How Did You Become Episodic Again?
My migraines have been chronic for about the past year and a half. I have a headache every day, mostly low-grade on both sides with a squeezing/pressure, but they peak about once a week to a one-sided temple-stabbing pain. I'm taking Zonisamide, Riboflavin, B-complex, Magnesium, and I have a Cefaly device. I tried Botox once about a year ago to no avail, but I'm giving it another shot in 2 weeks. I also have a mouth guard to sleep in, which keeps me from clenching. MRIs, Xrays, CTs all normal.
For those of you who have been chronic, how did you get your migraines to be episodic again? Surgery? Medication? Diet? I'm looking for real solutions.
Hi lellie627,
I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time, but I can tell you it can take two or even three rounds of Botox for many people before a reduction in migraine frequency and severity is seen. That can be frustrating, try and hang in there. Let me share information with you about Botox that may help; https://migraine.com/blog/botox-basics/.
Making changes in our lifestyle can go a long way to help reduce our migraine frequency and severity. May I ask if you've been able to identify any of your migraine triggers? If we can figure out what some of our triggers are, then avoid the triggers the ones we can, we may be able to reduce our migraine frequency and severity. When you get a chance, take a look at this information on triggers; https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-management-essential-trigger-management/.
Hopefully others will be along to share their stories with you on how they went from chronic back to episodic.
Nancy
Hi there- I understand your strong desire to go back to episodic life after evolving into chronic migraine. I personally sometimes vacillate between the two and can rarely put my finger on why it is. Sometimes I think it has to do with things I can't control (hormones, adrenals, etc). My prevention treatment plan includes a strict diet (no gluten, dairy, alcohol, or red meat), botox, emgality, topamax, and some rescue medications for breakthrough pain. But moreover what I wanted to share with you is this article regarding the exhausting dynamic involved in shifting back and forth between episodic to chronic: https://migraine.com/living-migraine/emotional-roller-coaster-ride-chronic-episodic. I wonder if that might resonate with you (good comments that follow it as well). You are not alone in this and we're here for you. Stay in touch- Holly (migraine.com team).
