Extreme Frustration with Migraines and Doctors

[Wilful1]

I'm new to this forum, so I hope you will be patient, as many of my issues have probably already been addressed, but here goes:
I have been suffering with migraines for 17 years now.  Over the years they got progressively worse.  My GP sent me to a neurologist years ago.  I feel as though I have tried every medication and alternative therapy that exists.  From acupuncture, botox, chiropratic, massage therapy, hypnois, vitamins, herbal remedies, high blood pressure medications, tryphans, antiseizures meds, ice and lavender and nothing works but a pain med or shot.  Believe me I have gone without any pain meds, over the counter or prescriptions because I was being cautious about the "rebound effect."  I keep a regular sleep pattern.  To add to this last year I was diagnosed with hepatitis C 1a and am just finishing up 48 weeks of a type of chemotherapy that caused more migraines.  As far as the hep c is concerned, I was very fortunate because I have very minimal liver damage.  The only obvious way I contracted this was from a transfusion in 1976.  Not one doctor ever tested me for hep but tested me for HIV because of the transfusion.  I had placenta previa while pregnant and bled profusely, was  given a c-section and blood to save my life.  However, my little son did pass away.  He only weighed 3lbs 8oz.  Of course now there is so much they can do for premature babies, but that was 33 years ago. Anyway, I'm hoping that some of my headaches have stemmed from the hep c, but I will have to wait until the meds are out of my system to know.  I am so frustrated with my neurologist as he is frustrated with me.  I have led a pretty "clean" lifestyle; I have been a compliant patient; I have tried everything that doctors and lay people have suggested, and now am just so frustrated with hearing the same advice over and over as though I haven't been intelligent enough to research everything and try everything.  How do I respond to my doctor because sometimes I feel he doesn't believe me?  Thanks for reading my tyriad.
Wilful1

[drrajgopal18]

Hi,
I am really sorry to hear about your pain . As you are already planning , please try Losartan .It has really helped a lot for many people . You can also try magnesium supplements. It is known to help in migraine . Please consult a new neurologist with an MRI and CT scan for a better treatment approach .Hope this helps you . take care and regards !

[Wilful1]

Thanks for your comments.  I have tried quite a few of the triptans and have very negative reactions to them.  For the most part I do use the fiorinal, which works best most of the time.  Today I asked my GP to try the Covaar for my high blood pressure and am hoping that might work.  Today is my last day of tx with the riba and interferon, so I hope they go away too.  And here is hoping your son does well on the interferon and riba.  It can be a very difficult treatment, but I did find lots of support from the hep c community forum here.
Thanks
Wilful

[kciav]

hi, some of the triptans work better for me than others.  After your experience, you may not want any others?  I finally found one that works pretty good for me, frova, but now my insurance won't cover anymore unless I try the generic imitrex :(

Maybe a new neurologist?  with some new ideas.  I ended up in the emergency room years ago with a terrible migraine and they gave me oxygen which helped until I left the oxygen there:(  Sometimes I wonder if it would help at home.

My son is on the interferon/riba and gets lots of headaches too.  Although aspirin isn't the best, he occasionally takes execederin or fiorinal or fiorocet, which usually helps.  Excederin has really helped me over the years, but is hard on the stomach and if taken too often rebound headaches can come.  

Hope the headaches go away with the hep treatment.  Good luck.

[Wilful1]

I tried Amerge and my left side of my body went completely numb.  I couldn't walk lol.  Thank you for responding.  Now I'm researching a high bp med called Losartan (Cozaar) that some people have used with success for their migraines.  so thank you again.

[MMWV]

I started having severe migraines when I was 17; as many as 2 to 4 a month. They were diagnosed as Common Migraines in my 20's. I tried many of the things that you tried, with little to no success in controlling the horrendous pain.

Then a new line of medications came out- the Triptan meds. I was prescribed the triptan: AMERGE® (naratriptan hydrochloride). I was really skeptical, but I picked up the RX anyway. Thank GOD! I woke up with a migraine, took 2.5 mg dose. 20 minutes later: NO trace of migraine symptoms! UNBELIEVABLE!

Ask a doctor about it... what can it hurt to try it? There are a number of migraine medications in that Triptan family, one may work if the other doesn't.
Good luck to you!