Migraine hell

[Rosehawkins]

I've been suffereing from migraines since I was 17, and i'm 26 now. I've been to several doctors (locally) and even made a trip to massachusetts to see a neurologist. I've taken every anti depressant under the tuscan sun, and have had no luck.Over the past 3 years my migraines have become a daily routine. My most recent DR. has perscribed me 200mg of topamax, and although I have had some relief, the side effects have made me completely out of it, and almost dead feeling. It takes effort just to get out of bed, much less take care of my responsiblities. I've been fired from jobs, due to the severity of my migraines and not being able to make it to work. I'm now a full time student, and with the topamax, its become next to impossible for me to retain any information in my studies, much less get up the strength to finish any homework assignments. My abbility to focus is lack thereof.. I'm just wondering what else is out there that I haven't tried???? I'm at the point now, where i'll try just about anything! I'm also taking fiorcet for when I do have a migraine attack, but its definitely not a permanent fix. So my other question is: would taking adhd medicine help counter-act the side effects i'm having on the topamax???? I just want to be able to finish school for once. I've had to drop out of school several times due to my migraines and the side effects of topamax, again, i'm desperate at this point! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[achilles2]

Also do you have a painful cycle? If so you need to look into endometriosis. As this can cause migraines. If you suspect that you might you need to find an endo specialist. A general ob/gyn does not know enough. To find one near you, you can contact the endo association:
http://www.endometriosisassn.org/

[achilles2]

Also has anyone checked your thyroid?  An unbalanced thyroid can cause migraines. If they have do you have the actual results? I do not mean "they are range" but the actual numbers.

[achilles2]

Here is more info on feverfew:
http://www.migraineremedy.com/herbal-remedies/migraineremedy/feverfew-research-for-migraine

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69219.cfm

[achilles2]

I have not tried it yet but you might want to investigate the herb feverfew even hospitals are learning that this helps better than anything.My friend also recommends turmeric and frankincense.

Also another trigger is gluten-- wheat, barely, rye, and non-gluten free oats.

achilles2

[Red_Star]

Potential migraine triggers include:

*Stress
*Fasting
*Hormones
*Bright or flickering lights
*Cigarette smoke
*Dehydration
*Alcohol most notably beer, red wine and whiskey
*Allergies and allergic reactions
*Bright lights, loud noises, and certain odors or perfumes
*Physical or emotional stress
*Changes in sleep patterns or irregular sleep
*Tension headaches
*Foods containing tyramine (red wine, smoked fish, figs, aged cheese, chicken livers, and some beans), monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates (eg: bacon, hot dogs, salami) artificial sugar substitute aspartame, nuts, peanut butter, chocolate, avocado, citrus, banana, onions, dairy products and fermented or pickled foods, fried foods.


Studies show the following supplements can help prevent or relieve migranes>>>

*Magnesium: 500 to 600 mg per day (most migraine patients are found to have low brain magnesium levels during migraine attacks - one clinical trial found 80% had a complete elimination of migraine pain within 15 minutes of taking magnesium)

*Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 400 mg per day

*Vitamin B12: 1000mcg per day

*Fish oil or flaxseed oil (both contain omega 3): 1000 to 2000mg

*125 mg capsule of powdered feverfew leaves a day

*Coenzyme Q10: 100 to 300mg a day

*Ginkgo biloba: 120 mg per day

*Ginger: 500 - 3,000 mg per day (using ginger capsules or tablets)

*5-HTP: 200 – 900 mg per day

*Borage seed oil: 1,500 - 3,000 mg per day (alternatives:
evening primrose oil and blackcurrant seed oil)

*Progesterone (Many women experience migraines as a result of estrogens dominance): ¼ to ½ teaspoon of progesterone (cream applied topically) on day 12 through to day 26 of the menstrual cycle

*Calcium (especially when consumed in conjunction with vitamin D): 1,000 - 2,000 mg per day

*Niacin (vitamin B3): 500 - 1,000 mg administered as soon as possible after you notice the onset of a migraine

*SAMe: 200 - 400 mg per day

*Melatonin: 3 mg per night

*MSM: 2,000 - 6,000 mg per day (using oral MSM). The beneficial effects of MSM are enhanced by the concurrent use of 2,000 mg of supplemental vitamin C per day

Medical conditions that include headaches/migranes - anaemia (iron, vitamin B12/folate deficiencies), hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, Arnold Chiari Malformation. In rare cases, brain tumour.