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New to migraines with no family history

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Posted 8/28/2006 11:53 PM (GMT -8)
So, some background about myself--I'm a 21 year old, Asian female, with absolutely no family history of migraines.  I've been getting migraine symptoms since january 2nd of this year (2006).  Before seeing a doctor, I had done a lot of internet research to figure out what was wrong with me.  At first I thought maybe I had an anneurysm--meaning i scared myself into seeing a doctor.  I saw a physician and she said that I'm having migraines, but that if I don't respond to the medication that she would gladly refer me to a neurologist. 

As of now, I'm wondering if I should really see a neurologist to make sure I'm okay.  My migraines will come about once a month, seemingly randomly.  I can't figure out a trigger even though I keep a migraine journal.  A lot of the foods that cause migraines are things I don't tend to eat naturally anyway, or never caused migraines before.  Also, I was never a headache sufferer--I never even knew what a headache really was until i began to have my migraines.  I haven't tried the medicine she prescribed [Midrin], but from reading a lot of reviews online.. no one really likes it.  Also, I'm starting to have rebound headaches every day.  When I first started getting migraines, during the in between time.. I was perfectly normal.  Now, my head hurts regardless, though it's not one of my severe migraine episodes. 

Also, I read another entry in this forum about a guy who was around my age with migraine symptoms that developed more recently..who found out that his migraines were caused by a tumor.  His scenario scares me a lot!

My basic question is:  Do migraines develop without any family history at my age of 21?  I don't know if my situation is typical seeing that many migraine suffers seem to have some sort of family history of stroke or headaches--mind you that I never had headaches to begin with.  Regardless, I will still see a neuro, but I was just wondering if migraines can develop out of no where.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Posted 8/29/2006 1:23 AM (GMT -8)
Hi tokigurl,

Welcome to Healing Well. Sorry you have been suffering so much with your migraines. As for family history of migraines I am sorry I cannot say, but would urge you to see a Neurologist, and if possible a Neurologist who is a Headache Specialist!!! Try not to let the thought of a tumour worry you, usually migraine comes alongside a tumour and not as a result of it!!

Talk to your Doctor about the triptan meds, they are not pain killers per se but have a different action, but the end result is no pain!!! I have sumatriptan injections, but there are others, talk to your docotr about what would suit you. Try the Midrin first even if it is only once, just so your Doc knows you are taking him/her seriously!!

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on, take care

Ann
Posted 8/29/2006 10:54 AM (GMT -8)
tokigurl, I assume I'm the person your speaking of with the tumor ? I hate to hear of your suffering with headaches, my suggestion to you is that you do whatever is needed to make you feel that you are being treated properly. I was being treated by a family doctor who wasn't "extremely familiar" with migraines, and I was tired of the pain. Sadly I had to leave his practice to get a chance to see(referral) a neurologist. I assume you have read about the rest of the story ? I just wonder what would have happened if the tumor would have been found earlier ? Oh well, no one knows, and Sept the 8th is coming fast.
Just do what you feel needs to be done, and you won't have any regrets.
Best of Luck to You !
Brad
Posted 8/29/2006 3:56 PM (GMT -8)
i'm planning to try the midrin the next time i get my migraine attack.  The only thing is that, being a student and all, it will make me too drowsy for class. Well, I guess that's the least of my worries.  My doctor was relatively realistic about the medication, saying that as a migraine sufferer herself, it doesn't help her at all.  I thought it was strange that she would prescribe medication that she knows isn't the MOST effective--I guess that's policy or something. 

And yessss, I was talking about you brad69, and yes I read the entire post.  See, I know I shouldn't assume the worst possible outcome from these headaches, but I was always a little bit of a worrier with a lack of  initiative.  Wth my migraines, I had them for 8 months before I went to a doctor, but all the while I was worried.  Seeing that a lot could be prevented if I get my head seriously checked out, I'm thinking I should just see a headache specialist to clear my mind of any worries.  I don't want to seem like a hypochondriac being freaked out about my headaches all the time, when I can easily see a neuro to clear myself of any doubts.

Thanks a lot and I'll make sure I ask my doc about the triptan meds.

Posted 9/5/2006 8:23 AM (GMT -8)
I take Midrin and it works for me most of the time. (probably about 80% of the time) I can't use triptans as they don't work for me at all. I do have a small amount of Percocet a month for the times when the Midrin doesn't work.
Posted 9/12/2006 4:30 AM (GMT -8)

Have been using Rizatriptan 10 mg and naproxen sodium one tablet of each at the very onset of the pain. If taken immediately the pain goes in 30 minutes. This is my experience since the last eight months.

I've had migraine for 20 + years and this is the first real remedy. Only side effect is drowsiness but who cares. Work is never very interesting anyway HA HA !

Let me know if this works for you and more importantly consult your doctor first to determine if its ok for you.

Good luck.

Elkorius

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