Nuero and Gyno suggest opposite treatment need opinions please

[dar202]

Hi everyone,
I really need you opinions on this one, basically what do I do next....
Well, I finally saw the gyno and migraine specialist (or what I thought was I specialist, I'll get into that latter) last week and they have totally different approaches. Okay, just an update on my symptoms I am 44 and have had dizzy spells (double vision) 2 days before my menstration for 7 years. 2 months ago I started having double vision, speech problems, eye fluttering, shaking, (siezure like symptomsm, but not siezures) before my menstration, went to ER for TIA like symptoms diagnosed with migraines. I was put on tompamax(only taking 50mg, wont go to 100mg like I am suppose to) and maxalt. Since then, have been tracking triggers and symptoms. I only seem to have episodes 2-4 days before menstation and ovulation (also, menstration is becoming irregular)  (Also, during 2-4 days hot shower trigger episodes everytime). So, went to gyno, she thinks these are hormone related. She does not want to put me on birth control because of my age, family history (cancer and fibro) and I smoke (I said I would quit, but she said she still would not put me on them for one year after) She wants me cleared my the nuero and suggest that I try Lupron Depot that would push me into menopause, if that works and get rid of my migraines she suggest a full hystrorectomy. The Neuro I saw is Associate Clinical Professor of Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology. She believes these are menstral migraines and menopausal syndrome. She wants me to get off topomax, and take diamox which is a diaretic 2-3 days before ovulation and menstration combined with alieve. She completely disagrees with the gyno and says I should take birth control and an asprin a day. Then when we were leaving the office the wierdest thing happened. We shook her hand and she started looking at the MRI again. She said, that in one frame of the mri she saw an enlarge vessel, when we asked should we retake the mri, she said she needed send her the complete report (which we thought we had) from the hospital and take a asprin a day. As you can tell this is long and I apologize. I am not sure where to go from here. I think I am going to see my regular md and talk with her. I know no one can give me medical advice, but has anyone heard of these treatment options? And where would you go from here? Thank in advance for all your comments.
Dar

[soniseo]

Wow!!  Thanks for your post.  That is alot of information that makes sense. I finally understand why each treatment might work and why.  I did not understand the CSF.  I am sorry you are going through the same thing, but I am glad you are so informed.  Thanks.  
Medical Negligence Ireland

[dar202]

Hi again,
Great name by the way, It is great to know I'm not the only one out there too.  I am seeing my md on Friday to sort out everything and bringing her the mri just to make sure about the enlarge vessel (it is only in one frame).  I am not that worried about it. That is sooo funny about the alien thing, beem me up lol.  Take care and  I will look for your post to see how you are doing.
Dar

[LifesAHeadache]

Hey, it's me again.  Thanks for your response - helps when I'm not the only one who feels like this.  Just spent an hour on the menopause blog for this site.  Not one of those women are having the headache issue - although one lady did say she now feels like an alien. lol

[dar202]

Wow!!  Thanks for your post.  That is alot of information that makes sense. I finally understand why each treatment might work and why.  I did not understand the CSF.  I am sorry you are going through the same thing, but I am glad you are so informed.  Thanks.   Let me know how it goes for you.  I agree with you though, I need to find something that works.  The only problem I might have with the diamox is that my menstration is starting to be all over the place 21 days then 28.  If I can keep track of it, it may work.  The asprin and aleve combo is a good question exceptionally during menstration (mine is heavy or light, basically ever changing-sorry for the detail right back at ya ha ha)  I was also wondering if sodium is an issue, why not a sodium free diet?  I am going to talk this over with my md and see what she thinks and ask about synaril vs Lupron vs diamox/naproxyn vs topamax.  Uggg so many treatments.  One has got to work.  Thanks for explaining why they would prescribe the differenent treatments.  Again, let me know how it is going for you and I will let you know what I find out.  
Thanks again
Dar

[LifesAHeadache]

Don't worry about the long post - here is another one.  I'm not a doctor but do have some experience in this area.  Yes, I think it is obvious to all your docs that hormones trigger at least the most severe of your Migraines.  Me too.  I personally would NEVER RISK LUPRON, because unless it is a new mixture - it used to be a shot that put you into the artificial menopause for six months.  If you have a bad reaction to it then you are stuck for six months of hell.  Now, there is another medicine called Synaril (sp) that does the same thing but it is a nasal spray that you take everyday.  You cannot miss one single dose because if you do - your hormones jump up.  I missed the one dose and ended up inpatient in the hospital with the worse headache ever, blood pressure went through the roof.  I think I was close to stroke and I don't say that lightly.  But with the Synaril, if you need to taper off, it can be out of your system within a day or two.  I didn't continue with that treatment because I was doing it for endometriosis and it wasn't worth it for that.  I may try again now because I am at the end of my rope for these ovulation/3rd day of period headaches.  This  month I thought I was going to die.  I know better than to miss a dose now.  HOWEVER
My neurologist who is one of the leading in the business says he has had several women try the Lupron and it didn't help the headaches.  His daughter is a board certed OB/GYN in New York and she had not had much luck with it either.  My OB/GYN also says it doesn't work.  But it seems so logical, I may want to try again.  Your OB/GYN won't give you the birth control because the risk of stroke has been shown to be high in cases like yours - she won't risk it, Malpractice is different for an OB/GYN than a Neuro.  The OB/GYN knows what she would be responsible if you did have a stroke.  On the neuro side, Diamox is not a very potent diaretic, but it does decrease production of CSF(cerebral spinal fluid).  Climbers who take on Mt Everest ect... actually take it to keep from getting headache from altitude because of the CSF.  Be careful with the asprin a day around your period, I don't know if you bleed heavy or not.  Plus, is it OK to take asprin and Aleve which is like asprin at the same time?  If you have stomach problems make sure you eat first.  You know your body and what you want to try but this is what I am going to try this month and I am going to do a lot of research about the menopause approach.  BTW:  Aleve is Naproxen Sodium which is actually Naprosyn with sodium added to make it faster acting.  I want to check to see if this the real sodium becuase wouldn't that make you retain water?  A prescription is needed for Naprosyn but it is dirt cheap.  Anyway, this month here is my approach -  large dose of calcium/magnesium/D everyday.  Iron, I'm anemic everyday.  Diamox/Naprosyn (or Aleve) starting 4 days before I think I will ovulate and half an asprin a day up until the 4 days, but I flow heavy - sorry for the detail.  If I am still as sick as this past month then I may try the Synaril (artificial menopause)  approach just for a month or two because I am out of ideas.  I also get another headache or triggered headache that I am posting for help a little later.  Good Luck.