Migraine

[jecajo28]

i have had a migraine now for three weeks...i cannot afford to see a neurologist as i do not have insurance. i suffer from frequent headaches and migraines, but have never been able to figure out why. when i have gone to the doctor in the past, they did a CAT scan and found nothing, at the time of the scan, i was in the middle of a full-blown migraine worst one ever...the doc gave me a morphine drip, and Lorecet plus to help with the pain, but it didn't even make a dent...sat there for 6 hours getting doped up, and then they let me drive myself home when the tests showed nothing. can anyone help me figure out why i am getting these migraines so often and for so long? any advice or similar experience would be greatly appreciated.

[Ozziechick]

Do you have any idea what your triggers are?

I really hope you are feeling much better now.

One thing that someone suffering "Status Migrainous" needs is fluids, so please try & keep your fluid levels up.

[jrona33]

ICK! I've had one of those and it was terrible. I finally figured out that it wasn't just a migraine, it was a migraine/sinus/tension headache. I think they all fed off of each other (migraine caused tension, tension worsened migraine, sinuses started it all). The only thing that would help me kick it was to take a narcotic for pain, a muscle relaxer, and a decongestant like sudafed. I treated all at the same time and it finally went away (you'd probably want to consult a dr or pharmacist to make sure it's ok to take all at once, though). Maybe you could have something similar? Are your sinuses bothering you or does your head hurt worse when you bend over? Are the muscles in your upper back and neck very tense?

[halojim]

While this wont help you out I would like to post a similar condition. My 30 year old son has had a migrane for over three weeks. We have been to the regular DR, the ER, and a Nurologist. They have all said a migrane doesn't last this long. Well apparently it does. His symptoms are one sided shooting pains in his head and then to his eyes, nausea and vomiting, sleeping 16-18 hours a day, and dizzyness.
He has been to the ER and recieved an IV of steroids, ibupropen, and imatrex and Saline Solution. After two hours and all of the meds he was no better. He went to see a Nurologist and we are just starting with him but he didn't seem to think that a migrane would last this long.
Thanks for the idea about the sinus and neck pain combining to make the migrane. We might pursue that line of thought.
Any other ideas out there??
Thanks.

[jrona33]

After my last post I have *almost* completely eliminated my migraines!!! I used to get them every day and now I get maybe 1 or 2 a month and can figure out exactly what caused them! The trick? Reading all ingredient labels! Every migraine sufferer knows to stay away from MSG (monosodium glutamate) but until 2 months ago I didn't realize what all contained MSG! I stayed away from chinese food but that isn't enough. Salad dressings, seasonings, soups, sauces, prepackaged meals, skillet meals, frozen dinners, salad dressing seasoning kits, enchilada sauce, taco seasoning, chicken broth, beef broth, doritos, most all seasoned chips and crackers etc ALL have MSG! Many even have multiple sources of it! Since more people are beginning to look for MSG on ingredient labels many food manufacturers are hiding it under different names (the FDA allows them to do this)! Check your ingredient labels and you will be SHOCKED! Look for the names: Glutamate, monosodium glutamate, yeast extract, autolyzed yeast, glutamic acid, calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate, natrium glutamate, sodium inosinate & sodium guanylate for starters (these have been the worst migraine producers for me). Check out truthinlabeling dot org for more info. Also to find many more hidden sources of MSG add forward slash and then hiddensources dot html to the address listed above. Some companies also contain MSG under the ingredient "spices". I have noticed that the little taco seasoning packets have done that (3 migraines caused by the taco packets until I realized they must contain MSG). I now make my own taco seasoning and ranch dressing from scratch and the problem has been solved. ALSO, the artificial sweetener aspartame has the same effect on the body as MSG as they are both excitotoxins and have been shown to cause brain lesions (google excitotoxins and read up-it's very scary info). I'd also like to note that I mostly buy organic foods if they're prepackaged because they tend to be safer when it comes to buying something quick and easy and SAFE (you still have to check the labels, though!). It has been a big change but I have my life back. It's difficult to completely eliminate MSG from the diet but I've greatly decreased it. I'm also taking magnesium supplements because it is a glutamate blocker and has been shown to help with symptoms of MSG sensitivity. I'd love to help anyone interested in identifying sources of MSG, and I'd love to share recipes for replacing dressing, spice packets, etc. I've even thought about making a free website to share this info once I know enough (still learning). If you'd like more info just ask. Anyway, I hope this information helps some people get better and reclaim their lives like I did. OH! And P.S. many IV formulas that you receive during migraine treatments in hospitals contain free glutamic acid, the migraine producing ingredient in MSG! No wonder we all stay sick!

[jodiann]

This is an old post - did you ever get an answer?

[stormhead]

Over the many years of dealing with week(s) long headaches, I have found that sinus medicines make it worse. Lots of water doesn't necessary help, but it can't hurt. Oddly, I came upon an accidental thing that helped once (many years ago), but as you know, desperation makes you think you have now found the secret. I have tried to re-enact it many times over the years, with aboou a 10% success rate. Hey, 10% is better than 0%. This is hwat happened. Mt car was in a parking lot in 80 degree plus heat. it was in the sun, therefore, when I got in, the heat was overwhelming. While I fumbled with the keys, the headache melted away. Literally. I am farily sure it was not sinuses. No runny nose before or after, etc. I sat in the car for a few minutes elated by the "instant" cure for a malady that I have had for many years. I still seem to get some help everytime I do this, but it does not provide 100% relief very often. I was very careful to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I don;t stay in the autumobile more than 5 minutes. I also let someone know I am going to do this in case i need help.

[meglaser]

I THOUGHT I HAD IT BAD WITH A FOUR DAY - THIS IS MY FIRST ROUND OF BAD MIGRANES. I GET THEM EVERYDAY BUT NOT THAT BAD. NEXT TIME GO TO THE ER - THEY HAVE CHARITY CARE AND MUST HELP YOU! THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TURN YOU DOWN. YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL AHEAD!

I ALMOST HAD THE SAME SITUATION EX CEPT THAT MINE STARTED WITH THE STOMACH 11 DAYS PRIOR AND MY INSURANCE HAD NOTKICKED IN YET. THE HOSPITAL TOLD ME TO COME IN UNDER CHARITY CARE.

I CAN'T IMAGINE!! WELL I AM STARTING WITH ANOTHER ONE NOW. THERE IS MUCH STRESS IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW WITH THE REST OF MY AILMENTS!

I HOPE YOU ARE BETTER AND IF NOT GET TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM - DO NOT HARM YOUR HEALTH ANY MORE THAN YOU HAVE TOO!!!!!

GOD BLESS
MEG