Migraines getting worse despite more meds

[Migrainehead]

I am now taking 175 mg of Topamax nightly, relpax as needed, cambia as needed, and Vicodin as needed. This is more medication than I've ever been on before and yet I have almost daily pain and migraines at least a couple of times per week. This past weekend I almost had to go to urgent care because I had 3 straight days of unrelenting pain that didn't respond to any meds. I finally got them under control but ended up with red eyes and my speech is not normal (I'm saying words backwards). This the second time this happened in about two months. What's going on??

[NatureHealthAndYou]

For what it's worth I had migraines from early childhood, which got progressively worse. In the end I was getting violent 3-4 day migraines every week. I certainly noticed a connection with the weather but it wasn't the only trigger. Sumatriptan was the only drug that helped but I got rebound headaches and on top of that it gave me an irregular heartbeat so I had to stop taking it. In the end, after probably 40 years of taking powerful anti-migraine drugs, my body got to the stage where it wouldn't tolerate any kind of drug and I was having kidney problems. I am now migraine free. How? Two things: On the advice of a medical doctor I started taking butterbur. Like any herbal remedy it takes time, but after perhaps two or three months the results were unmistakeable. The other thing I did was focus on my body's acid/alkaline balance. I am now healthier than I ever dreamt possible. I hope this helps anyone who has given up hope of ever being healthy - because that was certainly where I was at and it's not a good place to be!
cathie

[Eddie1994]

I sent a PM to you with directions.  I guess it goes to your Inbox on this website.  Let me know if you didn't receive it.
Ed

[Migrainehead]

That would be great if you could send some information so I could know what to watch out for, thanks! I had a migraine trying to come on yesterday, but I managed not to take anything for it. We'll see how today goes. Weekends are usually worse for me but so far today has been okay.

[Eddie1994]

Just looked back to April 3rd radar file capture.  A pressure system went through at the time you mentioned.  It is now just below our location and for the last hour I was having twinges of head pain.  My wife had to take a Maxalt about 7:00pm tonight.  If you want, I can send you some information of what to look for.  Just like AJ, your not to far from the Rockies and most of the strongest systems appear to drop around Houston.  The Gulf moisture might not help much either.  

[Migrainehead]

Actually, my head started hurting yesterday and I'm currently in the middle of a very painful event here with no end in sight. :( I unfortunately don't have the luxury of a trial run in New Mexico, but I figure it can't be any worse there than here. It's getting to the point now where it's affecting my ability to work!

[Eddie1994]

Amazed how quickly the weather changed after I sent my post. It looks like the skies exploded over your area today.  Hope your head didn't suffer the consequences.

[Eddie1994]

Keep an eye out for the system that in Northern Nevada in the next day or two.  I was looking at your location, wow, you're right where the ball drops on the bowling lane.  I once thought about having my wife move out that way for a test move based on a suggestion by a Physician Assistant's suggestion.  It wasn't to long after that suggestion that I was able correlate my wife's headaches and IA would have been the wrong move.  The weather that drops out of the Rockies is vicious.  Sorry to hear about how frequent your migraines are coming.  My wife is just coming out of one now that started on Saturday night.  

[Migrainehead]

Eddie-Actually the last major migraine just began on the 29th. Since the weather is always changing here in Houston, I don't know what to do about these episodes.
AJ-Thanks for the input! We're considering a move to the mountains in New Mexico. Do you think that would be helpful? I don't know much about this barometric stuff. Is there a site you'd recommend where I can learn more? Thanks!

[AJMurfinIA]

as a person that gets Barometric migraines and was getting them up to four and five a week to the point of throwing up and having to wear my sun glasses in a lit room.  I think that Eddie is on the right track.  Also the one and only thing that I have found that helps with over 50% more like 75% is to Botox shots every three months.  It is an approved method by the FDA since Oct 2011.  I now can take care of them with a anti throw up pill and sumatriptin along with a high dose of aleve (about 800mg)
Hope this helps

[Eddie1994]

If I understand correctly somewhere about March 20th your last major 3 day episode started, would that be about right?

[Migrainehead]

Thanks for your comment. I live in southeast texas not far from the coast and my migraines actually started when I moved here from a drier climate 7 years ago. It's always been a theory of mine that my headaches are tied into the climate but the doctors just say they don't know.

[Eddie1994]

The big concern is rebounding from the medications.  Although you don't mention your general location so I can't comment about weather indicators for your migraines but this is a distinct possibility.  Two times in two months gives some clues.  If you can rule out hormonal causes then weather conditions could be a stronger case.  If you can provide a nearby city I can help you with ruling in or out some weather triggers.  Look forward to hearing from you.