Migraines and Depression

By intricatepurple

1 min read

Sigh. (deep breathe. exhale)

I have been communicating with my neurologist for several months that my migraines have been changing as I've gotten older. One major change is at the peak of a migraine attack I develop severe depression, and over time it has gotten intense. I reached out to my regular doctor and my OB/GYN as well in regards to the same issue. Anyone that has ever dealt with the wheels of progress changing knows it's a painstakingly slow process.

Long story short at the height of 4am migraine I lost my sh%* (excuse my french) I just couldn't friggin take dealing with the crap, the pain, the complaining all of it. I snapped. By the time it was all said and done I ended up on what law enforcement calls a 5250 hold. (sigh)

I am having a hard time talking about this because the hole I dug for myself was made worse by uncontrollable pain. Prior to this situation I sought out help, I asked, I questioned, I communicated with anyone who had the power to help me but help came in the form a police arrest. Whats even sadder after the hold the ball was dropped again and I am essential in the same position as before "seeking help" for the depression I experience during the height of my migraines.

I'm tired. I am worn. And I am still on the path to seek answers. Starting with making changes to seek out a migraine specialist. I refuse to be pushed into silence or made to feel like its literally all in my head when I know it is not.

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Allyson.Ellis Community Admin
Oh my goodness, IntricatePurple, I hear your frustration! It is maddening you ended up on a police hold when you had been responsibly reaching out to your medical providers, communicating that your worsening depression with migraine was becoming a more and more significant issue, and being ignored/not taken seriously. Grr. I am outraged and angry on your behalf! You are not alone struggling with depression and migraine. I thought this article might be of interest to you: <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/depressions-impact-on-development-of-chronic-migraine' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/depressions-impact-on-development-of-chronic-migraine/</a> I am glad you are going to be seeking out a migraine specialist to help you find answers and better treatment options for you. This article contains links for the Board Certified Migraine and Headache Specialists in the US that might be beneficial in helping start your search process: <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/looking-for-a-migraine-specialist' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/looking-for-a-migraine-specialist/</a> Please keep us posted on your progress. Reach out anytime you need support or a safe space to vent. Wishing you a gentle day. ~Allyson (Migraine.com team)
glassmind Member
What an awful ordeal! I'm sorry you had to go through that. Depression and migraines often are comorbid conditions. (Soooo many theories as to why!) Personally, I've had ridiculous, psychotic elation, and deep suicideation with migraine attacks. Not as emotinal reactions to life, events or even the migraine itself, but as Symptoms of the Migraine. I understand your frustraion. I am glad my doctor is was knowlegable of these nuerological/psychological symptoms. It was a psychiatrist who first brought to my attention that some psychotropic medications are used also for migraine as they affect the same biological pathways (some are anti-epileptic, others anti-anxiety, some work on serotonin, etc.) Each person is different, but perhaps this is something you could discuss with a new provider as a treatment to try if the depression is a primary/problematic symptom. In the meantime of finding a provider, I encourage you to reach out to a friend, family member, or other trusted person to develop a care plan for any future migraines. I have one in place so that another person can guide me when I struggle to think and lose emotional control. During a rapid-onset migraine I fail to remember what medication I am supposed to take, when, what to do and am often an emotion wreck spinning in a disoriented cognitive fog until either 1)I am imobilized by pain or 2)take medication that puts me to sleep. It's having dementia, psychosis and cripling pain all at once. The upside to having chronic migraine is I have developed my plan and have supportive people to help me follow it. I wish the best for you moving forward in your treatment and thank you for sharing your experience here. Your refusal to be silent raises awareness and helps build this community. Hugs P.S. I've been involuntarily at the psychward with police at the door to my room. May we both avoid repeating that experience! Double hug
1. debbied Member
 Oh, when you hear my experiences of being sent to the psych ward your hair will curl
headouchies Member
This really sucks!! I have both depression and migraine, but luckily I haven't been hospitalized (yet). Little is known about this connection, but it's known there is a connection between depression and migraine. I see a headache specialist, but she just sends depression stuff to a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists medicate you whether that may or may not be necessary. I go to a psychologist, and they seem to think it's the depression that causes the migraines. Sigh. My migraines have worsened in my mid-life so I'm also thinking there's a perimenopausal element to them (and the depression) too. Nobody really seems to know anything about it. So, mostly, I just suffer too, and push myself to get out of bed in the morning. My best wishes to you, and everyone out there who suffers depression with migraine.
debbied Member
I just typed my stories of how I was sent to the mental hospital twice both with horrible consequences. But my cat hit something and it erased. I still cry every time I think about it my experience was so horrible both times. Any way, I’ll retype later. Just to forewarn you. The police also showed up. I’ll type my experiences later. But the lessons learned is if you have such chronic pain, sit down with your local police and get your history filed. When I met with the officer a few weeks later, he couldn’t believe I was the same person he met banging her head on the stone walkway a few weeks previously. I filed with the station to call my husband, my caretaker, if that ever happens again. He shoves the Percocet in my mouth. After about 45 min of floor head banging, the pain starts to subside. He puts me to bed with an ice bag. I’m so exhausted from head banging, when the pain finally subsides, I’m totally exhausted and pray for sleep which rarely comes. Details of my horrors in two mental hospital to follow. I sent this article to my neighbor,who now knows my history to show her I’m not the only migraineur who ends up being picked up by the police.
