Was just told they're migraines
Hello Folks! I'm new to the place. I'd like to start by thanking you all for allowing me to join the community and for simply having it in the first place. So, if I may, here's my story...
About two years ago, I tore my right Achilles tendon while sprinting. Six weeks later, I had surgery to repair the damage, then laid up for seven weeks in a cast, staying with my in-laws along with my wife and 10 week old son. I was given Percocet for the pain, zofran for nausea, and antibiotics to prevent infection. About two weeks post-op, I suddenly began experiencing what I could only describe as an intense eye strain only, a little different some how. Fast forward two years, two ophthalmologists, one chiropractor, a neurologist, a pain doctor, and a headache specialist, I've been told (two weeks ago, headache doc) that this sounds like a migraine but with atypical presentation. I have them everyday. I DON'T have a profound sensitivity to light but stress is definitely a trigger but only to increase the intensity. I develop them shortly after waking in the morning if it isn't already waiting for me. I know by this point, many of you are thinking 'rebound headache.' This has been suggested to me before and I have considered it. The trouble is I have already gone for significant periods of time without narcotics to take. I know most other analgesics can cause rebound headaches but otc pain killers almost never have any effect and so, I seldom take them. Further, I have responded to some standard migraine treatments such as amitriptyline and a couple different vaso-constrictors. I've even responded to an SSRI (Zoloft). The side effects of the amitriptyline were just too much for me. Although, after two years, I'm beginning to reconsider that. I'm currently finding tianeptine to be an effect treatment but my tolerance for that is rapidly increasing.
Well, that's pretty much it in a large nutshell. This pain (which has now become more diffuse throughout the front of my head) is one of the worst things to ever happen to me. I'm currently in grad school for math and these headaches affect me in the worst way with regard to my studies and subsequently, my and my families future. But it's affected my life in other and Moe significant ways too. I often find it difficult (if not impossible) to play with my son (who's now two) or to spend quality time with my wife.
Sorry for making this post so long. Thank you for your time.
Hi BrickHouseOfPain,
Welcome to the Migraine.com discussion forum - we're glad you've found us!!
A word about the Achilles tendon - I'm sorry!! My son ruptured his two years ago and it was not fun. Thankfully he's healed nicely.
You mentioned rebound, do you still take Percocet on a daily or near daily basis? If so that make be part of the problem. I know you mentioned you've gone for a bit without taking them, but if started up again, that can increase the risk of rebound headache. When you get a moment take a look at this article on how to prevent rebound; https://migraine.com/living-migraine/stop-rebound-headaches/.
You mentioned stress being a migraine attack trigger, have you identified any others? If we're able to learn what our triggers are and avoid the ones we can, we may be able to reduce migraine attack frequency and severity. Triggers can include, but are not limited to certain foods, stress, dehydration, skipping meals, lights, odors, changes in the barometric pressure, fluctuating hormones and many others. Here is more information on triggers; https://migraine.com/?s=triggers&submit=Go.
When we wake with migraine pain, it may be an indication of a sleep issue, and not only sleep apnea. Restless leg syndrome and/or periodic limb movement disorder to name a few. In fact I have both and use a muscle relaxer at night that has helped with my morning migraine attacks. You may want to mention to your doctor having a sleep study done for further investigation. The thing is keeping a regular sleep schedule is important for those of us with migraine. Here is information you may find helpful; https://migraine.com/blog/movement-disorders-and-migraines/ and https://migraine.com/?s=sleep&submit=Go.
I've given you a lot of information! I'm going to stop now before I totally overwhelm you!
Let me know what you think!
Nancy
