Living with migraines.
I've come to a point in my life where I've almost given up on going to neurologists for this. I had this great one before, but we changed our insurance to Kaiser and seriously, I've been to the head of neurology there and they are STUMPED on my case. I guess because I've taken so many meds in the past, there's nothing else I can do.
I've had migraines since 7 years old, and they've turned chronic at 17 and now that I'm 19, they still come every day. Thank god for our insurance because before, Treximet was 100-200$, but now it's only 25$. So that's a relief. And last year I was in the ER almost every week because my medication wasn't working anymore.
It's been such a struggle for me to deal with school, in the past and the present.
I'm in the Special Services at my college because before I was getting penalized for my absences, but I literally can't do anything when I have one. Even if I catch it, I'm still super groggy and depressed before and after.
I'm even afraid of getting a job because no one is going to want to hire someone who's going to miss a lot of work.
It's so difficult. I'm done with this. My old neurologist said they'd go away when I hit puberty.
WELL, puberty is over and done with. Now it's menopause when they'll end.
It sucks to be in constant pain and at a young age, because it pulls me down so much and makes it so hard to function.
One day there better be a cure.
Hi SydneyL.,
I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time, migraine is exhausting and frustrating. Let's see what information I can give you to help you out.
First, let me tell you about neurologists. They may be fine doctors, BUT may also have a hard time being experts in one area because they treat so many conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's and others. Migraine and headache disorder experts are doctors who are board certified in headache medicine which is different than being certified in neurology. These doctors treat one thing all day, every day - migraine and headache. Neurologists may say they are headache specialists but that really may not be the case. Let me share with you information on how these doctors are special and how to fine one; https://migraine.com/blog/how-are-migraine-specialists-different/ and https://migraine.com/blog/looking-for-a-migraine-specialist/.
I'm sorry the doctors have given you the impression there isn't much left to do for you, that is not the case, please don't lose hope! In fact, there are over 100 medications that can be used to treat migraine. If we have four or more severe attacks a month, it's time to talk to our doctor about migraine prevention medication. It's important to keep in mind when we start new medications, it can take up to 90 days before we see a reduction in our migraine frequency and severity. Also during this time potential side effects may lessen as our body adjusts to the new medication. Here is information on migraine prevention; https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-management-essential-4-preventive-treatment/.
Treximet is a medication that's designed to stop, not prevent migraine attacks. When migraine medications like Treximet and/or pain medications, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription, are used more than two to three days a week we can create another problem called medication overuse headache, moh which was formerly called rebound. If we are have in a moh cycle our attacks will be more difficult to treat and we can end up in a daily cycle of pain that is hard to break. When you get a minute take a look at this information; https://migraine.com/blog/help-how-can-i-not-overuse-migraine-medications/.
I hope this helps,
Nancy
I have to agree that a classic neurologist is not the way to go for a complicated migraine. I drive over an hour to a headache specialist, but she agreed that once we find a working protocol, my primary care doctor could write my prescriptions and I could then see her on an annual basis to save travel time and costs.
I would happily drive three times that distance. We have not found the correct combination yet, but she had a list of ideas I never heard of, and I have paid subscriptions to headache and neurology journals.
I have found that the bigger headache centers and those affiliated with universities are generally affiliated with more insurance company networks as well.
Well, I've finally started a cold turkey on going off of Treximet. I've started getting magnesium injections, i get my second one on the 25, and I've started Topomax. I've taken it before, but I was...10 I believe, and it worked for a while but then it stopped working and I got immune to it so we tried something else. That's how I've always been with preventatives. So I'm trying it again.
I can't take my treximet, so I have norco and I'm getting Stadol as well for the pain. It's either that and dull the pain or go to the ER for morphine or dialdid (I probably spelled it wrong) to take the pain away.
This is my first day without having the Treximet. And I'm so nauseas, but I'm able to sit up today.
I had to drop this semester of college because they're just so bad right now.
Hopefully the Topomax will kick in when it gets into my system and the magnesium will help.
I'm also seeing pain management on the 11.