debbied Member
BTW, my migraines got horrible as I entered peri menopause. After menopause they got even worse. They lied. Migraines may not always resolve if the prime reason isn’t hormonal after menopause.
1. intricatepurple Member
 I am in the peri menopause phase now, i cant even begin to imagine what menopause is going to bring. I was hopeful that everything would just stop happening. But I guess its going to be a case of click your heels Dorothy we are a long way from Kansas. Thank you for sharing your experience and enlightening me in the same breathe. oxoxo
prydzopolis Member
My heart goes out to you, you need a multidisciplinary approach including a psychiatrist (physiologist?) & good neurologist. I can’t tell you the struggle I face with depression & chronic migraines, it’s only something you know once you’ve lived through it. Find a good neurologist especially one that specializes in headache & migraine, they can refer you to a psychiatrist and/or phychologist who can help you. Stick to the straight & narrow path, don’t be too hard on yourself if you fall off. If you want to get in touch or reach out, I’m happy to share my experiences
dinamay Member
<inline-mention user-id="3861196" username="intricatepurple"/> , first I have to say BLESS YOUR HEART! A big hug should go along with that but I can’t do that online. I just hope you find a good migraine specialist who can get you in a better place.
bluesguy Member
I am so sorry that you had to go through the mess of a mental health hold. I worked in the psych. field for over 20 years, and have a lot of experience in the world of 5150/5250 holds. I actually was responsible for these types of holds for six of those years. Sadly, I also understand the severe depression that comes with chronic pain. I have been dealing with chronic migraine and depression for 11 years now. Therapy, psychiatric consultation, and a pain/migraine specialist have helped me a great deal. I hope you have some form of support in place. Loneliness is a terrible thing when dealing with chronic pain and depression. Please remember that you are important, and that you matter. Please take care of yourself.
deedeevee1 Member
Deep breath in through the nose...hold... out through the mouth. Good repeat as needed. Lol been there. I'm sorry you're struggling. It's unfortunate what's happening but hopefully we can help you get thru it. Where are you located?? If you're in the states, there's a place in Chicago called the. Diamond headache clinic. They will help you get your meds under control including anti depressants. Plus teach you all sorts of other techniques. Also. If there's a crisis center in your area, you can try getting the depression meds under control first. Sometimes they can assist with migraine pain in general. There's another headache clinic in Ann Arbor Michigan but I can't remember. Are you in a medical marijuana state?? Or have you tried cbd?? That also has helped me in the past. I know from experience that the struggle is real. But to keep getting locked up isn't the answer. Maybe tho, laser law enforcement can put you in touch with a social worker that can help. They have access to significant resources. Be well. We're here for ya!!
Sandy S Member
I am so sorry you had to go through this. Mine have changed as I have got older the feelings of despair are not nice . My migraine specialist thinks it could be mixed with my menopause . So trying to work out what's best treatments for both . I hope you get back to you again with help x
happyday Member
I am very interested in this subject and my heart goes out to you. I am 74 and my migraines and depression have definitely worsened with time. I would love to keep this conversation going. I send out hope and love to anyone suffering like this.
cathyinpain Member
My migraines are very resistant to any kind of meds. I just spent 4 days in the hospital with an infusion of DHE every eight hours until pain level was down to zero. Neurologist said I should have 2 migraines a month. I really believed that and when I was at 3-4 a week I realized I'm not destined to be pain free. The problem is the cyclic problem with migraine and depression. I'm on 60 mg of Prozac with my migraine problem and am still dealing with it even at that level. At my Pain Management place they have told me one feeds on the other and is cyclical. Not that this helps anyone with both, it seems to me to be one in the same. If I have one, I have the other and the older I get the worse it is. That is what I am working on now is just being able to ride the horrible wave of depression after a 3 or 4 day migraine.
ssimonetti Member
I feel so sorry for all of you suffering so badly....I just joined this site. I noticed no advice can be given....what is this site for then? Does it just have a collection of ongoing stories of pain and suffering? Where can one announce a new FDA cleared treatment for headaches, facial pain and jaw pain? I noticed people discussing a recently FDA cleared drug that may or may not be working for people... I don’t want to break any forum rules and I also want to try to contribute to this site without adding another pain story with no ending....I want to share healing stories... Best, Scott
1. amaniabdallah Community Admin
 <inline-mention user-id="3891909" username="ssimonetti"/> , thanks for commenting. This is a community for people living with migraine. People come here for support, new information, and the feeling of community. We're happy you're here and wanting to share healing stories! If you haven't already, share your story with us <a href='https://migraine.com/stories' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/stories/</a>. Let me know if you have any questions. Best, Amani (<inline-mention user-id="3782213" username="migraine"/> team)