1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Migraine

Migraines everyday, all day, for 9 months. Help!!

Posted , 296 users are following.

Becky-Louise
Becky-Louise

Remember your worst migraine. How much pain you were in and how you just couldn't do anything. That's how I am everyday.

Right so I'm a 20 year old female, I'm and student and work as a waitress part time.

So, I started with a headache on the 18th January this year, pain killers didn't touch it. Woke up the next day and still had a terrible headache.

I have a terrible headache all day, everyday, without fail. It's got to the point now that I'm stressed; fed up, hardly sleeping, can't concentrate at uni or any time really.

Please understand that the pain never goes, the headache never ends. I have literally had a migraine 24/7 for 9 months now.

I wear glasses (short sighted) but I know it's not my eyes causing the migraines.

I've cut out everything that's apparently supposed to aggravate headaches. Stop drinking caffeine, stop eating chocolate and cheese. No change in the headaches.

This continued for a week or two before I went to see my GP who referred me to a neurologist.

The first neurologist thought I had tension headaches caused by stress.

At this point, I wasn't stressed at all, not with uni or work, nothing. So I didn't quite understand this diagnosis.

Anyway he put me onto tablets called amitriptyline, which is an antidepressant, and told me to gradually increase my dosage up to 50mg a day. This didn't help at all, had horrible side affects.

I then saw another neurologist who diagnosed me with migraines, put me into Topamax, which are an anti epileptic drug meant to also treat migraines. I got my dose up to 100mg within 3 months and the side affects were horrible and didn't help at all.

I've had a CT scan, which was normal. Had an MRI scan, which was normal. I've also tried Imigran and some migraine medication that melts into your tongue, with no affect what so ever.

After trying all this, an idea was put forward that I could have raised intracranial hypertension, so yesterday I had a Lumbar Puncture. The pressure was at 19 and a half (apparently if its over 20 it's high), so it's not thought its that. The migraines were worse for a week after the lumbar puncture, I couldn't even sit up without being in agony and being sick. Spent a week in bed unable to move.

I've got another type of MRI scan booked for the end of this month that's apparently going to look at the veins/blood vessels in my head to see if there is a problem there.

I feel like I'm not being taken seriously now by doctors, because "there isn't anything to be worried about, like a tumour" as I'm always told! As much as I'm so very glad I don't have anything serious to be worried about, I hate spending everyday in so much pain that I can't function.

Please don't think I'm over reacting/attention seeking/whatever, but I am literally fed up and can't cope. I can't get a minute of relief, I'm constantly in pain (different variations of pain, but pain all the same). As I'm writing this I'm crying my eyes out because I haven't managed to sleep more than 3 hours a night in that past 4 days. I'm exhausted and depressed now. I've even told my GP that I am so depressed now, I have thought on more than one occasion of overdosing just to end this pain. And he literally turned me away saying he couldn't do anything. I feel so defeated.

If anyone has had this type of problem before or knows someone that has, please let me know.

24 likes, 741 replies

741 Replies

Prev Next
  • Becky-Louise
    Becky-Louise

    Posted

    So guys, just had my second round of Botox, I absolutely hate every minute of it, but fingers crossed this works!!
    • Tobamory
      Tobamory Becky-Louise

      Posted

      Becks i go 20th, does it hurt ? LOL i watched it on youube which made me cringe especially when they do the side of ya temples , needles massive
    • Becky-Louise
      Becky-Louise Tobamory

      Posted

      I refuse to look at the needle, I close my eyes and grit my teeth. Not gonna lie, it hurts! 
  • Emis_Moderator
    Emis_Moderator Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Hi all,

    I have deleted posts and replies in this thread as the user was in breach of the T&Cs and was asking for users' details to presumably sell some "miracle cure". The user has been deactivated but if anyone posts like this in future please use the "Report" link as a user here did to draw it to our attention so we can act on it.

    Regards,

    Alan

    Emis Moderator

  • gabsterz198
    gabsterz198 Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Hi Becky-Louise

    im a fifteen yearned old highschool student. We really seem to have the similar issues. I've been having migraines for 10 months now and it gets worst every few days. I usually have no trouble sleeping either, but now I can hardly sleep. This migraines are really disturbing my activities as a highschool student and a part time teacher.

