migraines

I had meningitis, meningicoccle and sypticemia when i was 30 years old i am now 42 i have suffered these migraines since when i had menigitis (meningitis) and they r really bad! i hv all the symptoms going, but recently my heart is racing like a racehorse on a track, i cant seem 2 slow it down, i was wonderin if u cld help me with this pls.

many thanks

Jennifer Edgell

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Chronic meningitis is a well-known cause of chronic headache. Treatment can be difficult and may require a headache specialist. The treatment should include two types of medications: preventative therapy and abortive therapy. Preventative therapy is a medication that would be taken every day regardless of whether or not a headache is prevent. This type of medication is used to prevent headaches from occurring, and there are several types including but not limited to beta blockers such as propranolol, calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, and others including topamax, depakote, elavil, etc. A lot of these medications were invented for other uses and are used not only for headache but also epilepsy and depression. They have proven very effective in preventing headaches. The second medication is abortive, meaning it is used when a headache is coming on. The medication used depends on the nature of a headache. Also, with frequent use of abortive medications including triptans, tylenol, advil,caffeine,  and others, medication overuse headache can occur. This requires a specific treatment in which the over-used medications are slowly stopped and replaced with more long-acting medications.

I am not sure what is wrong with your heart. It could be a pain response, anxiety, or a cardiac issue to name a few. I would suggest you discuss this with your primary care physician.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck!