Any alternatives?

Hi all,

I have had lifelong headaches and migraines, usually hormonally related. For the past 5 months, however, I have developed migraines that occur over a month-long period rather than a few days. I maybe have 1 or 2 "normal" days before sinking right back into aura. I have been to the ER once, but recently experienced another debilitating episode that I self-treated and went to bed with. My auras used to present with mild to severe vision loss, but now present with dizziness, numbness/tingling on one side of the body, confusion and slurred speech, clumsiness, and a general feeling of "buzzing". Sometimes I smell things that aren't physically present, like food items.

I am seeing a specialist who, to begin with, put me on DHE, 5 HTP, piroxicam, and a muscle relaxant to help me sleep through the night. I have abandoned all the drugs except for the 5 HTP which I need for serotonin build-up, but the others were doing nothing for me, and I didn't seem to go through withdrawals from OTCs when I stopped taking Tylenol.

I saw my doctor today and he has ordered the procedure to check for PFO, because I have heart irregularities and would feel better if I knew it wasn't contributing to the migraine, or if it is there is hope for help. Also, he switched me to an SSRI and Axert.

To help myself I have begun to eat healthier, but wondered what other alternatives there are to help myself get through these problems. Sometimes the headache is secondary to the auras--they are very bad some days and it's difficult for me to function. I don't seem to have triggers from food, but it can't hurt to eliminate sodas and processed sugars and things like that.

I seem to have a good doctor, but I want to help myself as well as I have 2 month periods where I don't see him.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Welcome to HealingWell Leeloo,

We're glad you have joined us. I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you're experiencing.

As you're doing, I have found that researching my illness on the internet, also through books (generally written by doctors), and gaining as much information as I can get helps me to be a partner with my doctor. The information I have gleamed has helped me make lifestyle changes that improve my headaches and ask my doctor informative questions when I'm with him. Annuk listed foods she stays away from, there are books that provide complete lists of common triggers. There are also other books that explain the science behind migraines and how they work. And finally there are ones that provide alternative treatments like relaxation, meditation, exercise and other things you can do. Some websites provide sample headache diarys and information.

As Annuk wrote, it sounds like you're on the right track. The best advice I could give you is, follow your doctor's advice, ask questions, and record your headaches / triggers / medications in a headache diary.

Best of luck.