    • carolanne77340
      carolanne77340 gabsterz198

      Posted

      If I had my time over ( Mine began childhood/teens, now 49), I would have stayed away from pain killers. You use them because you are desperate & think that you are in control, taking them PRN. I started like this but slowly progressed to stronger & stronger meds. This leads to rebound headaches but its too late...youre hooked. There are lots of other treatments available today & I would urge you to try what people recommend on this fab site,. Good Luck x
  • caralleen22164
    caralleen22164 Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Hi everyone,  there's a brand new book out in the US, just released couple weeks ago by an Integrative Medicine doctor who researches and treats chronic pain patients.  It's phenomenal; I can't put it down.  The book is called Total Recovery- Solving the Mystery of Chronic Pain and Depression by Dr. Gary Kaplan.  I highly recommend it.  I've suffered terrible daily headaches for 18 years.  I feel like this book is about me.  On Amazon, you can read a lot of excerpts and decide for yourself if it's worth getting.  Some of you are quite young, though, and have a good chance at avoiding years of daily analgesics like some of us have endured- his book might really help you!  He's no doubt showing groundbreaking insights into the treatment of chronic pain.  Best to all.
  • maddi02761
    maddi02761 Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Hey I just wanted to say that you're not alone, I have exactly the same thing that you have. I'm 19 and have had for nearly 4 years. I have also been on the same medication as you, I've had MRI, CT, an the lumbar puncture (which I can agree with the crap side affects that just make this worse). I understand when you say that the doctors are not taking you seriously. If I find a way that makes this stop I will let you know ASAP and I hope you could do the same for me, two heads are better than one
  • susan43558
    susan43558 Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Becky-Louise: I was this way... this may seem really strange to offer you my phone number, but there is just too much I did to type. I will give you a few of the things, just so you know I am serious, plus you can look me up on facebook to see that I am a normal person with a family, friends and a job. I had what they called "suicide headaches" where the pain is so bad that I only got relief from hitting my head so hard over and over that I might have accidentally committed suicide. My headaches would be everyday, nothing relieved them except Maxalt, which the doctor could not prescribe for every day. I found a combination of vitamins, everyone might have their own combo, but here's mine: cod liver oil pills... four a day of 415mg, they stink, but it's necessary. It's the vitamin A and D in them, so I am experimenting with different types of foods to get the same vitamins. Vitamin A is the key, I believe. I took acutaine which is vitamin A in high doses, for achne, and the headaches subsided, then came back after the acutane treatment was over! Total accidental discovery! Then... vitamin B12 liquid drops, the methylcobalamin form is very important... no b12 pill nor under the toungue form worked for me... two dropperfulls morning and night or anytime I started to get the feeling a headache was comming on, most times it worked. THEN... gentle iron: ferrous gluconate... once a day, twice a day during my period. Folate, not follic acid... folate. It's the fat soluable vitamins that are so important in my case, A, D, E, K... we get vitamin K from probiotics, so I take one of those a day... also, I had shoulder surgery... do you have a sore shoulder or neck? Also... MSM and vitamin C... I can explain what brand and how to get it if you call... there's just so much... if you are not comfortable calling... send me a message back with any questions, if you would like. Also, Emergen-C packets, three a day at least. And... I wear sunglasses that have yellow lenses, it really helps block the blue light which I am sensetive to for God knows what reason. I used to cry everyday, which only made the pain worse, so I understand!! I haven't had a headache in about a year now... maybe one or two when I get lazy about the vitamins. I am not a doctor, just to let you know, I am just a regular person with no degree, but I do pray all day long... and sometimes, our own bodies can tell us what a doctor cannot... headaches are a sign that your body is in major distress... doctors are not allowed by law to recommend vitamins, because they are not government regulated, but, I believe nature knows best and there are vitamins for a good reason

    Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the personal details. We do not publish these as the forums are open to anyone to read, not just registered members. Please use the private message service to exchange personal details if required.

    • caralleen22164
      caralleen22164 susan43558

      Posted

      Hi Susan, I'm in Florida. I'm fascinated by your story and the supplements you're taking.  I do a lot of natural stuff too and have an acupuncturist that prescribes various vitamins. How long did it take you to figure out what to take and how much?  I imagine many months of trial and error. I'm amazed you're headache free now!  Did you stop all medications completely?  Thanks for sharing..  We're all learning from each other. Best wishes. 
    • susan43558
      susan43558 caralleen22164

      Posted

      It took years. All prescription drugs are sitting unused on my counter now. 
    • caralleen22164
      caralleen22164 susan43558

      Posted

      I'm not suprised. You encourage me to keep experimenting!  I am convinced there are no medications that will help. They all make things worse. 
  • jodielynn7881
    jodielynn7881 Becky-Louise

    Posted

    i've had a migraine for over 22 months now. i completely understand.  i would demand an eeg to make sure its not some form of cluster siezure.  i have had over 15 ct scans, 7 mris, 4 eegs and many other tests. i have been to over 10 drs. but mine is caused from a fractured skull 9/2012 - that nearly killed me and broke my neck. but i know a lot about migraines (i'm a RN also) i've had the amitriptyline, topamax, propranalol, fioricet, up to fentanyl patches (which they give cancer patients) still not 100% whats causing my migraine. theyhave diagnosed me (yet again, first time was wrong) with epilepsy from bft (blunt force trauma) basically, the scar tissue in my brain causes it to misfire. but i have a migraine 24/7 have for almost 2 years. i feel your pain. but a neurologist should do an EEG.
    • carolanne77340
      carolanne77340 jodielynn7881

      Posted

      It must be soul destroying after so many consultations/investigations. I have only had one MRI, which came bak with some "parietal flairs in the frontal lobe" but classed as an insignificant finding. I was basically informed that "it's all in my head" = psychosomatic, due to stress. I attempted to continue the quest for help today via a private £200 30min, however, after a one & half hour wait & then someone else called & 2 more left, I was exhausted & could not wait. This wasn't what the private hospital advertised. I was informed that they were "running late"..... In that case, the doc may well have been too tired by the time he got to see me. At the mo, Im coasting on pain killers. I have returned to work, but need double dosage to get through. I totally empathise with you Jodie, Becky & everyone else on here. May we all get help/healing soon.....
    • susan43558
      susan43558 carolanne77340

      Posted

      Have you tried probiotics? I suggest a really good one, from the internet distributing or a naturopathic store. Did you take antibiotics for any extended time? Also, I took cod liver oil pills, it's the vitamin A... took about 8 weeks and now I go off and on them
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.