Migranes and other issues

[Naitryn]

I've had what the doctors call cluster migraines for about 15 years. I've been many times to the doctor, although when I was younger they said there was no pills for this type of thing. They will come often, mostly a constant pressure that will build up now and again for weeks or months at a time, with short reprieves for a month or two. It's like a jabbing pain over my right eye that quickly becomes like a vise around my head, like my brain is swelling and my head can't contain it. I can feel my blood throb in my head and it will feel like needles or a jackhammer to my head, causing me to be immobile, because if I move or even breathe, it will hurt terribly. My jaw will also hurt when it's bad enough, I've been dizzy and lighthead and felt nauseous when this happens.
Also, a couple years ago I had an accident and now there is a soft spot on the left side of my head that is still sensitive. I don't know if it's affected my migraines or not, it's hard to tell, but no tests were done on it and it will still hurt at times. My doctor has given me imitrex (sp?) 50mg and even that isn't doing anything. Not many pills affect me, even vicadin doesn't. I've done the diet thing, go in a dark room with a cold washcloth, have no disturbances, everything they've said and it doesn't help and now with a 4 month old, that's just not going to be possible to do. And I seem to keep getting doctors that really don't care. I waited in an ER with a terrible migraine for 3 hours and I ended up leaving before they saw me. Any help?

[dr_simran]

Hello dear,
The following treatment will help you-
Preventive treatment: This includes ongoing use of medications proven effective in holding off headaches or limiting their number, even when you are not experiencing headaches. Examples are drugs like beta-blockers (propranolol [Inderal], atenolol [Tenormin]), anticonvulsants (topiramate [Topamax], divalproex [Depakote], carbamazepine [Tegretol]), tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [Elavil], nortriptyline [Aventyl]), and calcium channel blockers (verapamil [Covera]). Though widely used, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressant (fluoxetine [Prozac], paroxetine [Paxil], escitalopram [Lexapro]) is relatively ineffective for headache.
Abortive treatment: This is designed to stop a headache once it has begun. Medications include ergotamine (Bellamine, Cafergot), acetaminophen-isometheptene-dichloralphenazone (Midrin), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45 Injection, Migranal Nasal Spray), and more recently, the drugs of the triptan family (almotriptan [Axert], eletriptan [Relpax], frovatriptan [Frova], naratriptan [Amerge], rizatriptan [Maxalt], sumatriptan [Imitrex], zolmitriptan [Zomig]).
In addition, many medications used to treat migraine headache (Excedrin Migraine Pain Reliever/Pain Reliever Aid, oxygen, prednisone [Deltasone]) can also be used for cluster headache.
You should consult a neurologist regarding these treatment options.
Apart from this avoid stressful events,develop a regular sleep patterna d do daily exercises.
Refer http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cluster_headache/page7_em.htm
Best

[Naitryn]

Thank you so much. I tried calling a neuro, but I need a doctor's referal to go to one. The doctor I've been to just listened to me for about 5 minutes and gave me imitrex...and only 6 of them. I'm not sure if he will let me go to a neurologist or not, I have to go back and see him in two weeks, but thanks so much for your response, you're the first that ididn't actually tell me there wasn't anything to treat it. I just wonder if this doctor will actually give any of them to me or not.