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How long can this really last?

I've had vertigo/dizzy episodes for the past 3years that I just put to stress, untill I got pregnant with my first daughter I had a vertigo episode so bad it like pulled me down and I ened up on the floor, my whole pregancy I had vertigo/dizziness that I could feel coming on sometimes but others would just be put of the blue. By the last 2 months of pregancy the vertigo seems to happen more often sometimes lasting 6 to 10 hours and would leave so much presure in my head. The last 3 weeks that I was pregnant I had unbelievable pressure and a container dizzy feeling I saw a neurologist who after I delivered ran test and she believe it's mygraines so this current migraine episode has been going on for 48 days without any relief. Is that even possible she started me on amitriptyline and she gave me another fast acting medicine to help with the migraines it just makes it bearable. Is it even possible to have a migraine this long. Most days I just sit here and cry and contemplating suicide so I don't know when it's going to end and I cannot live like this and I don't know what to do. No one can seem to help. I haven't been able to work or drive which is good because I have maternity leave but I don't know what I have what I'm going to do when I have to go back to work because I can't just stay home. I'm so exhausted has anybody else had anything like this? I don't have that classical throbbing pain I just don't know what to do.

  1. Hi kel2278,

    Thank you for reaching out and sharing your story with us. Congratulations on your daughter! This is an exciting time, I'm sorry you are having trouble with dizziness now.

    Chronic pain (and I'll include dizziness here) is exhausting and frustrating. After we deliver our hormones are all over the place which can be unbearable. Have you mentioned how distraught you are to the OB/GYN? If not I would encourage you to talk with her/him.

    YES! Unfortunately it is possible to have extended migraine pain. It's preferable to that migraine pain not last longer than 72 hours as it can increase our risk of stroke and/or status migrainous. In the event we do have lasting pain, its a good idea to talk to a doctor who understand and can help you break this current cycle. Let me share information on this with you; https://migraine.com/blog/what-is-emergency.

    If your doctor isn't being proactive to help you get rid of this pain, it may be time to find one who is. You shouldn't have to live like this. Seeking out the expertise of a "true" migraine/headache expert was the best thing I ever did for myself. These expert doctors are board certified in headache medicine which is different than being certified in neurology. When you get a minute take a look at this article for more on these doctors; and https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist.

    By any chance are you taking something every day, or near daily to help relieve this pain? A problem many of us run into, myself included, is called rebound headache, also called medication overuse headache. Rebound can occur when we take migraine medications and/or pain relievers, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription, more than two to three days a week. The thing is if we are in a rebound cycle our migraine attacks will be more difficult to treat and we can end up in a daily cycle of pain that too is hard to treat.

    One more thing I'd like to mention before I totally overwhelm you is, it can take up to 90 days before we see a reduction in our migraine frequency and severity when we start new medications. During this time as our body adjusts to the new medications potential side effects may lessen.

    Let me know what you think!
    Nancy

    1. Congratulations on your 👶, BUT I must say this, the migraines are the least of your worries right now. Right now you are suffering from a Severe case of POST PARTUM DEPRESSION!! You need to call your OB/GYN right away, especially if you are feeling suicidal. It isn't anything to be embarrassed or ashamed about. I have my 1st child at 17 and I went home and a mild case of PPD, I had my 2nd at 23, I was married, owned a home and I was leaving the hospital on a Saturday. My daughters pediatrician wouldn't let us leave until the on call psychiatrist came in and evaluated me because it was that bad before I even left.
      Best of luck,
      Dana

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