what is there that i havn't tried

Diseases & Conditions Migraine Headache
1
hello
  i am a 32 yr old male that has been fighting migraines for half my life, i have tried everything that they throw at me. i have had botox, cpap, imitrex, topamax, betablockers and the list just goes on. for the past 5 years my headackes have gotten so bad that i have missed more work than i have attended, lucking for me we have short term disability where i work and in the past i have stayed within allowed amount of time available for this insurance. but this last event has left me feeling unsure if my migraines will lessen before the insurance runs out. i have 2 little girls who are the apple of my eye and a third due in a month.
  i am tired of being told about all these breakthrough drugs and procedures.  i have tried most of the procedures and drugs and the only conclusion that seems to come out of them is that i just wasted money i dont have and that i could have used that for something important like my kids future.
  As i am sure all of you on this web site knowes that along with migraines comes depression. how do i stop the depression when the headacks dont stop. and how does the headackes stop if the depression doesnt. i guess all i have learned is that migraines is something i will have to live with til i die.
  i am glad i found this site i am always trying to find ways to help myself with the headaches. i do take prescription drugs for the pain but who wants to live their life being afaid of getting addicted that in return will only make your life worse. if anyone has any advice how to cope please post..
 
thank you
 
 
 
2
Are the migraine/headaches your Only symptom??

Any neck/shoulder or arm pains? tightness or aches?

What kind of work do you do?

desk/computer, heavy reaching/lifting?

Have you considered chiropractic care?

Chiropractic care info- a good one can help with many symptoms:
http://www.upcspine.com/self.htm
http://www.uppercervical.org/subpag...b/about_faq.php
http://www.spineuniverse.com/displa...article796.html


Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries- by Sharon Butler has very good stretches for all RSI /TOS with info on posture causes and corrections. She has detailed stretching ideas to gently coax the damaged tissues to release-not to force them. her website: www.selfcare4rsi.com
Pain free at your PC - by Pete Egoscue has some good pain reducing exercises and core building with RSI info

Triggerpoints and referred pain and stretching:
http://www.pressurepointer.com/pain_reference_chart.htm
http://altmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/aa092500a.htm?terms=acupressure+points
http://www.drlowe.com./triggerpoint.htm
http://www.bodymindresources.com
3
Hello and I am happy that you have found this site. This is a big family. I am so sorry to hear that you have migraines. I know exactly how you feel. I tried many meds that didn't work. But I have found that personally for me I have found that herbs and vitamins work best for me. I have been taking Ginger and Feverfew for my migraines. It has helped me so much. I have hardly any pain at all. And when I do it is not as bad as it used to be. I have also been told that taking Vitamin B2 also with Magnesium helps a lot of people. And I think one of the best ways to cope with pain is to talk about it here even if it is to complain we will listen. I hope you find some relief. Take care, to pain free days.
Ashley
There will be a Tuesday chat at 7:00 eastern time every week if you want to join and learn things or just talk.
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Thanks Ashley...my right hand girl!!!
 
I will be by later to post a list of medications that you may want to ask your doctor about.
 
Nacho-Welcome! We are glad to have you.
Have you been to a headache clinic/specialist???
 
I am at work at the moment and can't stay long...just know I will be back by later this evening.
 
Sara-Migraine/Headache Forum Moderator

Visit my website and sign the guest book.
http://home.insightbb.com/~shelbyville-headachesupport/hs.index.html
 
Or more about me at:
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~sapena26/Sara.html
 
Thanks for Visiting HealingWell.com

5
Hey there your welcome just wanted to help. I hope to see ya later. Anything new nacho?
6

hello there.  welcome to the boards.  i'm fairly new here myself and looking for tips and advice on managing migraine as i'm always interested to see what other people use.

for me the best thing i've got is the migracap.  its especially great if you use cold things on your head to help relieve the pain and hide under the duvet.  this cap is the all round solution. plus its med free so no dreaded side effects and i find it difficult to ingest things.

it was developed by a sufferer also so he knows what some people need.

i would certainly recommend you take and look and have a go.  i know its free postage at the moment to any worldwide destination and the manufacturer offers a 60 day money back guarantee.  their website address is www.migracap.com

its a one-off purchase which is an added benefit, especially if like me you find it very effective.

look forward to reading how you get on.

7

I will list a few things I have tried and you may ask the doctor about some of these or do a little internet research on your own.

