AM Migraines

Diseases & Conditions Migraine Headache
1
Ever since I have been getting Migraines they have been morning Mirgaines. I have been to 3 differnet Neurologists and had numerous catscans, MRIs and also a Spinal Tap to rual out Menengetis.
I have been placed on FMLA (family medical leave act)at my job so that I don't get fired for when I can't make it into work, or if if have to go in late. Thank God they have been so understanding about my situation. However my condition held me back from getting a Raise in pay last year nono When I wake up with them there is no stopping it and i just lie there and can't do anything but hope the the abortives work. and if they don't then my boyfriend has to take my to the ER. i have countless bills stacked up that i still need to pay to the ER for my co-pays that i can't even get into right now. I lost so much money from my job last year its not even funny. almost $12,000. mad
I get so worked up and tense when i have my attacks that my blood pressure goes through the roof. This last thursday i had to have my mother drive up 1 hr away to come a take my to the Er and they took my BP at the ER and it's normally 115/75 and it was 125/80. OUCH! I need something to calm me down when i get my migraines and maybe i would not get so worked upa nd have to go to the ER so much and the Meds would have a chance to work. Does anyone have any suggestions??
2

Hi Stacy1,

Are you on any preventative medications?

One of the symptoms of my migraines is the throbbing, which stems from my blood pressure. I now take a Beta Blocker, Nadolol, twice a day and that keeps my blood pressure low and reduces the intensity of my migraines. I didn't realize how well it worked until I forgot it a couple of days and holy cow the headache and throbbing was unbelievable.

Morning headaches are often a sign of rebound headaches. I also get them if I have had a restless sleep. TMJ can be another cause. There are many medications that can help you with any of these. A neurologist or your family doctor might be able to recommend some.

I empathize with your work struggles. I was on disability for six months because I just couldn't get up each day and make it to work. I've changed jobs now and make it most days. I work five minutes from home and have a job that is significantly less stressful. It pays a lot less but its the only way I can continue to work. I have medications I can use at home and work fairly quickly and am able to start anywhere between 7:30 am and 9:00 am so have some flexibility. I look at it as I have to make it to lunch when I can sleep for an hour and then another 3-4 hours and then come home to sleep. Because my new job is fairly mindless I can do it in a drug stupor.

We unfortunately have to do whatever we need to in order to make it through each day. I also see a psychologist who specializes in pain management. She has taught me some relaxation exercises that help me reduce the pain and stay calm.

I stay away from the ER. Even though medical care is paid for in Canada you pay for it in time. I would easily wait six hours for treatment. For this reason I have learned how to treat my headaches at home and my medical coverage covers those medications. Would your doctors prescribe medications you could have / use at home? That way you wouldn't have to go to the ER, wouldn't rack up the bills and it would cut down the anxiety you're experiencing about the bills.

Good luck! yeah

Coquitlam55 (aka Nicky)
 
"The world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." --Helen Keller
I try and remember this each day I have a headache that I'm not sure I can overcome.

3
yeah  Hey Stacy1,
It's Leigh Ann again.  Many a morning I have opened my eyes to a blinding headache sad .  I'm no doctor, but my best guess is that you are having rebound headaches, which are a result of medication taken for a previous headache that has finally left your system.  Stadol NS can do it to you, but my guess is that you are probably taking some over the counter rememdy, say Exedrine or something similar.  The number of meds that can trigger a rebound migraine is very extensive, heck, even the lack of caffeine overnight can cause a migraine to start.  There are many good migraine books you could look at, and there is plenty of information on rebound headaches on the net.  Remember, too, if you wake up with your migraine full blown, don't bother to waste any Stadol on it.  It won't make much of a dent in your headache, and you know how hard it is trying to get a steady prescription.  Try taking the hottest shower you can stand, which will pull the blood to the surface of the skin.  Since you are already in a cycle of headaches, having caffeine at this point won't make much of difference this one time, so try some Excedrine.  Then crawl back into bed, making the room as dark as you can.  This should provide you with some temporary relief. redface
Since you mentioned your blood pressure 125/80, please don't worry about the higher number.  It is a perfectly normal number for most people.  Not a problem.  Now if the top number gets into the 190s or 200s, then you have a problem. confused
You also said you have seen three Neurologists, who just seem to be running a lot of expensive tests on you.  You might want to see if your regular physician can refer you to a pain clinic.  All they do is handle the pain angle, and since the Neuros can't find anything physically wrong, I think you would be safe to assume that you are just dealing with migraines and need pain treatment.  Just so you know, most people with migraines take a preventative (Topamax), and abortive (Stadol NS), and an antidepressant (DR's choice -balances out some of the effects of the Topamax).  The antidepressant would probably help a lot on your stress level too, which, by itself, might help to reduce the number of headeaches.  My antidepressant of choice is Effexor XR.
 
