“Chris’s Migraine Story” - an update

I posted this story in June 2014 and I thought I would give an update.

For about a year since then I have had almost constant migraine symptoms, weird hearing effects, visual problems and light-headedness, which has impacted my job quite a lot.

I went to see an ENT specialist for the ringing in my ears. I also had a MRI scan on the nerve from ear to my brain. All normal.

I went to stress counselling, but I didn't feel stressed. I probably should have seen them earlier, but I wasn't aware I had been stressed until it was too late and something gave-out.

I saw a neurologist and she firstly recommended increasing my beta blocker dosage. This slowed my at-rest heart rate to around 40, but that was all. I was not comfortable with that.

However, as a plan B she recommended trying amitriptyline (10mg) in the evenings. Almost immediately things improved. Initially I felt on a high, but now I look back I think it was just that I started to feel "normal" for a change.

I also "sleep like a log" which I have not been able to do for years and years.

I still have the occasional migraine attack, but it is now temporary, is less intense and lasts for only around three days. What is really great is that I now have spells (of maybe up to two weeks) where I feel completely normal and I can't tell you how much I really appreciate feeling normal.

My wife said that she feels that she has me back again, as she thought the old me had gone. I think the kids are happier too. Quite a cloud has lifted from our house.

As for the job, I try to avoid very stressful situations and say "no" more than I used to. I have a lot of bridge-building to do to try to restore people's faith in me as I probably let them down (I never told anyone about my problem as I couldn't rely on people understanding my situation).

I appreciated the Migraine.com editor's recommendations at the time of my original post last year, even if I couldn't use them directly as I'm in England, but the ideas I could use. THIS IS A GREAT WEBSITE!

I wish all fellow chronic migraine sufferers the best of luck. Don't stop trying different fixes, because there is probably one out there for you, even if it doesn't get rid of the migraines completely.