Feeling Helpless

For the past ten years I have been suffering with dibilatating migraines, insomuch that I am completely incapacitated for the duration of the migraine (lasting anywhere from a day to three or more days in a row) and oftentimes feeling completely fatigued and depressed afterward. I have tried so many different medicines and nothing seems to help relieve the pain and/or take the pain away altogether. I have tried Zomig, Axert, Amerge, Imitrix, Maxalt, Midrin, Amitriptiline, Enderol, Fluoxetine, Topamax, Verapamil...and those are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head. I have meloxicam (7.5 mg) that I take for the pain and I was taking Zonisamide (100 mg) twice daily but that is not helping me either. I am missing entire days/weeks due to this constant pain and am basically at my wits end. I have a neurologist that I have been seeing, but she seems more intent on passing me pills when I really want to try and find out what is causing this. Recently (over the past few months) I have endured increased migraines (3 or 4 a week) which causes me to miss a lot of work.

I must also add that about six months ago I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. In April they removed my thyroid along with 21 lymph nodes (14 being cancerous along with the thyroid) and I am currently on a treatment plan. The surgery and cancer treatment has left me severely hypothyroid. Could the thyroid cancer/hypothyroidsm be causing the increase in my migraines? What other options do I have at this point rather than just putting a cold wash cloth over my head and eyes, sleeping in a dark room, and begging the good Lord above to take the pain away? I feel so helpless and really don't know where to turn. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Crystal

[dame_wilbur]

I have a friend who had thyroid cancer on top of her migraines. If I remember correctly, it was horrid for her, as was the breast cancer chemo she went through a few years later. Have you joined a cancer forum here? They might be able to suggest some coping techniques.

good luck!

~dame

[crystalthegr8est]

Hi Dame,

Thanks for responding. Yes, I have also joined the thyroid community, which has proven to be quite helpful. Thank you for the suggestion. I wasn't sure if there was anyone on here that might be able to help as well, so thought I would post. Thanks again.

Crystal