brief information on abdominal migraines

[mersilkee]

I have abdominal migraines.  It took me a long time to get this diagnosis and I know most doctors don't know about it.  I was fortunate to see a doctor who specialized in endocrinology and neurology who had been taught in medical school by a gastroenterologist who had worked with a neurologist and published a few papers on abdominal migraines.
First of all abdominal migraines like headache migraines might be proceeded by sensitivy to sound, lights, feeling weird sensations in different parts of the body, seeing shapes of various color floating through the air or a feeling of impending doom.  But, none of these things might happen so you have no warning.

The gut has its own nervous system so it can be brought on by stress, procedures such as a root canal, any flux in hormonal or metabolic states i.e. menstruation.  My symptoms are usually a sharp spasm in the lower left abdominal area followed by sweating, chills, squeezing central upper chest pain and then uncontrollable vomiting that last up to 16 hours.  But, all of these syptoms (symptoms) can and do vary.

I went through several years of hell and I am still having a vomiting problem but I think it is due to something else.  But, being on injectable Imitrex which is a migraine medication helps these spells tremendously.  Sometimes I have to take 2 5 mg. doses to get relief.

I am posting this so that anyone reading this forum who has unexplained abdominal spasms, uncontrolled vomiting, etc. may be able to explore this often unknown avenue to diagnosis of their problem.  Unfortunately, many GI doctors say it is rare (I think it has just be underdiagnosed) and don't really know much about abdominal migraines.  So be prepared for some possible resistance from your GI doctor.  One way that you might be able to get some relief is to go to your PCP, explain your situation and ask if he or she would be willing to prescribe a few doses of injectable migraine medicine to see if this gives you any relief.  I am not suggesting you do this without being under a doctor's care because of possible medication reactions, etc.  I've tried the oral tablets but they don't seem to work and they come up once I start vomiting.
Best to all of you.