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

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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

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  • fariseh93694
    fariseh93694 Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Hi becky,

    I'm a 20 year old female currently facing the exact same symptoms as you and have almost gone through the same process of MRIs and medication as you have. It's been over a year since you posted I just wanted to ask if you nor have any relief from all this or not??

  • alexandra04887
    alexandra04887 Becky-Louise

    Posted

    I'd love to know if you ever found a solution to your migraine. I've had one for 2 months now and I leave tomorrow to start my first year of college. I have a pretty stressful major and I can't fathom having a migraine and being a successful college student.

    I've had all of the same symptoms as you and have tried the same medicines.

    In comparison 2 months is nothing compared to yours but mine shows no signs of letting up and I wouldn't be surprised if it lasted as long.

    Thanks

  • sydney40865
    sydney40865 Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Hi, I totally understand what your going through. I too have migrane headaches literally every single day and it's been going on for months now.I have no idea what the problem is and it's really impacting my life and stressing me out. I start college in a few weeks and I can barely watch TV as is now. The problem is I cant see a neurologist until November because thier booked. Im starting to get worried that something could be wrong I don't know and won't know until November. So Becky, I feel your pain. Literally and metaphorically.

  • bvalentine
    bvalentine Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Hello, my name is Bill. I wish I had words of wisdom to share, but unfortunately I do not. I am still searching the universe for a solution to the migraine hell I live every day. I have found a way through meditation to cope with the pain - I do not know what life without migraine is like. For me, the migrain never goes away, the only question is how severe will it be and which side effects, including temporary aphasia, will I suffer through. Also, I get tired just like everyone else, but I am scared to death to sleep. I have reasoned this is my carma from something horrible that I did in a former life or I have died and gone to hell. I hope I did not bring you down, I just wanted you to know that you are not alone...

    I wish for you an end to your suffering!

  • franca_1712
    franca_1712 Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Hi becky-louise. I can certainly sympathise with your problems. My 12yr old daughter is on her 2nd round of migraines (she's had about a 5wk break after 23 days of nonstop migraines ). Medication does not work and I really don't want to go the ct scan/mri route as I know this won't show anything. My daughter has a restful sleep but is in agony every morning ( you'd think migraines would ease from so much sleep). Have you tried a head/neck massage? My daughter tends to get relief from them. Mind you, not this time round. Her therapist can actually feel where the pain is in her head so works on that. I'm wanting to try hypnotherapy (she won't agree to it though). Have you thought of giving that a go? Acupuncture maybe? I wish you all the very best and hope you can come up with a solution.

  • Hamneggy
    Hamneggy Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Becky-Louise, I can relate. On 4/5/2010 I woke up with a migraine. I'd had them on and off for about 25 years but they never lasted more than 3 days or so. Unfortunately, I've still got that 4/5/2010 headache. It changes location and early on the severity ranged from a 6 to a 10. They are now only a 9 or 10 on the pain scale. I have had every test run and tried every medication. I have been yo UCLA Medical Center and the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago (for a week). I've had pain blocks, epidurals, tens units etc. I live on Dilaudid (56mg a day). We are currently testing for the right pain med to use in an implanted pain pump. I had to quit work 5 years before my retirement date. OI would have had 30 years in working for the state of Calif. I had the same problem you did after the spinal tap because apparently we were supposed to be told to go home and lay flat (not even a pillow) for days. Because we didn't, the puncture didn't heal and we leaked spinal fluid. I'm sorry but after all these years I don't have an answer for you. The only thing that helps a tiny bit is botox from my headache specialist. All it does is make the pain meds work a little bit better. Please if you learn of anything that helps please let me know. I'll do the same for you. I will also remember you in my prayers. Sincerely, Michalle

    I forgot to tell you I don't sleep either. On average I sleep 2 to 3 nights a week. I often go 3 nights in a row without sleeping (and I don't sleep during the day ) even though I spend my life in bed. I'm afraid to say I've reached the point that should I sleep I would simply rather not wake up (but I couldn't do that to my husband or family). Let's hang in there together.

  • sianemily
    sianemily Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Hey there Becky-Louise...did you ever resolve your migranes? I am at my wits end with my gorgeous 9 year old daughter who has had a migrane for 2 months. Hideous!

    Same as you in terms of 'nothing works'

    Am keen to know if you are now pain free? I really hope so!!!

    • Hamneggy
      Hamneggy sianemily

      Posted

      Hi Sianemily, I am soooooo sorry about your daughter. I have had the same migraine everyday since 2010. I have tried everything. The lastly thing I am going to do before I have my pain pump implanted is get my daith pierced. I have read good things and am willing to try anything and everything. God bless you both!
    • franca_1712
      franca_1712 sianemily

      Posted

      Hello sianemily. I certainly feel for your daughter as my 12 yr old daughter is going through bad ongoing migraines. Just got blood test results and she's severely anaemic even though she eats red meat and veg. Maybe try for a blood test? Result is now she has to take iron tablets so migraines should start settling down within a couple of weeks and hopefully completely disappear within a month. Hope this helps. Good luck

    • sianemily
      sianemily franca_1712

      Posted

      Yes - I am quite convinced it is a vitamin deficinecy of some kind.  Does your daughter do alot of (uncharacteristic) flopping about? Mine is really sporty & active - but when she is in a migrane 'phase' she can barely get up the stairs without weeping. It's awful.

