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Daily migraines for six months

Hi. I just found this site a couple of days ago and thought I could ask for some advice since you guys are also dealing with migraines!
So, here's the thing. My girlfriend has now been suffering from daily migraines for half a year. She was diagnosed with migraine when she was little but the situation has never been this bad. Before her migraines didn't make her pass out but these days she often passes out during the worst part of the headache and not only because of her migraines but she also often faints for no reason. She often feels dizzy and there are days when she can't even get out of bed after a migraine since if she tries to get up let alone walk she will pass out. And then when she is able to get up she can usually only walk some meters until she gets so dizzy that she has to sit down anyway. It might be because of her low blood pressure- after a migraine she is usually nauseous for the rest of the day and that affects her eating. She has lost lots of weight due to it. Besides migraines she also has a chronic headache so she is in pain all the time and because of that she is barely able to sleep and naturally she is really tired all the time. Oh and the migraines sometimes make her vomit, too.
  She has been seeing a neurologist since this started. In the last few months she has had CT Scan, MRI and some blood tests done and she has been on lots of different medications but so far nothing has really helped her.
  She hasn't been able to study or work at all, she has mostly been spending her days in bed for a long time. The situation is really driving her crazy and she often starts crying just because she is so exhausted. That makes me feel really bad, I'm so worried about her! Is there anything I can do to help her?
Thanks a lot!
(Sorry, English is not my native language.)
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Avatar universal
Yes my girlfriend is very frustrated and she also seems depressed which makes me even more worried about her. Her doctor says that she usually cries several times a day and it makes me feel bad to leave her alone there but of course I have to study and go to work every day so I can't visit her there very often.
A head pain specialist neuro is coming to see her next week, hopefully he will have some ideas what to do.
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Avatar universal
I know it's frustrating to not have the answer yet, but at least they are ruling things out, one by one.  I know sometimes, you almost wish for a blip on the screen that says, "here I am, it's me causing all the pain" so that the question would be answered and her treatment could begin.  But from my experience, it rarely happens that way.  

If no definite answers are found with this current round of tests, please be understanding of your girlfriend.  It's very depressing to go through pain and test after test and still be no closer to the pain ending.  But please consider the head pain specialist neuro.  They may be able to try treatments that can at least give her some relief.

One thing I have tried to remember is that even if a diagnosis is found, it won't stop the pain.  So I try to focus my attention on helping the pain and if a diagnosis comes, that would be great too.

Please keep updating about your girlfriend.  I really do care.
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Avatar universal
So, they did MRI, CT Scan and blood tests yesterday and EEG today, still nothing.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your reply, Rowena.
She is doing like before but at least she is now fed intravenously and that should make
her feel a little better. There is still nothing they can do about her migraines though, I
really hope her neurologist will come up with something that she hasn't tried yet.
She will have some tests done tomorrow.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How is your girlfriend? I'm sorry to hear what she has been through the last few days. It is good that she has been catching on her sleep and a new set of diagnostic tests will be done. This will help determine the underlying cause and to rule out possible organic causes, especially with the presence of losing consciousness or syncope for the past few days.  Syncope usually occur when there is sudden decline of blood flow to the brain. This can be due to a variety of conditions such as vasovagal syncope ( can be triggered with pain or emotional stress ), gastrointestinal stimulation, cardiac causes, side effect of medications, ear and eye issues and medical conditions such as anemia or diabetes. Do keep us posted with any updates. She is very lucky to have you  there, beside her, at this time. Take care and best regards.
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Avatar universal
Thank you. It really isn't easy to see her suffer every day and that's why I will keep doing some research online for any clues and advice I can possibly get.
I was in the hospital with her last night and at least she was able to sleep for a few hours, she is so tired because she hasn't been able to sleep properly so that amount of sleep is actually pretty much for her.
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Avatar universal
I was so sorry to hear she had such a difficult night.  But so glad to know she is in the hospital.  Maybe they will finally find out what can be done to help her.  If nothing else, at least the fluids should help with the dizziness.  

Please keep us posted on what you find out and ask for that head pain neurologist referral if no clear cause of her pain is found.

Prayers for you both, as I know it is not easy to watch someone you love in so much pain.

TC
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Avatar universal
Last night she had a migraine that made her vomit all night and in the morning she was in such condition that she couldn't stand up and when she finally could she only took a few steps and then fainted. I took her to hospital and she is on IV drip now. She might stay there for some time so they can keep feeding her intravenously, she needs it for she hasn't really been able to eat lately. Also, they will probably do some tests again such as MRI, CT Scan, EEG and blood tests- it has been quite a long time since they did the tests and they need to know if anything has changed.
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Avatar universal
She doesn't take any meds for the migraines unless they last for very long. She used to take something daily but she then found that taking that much meds only made her chronic headache I mentioned worse.

Yes they did the MRA and MRI of her spine and neck as well, there was nothing wrong with either of them. She has not been seen by a head pain neurologist yet but I will take her to a migraine specialist as soon as I happen to one not too far from where we live. I don't think she could deal with a very long drive in such bad shape.

Thanks for your reply, I will keep you updated what is going on with her.
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Avatar universal
What does she take for the migraines when they begin each day?  Has the neuro discussed the "rebound" effect?  This can happen if you take over the counter meds several times each day.  I got on this roller coaster a few months back, taking 4 ibuprofen 3 to 4 times a day.  I did not realize that I was making it worse.  When I stopped, I only get the really bad one once a day, usually.  Did they do an MRA?  This is similar to MRI but they are looking at arteries, for blood flow, leaks, blocks, etc.  Did they do MRI of head only?  Was the spine and neck tested as well?  Has she been seen by a "Head Pain Neurologist?"  These drs specialize in alleviating head pain, for whatever reason, i.e. migraine, tmj, trigeminal neuralgia, etc.  You did not say where you live but I know in the US that there are only a few and the wait list can be months.

She needs to drink as much water as she can as dehydration can also be a factor, especially if she is not eating well.  This can cause blood pressure drops, especially on standing.

There is a neuro that checks this site pretty regularly.  She replies to several posts on a given night.  Hopefully she will see your post and offer some other help.  Keep bumping your post so it will be close to the top.

Hope this helps a little.  I really feel for your girlfriend.  I can't imagine the pain. Please let us know how she is doing.
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Avatar universal
Someone please reply if you have any ideas what to do!
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