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Cluster migraines, vertigo, disc damage, shoulder knots

I was diagnosed with migraines 21 years ago and they have progressively gotten worse. I have cluster ( ice pick) migraines with severe vertigo, degenerative disc disease, bulging discs in c5 and c6 and muscular knots in my shoulder that would make a typical person drop to their knees........all on the left side. I have had cervical injection, injections in the knots ( Botox, steroid and lidocaine,PT TENS Units). I have had Botox, SPG, Lidocaine injections for the migraines as well as PT, chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, hospitalization for DHE. I have abortives ( sumatriptan injections, DHE injections, and many pill form). I recently tried medicinal marijuana ( recommended by my neurologist) and ended up in the hospital for 4 days with pneumonia. I tried homemade edibles, as edibles aren't legal here. Preventatives have proven unpreventable. I have a neurologist, a headache specialist and a spine doctor..... I live in a small state with limited resources and I not been able to find anyone who can help all my symptoms. Does anyone have symptoms like these and found a way to treat? I am not working, so money is a huge issue, but I do have my disability hearing May 8th and all I can do is pray I get approved so I have more options for things not covered by Medicaid. I'm desperate and tired of not being able to function. Can anyone HELP???

  1. Hi danaibs1979,

    How was you SSDI hearing? Those can be stressful, I bet you're glad its over. Did you get a decision? Do let us know.

    Many of us have multiple health conditions (which is exhausting) so you're in the right spot. It sounds like you are or have tried many, many different things to help get migraine pain under control. Have you been able to determine what your triggers are? Certain foods, changes in the barometric pressure, dehydration, irregular sleeping patterns and other things can trigger a migraine attack. And what's more frustrating is our triggers can change over time. By learning what our migraine triggers are and avoiding the ones we can, we may be able to reduce attack frequency and severity. If you haven't kept a detailed migraine diary recently, I would encourage you to do so.

    I noticed you see a headache specialist, maybe it's time to get another opinion. I'm on my third migraine/headache expert doctor and think I may be making progress - fingers crossed at any rate.

    Let me know what you think,
    Nancy

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