To Those With Chronic Daily Migraine...

When did you start getting them and were you given a reason as to why they suddenly appeared? Do you take preventatives/abortives/painkillers?

I'm trying to gain control of my 5 months of hell - hoping some of your comments/suggestions will help. Thanks!

12 years ago they began out of the blue. i have not been given a reason. i've tried preventatives. they do nothing. i am completely housebound due to the dibilitating pain. i've tried everything. even botox. i wish i had something positive to tell you. mine have only worsened over time. the other effects have worsened also. i.e. sensitivity to light and sound. a lot of anxiety as well. g.

bump

Hi,

I am 53 and have had migraines since 2000. I do think I also had them as a child, but was not diagnosed at that time.

They began with a few per month and have steadily increased to the chronic daily migraine (the last 5 or so years). I have literally tried every class of preventative (some several times), narcotics and other pain meds, Botox twice, biofeedback, massage, cranio-sacral therapy, hypnosis, and probably other things I can't think of at this moment. I have also been in an in-patient treatment program at a famous headache clinic.

Nothing has helped, however, as I have recently entered menopause, the migraines seem to have morphed into a more steady state...still daily constant pain, but no trips to the ER since June...amazing for me! The neurologist I go to said she thought this would happen.

I still struggle, wearing ice on my head much of the time, and limiting my activities when I cannot function. But I do try to live life to the fullest extent possible. I have learned to push myself to be with people because if I can be out of the house, it does help me think of something beyond my hurting head and lift my spirits. I have struggled with depression as well.

I have also gone back to walking 3 or more miles/day since June. I (hopefully!) will be walking a half-marathon this weekend with my kids. It has been a great goal to work for, and has helped me to push outside of my head pain. I haven't stuck to the training schedule, but I'll be able to finish, and I have a great deal of joy from the training alone. The walking may have helped, too, with the steady state of the migraines.

I hope this helps...I am so sorry that you are suffering. As a sidebar, I also have fibromyalgia which seems to go with migraines much of the time. I hope that you will find an end to your pain soon.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like more info.

Ann