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OT: Super scary migraine issue this weekend

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Sara14
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Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 6235
Posted 1/21/2020 7:37 AM (GMT -7)
I had one of the scariest health experiences of my life this weekend. I've had headaches my entire life and I've had some bad headaches before, but I've never had one this bad. I got the headache Saturday, it got really bad Saturday evening. I took Aleve and later took Tramadol and neither worked. It was so painful Saturday night, all day Sunday and Sunday night and most of Monday that I could barely open my eyes or get out of bed to walk to the bathroom without feeling like I was going to puke. I had dry heaves at one point but nothing came up. I couldn't eat and I felt like I had a fever (chills and felt feverish but my temp. was normal).

I was so nauseous and in so much pain all weekend that I should have probably gone to the ER but I had no one to drive me and it's a 40-min. drive and I knew I would probably either throw up or pass out on the way if I tried to drive myself. The few friends I had all live 30-60 min. away and I feel like I'm not close enough to them to ask them to drive me to the ER but maybe I just should have. Today, on day 4 of this, I still have a mild headache and some mild nausea. And I lost 8.5 pounds from this in 2 days! I never lose any weight from my UC, so that makes no sense to me because I had no diarrhea and I didn't even throw anything up. I barely ate for 2 days but still.

I'm seeing a doctor later today to see if they can give me anything to take if this happens again. I feel like I could have stopped it in its tracks if I had had a stronger painkiller (hydrocodone has worked in the past a few times when I had some leftover from being in the hospital). Anyway, I'm freaked out and scared that now I might have another health issue. I really can't take another thing. I'm also worried if this could be a Humira side effect? I Googled it and other people said it was, but I've been on Humira 9 weeks now, so I doubt it's related. That completely took me out of commission for 3 days though. I was wishing I had UC symptoms instead, that's how much pain I was in.

Anyway, thanks for listening.
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iPoop
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Posted 1/21/2020 7:44 AM (GMT -7)
Let us know how to goes at the doctors. I'm not really sure what is causing it.
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Serenity Now
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Posts : 2400
Posted 1/21/2020 8:53 AM (GMT -7)
Wow that is really scary, sounds like an awful experience. I also would like to know what the doctor says.
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Sara14
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Posts : 6235
Posted 1/21/2020 9:28 AM (GMT -7)
Thank you both. I'll let you know. I'm just seeing a general practice nurse practitioner, not a specialist or anything, so we'll see.
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NiceCupOfTea
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Posts : 11009
Posted 1/21/2020 9:45 AM (GMT -7)
Hopefully somebody who has been through this will weigh in, but to me it sounds like a very severe migraine attack. Ask the nurse about Sumatriptan. It's a migraine med used specifically to stop migraine attacks.
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notsosicklygirl
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Posts : 17750
Posted 1/21/2020 10:17 AM (GMT -7)
I have had bad migraines throughout my life. I've worked with a neurologist in the past. The thing that worked best for me is daily antidepressants, but that's not for everyone. The other thing for me is hormonal therapy. Mine tend to be tied to hormones... I haven't taken anything in a while though and things have been stable. I feel lucky for that. It's hard with UC. The best treatments seem to be NSAIDs and we can't take them - I have an allergy to opioids so those are not an option for me either. I have tried a lot of triptans and the ones you have to take at the first sign of a migraine, I never was able to manage. Some of the ones you can take after it's started I've had decent luck with. Zomig always seemed to do the trick. The meds are expensive though, and it takes a while to figure out what works. It's kind of a hassle. If you get one or two migraines a month, you have to try one tablet when you get it, and if it doesn't work, you can't try another for a while. Imagine how long it would take to get to a workable solution?? They usually give you some samples at least.
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FlowersGal
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Posted 1/21/2020 10:19 AM (GMT -7)
Been there! Migraines are awful. I get so sick I cannot function or get out of bed.

Sumatriptan (Generic for imitrex) always works for me and it’s not a painkiller so you can function. It is slow acting— takes about 1-2 hours to work. I think there are newer ones out that might work better/faster but they were too expensive for me.

If you’re too nauseous to keep the medication down you can ask for anti nausea med like ondansetron (Zofran generic?).

My migraines lessened in severity with time but increased in frequency and length so now I’m taking monthly injections of Aimovig which is one of the new preventatives on the market and it has completely erased my migraines.

Let me know if you have any more questions
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quincy
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Posts : 32546
Posted 1/21/2020 10:31 AM (GMT -7)
Scary to have headaches beyond what are one's normal. Please make sure you have your blood pressure checked.
Looking forward to your update.
q
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FlowersGal
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Posted 1/21/2020 10:33 AM (GMT -7)
One more thing ... I was wondering if mesalamine was contributing to the increase in frequency of my migraines (headaches are listed as a side effect) but I’ve quit taking mine and it didn’t make a difference. So there’s that.

Once you find a med that works for you it’s ok — just never go anywhere without it. Sumatriptan will work after thee migraine starts but they say it’s better to take it sooner than later. I always wait too long trying to make sure it’s not just a “regular” headache. When I get to the point that I can’t hold my head up I know it’s time
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Sara14
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Posted 1/21/2020 10:42 AM (GMT -7)
Thank you all. Do you get fevers and the chills with your migraines? That seemed odd to me. When I Googled that, it came up with meningitis.

