7 neurologist can't figure me out - help!

Question

It has been 18 years with one chronic 24/7 (migraine). I've had classics since I was 13 and they run in the family. I do get auras many times a week, but they only go classic about twice a week. I use Amerge for those. Doesn't really help much, but all I got. 6 neurologists keep sending me back to the same one. But he hasn't read my chart in 2 years. Miss prescribed meds, and disagreed with his associate that was treating me as to how to proceed. That is why I went to another Dr. I researched on my own, and am starting to think that the CDH might not be migraine, but maybe arterial in origin and causing migraine. I have in the last 2 years, several severe vertigo attacks that blacked me out. They had no warning. I also think and rarely speak with an Irish accent. I can not control it, and it will fade away. Dr. believes is migraine in speech center, however I did it long before migraines appeared. I have all the symptoms of migraine. And with it lasting this long, there is doubt in my broken mind there is permanent damage not just to the white matter, but more. My mind is losing it and I am scared. All I have read and been told is there is no hope.If this is the case - Please be honest and let me know. I am soon to be 63. Will I out live a cure? Is the brain and pain going to win after all? Botox did not work, besides it is only temporary. Be blunt! I need the truth at this stage from someone!

AKC_75 · Answer

Hi and welcome to the Migraines & Headaches Community.

One thing you need to know is treating migraines...especially long term migraines like you have....it is a marathon, not a sprint. Everyone is different. What triggers yours may not trigger mine and what treats mine may not treat yours. And for most ppl it takes a combo of meds to treat them, not just one. So, then you get into trying to figure out what combination of meds will work with you and there is just not much you can do about that. No one wants to hear this cause everyone is looking for something to fix it right now! And that just isn't always possible. And keep in mind it takes a good 4-12 weeks for you to know if the medication is helping or not.

In the meantime, here are a few tips that may help you. You can try any of them or all of them and hopefully something on the list will help.

1. There are several symptoms of migraines and what causes the pain of a migraine is the blood vessels in your brain become dilated. So, sometimes it helps it you put a bit of pressure on your head. I am sure you have already been doing this unconsciously with your hands from time to time. So, get a bandanna or a cloth headband and wrap it snugly around your head.
2. If you rub Mentholatum across your forehead and on your temples that helps relax those tense muscles. You can do this with or without the wrap, depending on if you like the heat or not.
3. Try either a cold or hot pack, whichever is more comfy to you.
4. The best OTC meds that I have found that works is Excedrin. It is a combo of Aspirin, Tylenol and Caffeine and that happens to be an excellent combo for migraines.
5. I mentioned caffeine before...well, drink coffee, Mt Dew, take Vivirin...sometimes a mega dose of caffeine will stop it in its tracks.
6. If you get nauseous or dizzy get some Meclizine from the pharmacy (the stuff behind the counter) you can take 25mg three times a day as needed. Yes it works on both.

Ball123 · Answer

Obviously you need to get a diagnosis and the correct one. I hope the doctors take you seriously and do the tests necessary. It is quite unusual with migraines getting worse after 40 or 50 so you need to check this up. 

Botox is not always very effective, there are better medicines. Usually beta blockers or amitriptyline is considered first choice drugs.