14 years of pains and several treatments with no help.

I have been experiencing migraines since I was about 6 or 7. At first my family said it was an attention thing and didn't pay it any attention until I collapsed in the second grade and was taken to the ER. that's when the testing began. I have been to several doctors and they all tell me they don't know. I've had blood work, CT and MRIs and lumbar punctures. MRI showed white spots in the brain but my doctor at the time dismissed it as if it was nothing and would not bother to investigate them. I've been on all kinds of medication without any kind of relief, and I even had Botox done. When i was 18 I saw a chiropractor on a hunch and to my amazement it work! But here I am 18 months later and back to square one. The pain is worse now than ever and I find is hard to do the simplest things. My whole body goes numb and my vision fades in and out. I have problems talking and often can't comprehend anything when a migraine is present. I have a migraine at least five days a week. I just need help...the pain is just so much for one person. Any suggestions or recommendation as to what I can do would be greatly appreciated.

I am sorry that you are enduring so much pain.......have you tried going back to the chiropractor that helped you 18 months ago? That would be where I would start. Do you know what your triggers are? It is also important to keep a record of your migraines - that can help you and your doc find any patterns that might help. Do you have a doc that is willing to take the time to work with you to try and figure it out?

I have also tried several meds to no avail but recently have started taking petadolex and have found some relief from my daily migraines - I am sorry that I cannot write further - storm front coming in and it feels like my skull is being crushed! More later and please stay in touch. L

I have gone back to him and its not helping at all anymore...Now a days it seems like the smallest things trigger them. My main ones are noise and chemical smells along with heat. I have never thought about keeping a record of them because the to come so often so I never bothered, but I will start now. I do not have a doctor at them moment but should have one soon because I have just purchased some insurance. Thank you for what you could help with. Hope you feel better soon and stay safe in the storm.

before i was ever diagnosed with migraine, i was given the diagnosis by a holistic m.d. of "multiple chemical sensitivity". i was dumb enough to think that if i avoided every single smelly thing, i would be able to avoid the head pain.

not so. however, along the way (44 years now) i have learned a lot about what to avoid, where NOT to go, what NOT to eat and etc. it's a long story. write me a private message if you like. i've been thru a ton of worthless treatments and i do have suggestions.

we are very complicated individuals; well, isn't everyone? but head pain seems to be one of those things that really throw doctors. if their drugs and lifestyle changes don't work for a person, it's the person's fault. this is nuts, of course, and WE know it.

there are helpful things you will find to help you. it's good to be check by neurologists and specialists, but most often, we have to find clues from other people (like on this wonderful forum which i have read almost daily for 16 years.....) and be do-it-yourselfers. unfortunately.

dianne (daily migraine)

A few things.

Have you tried triptans like Imitrex or Frova? You probably have but just want to make sure. Sometimes you might have to try more than one, or all of them, before you find on that works. It's really important to get medications that you can take during a migraine to make it better.

I also have not had any help from any preventative meds, and not much help from doctors aside from one prescribing me triptans. You may have to accept the fact that no matter how many tests they give you, you have chronic migraines which doctors know very little about and which do not show any results on any tests. I have had an angiogram of my head and an MRI with contrast and there were no abnormalities. Doctors know very little about migraines and you will probably encounter many in your life who treat you like you are making it up.

Have you tried examining your diet? About six months ago, I was absolutely shocked to discover that artificial food colorings were making my migraines worse. No doctor ever suggested this as a possibility to me. My mother, who does not get migraines, told me she "heard it somewhere" and I thought why not eliminate them and see. My migraine pain went down by about 75%!!! I still get them everyday but now I can function much better. Some people also say MSG gives them migraines. I am currently examining preservatives such as sodium phosphates and bisulfite agents to see if those are causing my migraines.

Have you tried vitamins and supplements? I have personally not had any success with them but people often suggest magnesium, vitamin B-12 and B-6, vitamin D, and I have even recently heard fish oil and vitamin E. If you try them BE SURE to get one with absolutely no food colorings and no gelatin (vegetarian version) since those things can aggravate migraines.

Hi,

I'm so sorry to hear you are having a rough time. Trying to figure out what helps and who can help with the migraines is an exhausting process.

I have had chronic intractable migraine/New Daily Persistent Headache since age 17, now 32. What did the chiropractor do that helped so much? I used to see one who did adjustments to my neck and they helped a great deal. I later discovered that the same area he worked on is very close to the place where my neuro did radiofrequency- burning the nerves in the neck. I now have an implanted stimulator and that helps a great deal. If it was the neck, you may want to ask about blocks or facet injections. Sometimes these help.

Definitely try to find a neuro who deals with headache. Preventatives can help. So can abortives- like triptans- but it is a game of trial and error. Also tell them about the cognitive and other issues. I frequently get slurred speech or forget how to read during a bad one. Scary.

The others have given great advice as well.

Feel free to post anyime.

Pain free days
sailing