Migraine

[Marisa Maciag]

My migraines started in 1998. At the time I thought they were severe headaches or a brain tumor. I went to a neurologist - told they were migraines and then from that point till 2004, I tried several diffrerent oral medications and nasal sprays - 2 meds being Depakote which put on weight and didn't work and Topamax which made them 100% worse. In 2004, my migraines got so bad that the vomitting would continue and as that continued, the pain would get worse. That would mean a trip to ER - IV and painkillers. Then my neurologist introduced me to the Imitrex injections and unbelievably, I had them under control. I only went to ER once - about 8 months later. Then this past September, something happened - they got out-of-control. I have been in the hospital either twice a month or once a month since then - last being last Friday, March 28th. I get them from everything - stress, menstrual cycle and MSG and alcohol (which I avoid). I noticed these severe ones - the ones that the shot woudn't work for happened around my menstrual cycle. In October given the severity, I now have a new neurologist at Cornell/First Presbyterian's neurology department. He put me on a daily medication called Zonegram to try and lower the frequency and now I also carry my shots with me along with Percocet. My gynecologist also told me to take the birth controll pill "constantly" to wipe out the cycle altogether and see if that helps a little bit. It has, but I still get them for 3 days what would be the week before my menstrual cycle. Those I can usually control with my injections and Percocet, but the one last Friday was from stress (that I know) and that was so bad. I get extreme vomitting with all migraines along with muscle weakness and numbness on my left side, noise and light sensitivity, dizziness chills, depression, slurred speech and my patience level for everyone or everything goes down. My grandmother was 1 of 11 and they all had migraines and 6 of them including my grandmother had strokes and then later on got alzheimer's.

Does anyone else have them like this? I get major attitudes at work everytime I am out with them. No one understands or cares to understand and I am so upset by this.

[aventuraneurosurgery]

Marisa question did your Neurologists send you to have a CT Scan of your Brain or while in the E.R.? I ask this question because with these symptons that you are having it sounds more than just a Migraine. My mother has Migraines for years now and never had she have these severe symptons apart from just the typical headaches.
Please let me know about testing.

Monique

[Marisa Maciag]

Yes - on my last visit to the ER - about a week and a 1/2 ago, they did a catscan and everything came out fine. These migraines are terrible! I am completely disabled. I don't have kids, but I do have 5 dogs that bark loud, cat, bird and bunny that all want my attention. Are there any other tests they could do?

[aventuraneurosurgery]

What State are you located? I work for a Neurosurgeon and the best thing to get is a CT Scan of the brain, I'm very worried with you about the numbness & dizziness, mood swings, etc. There has to be something on the scan that these doctors' are not seeing, you may want to see a Neurosurgeon your sypmtons are too severe now, plus you are taking Percocet, not good.

Monique

[Marisa Maciag]

I live in Warwick, NY (Orange country - by the border of NJ) and I work right here in Manhattan. What is a neurosurgeon?

[aventuraneurosurgery]

A Neurosurgeon is a doctor who specializes in surgery on the brain, spine, and other parts of the nervous system. Please don't get scared when you see these type of Specialist you don't necessarily will be doing surgery but they might be able to tell you better what is going on in that brain of yours. They will know if there is a possible tumor, fluid on your brain, etc. You can contact your primary care physician office depending on what insurance you have or you can look at your healthplan to see what Neurosurgeons are covered under your plan. There is NYU Medical Center there that I'm sure have many Neurosurgeon, but you have to see another specialist to take care of this issue you are not crazy and these are serious issues that somebody with ONLY Migraines should not be going through.

Monique