my head pain is. I do not have any vision trouble, other than light sensitivity when the headaches are really bad.

To your question about meds! :) My GI has me on Topomax as a preventative measure as well as Sumatriptan pills for when the preventive does not work and a migraine does hit.

I am also on birth control as I have had hormonal migraines since beginning my period! Bleh! I also have migraines when storms move in...like thunder storms. Something to do with the pressure. At the beginning of this year my GI and I just increased the Topomax and have switched my BC (pill form) to be 'continuous' (as in no periods) to see if we can decrease my storm migraines and also try to stop/decrease my hormone migraines via stopping the periods.

Sort of more than you asked and I don't know if it will really help you with the PTC.

I am sorry you have had this for 7 days straight when you posted this and hope that you are feeling better,
Rachel A.

pippiphurray 03/01/2016

Hi RachelA! Please go get your eyes checked for your Optic Nerves to see if they are swelled. They will need to dilate your eyes to see and take pictures but it is low cost like 20 dollars. The pain associated in neck and shoulders, etc. is a symptom of Pseudo Tumor Cerebri also known as IH ( Intracranial Hypertension).

This disease targets over weight women who are in menopause or about to be in menopause but even infants get it. It's no joke and can cause blindness and high pressure headaches that never go away.

Thank you for the information on the medication! I'm going to beg my primary doctor for meds on Friday Imitrex probably. The pressure in my head released for no reason today for a few hours and I had relief and I could work. And now it's building back up!

Please get a simple eye check for PCT because lots of folks go misdiagnosed! Thank you so much for responding! I hope tonight is a pain free one for everyone!!

shelleyaz 05/20/2016

Imitrex did nothing for me
Relpax works but makes me sleepy
Frova works well
Maxalt tablet works and lasts about 16-20 hours.
Maxalt melt works faster but doesn't last as long

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