Can Migraines be psychological?

I am at a loss.  I have spent hundreds of dollars on doctor visits, specialists, various tests, and meds to find a way to help my migraine problem.  I'm beginning to think they are psychological.  Do you have any input?

Here is my story.

Since my 30th birthday, I have had migraine headaches.  They were few and far between until January of this year (almost ONE year ago).  In January, I begin having migraines once or twice a week.  It then escalated into a 3-5 occurrences.  In March I was having them EVERY day...  Now...the good part about this is that I was able to function with them. I was able to do my job, do my normal duties even with the migraine.  Yes, they were severe, they hurt, and they were often highly stressful...but I was able to do what needed to be done. 

Over the summer, I went off all my medications to see if that would ease the migraine occurrences.  I went off my anti-depressant (I'd been on those for over 2 years) and my birth control.  It didn't help.  The migraines continued...incessantly.  At one point I remember thinking that this would just be my life and I would have to accept it...

And then in September--they stopped miraculously...on a day when I ate 3 full meals.  I normally didn't do that.  In fact, I rarely ate breakfast, and I only ate dinner if I had my son.  So I started eating 3 meals a day and one snack. 

From September through the end of November, the only migraines I had were when I had my period--but that was bad news too.  These migraines were debilitating.  I have missed work twice because of migraines.  Also, these migraines that did occur (though very infrequently between September and November) were so painful that I often cried and threw up.  I had only had this painful of a migraine ONCE in the two years since I had begun getting the migraines. 

In December, the daily migraines returned.  I now cannot function with them.  I am in horrible pain almost every day.  I just want to cut my head off sometimes.  I can truly understand why some migraine sufferers commit suicide--the pain is too much to bear.  (I would never take my own life as it is against God's word, but I do understand the desperation those people must have felt). 

While I once thought it was the malnutrition--though I had always not eaten much--that caused the migraines, I now wonder if they aren't being triggered psychologically.  September to December was when I dated my last boyfriend.  When I didn't have the headaches, I think I was happy.  Shortly before our breakup, I began getting the migraines again--like I KNEW what was going to happen--what I KNEW I should have done first.

However, I don't feel depressed, but there is no elation, no desire, no nothing.  I just feel "normal" yet all the while having these horrible migraines.

I still force myself to function with these daily migraines, but it is a constant struggle.  I refuse to let pain cause me to be unhappy.

MEDS I've tried--

Axert--didn't work

Topamax--I took it for six weeks and it never affected the migraines.

Blood Pressure Medication--took for six weeks, no affect.

Different birth control pills--never seemed to help

Imitrex--works but always takes about 2 hours to "work its magic"

Butal/Apap--some type of prescription (non-narcotic) pain med.  Helps only on minor migraines...which I haven't had lately.  :(

Tests I've had--

CT Scan

Heart Sonogram

Hormone Levels

Current Treatment--

I use Imitrex (pills only 25 and 100 mg), Butal/Apap (isn't working so well anymore).

I am also taking birth control pills and skipping my period each month.

Comments?  Suggestions?

NIKKI66 when i read your post 2 things ran accross my mind. one is maybe you are hypoglycemic and low blood sugar was adding to your migraines. the other thing i'm wondering is if your migraines are migraines at all or maybe they could really be tension headaches or tension migraines. that would explain why they get worse at more stressful times in your life. have you ever tried Fioricet? i bet that would be a miracle drug for you. it will relax you and help with your headache.

good luck to you,

jenny

The onset of the "daily" migraines happened in January of this year (2005). I was struggling with some life changes, but I really thought I had a hold on that. I didn't feel sad or depressed...I just kept moving forward. I did have some serious doubts about the longevity of some friendships which were going toward change (one friend was getting married and moving away--still my best friend, the other friend and I were arguing about trust--we are no longer friends).

I was tested for hypoglycemia...it was negative. I have spent so much money on doctors. My next step is a neurologist. What will a neurologist be able to do for me?

My mom lived with these migraines from the onset of her 30th b-day to present. She suffered with them before there was ever any relief. I do believe that I have inherited these lovely migraines...but nobody can tell me what to do to help it.

I have tried diet--as I explained. I am still eating 3 meals a day and at least one snack. The migraines are back despite this.

I appreciate your thoughts and opinions. I am seriously annoyed and frustrated by the pain.

My doctor only told me to do it 6 weeks...I was just following her orders. Will the neurologist be able to give me better advice about the Topamax.

Thanks for all your help.

Nikki

Hi Nikki66,

Welcome!

Migraine headaches can have a psychological component. I recently read a really good book called Break the Headache Cycle and it discusses the fact that migraines sufferers are sensitive to changes in their environment - including emotional changes. Migraines are a neurological disease that can take a lot of work to figure out the right combination of lifestyle changes and medication to make life manageable.

I have found that a neurologist who speciliazes in migraines is the best to treat you in partnership with your family doctor. I work in partnership with both. I also see a psychologist who specializes in chronic pain. She has taught me relaxation exercises and ways to cope so that I can live with my migraines.

I find that changes in my life including not eating regularly, breakups, changes in jobs, fights with my husband, difficulty at work, an exam at school, and change in sleeping schedule, can all trigger migraines. I am also extremely sensitive to certain foods. Another good book is Heal Your Headache The 123 Program. Both books written by doctors discuss a trigger point at which migraines are triggered and ways to increase that level so that they aren't triggered so easily.

I often feel like my migraines are psychological. I can often talk myself into a migraine by worrying about something. I realize after talking to a psychologist and reading Break the Headache Cycle that it is my body's physiological response to my worry, lack of sleep, and stress. I am learning to live with it.

As Sara said, educate yourself. Learn as much as you can. As Philski said, six weeks was not enough time to know if the Topamax worked or not. I have read that you need at least 4 months and the recommended dosage is between 100 mg to 200 mg for migraine sufferers.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.