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any help would be appreciated

Hi,

I’m posting here in the hope that someone will have experienced my condition and have some helpful advice. I was diagnosed with chronic migraine 2 years ago, having already battled it for 2 years. I have continuous light sensitivity to a varying degree each day. I haven’t been able to watch TV for 4 years since the flickering images cause me nausea and a fainting feeling. This year, to add to this, I’m very sound sensitive. This leaves me unable to leave my house very often or for very long. My neurologist has me on amitriptyline and magnesium and I have completed 2 rounds of botox, all to no avail. I have had neurological exams and MRI and CT scans that show nothing. I would very much appreciate any advice.

  1. Hi bridmacg,

    Welcome to the discussion forum, thank you so much for your question. Let me see what I can do to help.

    I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time - migraine can be very frustrating and it sounds like it's taking a toll on your life. It's not uncommon for MRI's and CT's to come back 'normal', as there currently is no blood test or image study to diagnose migraine. Migraine is diagnosed after our doctor gives us a complete exam, goes over our symptoms, and discusses our medical history and our family's medical history.

    To help with light sensitivity there are glasses specifically designed for people with migraine who have this issue. Many people swear by them. Let me share two companies who make them; https://migraine.com/sponsored/sponsored-proven-migraine-relief-with-new-theraspecs-glasses/ and https://migraine.com/sponsored/are-you-ignoring-one-of-the-top-migraine-triggers/.

    Sound sensitivity is difficult, you may want to think about investing in a good pair of ear plugs to help with this. https://migraine.com/migraine-symptoms/sensitivity-to-sound/.

    I wonder if it's time to see a new doctor, an expert who treats migraine and headache. Here's the thing neurologists may be fine doctors but have a hard time being experts in one area because they treat so many different conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and others. Migraine/headache disorder experts are doctors who are board certified in headache medicine which is different than being certified in neurology. They treat one disorder all day, every day. These articles have information on what makes these experts so special and how to find one; https://migraine.com/blog/how-are-migraine-specialists-different/ and https://migraine.com/blog/looking-for-a-migraine-specialist/.

    Keep us posted on how you are feeling,
    Nancy

    1. Thank you so much Nancy for your detailed reply. i will definitely check out the glasses, at the moment i just wear sunglasses. my neurologist is a migraine sufferer himself so he has a vested interest in being focused on it but i will check and see if there is a specialist available to me.

      I'll keep you posted, thanks again,

      bridmacg

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