Anti-depressants/SSRI: Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro, Amitriptyline (Elavil), Noritriptyline (Pamelor), Norpramin, Sinequan, Tofranil, Paxil, Effexor

Anti-Seizure: Topamax, Neurontin, Depakote

Beta Blockers: Atenolol, Metoprolol/Lopressor, Nadolol/Corgard, Propranolol/Inderal, Blocadren
 
Calcium Channel Blockers: Cardizem, Cardene, Procardia, Nimotop, Verapamil/Calan

Triptans: Amerge, Axert, Frova, Imitrex, Maxalt, Relpax, Zomig

Ergots: Ergotamine, DHE Dihydroergotamie, Migranal
 
Others: Midrin, Duradrin
 
 
 
Ok, well that is a list I have put together. There are literally hundreds of combinations-and they all work differently for different people. Maybe you could take this list to your doctor and see what they suggest. I always do research on meds before seeing my doc. so I have an idea of what is available and possible side effects.
 
Sara

Visit my website and sign the guest book.
http://home.insightbb.com/~shelbyville-headachesupport/hs.index.html
 
Or more about me at:
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~sapena26/Sara.html
 
Thanks for Visiting HealingWell.com

8

you may want to try this link which gives an informative and unbiased review of my previous recommendation on migracap.

http://headaches.about.com/od/productreviews/fr/migra_cap.htm?nl=1

9
Nacho, Sorry you are going through this. I to have had migraines and daily headaches for most of my life, 2/3rds of it actually. I am 29yr old female with 2 daughters under 3 1/2 yrs old. I know how hard it is, I am in the same situation. I have tried almost everything and wasted so much money. Today I bought a mouthguard to wear to bed because I know that I do clench my jaw. I couldn't afford to get a real dental splint so someone on the board suggested buying one of these. Have you tried this idea. Maybe it is your teeth? I must admit I do get depressed sometimes with the constant pain and no-one that I know possibly understands. It really is a horrible thing to live with. But I have been trying ti come to grips myself with probably living with these for the rest of my life also.
Keep your chin up and I will let you know if the mouthguard works.

Trace

10

Hi Nacho! I know that depression is common when someone has pain that will not go away! Take heart, though. Look over Sara's list of migraine preventive medicines. That list of antidepressants is not just to combat your depression! Those drugs have been used to fight migraines, too. So they can do double duty. I take Elavil. When my doctor added Topamax, he started me on a low dose and gradually increased it. When I got up to a larger dose, I started having crying episodes. So he added another antidepressant: Zoloft.

 

Don't feel bad about taking medicine. Sometimes it takes awhile to get the full effect. There are also natural substances to try, such as MigreLief that contains B2, Magnesium, and Feverfew. I just started taking this supplement, twice a day. Others in this forum (and my doctor) recommended it, and say that it takes about 3 months to start getting the best results. I'm really looking forward to fewer migraines!

 

Don't give up.  And don't quit on a drug before giving it time for your body to let it work. I know how frustrating this can be. I've recently stopped one medicine that was working well, But I couldn't tolerate it's side effect of short term memory loss. My husband and teenage daughter couldn't tolerate it, either! So I'm having frequent migraines again. I also need to take pain medicine because of recent spinal surgery. That medicine causes rebound migraines.  But I'm not giving up. Frustrated, yes! But I'm willing to try a bunch of things!

~~Pegasis yeah

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Great post Pegasus!!!

Thanks,

Sara

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

12

You are most kindly welcome, Sara. I hope Nacho (and any other readers) find it helpful.

~~Pegasis yeah

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I have been to 6 or 7 nuerologists and 3 Headache and Pain Centers. I just quit my job because I was a manager and was about to get fired over time missed. I used all my sick days and vacation days for the year in 5 months. All in all I am in debt over $12,000 just in Dr. visits, treatments, meds, and trips to ER. My last employer suggested disability because I am no longer dependable enough to hold the type of management job I need to support my family. I have a wife and 3 kids, the oldest is 5. Since I have been out of work I have run out of Zoloft and Wellbutrin. I need them but my kids need to eat.
Does anyone have any knowledge of disability due to migraines/depression?
I have to do something. The headaches are so bad right now that some nights when I finally go to sleep I wish I wouldn't wake up.

Dan
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Dan, I am so sorry to hear this! I have migraines along with a few other problems, and I guess I'm pretty lucky-I get the auras with my left side of my face going numb, then the headaches start, but they are not as bad as yours seem to be. I wish I could offer you up some more info re this, but perhaps someone who's been there will be able to tell you more.

