Hi Dan:
(((hugs))) to you. You are NOT alone and I understand your feelings and frustrations. Chronic pain is horrible and the physical pain takes a huge mental toll. If you read the "about me" section of my profile, you will see that I have daily intractable migraines as well as many other sources of pain that never ends and its wearing me down big time, so i know where your at.

Unfortunately, for me, no meds work and since i've been diagnosed with "multiple chemical sensitivity" all meds, in any class, actually trigger or worsen migraines.

Take it one day at a time, one hour at a time if you need to. It sucks living in pain. I'm here to offer friendship and hope. Stay positive, new treatments are coming out all the time - hopefully something will work for you soon.

I know the feeling I have migraines almost every other day and I start having feelings of depression because i'm constantly wondering when is this going to ever end. Try to stay as positive as you can (I know it's hard). Have you tried alternative medicine?

Thank you for your kind support. Yesterday I went and got a long relaxing massage and then slept most of the afternoon, and had no problem sleeping last night. Of course I woke up with a migraine today like usual but I don't feel quite so desperate.

I have been trying relaxation and guided imagery to help manage my migraine condition. A good number of my migraines are triggered by tension muscle contraction problems. About two years ago I came across a relaxation CD while in a chemotherapy center. The CD is meant for cancer patients while undergoing chemo. It is the best of many relaxation materials that I've come across. I think it has helped me get a better balance on my headache condition. The CD portions that mention chemo or cancer cells are very limited. If you are interested the CD is available at ellen@imadulation.com. I picked my copy up free at the chemo center. where they are provided by the pharmaceutical company that makes ProCrit (to raise blood crit levels for those receiving chemo). I think the purchased CD is about $20. I'm not an affilitate member of imadualtion and don't have any financial interest in the sale of these CD's.

I am sorry you are so down, Dan.

I also have chronic migraine, and have had horrible problems with my insurance company covering my meds.

I made sure my doctor was on board, so he could write letters telling them that I could NOT take certain drugs (they were practicing medicine by suggesting that instead of pain meds I take Beta Blockers, to which I am allergic. My doctor was LIVID when he read this.)

Also, I know this goes against common sense, but sometimes surrendering to the fact that the pain is chronic, and intractable, and that this will be a battle actually HELPS!

When you do this you are NOT saying "I give up" but you are saying, "This is my lot in life, and I am going to accept it, and fight it with what I can fight it with." By doing this, you will not give in to false hope (like some of the ridiculous ads on the side of this page like "stop migraine forever!!!!") you will be less of a target for quack medicine, and able to concentrate on helping your healing.

I know people who do worse FIGHTING a "chronic" diagnosis, refusing to believe that they will not find a "cure" and wasting time which could be spent actually treating the condition, looking at false hopes.

Talk to your doctor about sending a letter, fax etc to your insurance company. My doctor uses the phrase "You, as an insurance company, may NOT practice medicine without a licence, and by 'suggesting' less expensive drugs, that my patient cannot take and that I will NOT prescribe, due to their lack of efficacy, IS practicing medicine without a license. YOUR job is to pay for the meds I say will work for my patient."

Relaxation is VERY helpful, but you also needs med. So, talk to your doctor to help you in your treating this illness.

Good luck.

I am tired of my headaches/migraines/cluster headache symptoms as well. Mine started with a concussion/brain injury. It was mild but it left me some soueneirs. I wish I could bring them back, LOL. I am also getting tired of taking all the meds as well. Up to 26 pills a day. They asked me if I wanted to try a better Occipital Nerve Stimulator and I said " YES!!!" Anything to get off of these meds if not just some of them. I want my life back. Dan, you are not alone.

Hello Dan,

I am so sorry to hear that you are also suffering from this pain. This horrible pain can definitely take a toll on you mentally and will completly change your life. My suffering has been 12 years long and a couple years ago, I sought counseling. My pain and frustration of not being able to work or maintain a social life, had me at a point that I was only existing. I lost my desire to do things I onced loved and I also lost friends.

So understand you are not alone and I completely understand how you feel. I challenge you to fight this neurological disease and press on. You will have moments when you just want to give up and the pain will at times seem to much to take, but know that you have others that understand and support you. Stay strong and fight to remain optimistic.