hello

Hi Sharon,

Yes all forms of Migraine are unbearable and different people get them for different reasons, some can be easily solved some are that much more difficult.  IF your GP doesnt take you seiously, then find one who does, so they can look at simple sollutions first, but it might mean you have to be refered to a Neurologist, who usually orders a MRI scan first to rule out anything serious.  Then they have different options to try and help you.  One of which can be Botox, which is now recognised as a treatment for Migraines.

Good luck Sharon and let us know how you get on

Hi Sharon, I don't mean to not answer your question but if you have 20 years of migraines there are probably many things you have tried. Can you give us some insight into which medications do and do not work for you and if the worst part of your migraines is the actual headache or light sensitivity or another aspect?

That will probably narrow down some better suggestions. For example, some days I don't care AT ALL about the migraine itself if I could just drive home from work without getting dizzy and other days I wish God never made the sun.

Hi Sharon,

You "gotta" tell us more about your migraines--your kinds of doctors, types of medications, of tests, what has worked, what hasn't....we are all different.  What works for one sufferer will be terrible for another.  I agree with "Manda"--some days I wish God never made the son and if there were a gun in the house I would have used it.  I am a senior citizen and enough is enough.  A lot of foods that are good for you, i.e. dairy, you're not supposed to eat because they can be (but not always) potential migraine triggers.  Read everything you can, learn everything you can, try everything you can, and don't give up.  If I never see another neurologist again it will be too soon.  Botox is NOT the final answer that it's advertised to be.....nothing is!  Good luck, one day at a time, keep us posted.

Marcie

Sharon, Sounds like we have tried pretty much the same things.  You have had migraines longer than I.....my latest neurologist says he's not really sure that after this long I can ever get rid of the pain.  Encouraging, isn't it?  As to the Relpax -- I alternate with Excedrin for Migraines which has aceteminophen in it (Advil and others have aspirin in them) -- bottom line is you have to be very careful with rebound headaches.  Relpax is supposed to be taken only 3X a week and for me as a senior ciizen is pricey and lasts only about 8 hours.  Excedrin is taken on alternate days (or nights) and can be taken only every 24 hours according to the instructions on the box.  I never take either med more often because I don't want to make an already bad situation even worse.  Am waiting to hear from my new neurologist who wanted me to wait two months to tell him how the topiramate (Topamax) is working.  I had told him I wasn't waiting any two months, that one month is enough and it isn't working so either increase the dose or change it to something else.  Are you drinking enough water?  And are you wearing sunglasses outside always?  Even a pharmacist, who suffers migraines herself, told me that hydration is very important.  Keep looking, keep fighting!!!

Hi thanks for the support I have a feeling the chronic migraine system will stay with me forever its been a month its a everyday cycle migraine starts 4 in the morning which wakes me up I have 1/4 relpax then I try to sleep edge of the headace goes but the pressure and heaviness of pain is still not going so I take 600 mg ibrufen which slowly starts to take the pressure off and late afternoon I start to feel better until 4 early morning it starts all over again

Hi Sharon -

You're not alone out there, I'm in my early 50's and have had migraines since a small child and much worse since my late 30's.  I did have 2 years respite with Epilim but then it stopped working.  Topirimate turned my brain to mush and then my Neurologist told me he couldn't help me further after I refused to take a drug that I was clearly contra-indicated for.  I had to give up my employment aged 50 and now work self-employed from home.

I wanted to check whether you had tried ice.  It is now my best friend  when I have a migraine.  I sleep on a 'Chillow' during the one week a month that my migraine is relentless - you buy them on Amazon - and I chill mine for an hour in the fridge before I go to bed.  I use flexible, sheet ice packs during the day and have a pair of 'Migralens' specs (also from Amazon) to wear.  On top of Migraleve I use an old fashioned antihistamine or some liquid Diazepam to ease my neck muscles, which helps but I hate taking all this stuff.  I haven't heard of Replax or Excedrin though - where abouts are you guys based?