I've had this terrible headache for a long time now (10 weeks tomorrow) with very little relief. My primary care doc tried everything from antibiotics, steroids and decongestants thinking it was a sinus infection with no relief. Went to Relpax for migraines, then to an anti-inflammatory and no relief. I spent a couple days in the hospital last month in dire pain. A neurologist was called in and a pain management doc. The neuorologist gave me a "concoction" of 3 meds and the pain management doc gave me a nerve block of 3 shots in the back of the head. I did get a little relief and was sent home, but wasn't sure which one did help. Followed up with the neuro and he put me on Topamax thinking it's migraines. Well it came back...oh boy. So yesterday I went back to his office for another round of the 3 drug concoction to try to get rid of it again. While it did reduce it, it did not eliminate it. I am so frustrated! I feel like we're throwing darts at the target, but not really trying to find out what the cause is. I've had negative CT and MRI scans. Bloodwork is all good, blood pressure is all perfect. It's weird. I'm not under a lot of stress and really, except for this stupid extreme pain that won't move (it's located right above my right ear, about the size of a golf ball) I have a great life! It's really busy, but it's great! I'm trying to get into a second neuro for another opinion and considering seeing a chiropractor. Anyone else experience anything like this? Or have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Thank you all for your advice and help. So far I've had no relief. Had my first ever chiro visit last week and it was interesting. Go back on Wednesday again. Waiting to get into a second neurologist to see what he thinks. Also considering having my primary consult a cardiologist to see if it may be vascular. Thank you moms for all your wonderful input! It's so great to have you all to lean on!!! MAMA'S ROCK!
It sounds crazy, but I have a friend who swears by the herb "feverfew". She takes it every day and has noticed a great lessening of the severity of her migraines.
I used to get really bad headaches that lasted a long time. I had an mri..but it showed nothing. I started going to a chiropractor, and now that my body is in alignment, I have not had any more headaches like that. It's been about 5 years since I've had one, and that's when I started going to the chiropractor. You might try that!
I've had migraines all my life and have been on Topamax and Relpax and Beta Blockers.. You name it. I've started going to a chiropractor for migraines and it's really seemed to help. I get them every once in a while, but not once a week like I was, and not as strong either. That might be something for you to try. I've also taken massage courses (which included a Chinese Med class) and I would suggest trying massage or maybe Acupunture. I had told my Dr that I wanted to try Chiro or Acupuncture instead of more meds, and the only reason I picked Chiro was bc it was covered by insurance :) Hope this helps!!
~Ash
Hi R.,
You are definitely not alone in this. I have been battling migraines off and on for 15 years now and it looks like there are plenty of others on here as well. Mine used to be mostly hormone related, and once I had a hysterectomy they slowed down some. Then the last year or so, 6 out of 7 days of the week I had some kind of headache. Some were worse than others. I got referred by one neurologist to Dr. Joseph Casaly who is now in Lewisville. He specializes in headaches and has been awesome! I am now taking the Topomax, which for me took about 3 weeks to really take effect, Treximet for breakthrough headaches, and then Imitrex shots when nothing else works. When you go to Dr. Casaly, he allows at least 1-2 hours with new patients, and then usually 1 hour with established patients. He really sits there and goes through everything with you and listens to you. Very patient as well. Sometimes it's hard trying to explain stuff and he just seems to understand that. I think they tried to many meds and treatments on you at one time and you need to find a good doctor that will really look at what's causing these, not just trying to make the pain go away. Chiropractors may work for some people and they may work for you, but they didn't for me. I do hope you get some relief soon, I do feel for you. If you ever need to talk, just let me know! Also, Dr. Casaly has a website you can go on and get more info. www.headachecenter.yourmd.com
By the way..five kids, always on the go and you say you have no stress? Are you suuuuuure??? ;-)
Hi R.,
I am so sorry you are living with this pain. I would highly recommend Quantum Biofeedback. It's a little hard to explain, but it gives you a lot of information about what is happening in your body and may help relieve the pain. There is a great studio on Magnolia Avenue in the Fort Worth Hospital District.
See http://alternativehealthcommunity.com/quantumstars/ for more information. Tell Bree that I sent you when you make your appointment. I suffered from sinus infections for years and they were getting more and more frequent. In my first biofeedback session, I was told that I have severe dairy allergies. It broke my heart, but I stopped eating dairy and have no more sinus problems!
Peace and Joy,
M.
www.yogapotential.com
Look for a chiropractor who specializes in Applied Kinesiology. It's muscle testing from just you touching your ring finger and thumb together. At the same time the chiropractor can test your muscles, organs & alignment of your body. It helped me tremendously. Helped me with those extremely painful migraines. She helped me with my sugar addiction to tell me what my body was lacking. Diagnosed my low bone density and calcium defiency. She also got rid of my pregnancy sciatica. Now I have moved to North Dallas, expecting my 4th child and scared I might need her help.
