stupid migraines

hi i have been dealing with these migraines since 2003 the first time i went to the doctor about them was in 09. i was told that i am a patient who has spontaneous migraines due to an abnormal spot on the left side of my brain (finally got a dr to write me a referral for an mri which showed that i have an abnormal spot on the left side of my brain

which has yet to be determined what caused it or what it exactly is great huh?) i have been to the er many of times for them where i have been hooked up to an iv and have had the benadyrl (sp) regimen which didnt work so then i was shot up with either morphine or diluadid and then sent home with a script of no more than 15 norco 5/325 mg at a time i am not a drug seeker just someone that wants some relief the norco seems to work but it seems that when i take them i have to take 2 every 4 to 6 hours (as prescribed) and then one in-between due to the meds wearing off fast i know im not supposed to do that but it seems that that is the only way that i can function when i get these migraines and on top of

that i deal with endomitriosis which i know has nothing to do with this but it seems between that and my migraines i have maybe 2 full good days a month i have 2 kids of my own ages 4 and 6 and i have 2 step children ages 8 and 1 and due to it being the summer time i have 4 kids anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks at a time which does not help i love all 4 of my kids and would not deny any of them being here with me if anything they are what keeps me going during the day when i cant seem to find the will power to get out of bed in the morning after not sleeping all night!

but anyways i guess what i am asking is what should i do? i mean i dont want to go to the dr and seem as a drug seeker but it seems as that is the only thing that helps me get any relief ( i have been put on proponolol and a bunch of other migraine meds that do NOT help) any time i tell a dr that that is what helps they tell me "well yea because its a narcotic" but i mean if it gives me relief dont you think that the dr would want to help u get relief if im paying them money then they should help and not just tell me "take tylenol" so what should i do? please im in need of help any suggestions will help thank you in advance

Welcome to our forum.
Just one request: many of us would very much like to read the story of your migraines, but we are not able to, unless the text is divided into some smaller paragraphs. It is difficult to read one big block of text for us.

You can do that by going to the Edit button and then leaving and empty line in between some sentences, so we can see what you are we are reading more clearly. Thank you.

Mini wrote:Welcome to our forum.
Just one request: many of us would very much like to read the story of your migraines, but  we are not able to, unless the text is divided into some smaller paragraphs. It is difficult to read one big block of text for us.

You can  do that by going to the Edit button and then leaving and empty line in between some sentences, so we can see what you are we are reading more clearly. Thank you.

sorry this is my first time posting here but thank you for letting me know i will do that right now  thank you again

ok have edited the post please let me know if that helps at all thank you:)

Welcome to the forum!

I completely understand where you are coming from.

Been dealing with migraine since 1991 after I had a hysterectomy and up to that point had never had a severe headache or migraine.

Found a really good MD that went thru all the preventatives with me but sadly none of them were much if any help to me at all.

After taking short acting meds for many years, he decided that instead of "chasing the pain" all the time, I needed a long acting med.

That is what works the best for me with the short acting meds for breakthru pain.

He retired the first of March this year so he suggested a referral to the Pain Management Doctor in town.

Everyone was telling me that Pain Management doesn't deal with migraines but guess what, this one does.

He was more than happy to continue my meds for me I am on very little meds compared to their average patient.

Yes, I had to sign the pain contract which I had no problem doing because I take my meds exactly as prescribed and don't drink or do any street drugs.

So, my suggestion to you is to keep looking til you find either an MD or a Pain Management Doctor who is willing to treat you and be aware that you may have to go thru the process of trying all the preventatives first before they will be willing to put you on the narcotic type drugs.

If you have records from other Doctors where you have already been down that road, they may very well accept that and go ahead and treat your pain with the narcotics.

Especially since you have documentation that you have an abnormality in your brain.

Don't be afraid of Pain Management.

I was petrified of how they would treat me, but have been pleasantly surprised.

You deserve to have your pain treated seriously, but like I said, you may have to jump thru some hoops to get it.

Again, welcome and please let us know how things to for you.

Cindy

Cindy has a great post.  I agree that if you are to the point that you've tried dozens of treatments over a period of years, seek out a pain management specialist.  You may need to ask your doctors for a recommendation or even go to a few initial appointments.  A good one will at least consider narcotics as part of a treatment plan.  I too am on a long acting + short acting narcotic plan.

I've had a constant headache for seven years that hasn't responded to anything else.  It is however rare to get narcotics for headache/migraine.  It is sad that head pain is treated so differently than other pain.  Most doctors just see it as there are so many things to try for migraine, and there is a risk of rebound, so those are the only options.

I had plenty tell me that they had no ideas for me--they wouldn't consider narcotics, or even have any referral ideas.  My pain doctor required a referral from my doctor, my complete medical records, plus I've signed a contract (including drug testing).  Not sure if you are at this point yet though.  A compassionate neuro may be willing to prescribe a limited supply of narcotics plus try you on more preventative meds/treatments.

If you have only been to one or two headache specialists, definitely try a new one, as they each have different favorite treatments.  The rebound risk however is the big stopping point.  For me I think its a moot point as I have a constant headache.

However, I haven't noticed any changes in my pain.  In case anyone is curious, I've tried all the meds and methadone has worked the best, requiring the lowest dose and less need for dose increases.  I think in certain cases, narcotics should be considered more often as a treatment for chronic headache conditions.  Best wishes.

thank you both for the ideas and encouraging words. when i was pregnant with my son it was my ob the was treating the headaches and she tried everything that was safe for me to take

while i was pregnant it was thought at first that it had something to do with my pregnancy since i had already had a rough time when i was pregnant with my daughter but then when i was

still having them afterwards and my ob was not able to treat me for the headaches anymore i had went to a new pcp and she was the one that ordered the mri to be done i do not go to

her anymore because my insurance ran out so i started going to the same place as my children and i love that doctor but sad to say he does not except my new insurance and im kinda scared

to find a new one because i know how some drs can be i have had my fair share of rude drs not willing to work with me i am willing to try anything new that they have come out with since

the last time i have been seen for my headaches i just want some relief. but as the years go on and putting the bad mri behind could these headaches have something to do with my

endometriosis? my migraines do get worse with my monthly and yesterday i was put out from the world after 5 pm due to cramping really bad as well as my normal migraine around the time

that i start. im just so lost right now. im scared of being put on anything that i have never heard of before or something that someone i know hasnt already take because of the side effects

because i do have small children in my home and i dont want to be passing out during the day while im home alone with them or have a bad side effect to one of them and the kids not

know what to do my daughter is about to be 6 and knows just about everything that is going on for a safe measure just in case something was to happen and she had to call 911

or her father and let them know and she knows where my med chart is so that she can give it to whoever she needs to give it to when the time comes as we have gone thru it once before

i hate to have my child have to worry about something like that and have to act like an adult when something like that was to happen but its the only choice i have at times.

im in the process right now trying to find a nureo and start all over again and hope that everthing goes well with that.

I second the suggestion of a pain management specialist. I had good luck with that route. Oxycodone was the only thing that would touch my migraines.

It sounds like you also need to find a preventative if you can. Not sure what all you have tried. A neurologist or knowledgeable GP or pain specialist should be able to help. If that has not worked for you, I highly recommend natural hormone supplements. I saw a nauturalpathic doctor for this and have been migraine free for months now after living with chronic migraine for 6-1/2 years.