They're BAAAAAACK

[RubyWitch]

I'm a 58 y/o woman who has had ocular migraines for approximately 20 years. Two years ago, I came within weeks of going without a migraine for an entire year. I was just starting to let myself believe that just maybe the doctor had been right and they had stopped as suddenly as they had begun. But then I got one and going back through my migraine "jounal," I see that over the next few weeks, I had 3 more. That was in July of 2009. Now it's March of 2010 and once again was hoping that since I hadn't had one since then, this time they were gone. Two days ago, I got one and last night, I had another. Can anybody tell me what's going on? Should I be running to my neuro? I'm trying really hard not to let this freak me out, but it's obviously not working out so well.
Thanks so much
Greenlydia

[lynn_martland]

i too  have suffered on and off ,for forty years, stress, food , and hormones have all been a factor,  i have for the last two years been fairly free, and i think i can put it down to been given citalopram for depresion ,and being a biopolar, also i had a mirena intrauterine  devise, fitted at the same time ,so the hormones are stable , i have just gone through the most stressfull two years in a long time ,quite easily with the help of my meds and support of my wonderfull new husband  hope this is of some use to you , stay calm and possitive x lynn

[RubyWitch]

Thanks so much for your prompt and helpful replies. I will look into each of your suggestions and hope you won't mind if I come up with a few more questions! Even though I have had these headaches for 20 years now, I still feel like something of a "newbie" as I know many of you have had them your entire lives and have a much better understanding of them and don't fear them like I do.
Again, thank you so much and don't worry, I won't be a stranger! LOL
Greenlydia

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear what you have been through. Stress is indeed one factor that could be causing your migraines to come back. Aside from emotional stress, certain foods, menopausal hormones, excessive hunger, changes in altitude, weather, lights, excessive smoking, and a lot of other factors are also possible triggers.  I know it would be hard to avoid stress right now. But try to relax and de-stress.  Talking it out, avoidance of boredom and some relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises,  music and  reading books may help. If  there are any symptom you experience you should always inform your doctor, just as Dame mentioned. This will help them help you. You may also want to check with your gynecologist and do the routine tests like pap smear and cervical screening at this time. Take care and do keep us posted.

[dame_wilbur]

That's a good point, what your neuro said about menopause. I have a friend who is in chemically induced menopause and it's made her migraines much worse.

Maybe you could just leave a message for your neuro, updating him, and ask him to call you back. If you give a brief description of your concerns, s/he might be able to help you without an actual office visit, or at least know if it's worth an office visit.

Sorry about all the stress in your life right now. That's never fun.

[RubyWitch]

Thanks for your prompt reply.
I have never been able to identify a trigger besides stress. My husband has been out of work since last May, and trust me, we're taling serious stress, but from last May until two days ago, no migraine. I work in a major hospital and trust me, it's a very stressful job..........no migraine. This past January, I injured my back quite badly at work and have been out on L&I since then..........I am still getting paid, it's not my full paycheck, but it's pretty close. The pain is bad and my days are filled with doctor appts. and endless amounts of paperwork. The fact that I am not allowed to do anything, I can't lift more than 5 pounds and have felt like a prisnor in my own home, doesn't help. I am bored stiff and know that between the pain and being virtually housebound, I am feeling somewhat depressedand that, naturally, is not helping my stress levels.
The last time this happened, I did go to my neuro and he assured me that this was actually quite normal and nothing to worry about. I believe he said something about my age and menopause could be affecting the frequency of the headaches. But you advise I see him again?
I can't begin to describe the amount of stress both my husband and I are dealing with. We are worried about losing our home and in June we will be losing our insurance that we've had for over 30 years. We have gone through our savings and our credit has been totally destroyed. We have worked for so long to ensure that as we reached this age, we would be OK. Not rich by any means, but OK. But due to the economy, we are anything BUT OK. So when you ask if the stress has "piled up.........." you have NO idea how huge that pile is.
I will take your advise and see my neuro while we still have insurance, but I'd like to know if you've ever heard of migraines disapperaing and then returning like this. That would give me some peace of mind to know if this is "normal" or something to be really concerned with.
Thanks for your time.
Greenlydia    

[dame_wilbur]

Have you tried to find a common factor with the migraines  in the recent months? Maybe you went out to a special dinner or something that you don't usually do? Or stress that's just piled up?

it wouldn't be dumb to give your neuro a call. My neuro always wants to know when I develop a new side effect/symptom, just to make sure that nothing serious has developed.