migraines and quality of life
Posted , 8 users are following.
Migraine has been like a dark cloud over my life for over 30 years it arises when you want to go out and returns when you have been anywhere. My job is always difficult some migraines I can work for short periods of time and then end up in bed. Sometimes I can't work at all and end up going off sick.I feel I am walking a tightrope sometimes and fear losing my job altogether. Like many stories on here tried combinations of meds seen a neurologist but nothing stops them it is all damage limitation. The GP recently stopped my propranalol because of side effects (it caused some episodes of breathlessness on exertion) for and out of the past month over half the days have been written off because of migraine. I tried tropamax the side effects made me feel half alive I am reluctant to try anti depressants because of side effects. I am so fed up of having to plan my life around migraines I am just recovering from yet another episode so feeling pretty low at the moment is there any hope of something that gives me a better quality of life?
1 like, 23 replies
foggydays
Posted
yvonne19574 foggydays
Posted
Topirimax made me really ill and well out of it abit like the filmFear and Loathing in America with Johny Depp.Look at the Migraine trusts site and Migraine Action. Contact them .Search specialists out.30 years is along time to stay with one assessment .Bottom line you have to do a lot of searching and research yourself and then educate the doctors in a gentle way .Research and new practises are happening all over the world.nEurologists and neurosurgeons are sharing research and data .
yvonne19574
Posted
iTs not easy with the fear of losing your job , you have rights seek out disability advisers, occupational therapists that employers have to employ in medical cases.Get advice from your Union if you have one.Living in fear will increase your stress levels and aggravate your attacks so make a list of things to do.Systematically approach a to do manner of finding out,
self help ask others on this site.If you want some positive reading Dr Paul Shanahans reports and conference lectures always. Illustrates a determination to help and seek improvement for sufferer and hopefully eventually give us better way of life.After 30 years you need some good news and support .Stage by stage is a challenge but what have you to loose ?
helen01813 yvonne19574
Posted
yvonne19574 helen01813
Posted
been her way back a to normal existence , work, driving, travelling without
support abroad etc.I had a bad time of it when the dose was increased but at a small dose it did help reduce attacks and the severity of attacks.Good luck and keep posting.
Sorehead11 foggydays
Posted
It is a relief to hear stories so similar to mine but at the same time it makes me sad to think others are suffering. Thank you all for sharing your stories. I too, am having a hard time with chronic migraine and much of your post Antpring sounded familiar. About the only differences are I am on Botox (4 rounds) and have just started back on Topamax (and, yes, feeling like crap). I am 45, female and have suffered for about 25 years, being diagnosed with chronic migraine about 12 yrs ago. I live in Australia and have seen several (7) neurologists and waiting to see a new one. Along with the usual bag of alternative practitioners, physics, chiros, massage, etc.
I have just had another few weeks in hospital after getting to a point where I can't manage any longer. I was also taking Targin to get through work, along with Imigran (my saviour). I am also a teacher and not giving my best at work. I had a lignocaine infusion for 8 days with little effect, was sent home only to crash and have to go back in a worse state. It was horrendous. I think it is the darkest place I have been to with these stupid migraines. I was so helpless, it has left me shattered. I am normally pretty upbeat and don't let these migraines shake me too much but I feel like I can't see clear at the moment. Still headaches everyday, feeling fuzzy and zombie-like. This sucks. Sorry to unload but I feel you would all understand.
😐
sbkris foggydays
Posted
Sorry to take a while to respond. Had to search around for my password! Memory issues thanks to previous migrianies!
I'll try and outline what I did. Plan to put an ebook up on amazon also. So thanks for asking.
I am pretty much migraine free at this point...after suffering from stroke like, go to hospital stuff a year ago. Here's what I've done so far.
Supplements
B12
magnesium
white willow bark
vincopocene
Vit C
daily multi vit
Vit D - all supplements had to be gluten, additive free
Organic green tea
Gave up all wheat, dairy and caffeine. ( I am able to have 1 cup of coffee with a little milk or almond milk now and seem to do okay with that.) If I add wheat or gluten of any kind the headaches try to start up again. Its good to really research what foods have wheat or gluten as it's hidden in many foods.
Don't eat much sugar either. I know this probably doesnt sound like much fun- but there are actually lots of new books with recipes to make tasty food without the stuff that was making me sick. For that first 'recovery year I ate at least 5 cups of organic veggies, salads per day. And only occasional organic/grass fed meat or fish.
Rest was also a huge part of my recovery, and I know that's hard to do for most. I sat out in the sun, read a lot, watched funny movies. It was difficult financially for us, but I figured it was my only hope of ever being able to function again.
Also did a lot of stretching and massage of my neck muscles.
Stayed of the computer as much as possible.
Detox baths of 1/2 cup of epsom salts for 20 minutes several times a week.
Sometimes 1/2 cup of empsom salt and hydrogen peroxide baths also helped.
I took an asprin/magneseum/cafeeine medication at the first sign or twinge of a headache. Prevention seems to be huge for me.
Without question, for me cutting out all processed foods was the key to getting better. I also added a daily high dose probitic capsule and yogurt to my diet. (plain, without added sugar or colorings.)
Also, cutting out 99% of my stress and situations that were stressful.
Hope this is helpful to some of you,
I did not take medication, except the supplements, as the medication knocked me out too much. Hang in and good luck to everyone! I'll look through my notes and see if there's anything else that comes to mind...
helen01813 sbkris
Posted