This is my 5th day with a migraine
I'm on my 5th migraine day despite taking Ubrelvy, doing neck/head stretches, peppermint oil on my wrists. I'll do anything to stop the pain! Any suggestions? I have a call in to my neurologist (I have MS)
I'd love to hear from fellow sufferers!
Thanks,
Cathy Chester
Hey Cathy - So sorry to hear that you've been down for the count with a migraine for five days. As a person who also lives with migraine, my heart feels for you. We have an article specifically on this topic that may be helpful. Check it out here: https://migraine.com/living-migraine/stopping-attack-that-wont-end. I also encourage you to ask your neurologist for feedback. I am sure they must have met people who were in a similar position as you.
As a last resort, I have gone to the E.R. for a migraine that will not break. It's far from ideal though, I must admit. The wait time can be long, and there's no guarantee they will dispense any IV medications. However, if your neurologist encourages you to go, it's something to consider. It did help me in the end, but it took a lot out of me to make the trip.
Hopefully others in the community will be along shortly to share their experience. - Cody (Team Member)Thank you for your quick reply and for sharing the article! Those are all good suggestions.
I forgot to say I was just in the ER.....I fell, and the top of my head crashed into our fireplace mantle. Six staples/CAT scan, and I was home. I want to ask my neuro if the fall could be affecting my current migraine situation.
Thanks again, Cody!
CathyOh my! I'm so glad that you were able to get the care that you needed after your fall. I'd be curious to hear what your neurologist has to say about it. It could be related to a post-traumatic headache, as described here: https://migraine.com/headache-types/post-traumatic-headaches. But only your neuro will know for sure! - Cody (Team Member)
Hi
Cathy - I 'm so sorry you are dealing with migraine pain that's lasting so long. Good to hear you have a call into your doctor. I hope they have some good suggestions.
In the meantime let me share what I recently did to break a cycle. I've taken a steroid dose pack to help stop a nasty migraine cycle a number of times with mixed results. My rheumy prescribed a higher steroid dose than I've used before to break a cycle and worked well. I believe it was 10 mg pills.
Let me share a few articles that will hopefully be beneficial;
https://migraine.com/living-migraine/how-do-you-break-wont-stop
https://migraine.com/living-migraine/stopping-attack-that-wont-end
I'm sure others will be along shortly to share their experiences with you. Will you keep me posted? Hoping this attack resolves asap!
Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator (team member)Thanks so much, Nancy. I'm glad you found some relief with steroids. I'm curious. I already see a neurologist for my MS, and that's who I call in with. Do you use a rheumatologist for your migraines? You can tell I'm new at this. I've had headaches all my life, but last year, I finally went to a specialist who diagnosed migraines!
Thanks again. You're a gem for providing so much good information!
Cathy
Thank you for your kind words - you made my day!
No, I actually see a doctor who is board certified in headache medicine and she typically treats me. It was coincidence that I saw my rheumy in the throws of a multi day attack. I was calling my migraine doc the next morning. In the meantime my rheumy suggested steroids and I jumped at them!
I've found doctors who are board certified in headache medicine to be a great addition to my healthcare team and they've made a huge impact in my care. Let me share more on these expert doctors. General neurologists may be fine doctors however it's difficult for them to be experts in one disease state as they treat so many of them including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke and more. Migraine/headache experts have extra board certification in headache medicine (not all neurologists have this extra certification) and treat migraine and headache all day, every day. They can have a huge impact in our care. Here's more information on this topic:
1) https://migraine.com/living-migraine/evaluating-doctor-patient-relationship-right-fit
2) https://migraine.com/living-migraine/how-to-evaluate-doctor
3) https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist
4) https://migraine.com/living-migraine/hiring-right-doctor
5) https://www.ucns.org/Online/Online/Diplomate_Directory.aspx?hkey=f8f00552-f924-4ef6-a9bb-6023b1cd341b
Please let me know what you think! Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator (team member)
I also just saw your response to Cody - I'm so sorry about your fall. With a head injury it's not uncommon to see an uptick in migraine attack frequency and severity. We you diagnosed with a concussion? Double ugh!
Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator (team member)
