Persistent Migraines and Nowhere to turn

[FrustratedBrit]

Hello,

I am a 21 year old college student and I have had the occasional migraine all my life. In September I started getting migraines more frequently. I had a really nasty one that forced me to go to a walk in clinic for some immediate care. I got a shot of Torridol that didn't work and a prescription for 100 mg Imitrex. The Imitrex didn't even touch the migraine and I wasn't happy with the side effects. I did a follow up and he sent me to a "Comprehensive Headache Clinic" in my area to be seen by a neurologist. I saw the doctor for the first appt and she put me on Zonisamide as a migraine preventative and Maxalt-MLT 10 mg as a rescue medication as well as ordering some labs, an MRI and an MRA. All tests came back normal. The Maxalt worked well when I got the migraines but insurance wasn't too happy with it so we had to switch. She then put me on Relpax which didn't work at all. The Zonisamide gave me some pretty intense heart palpitations so I was switched to Topomax. Because my neurologist has so many patients I only get to "see" her every 5 months. I see her Nurse Practitioners in between visits and they handle my case. I was a bit uncomfortable with that and still am. The topomax threw me into a depressive state and the NP didn't like that so she put me on Lamotrigine as a prevenative and we also switched the rescue medication to Amerge plus 2 Aleve for every migraine. But I can't take it more than 2x a week and I have 3-4 migraines a week. I am also not being weaned off of any of my medications before starting new ones... they are just being switched and my body cannot tolerate this any longer. I feel like I have been run over by a semi truck.

These migraines are pretty unpredictable as to when I am going to get them and we can't find a definite single or set of
triggers for them. I get the intense photophobia. I have been known to pass out from dehydration and vomiting while having these migraines. Being in college its really hard to deal with this because I miss alot of class and alot of professors aren't exactly understanding. I am not sure where to go from here. I am at my wits end and I have no patience left. help!

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. I understand your predicament well. You are going through many crises. You have tried almost all medications indicated for migraines.  You could be given a trial of ergotamines. CAM treatments or complementary and alternative medicine is also effective for pain management. Acupuncture involves insertion of needles into specific points to promote energy flow and pain relief. Biofeedback involves patients learning to interpret their body’s signals and then promote a natural response. Chiropractic and manipulative treatments involves adjustments made to the spine and the musculoskeletal system to rectify the imbalances. Other therapies are stress management and relaxation techniques. You must get in touch with your neurologist and discuss these options with in detail. Take care.
.

[hardin82]

WOW!  I just joined today and found your post.  I feel just like YOU.  I'm so sorry cause I know how you feel.  I've had migraines for 8 yrs.  I'm 28 with young children/husband and now they have become chronic.  Monthly 6-12 of them.

But, for the past 18 days, I've had 14 of them!  A few, I should have went to ER.  I wake up with mine strangely and others from scents/stress/tension.  Dr. this month has changed my meds 4 times.  I take Maxalt, but now he is trying for a prevent..med.  This one is Verapamil 240mg daily.  Only been 3 days and everyday I've woke up with one, but not as intense.

My Dr. has never done a brain scan.  Says only 1 in 1000 show anythig wrong.  He is a general pcp.  Wonder what others on here think about that.  He told me last week to go to a specialist in Houston.  They admit you into the hospital for a week or more, detox you from all meds, and start on you...figuring out how to help you w/migraines.  Wish I had the money, lol.

I've been on a couple anti-depress that were suppose to help...they didn't.  Anti-seizure meds...no help.  Something else...  I'm at a loss as well.  Hope we can find the help we need!