Just more of my observations.
Leigh Ann cool

"The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful."
                                             - Jimmy Buffett

4
:-)  Hi Leigh Anne,
 
I've always stayed away from hot showers because they cause or worsen my headaches. Once you have a headache do they help?
 
Thanks!

Coquitlam55 (aka Nicky)
 
"The world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." --Helen Keller
I try and remember this each day I have a headache that I'm not sure I can overcome.

5
I am on preventative meds. I take 150 mg of Topamax nightly and I've tried the Beta Blockers but they didn't seem to make any differnce. I've also tried oral prednisone and that only worked for a short while.
This is my third time being on the topamax, other than that i have been on Depakote, Amitriptylne,Nortriptylne,and another anti sezuier drug that I can't seem to remember them name of it because it was so long ago begin with an n though i think.
I know that they are not all rebound headaches because I don't have a headache alway the day or night before. As for TMJ I've already asked my Dentist and he has ruled that out.
Most times like I said I can just lay there and can't move. The most that i can do is motivate myself to get to the phone to call work and get to the freezer for my Ice pack for my head.And then crawl right back into bed.usually they are gone by 3 or 4 in the afternoon but the really bad ones like when i'm on my cycle,is when i have to go to the ER.
6
Rebound is a big possibility when you are talking about morning headaches...however there are lots of other reasons that you might be having morning headaches...I will post about those when I get home from work...shhh...not supposed to be posting at work...(smile)
 
I have really bad morning headaches and I do not have rebound headaches and hate when people assume that is my problem and that I am just in denial.
 
I will gather info and post more later!

Sara-Migraine/Headache Forum Moderator
 
Thanks for Visiting HealingWell.com

7

Wow Stacy1 that sounds really terrible. Especially considering you have tried so many different remedies and nothing has worked.

The doctor tried a new cocktail with me that had some success a few weeks ago, it was a combination of atavan, celebrex and T3. His thought was the atavan to help me relax, celebrex to relax my muscles and t3 as a pain killer. We've since modified it to from celebrex to Robaxacet for the muscle relaxant.

Have you tried any of the triptan medications? like Zomig, Imitrex, Amerge? Do they work at all?

Good luck! I wish I had some more ideas for you.

 

Coquitlam55 (aka Nicky)
 
"The world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." --Helen Keller
I try and remember this each day I have a headache that I'm not sure I can overcome.

8
I'm on Zomig 5 mg right now, that seems to work ok, but only if I get it right at the start of the attack. Imitrex, Amerge,and Relpax do absolutley nothing.
I also take Fiorninal with Codeine once in a while when I can get my Dr to prescribe it. See he will only prescribe either the Stadol NS or the Fiorinal as a back-up. I used to take Maxalt melt tabs, and I'm going to see if I can start trying those again. I Go to see him again on Sep 7 and i think its time for us to have a very nice chat about why he won't give me both. I'm sure that he's worried about OD's and addiction as most Dr's are, but you gotta look at what is going to help the patient.
I woke up with one this morning, i can function and i'm drinking my caffiene that usually helps alittle too. But my neck and shoulders are so tense right sow I can barely hold my head up and i can't fall back asleep. Woke up with it @ 4am
9

Hi Stacey1,

I have the same experience with Zomig. If it catch it right at the beginning it works, if not no luck. I used to have some success with Imitrex Nasal Spray because it gets into your system quickly as well.