I hope they just give me some opiods. I took hydrocodone leftover from my c diff hospital stay before for a bad headache a few times, and I know that works for me. I also know they probably won't give me any. :/ I've been taking Zofran. I don't think it does much for me.
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quincy
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Posted 1/21/2020 11:05 AM (GMT -7)
Please ask for further testing based on all your symptoms. If this is abnormal, have more done than only pain relief.

q
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Sara14
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Posted 1/21/2020 11:10 AM (GMT -7)
They're ordering a CT scan of my head, but she said it sounds like a migraine. I passed all the neurological tests in the office.
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straydog
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Posted 1/21/2020 11:20 AM (GMT -7)
If you are having migraines you should see a neurologist for care, they are more qualified to handle them than a gp. There are so many different types of migraines & symptoms. It's not a one size fits all. I have a great gp, but see a neuro, same with both of my kids. Son first started having them at the age of 8! My daughter gets them when it's close to her monthly.

Most drs will not rx pain meds for migraines because they can cause rebound headaches. A real catch 22. Regardless, there is so many different medications available today to treat than when my son & myself first started having them. With him being so young the pediatric neuros offered zero meds. Told me to keep him away from chocolate, morons! My neuro agreed to treat him even though he did not see children that young. He was put on Midrin, which is nearly all caffeine. You will find with a lot of the meds you have to catch them early.

Good luck with your visit, maybe it will be a one time deal only, who knows. Btw, never had fever or chills with a migraine.
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Sara14
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Posted 1/21/2020 11:32 AM (GMT -7)

quincy said...
Please ask for further testing based on all your symptoms. If this is abnormal, have more done than only pain relief.
q

I wasn't only wanting pain relief but I was hoping to be given some pain relief but no way that would happen in this country. :/ They gave me Imitrex. So I guess I just wait and see if it happens again and if it works. I told her twice that in the past I've taken hydrocodone and that knocked it out immediately. Why can't they just give me like 5 or 10 of those? I'm obviously not trying to get high off 5 pain pills. I have so much anxiety over this happening again. It was so scary.

I will ask for a referral to a neurologist.

Thank you all.
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quincy
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Posts : 32546
Posted 1/21/2020 12:52 PM (GMT -7)
Pain relief is fine....I'm meaning from their response. Good on the tests and the Imitrex. Did you have blood pressure checked?
q
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Sara14
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Posts : 6235
Posted 1/21/2020 1:07 PM (GMT -7)
Yeah, Im pissed because our country no longer believes in pain management because they are worried about druggies more than patients. Yeah, my blood pressure was fine. Thank you. I feel like walking over to the ER while I'm waiting here, but it isn't severe pain anymore.
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FlowersGal
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Posted 1/21/2020 5:03 PM (GMT -7)
Imitrex really is better than pain meds for migraines. And once it takes effect the pain is gone and I can function normally.

I do get chills with my migraines. I mainly notice my feet are ice cold. I also get really tired right before one comes on.
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Sara14
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Posts : 6235
Posted 1/21/2020 5:33 PM (GMT -7)
Di you get feverish too? I just know hydrocodone worked really well the few times I had it to take. I can function fine on pain pills. And isnt Imitrex to be taken right away? They told me to take it anyway and today is day 4.
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notsosicklygirl
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Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 17750
Posted 1/21/2020 5:59 PM (GMT -7)
I agree with flowers. Migraine medication is much more effective for me than pain meds. I hope you find something that works well for you. When you're in that pain, you just want it to go away, whether with a pain med or a migraine pill, sometimes you just suck it up and take an NSAID.
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Sara14
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Posted 1/21/2020 7:23 PM (GMT -7)
I always take nsaids. They didn't do anything for me this weekend. Anyway, thank you.
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FlowersGal
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Posts : 909
Posted 1/22/2020 8:12 AM (GMT -7)
You can take imitrex after the migraine has already started. If you’re still feeling pain then use take one now. Did they give you 50 or 100 mg? If you take one and the pain is not gone in 2 hours you can take another

I don’t know if I get feverish but I do get hot and cold. I also feel really stupid — literally — carrying one a conversation is hard because I’m scattered and stumble on words and lose my train of thought. Plus just being so tired it’s hard to think at all
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Sara14
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Posts : 6235
Posted 1/22/2020 8:36 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks. It finally completely went away last night. I would not have been able to have a conversation this weekend just due to the sheer pain I was in. Things like the crinkling sound of opening up a saltine cracker package made my head hurt so bad...basically any noise or light was just horrible.

The pharmacy tech who gave me my scripts yesterday was super nice. She said she gets migraines as well and her daughter has UC. She thought it was unethical that doctor didn't give me any pain pills. She said her doctor gives her 30 Vicodin a month and her daughter gets Vicodin for her UC. She even gave me her family doctor's name. Unfortunately, that doctor is not taking new patients. I did make an appointment with a neurologist in April. Not sure if they would do anything differently, but I do like to see specialists anyway.

Now I'm all constipated and having painful BMs again from taking Zofran. :/ It's been a week off of the Uceris and I haven't flared yet, but I'm just waiting. Usually my body doesn't give me two crises at once. Lol.
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quincy
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Joined : May 2003
Posts : 32546
Posted 1/22/2020 12:00 PM (GMT -7)
What's the fun in only one crisis???
Good to hear the headache is gone.
q
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Sara14
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Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 6235
Posted 1/22/2020 12:22 PM (GMT -7)
LOL!!!! Thanks. I was reading the side effects and ratings for the migraine med she prescribed. It sounds potentially scary. I know everything can have side effects.

But yeah, I was on the toilet all morning in pain so I sent a message to my GI. I do think the Humira is not working, unfortunately. I'd still rather have UC stuff than that migraine though. haha.
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quincy
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Joined : May 2003
Posts : 32546
Posted 1/22/2020 12:39 PM (GMT -7)
Yeah...the pay-off vs sides, sometimes not so great. Headaches I have most daily. Much is from my neck so chiro helps a lot.
But a baaad day/days is horrific. I've had migraines but it's not a norm for mine thankfully.
q
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