Best wishes to you!! Teri :)

"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas

"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
 
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15

Hi, Droll. I don't know what state you live in, but some states have a disability program. Check into that first. If there is one, talk to the doctor who seemed the most helpful to you. If (s)he grants you disability status, file for your benefits. The doctor will know how to do this. Then, immediately contact Social Security and begin filing a Social Security Disability Insurance claim. I am currently collecting SSDI, but not for migraines. I live in California, which has a 6-month disability program. I was forwarned to start a Social Security disability claim quickly, because it takes several months to complete all of the paperwork. There is a lot of paper work. Lots of forms, but it is worth the time and effort. There are lawyers who specialize in helping you do this. Do not waste your money on them unless your claim is denied. My claim was approved. It did take several months, and I received retroactive benefits when they were finally done. My benefit includes additional money for my child, even though my husband works. His income is not a concern to Social Security.     Normally, Soc Sec considers your income for a certain number of years prior to the beginning of your disability.  But you might qualify like I did. I became ill a few years before becoming unable to work. I didn't know why I was sick, but I had to stop working full time. So for the two years before I filed for disability, I was only working part-time. Because I was sure to tell them that on my paper work, instead of only looking at my income for the two years prior to my disability, Soc. Sec. went back five years. That gave me a higher benefit.

A couple more things, Droll. Check into the possibility of medical care payment assistance, also. (Like Medicaid, maybe?) It sounds like you are trying to pay all the bills yourself.  That can cause more headaches!  Also, Merck is one of the big pharmacuetical companies. They have a program for people who don't have prescription drug coverage. I don't know if they manufacture the medicines you use, but you can probably find out from your drug store. Or call Merck directly. To get more details about their discount drug program, call

1-800-506-3725. I saw an ad in this month's Readers Digest:) 

I hope things start to come together for you, Droll. It might take awhile. You might need some more help. Let people help you, OK? Ask neighbors, friends, doctors, former coworkers, and people here in this forum.  Good luck.

~~Pegasis yeah

 

16
Thank you so much Pegasis. I am taking your advice to heart. I will make an appointment to talk to my neurologist about disability status. I live in in Kansas and have know idea what kind of help I can get but I will certainly look into it. My depression is getting so bad I have to concentrate on doing something positive. I know 5 years is not very long in comparison to others but I have been battling this problem every single day. A good day is not when I don' have a migraine but when I can make it through the day without going to bed or the ER. If you don't mind I will let you know what I find out. Without the depression meds right now I need all the help I can get. This is the first and only place I have found people who understand what the situation is like to deal with.

Thanks so much for being here!!

droll
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Thank you so much Pegasis. I am taking your advice to heart. I will make an appointment to talk to my neurologist about disability status. I live in in Kansas and have know idea what kind of help I can get but I will certainly look into it. My depression is getting so bad I have to concentrate on doing something positive. I know 5 years is not very long in comparison to others but I have been battling this problem every single day. A good day is not when I don' have a migraine but when I can make it through the day without going to bed or the ER. If you don't mind I will let you know what I find out. Without the depression meds right now I need all the help I can get. This is the first and only place I have found people who understand what the situation is like to deal with.

Thanks so much for being here!!

droll
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Good luck, Droll. Yes, please, do keep in touch and let us know how you're doing, each step of the way. I'm so glad that you found this forum. It's been great for me, too. Many people who get 'headaches' don't understand why OUR headaches are so much worse than theirs. I'm very fortunate to have family and friends who do understand. And the people here are so great and ready to listen and help in any way they can.

Getting help for your depression is of the utmost importance because that can drag you down and make it really hard to stay focused on fighting for the solution for your migraines. Don't give up.

Five years IS a VERY long time, Droll. Don't think you're better off because others have it worse. You have it bad enough for yourself, and you need some solutions. Concentrate on that, OK?

~~Pegasis yeah

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Hi nacho:  I too have suffered from migraines all my life and like you have tried EVERYTHING!!!  I recently read an article about vitamin B2 and figured I had nothing to loose so I tried it.  IT WORKS!!!  One vitamin a day for 2 months and I haven't even had to take an aspirin.   I can't believe it after all the prescriptions I've ingested over the years!   Maybe it will work for you too.   ***mccullough***