Its interesting that you've mentioned that when you work up this morning with tight muscles. Have you discussed Botox with a neurologist. The thought behind Botox is it relaxes the muscels that triggers the migraines. I am trying it. I'm not 100% sure if it's working, though my neurologist swears by it.

As I woke up this morning with a really bad migraine I thought of you as I looked outside. Would you by chance live somewhere it rains a lot? I live in the Pacific Northwest and it rains a lot here and I struggle with the weather changes. Last night the clouds moved in and we have rain today and I have a horrible migraine. I could feel the pressure last night as the headache started and woke up this morning feeling like someone was sitting on my head. I took an Amerge, two Robaxacet and an ice pack and went back to bed, it was quite a bit better a few hours later.

I noticed that you said you were drinking caffeine. I often resort to that too but its a catch 22. I am suffering from rebound headaches from the reduction of caffeine in the Tylenol 1s I was taking, along with the Tylenol. Its terrible. I also find coffee triggers my headaches, so the caffeine will work short term but I will suffer long term. Just my two cents on caffeine because it wreaks so much havoc on my system.

Good luck today, I hope you feel better. Unfortunately I know how you're feeling today. Thankfully it's not a work day. :-)

 

Coquitlam55 (aka Nicky)
 
"The world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." --Helen Keller
I try and remember this each day I have a headache that I'm not sure I can overcome.

10
Nicky

It actually is rainy here today. Im on the east coast in CT. Weather patters are a hugh factor i have noticed. Not so much in the Winter time, but Spring Summer and Fall. When the pressure changes watch out. Thank God its raining all though not that much today cause we really need it over here BAD.
You mentioned Robaxacet never heard of this. believe it or not caffeine does help me. And the only Caffeine intake that I get is from my morning coffee. So if I do get a bad attack I will attemp a couple strong cups if I am not able to go to bed. It does not affect my sleep either like alot of people.
My head feels better went away about two hrs after taking the Zomig and about 4 cups of joe.
Hope you feel better too.

stacy
11

Hi Stacey1,

It's 7:48pm and I've had enough of this headache today. Without any codeine I have nothing to really kill. I will call it a night soon. I hope you had a better day.

Robaxacet is a combination of Acetaminophen and a muscle relaxant (sorry can't spell tonight my brain has had it). I live in Canada (BC) so it may not be sold over the counter in the states. You might want to ask the pharmacist. There are a few differences between us and you. It's almost as good as Tylenol with Codeine but no narcotic. Something in it makes you sleep which works for me. You can get one that is Asprin and a muscle relaxant. They also have a Platinum version now but I don't know how its better.

Good luck tomorrow. I hope you don't wake up with another headache. yeah

Coquitlam55 (aka Nicky)
 
"The world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." --Helen Keller
I try and remember this each day I have a headache that I'm not sure I can overcome.

12
This is for Stacy 1:
 
I have suffered from migraines for the last couple of years and about every 2 to 3 weeks I get them and am usually down for 72 hours and am on medication from my doctor (Relpax).  I do believe it has helped me more than anything else and am a believer in it. 
 
I have given up to find a cure for this, but with the everyday stress (which I have a very high stress level) and things, I now know that I will probably have this evil pain for who knows how long!!!
 
I too have missed so much work and tell my boss that I'm truely sorry for this but I don't know what else to do.  It's a mystery to me also.  My mother had suffered through migraines also, so I guess I inherited the gene.. mad    I too am on FMLA and use it all up and could use more.  But there is one thing that I need to tell you is that your job can not hold it against you for giving you a raise because of a medical condition.  They can get into a lot of trouble with this.  I have always gotten my raises at my job and they always tell me that I give 100+ when I'm there and I tell them that I want to be there but with these migraines...it takes my whole life and days away and then I suffer from manic and bipolar depression and it doesn't help me at all.  What a mess I am.  I'm almost 42 years old and feel that I can't even have a normal life.
 