      Anyway - I hope your girl gets some relief in a week or so! I will keep you posted about mine - we were at the neurology clinic toady & she has been referred for bloods & a spine MRI scan (??) but they said it will include the head too.  I doubt they will find anything, but at least we're 'in the system' now...

    • franca_1712
      franca_1712 sianemily

      Posted

      Because my daughter is used to these migraines, she doesn't look unwell. She gets out of bed in the morning after maybe 10hrs sleep, goes to the couch and is out again for maybe another 3hrs. She can't really function before early afternoon. When they're really bad (mind you, so far her rating out of 10 for pain is usually 13), i can see her start to crash and the circles under her eyes get darker.

      Dr and i have always brought it down to severe stress (that's ANOTHER story...) and we've been ruling out mri/cat scan because of it yet we'll still be keeping our neurology appt. Counsellor and doctor believe it's also psychosomatic.

      Before receiving blood test results, i was actually wishing something would come up to have a 'miracle cure' to help heal my daughter. Anaemia equals iron tablets for my daughter now. I'm hoping, and i really don't mean it in a bad way, that if your daughter has bloods, something will show up as it has for mine.

      I wish you all the very best. Please let me know how you get on.

  • noah64796
    noah64796 Becky-Louise

    Posted

    Hello late post I hope you found a solution and could let me know because I have been suffering for 13 years. I started at a family doctor and was put on propanaloly didnt work multiple hospital visists for dehydration and taradol ivs didnt work, amitrypltlyne didnt know something with a c ( dont remember the name also didnt work) auro toprimate an anti siezure medication didnt work. Amerge. 2.0 didn't work. i could go on for days Im behind 3 years in school because im constantly throwing up from the pain my mom has a history of grandmals Sizures and is on permanent disability and im afraid so will I. Ive been to multiple doctors and none of them could give me an answer I just want the pain to stop its getting the the point where ive thought of killing myself multiple times

    • Ollypop
      Ollypop noah64796

      Posted

      Hi Noah

      Have you been referred to a neurologist? If not ask your gp to refer you, if you have, ask for another referral to a headache clinic I don't know where you live but there is one at UCL in London.

      Good luck

    • Hamneggy
      Hamneggy noah64796

      Posted

      Hang in there Noah. I have had a migraine 24/7 since 4/5/2010. I had to disability retire (after 26 years) in September that year. I have tried every medication, even off label like Namenda which is really for Alzheimer's. All kinds of vitamins and supplements. Nothing helped. The only thing that has provided some relief is Botox. I have been doing some research and have found that a number of people have had great success by getting their diaths pierced. I am going o get it done. I have been to UCLA and the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago (where I stayed inpatient for a week) and I live in CA.  I was at my headache specialists office today and he told me they are testing a new drug unlike any other. It centers on the migraine gene. He said it should be out within a year. This is the first time I have been hopeful in a long time. I know the thoughts of suicide. I think the only thing that keeps me from it is how it would hurt those I leave behind. Please, please, please don't go that route. Have faith and pray. I'll be praying for you too. I suggest you get your family doctor to refer you to a pain management specialist. We are currently determining what pain med to use in a pain pump. I have tried 2 so far. The side effects from the first one was unbearable. The second one, dilaudid, no side effects but in order to relieve sufficient pain, the dose had to be so high it put me to sleep. This month we are going to try Sufentanil. I intend to post about both the piercing and the pain pump progress as I go. Are you aware of all the foods you should not eat or drink? Let me know if you have any questions I might be able to help you with. Take care and God bless.

    • noah64796
      noah64796 Hamneggy

      Posted

      I'm only 17 and have been suffering since the age of 5 I got my widsom teeth removed hoping it would stop the pain would have subsided but again it failed would have replied faster but of course i was throwing up! Recently i threw up blood and the hospital doesn't take me seriously ive beem to over 50 doctors and nothing works my dad kicked me out because ge thinks im faking it so i live with my girlfriend im afraid of being alone and having nobody my prescriptionlist is longer than tgat of an 80 year old! Im already on disability and unable to attend school i look at myself as a failure and I just wamt to end it nobody understands me when i try to say how bad the pain is. Its currenty 6 am ive yet to sleep for the 5th night in a row is there any other way I could message you? I feel so alone because everyone just thinks its "only a headache suck it up"

    • noah64796
      noah64796 Ollypop

      Posted

      My neurologist has even given up on me shes tried so many different mdecines cambia, anti siezure meds ext none of worked my doctors are working on medical marijuana now i just cant find an answer its getting unbearable

    • Hamneggy
      Hamneggy noah64796

      Posted

      I tried the Maryjane. I must admit it did help the migraine but it put me right into la-la land. It's been too many years since I've smoked it regularly so I have no tolerance.

    • Hamneggy
      Hamneggy

      Posted

      Noah, I sent you another message but it is being held because I put a website with a dr search and they have to check all postings with other websites in them.
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