I have had almost the same thing happen to me!!! It was crazy!!! Finally after 8 months of TMJ treatments and Neurologists not knowing what was going on I spent over a year self medicating on Hydrocodone just to get relief. I ended up taking a sleep study because of something I saw on the news about sleep apnea. I am not overweight and did not think I had problems sleeping but at that point I would try anything! I ended up getting my tonsils out because of mild sleep apnea which at 36 was pure hell! But today a year later and 3 years after all of this started the only medication I take is Topomax daily. I did get diagnosed with breast cancer in June but I don't think that had any connection with the headaches and neither do any of my doctors.
Just an FYI...I went to Texas Neurology in Dallas and saw Dr. Herzog. He is a very good Neurologist and worth the wait to get in. He did not do my tonsils but did try different meds and actually seemed to care about my situation with my headaches and that is more than I can say for some of the other Dr's I saw during the process. He is also on the cutting edge of treatments.
Sometimes tooth pain can contribute and be masked as a headache migraine. Have you been to the dentist lately? If not, that might be something to look into. Good Luck
A.
Chiropractor!!! I can't recomend it enough. Your neck or spine maybe out of align and adjustments help a lot of different pains that other treatments wont. I have literally felt headaches drain awaywithin moments of having an adjustment.
Good Luck!
Go see a Chiropractor! I have heard of several success stories from people that suffer from migraines. I'm not sure what are you live in, but if you live in Fort Worth I recommend seeing Dr. Langham at North Star Chiropracic. www.northstarchiro.com I currently am a patient of hers.
When my sister get migraines she calls me for a SPARK. It is a mental focus/ energy drink that I sell. You can check it out on our website www.advocare.com/0402179
one of my huge migraine factors is stress. since i've started yoga and pilates for an hour a week total in addition to other exercises, my stress levels have greatly declined. yes i do take topamax and verapamil currently, but in the past i've taken every prescription drug and herbal remedy that applied to my health issue. it's a rocky road, but keep the faith. something will work! i've gone from having a migraine most of the month to having one every 2 weeks. miracles happen!
R.,
I hear this all the time. I work for a chiropractor. There can be many factors yes but regardless of what the migraine stems from a good adjustment and some therapies has always worked for both myself and my patients..
If you want to know more information you can call our office. La Plaza Family Chiropractic ###-###-#### if you would like you can ask for me (P.) or one of the other girls can help you. This is very common!
Hi my name is C. and I also am a mother of 3 band geeks and always on the go. I work full-time and also a full-time student at Texas Wesleyan. And also suffer from mirgraines. I take a rx called midrine. And helps right away but I also notice getting massages once or twice a month. I think you should try that.
I just saw a really great neurologist last week and just loved him. I also went to see him for headaches. Anyway, he might be a good one to see for a second opinion. His name is Dr. Rarorque and his phone number is ###-###-####. I went to see him in Las Colinas, but I think they have other offices if that is not close to you.
I wish you luck!!!
~B. Fish
If I were you, I would definitely seek a second or third opinion from a recommended neurologist. Not to scare you, but my sister-in-law had a long lasting migraine and they finally took her to Dr. AlMefti in Little Rock and they had to remove a small non-cancerous growth from her brain. It was very very small and deep so it was hard to see on some images. It was pushing on a nerve giving her a headache. She had the surgery four weeks ago and is great now. No headache and everything went perfectly. He is one of the best in the world I hear... so make sure you are seeing a good doctor and that they are doing thorough cat scans and so on. Your situation may be totally different but I wanted to be honest with you. Take care and good luck.
Hi R.,
You've got some good advice about using a chiropractor here,
but please get a second opinion from a neurologists or at least demand another MRI! NOT a CT scan. I have lost too many people to brain aneurisms and I don't mean to scare you, but it's best to make completely sure that this is not what is going on. A really good friend of mine suffered for months with a terrible headache, only had a CT scan, collapsed one day at work moaning about her head and then she was gone. The first time this touched my life was when I was 13 and lost my best friend to the same thing. So, yes, I am a little paranoid about headaches.
Let us know how things turn out. Please get another MRI.
I have suffered from headaches too and I know it's hard to function with them.
Good luck and God bless!
Try a chiropracter...you have nothing to lose!
I can relate but last time I had a migraine I got meds that knocked it out. I used to get them when I was in my 20-30's but one day when I was shopping and could only see one side of someones face I decided to stay calm. I talked myself out of it and have never had one since. I would think I was hungry and eat then vomit over and over. I would go to the emergency and get Demorall shots and went home sick for a day. It usually hit when I had too much to worry about. I would have too many cutomers and fear of getting behind. The last time was when I had to take kids to dancing and worried about getting back and doing all I had to do. I decided in my mind to prioritize what was the most important and what could wait. This sounds more serious. My husband had Irack NodCyst in his brain with continual headache all the time. The worst would have been to have to put a shunt in it and drain fluids but never happened. He had half a brain and genius in smarts. So I am wondering if acupuncture would work. My neighbors were on there way to get some when thier backs when out and after she said it was the best relief Not sure if they can even do that but looks like Chiropractic and Acupuncture would be a way to go. Huge words to spell sorry.This had to be very anoying and painful. Meds also poison our bodies but looks like they are not finding a tumor or anything. You have to get some relief soon. God Bless and will be praying for you. G. W