If you ever need to talk...I'm here.    Sheila      gregswoman02@hotmail.com
 
 
13
Well said Sheila. I bet if you polled migraine sufferers you would find that we work very hard and feel a lot of guilt because of our headaches and the time we do miss. When we're at work we put in more than a 100%. Its taken me a long time to stop feeling guilty and realize that I only need to put in a 100%.

Coquitlam55 (aka Nicky)
 
"The world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." --Helen Keller
I try and remember this each day I have a headache that I'm not sure I can overcome.

14
Coquitlam55 (aka Nicky):

Thanks for your reply. I try so hard to let my emotions go because of the suffering that I have with these migraines. After this week..I have 1 day of fmla left to last me thru the year and I don't know what I'm going to do. I guess I will deal with it when it happens. I keep telling my boss that "I'm sorry" but I don't know if he believes me or not. I don't wish this on anyone. I don't think that anyone can understand it unless they live with the person that goes through all of the crap. I started feeling better yesterday afternoon and thought that I would go to work and woke up in the middle of the night with the vomitting and diarrhea which is associated with the migraine. I feel so yucky after having a bad migraine that last for 3 or more days. I get tired of calling the doctor all the time, but I do have an understanding dr. I seen on television where they have something that you can take everyday for helping to prevent migraines. I'm seeing my dr. today to discuss it, so I can try to get back to a normal life and work life. So to all of you that suffer from this....I will pray for you too.

gregswoman
15

Good luck at the doctor Sheila.

I think the commercial your referring to is for Topamax. It's the latest and greatest in the eyes of my neurologist. I'm not quite convinced. There's a long post on here with lots of feedback about it.

Stacy,
 
I had another thought. You mentioned you were taking Topamax at night. Have you ever tried splitting the dose. My neurologist has me take 25 - 50% of it in the morning. Could you be getting a rebound headache from the Topamax? I know it can make you crazy in the day but it might stop the headaches in the day.  Just a thought.

Coquitlam55 (aka Nicky)
 
"The world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." --Helen Keller
I try and remember this each day I have a headache that I'm not sure I can overcome.

16
Just got back from the doctor tonight and going to go back on Topamax...which I did forget that I started on two years ago, but now with that and taking Symbyax. So this is going to be something different. With the migraines and depression which seems to be worse before the cycle, he now is putting me on Premarin...so wish me luck. He also gave me some med to take when the migraines sit in to help control the vomitting and diarrhea when it is a severe one. Thought you all would like to know

gregswoman (aka Sheila)
17

Sounds great Sheila.

Good luck. Sometimes a visit to the doctor can really help. My advice on Topamax is take it really slow and drink lots of water.

Coquitlam55 (aka Nicky)
 
"The world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." --Helen Keller
I try and remember this each day I have a headache that I'm not sure I can overcome.

18
don't know if I will take the Symbyax..checked the price of it and is going to cost me for 90 day supply almost $700.00. Gee's with the other meds that I take I'm going to wipe out my insurance.....

Sheila
19
Do you live close to the Canadian border? Our medications are significantly cheaper, though I'm not sure if your insurance will cover the cost. We are always hearing stories about Americans coming across the border to buy medications because they're so much cheaper. And please don't believe the myth that they're of any less quality if anyone tells you that - they're the same medications.

Coquitlam55 (aka Nicky)
 
"The world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." --Helen Keller
I try and remember this each day I have a headache that I'm not sure I can overcome.

20
started taking topaxam...can anyone tell me if it made them feel weird......? Right now...I'm taking 1 25mg tb in the morning and one in the evening and then the next week will increase it to 2 tabs and then to when I get to 4 tabs twice daily for the migraines. Always...I'm going to call him about not taking the Symbyax cause of the price...does anyone have a suggestion of what to take? Paxil cr hasn't helped any and the bipolar depression is bad.