now this too? ... migraine

[East Hill]

The joys of migraines. I am certain many of you have similar stories, especially if you are over 40 years of age--

Teenager--I've got really bad headaches. Is there something wrong?
Male Doctor--you're a girl.

Young Adult--I've got really bad headaches. Is there something wrong?
Male Doctor--you're a girl.

Adult--I've got really bad headaches. Is there something wrong?
Male Doctor--you're a girl.

Adult who has visited the local emergency room several times in the last few years due to 'really bad headaches'--I've got really bad headaches. Is there something wrong?
Male Doctor--you're a girl, a hypochondriac, and we think you're coming here because you're addicted to Demerol. We're going to recommend that you have a CAT scan.

Adult who has now had CAT scan--I've got really bad headaches. Is there something wrong?
Male Doctor--well, you don't have a brain tumour, so you must be a hypochondriac. Oh, and you're a girl.

Adult who has had second CAT scan--I've got really bad headaches. What is wrong with me?
Male Doctor--after having me point out that the magazine I had just read in his waiting room would seem to indicate that I was suffering from migraines--Oh, do you get really bad headaches? Are they one sided? Do you get nausea? Do you get aura?
AWHHSCATS--yes, yes, yes, no.
Male Doctor--Well, you might have migraines. Here, try this ergot and see if it works.

Sigh.............

Fast forward to the present. Yes, I am a migraineur. Lots of triggers, too numerous to mention. Not chocolate, though!

Oddly, the last year and a half I have started having migraine fortifications, but without getting a migraine following the phenomenom. Here's a simulation for those you who don't know what we are talking about--although the image is static, and the fortifications are moving constantly. Mine also appear more as big jagged zig zag lines (it's about 3/4 of the way down the page):

http://ohiolionseyeresearch.com/simu...n%20Phenomenon

Duck, I hope your doctor will find the cause soon. Migraines are a horrible thing to have to go through, and yes, they can increase your chances for having strokes.

East Hill

[Bikingmomof3]

East Hill,
You have had some terrible experiences with doctors and I am sorry.

I see my Neurologist in 90 minutes. *sigh*

Male Doctor--you're a girl, a hypochondriac, and we think you're coming here because you're addicted to Demerol. We're going to recommend that you have a CAT scan.

Pity they chose Demerol. Again, I am sorry for your experiences. I am glad you received at least a CT-scan.

TheMale Doctor--after having me point out that the magazine I had just read in his waiting room would seem to indicate that I was suffering from migraines--Oh, do you get really bad headaches? Are they one sided? Do you get nausea? Do you get aura?
AWHHSCATS--yes, yes, yes, no.
Male Doctor--Well, you might have migraines. Here, try this ergot and see if it works.

I was in a trial study for ergotomine years ago. It failed me, but I hear it does indeed help many.

TheOddly, the last year and a half I have started having migraine fortifications, but without getting a migraine following the phenonenom. Here's a simulation for those you who don't know what we are talking about--although the image is static, and the fortifications are moving constantly. Mine also appear more as big jagged zig zag lines (it's about 3/4 of the way down the page):

http://ohiolionseyeresearch.com/simu...n%20Phenomenon

Cool picture. My aura is completely different, but they are so many types of migraine out there.

yes, they can increase your chances for having strokes.

I am living proof of that. 2 TIAs( transient ischemic attack) in my early 30s, 1 Stroke (age 37) with partial left sided paralysis, new medication and then 2 more 2 TIAs (transient ischemic attack) (age 37), at my last appoitment the neurologist increased medication and blood thinners.

I strongly recommend anyone with severe migraines or auras, seek out a Neurologist who at the very least should do an MRI with and without contrast.
Keep a migraine journal, so when you go to your doctor, you can take the pages with your for your medical records.

Time to get ready for yet another visit to the Neurologist. Hopefully he will not order more tests.

[East Hill]

I think the funniest part of the whole experience was that I was not addicted to Demerol. I was just tired of the doctors not being able to help me. I mean, if I'm dying of a brain tumour, tell me. And then give me those pain meds, darn it.

My husband tells me that he once, and only once, had a migraine. He was very young, about 13 or so. He had the fortifications, followed by a blinding headache. He has told me that he finally went to sleep, and when he awoke, he had a feeling of euphoria, as if it was the first time he had ever woken up, because he no longer had the migraine.

He's quite empathetic about the migraines, as one might expect.

Luckily for me, Imitrex works like a charm. I couldn't use the ergotamine, as I didn't have aura. Ergot only works well if it's used before the actual onset of the migraine.

East Hill

[Bikingmomof3]

I am so glad Imitrex works well for you. Sadly, as with most migraine medications, I am allergic to it.

I keep procrastinating and my appointment time is drawing near. I am tired. Two and a half decades of this really wears me out sometimes.

Hey, maybe he will show me more pictures of my brain.

[East Hill]

Yes, I consider myself very fortunate that not only does the Imitrex work, it still works. I've been using it since it first became available in the US, around 1993. I've known people who can no longer use it because they built up a tolerance to it.

East Hill

[KnottedYet]

BMo3 - good thoughts for you at your appt!

Ergotamine didn't work for me, either. My visual goodies remind me of those stop-action films of roses blooming; only my "roses" are glowing and blooming backwards. A few times I've gotten blind spots, where it's like someone just "pinched out" part of the world. Those are creepy, because I can't see what's there, and can't tell there's anything missing unless I look around.

[Bikingmomof3]

BMo3 - good thoughts for you at your appt!

Ergotamine didn't work for me, either. My visual goodies remind me of those stop-action films of roses blooming; only my "roses" are glowing and blooming backwards. A few times I've gotten blind spots, where it's like someone just "pinched out" part of the world. Those are creepy, because I can't see what's there, and can't tell there's anything missing unless I look around.

Thanks Knot.

I see black spots which eventually make me temporarily blind.