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

My wife has been a migraine sufferer since childhood. Only in the past year or so have they gotten to where she had 4 to 7 migraine days per week. Her neurologist had exhausted the migraine medications looking for one that will work and had now put her on ambien (sleep aid) to see if getting her back on a regular sleep schedule will help. Too early to tell if it's helping yet, especially since the ambien doesn't always help her sleep through the pain. When she was younger and had only occasional migraines, she would get 2 to 3 day migraines with her menstrual cycle. Now that she is nearing 50 I'm wondering if this almost constant migraine is all hormonal, with pending menopause around the corner. At her next regular doctor visit, I'm going to suggest checking her hormone levels. This may not be the answer for her or anyone else but I think it is worth checking. Everyone has hormones, including men. I think a hormonal imbalance could cause all kinds of problems, including migraines. I'll check back in if we learn anything with either the sleep therapy or the hormone check.

Hello I've been researching for answers for the exact problem you're going through doctor's think I'm lying and crazy I've been like this since I was 13 yrs old im now 23 it effects my job my friendships relationships makes me suicidal at times and I have always felt I was the only one who felt like this but your story almost sounds exactly like mine went to a neurologist when i was 13 and he laughed and thought it was diabetes so I did test everything was perfect so then he ran test found nothing told my doctor about my severe migraines he pretty much said oh they're just headaches stop drinking caffeine and eating cheese and chocolate well i don't drink or take caffeine caffeine and I do eat cheese and chocolate every now and then but I have a migraine every single day to the point where it makes me throw up been to the hospital multiple times for it . It has really taken over my life and I'm to the point of giving up I've tried everything and so far the only thing that helps me is meditating music vicks rub on my head and an ice pack so you could give that a try i would like to know if they ever fomd anything out I wish the best for you I know how you feel stay strong

 Hi all on this site : Thanks for sharing helpful hints. It is discouraging that there are so many people with these problems not getting any results from the drugs or other remedies. My daily diary has given me some clues that I can pass along. I too have a baseline headache of level 3 that never goes away, and a daily spike up to level 7 to 9 that comes in just before or after dinner that lasts most of the night. These are classified as migraines by 2 neurologists. My known triggers are : gluten, alcohol, asparagus, bright lights, looking at a computer screen ,smells like smoke or perfume, and neck position with any chin forward position, and the slightest weight on my head.

Since some of the underlying cause of my headache is cervicogenic, originating in the neck, physio treatment with neck traction stretching and movement is helpful. I'm also just 2 treatments into Prolotherapy injections in the neck-too soon to comment on this, but prolotherapy has been a lifesaver for my lower back problems.

I believe that drugs are only a bandaid, or temporary solution, but have agreed to try anything to see if it will work. After 10 months of trials with non-effective drugs, I'm now on Nortriptyline, the migraine med of choice. This has shown some promise after a month, but I can't ramp up to the usual recommended dose without serious problems, so I'm remaining at a low dose of 20mg per day. This drug causes rapid heartbeat and keeps me awake, so I switched from taking it in evenings to mornings. At least this way I can sleep.

I'm astounded at doctors prescribing drugs without trying to find and correct the real problem. If you hurt, it's not because your body is deficient in drug " x", it's because there is a physical injury or problem. Find it and fix it ! This is entirely in the patient's hands to find it and fix it. I have another MRI coming up, and you can bet I'll be looking hard at the CD images myself because radiologists often miss something in their report. I have a lesion or growth at the base of my skull that was missed by radiologists on an MRI 7 years ago. It is still there on the latest MRI, recognized this time by a different radiologist, and has not grown larger. Good thing- removing it from that location is extremely risky, and there is no proof it is the cause of my headaches, but I'll be pushing for further investigation.

Keep the useful remedies coming- we need to share even the smallest improvements........Jim 03290

Becky your case sounds soooo much like mine.... I've done it all tried everything imaginable and I'm 29 now and still dealing with this pain.... I even started taking perks just to cope with the pain...what else can I do?... it's just like u said noones takin me seriously anymore.... If u ever find something that works please let me kno... it would be kindly appreciated

Jim 03290 here : After 10 months of horrible headaches with no answers, I got tired of waiting on our medical system and paid the money for a private MRI. Finally, some answers to what is going on. 3 problems, 2 of which are likely fixable. 1 : a 3cm lipoma at base of the skull pressing into the sinus cavity, but not disrupting blood flow to the brain.( Possibly fixable-it can be shrunk, but is not the prime suspect.) . 2 :Multiple disc and boney growths blocking several nerve foramens, pinching the nerves in my neck ( probably not fixable- here come the neurologic special pain killers, on a temporary basis. ).3 : One vertebra out of place pushing into the spinal cord. ( I feel I can remedy this with more prolotherapy shots and exercises to regain the natural curvature the neck is supposed to have. Just a few millimetres of correction will do it. I've already accomplished a similar correction on my lumbar spine via the same technique .).

So, at least now I can see what the problems are and have a plan, will report back in a few months with progress report. There is no substitute for seeing what is really going on instead of relying on guesswork and an endless string of pills.......Jim 03290

I'm in the same boat you are in, I have had a headache just like you since July. Nothing helps me I've been on top max and now I'm on an antidepressant and it does not help. I don't know what to do either.

Hi Becky, how are you felling? I think I'm suffering from the same issue

Becky,

Ive had the same problem since July 17, 2016.  I've seen multiple drs, neurologist, TMJ, ENT, had two MRIs, CT Scan, xray, etc.

It never goes away and seems to be getting worse honestly.  I dont have any aspect of my life anymore. Mant drs are telling me to stop doing anythign that seems to make the headaches worse.. so no exercising beyond ten minutes, no movies, no video games, no social interactions, no stress... its really debilitating on my entire life.

I go into a Mayo Clinic on Tuesday.  Honestly, I'm extremely doubtful for any answers.  You're not alone though.  If anything changes for you, please share.  One day at a time, right?

Hi Becky  I totally unsterstand my daughter is suffering the same. She started with headache s  feeling weak and sick in June 2016  she was  11 years old. We went to the doctors about 6 times and A&E . They couldn't find anything . We got an appointment in August with a Neurologist and had a MRI scan on her head,that came back  normal. She was then put on Propranolol tablets but still got a headache . It is now March 2017  she has been off school for two weeks feeling sick ,bad headache s and feeling really weak with no energy . She only feels a bit better when her head is on a pillow . We don't know what else to do . Judith 😞