Migraine Headaches Daily

by Ms DEBORAH
(Tennessee)

I am hoping you can help me because I don't know where else to turn! I have suffered from massive headaches (migraines) for so long that I honestly don't know how long it's been. I can say that it has been at the least, 15yrs, but I'm sure it has been longer. I am strickened with these headaches EVERY SINGLE DAY. I can say, some days are easier to cope with than others, but none the less its a headache every single day.

I have been diagnosed with 'Migraines','Chronic Migraines', 'Severe Chronic Migraines' and have not figured out to this day what the difference is between the three.

I have been on several different types of migraine medication over the years (of which, none have helped) to the point I feel like a pharmacy and all it ends up doing is sedating you anyway. I don't want to coat the problem temporarily, I would like to remove the problem if at all possible (and be med free).

I have had CT Scans that came back 'negative' as well as MRI Scans, with the same result. I guess I should be glad that all the test came back negative and normally I would be (as a normal person should). However, it's hard to be at ease with negative findings whilst I still suffer from this same constant continuous agonizing pain every single day. It is not that I want for there to be something wrong, but plain and simple, something is wrong. It's not normal to wake up and go to sleep with a headache EVERY SINGLE DAY of your life. That is just not normal!

I was almost to the point of just accepting that its just what it is, but when you're taking migraine medication after migraine medication and nothing is working, something is wrong and I should not have to just accept the negative findings, I should know what is wrong inside my head that is causing me this much grief.

More recently (a few days ago), I have experienced a strange change in my headaches. Tuesday, I suffered from a 'left temple migraine'. Wednesday, when I awakened, the headache shifted to a 'right temple migraine'. Thursday (today), the headache moved to the forehead area and down into my eyes. Yes, I know this all sounds like a bunch of *** because if someone was telling it to me, I would probably think the same thing, but everything that I am saying is very, very real and very, very true.

The weirdness is that the headache literally feels as if its moving while in progress (again, sounds crazy but I'm trying to describe how it feels the best I can). As I type, the headache is no longer paining extremely bad in my eyes, but has shifted to the very top of my head. In reading, these were symptoms of several different causes, but all causes I have (supposedly) been tested for. Again, this is a change that started Tuesday and at this point, I am scared.

I just want to know what's going on with me. I do not at all exaggerate the severity nor the frequency of these migraines. It has gotten to the point that I don't want to go to the physician anymore for fear of being considered a hypercondriac or hypochondriac (whichever is correct). But Ms. Mary Kay, I assure you, every pain that I am having is very, very real. Please Help! I dont know where else to turn.

Important facts that I forgot to mention: I do not smoke; I do not drink; I also have some numbing and tingling on entire left side that comes and goes(had EKG, came back fine); and I am 40yrs old. I am willing to provide you with any other additional information needed to further assist me! These migraines are affecting me on my job, with my family, just my livelihood altogether. I am in desperate need of HELP!!
Thank you in advance for any assistance provided,
Ms DEBORAH

Answer:

Hello Deborah,

You sound very frustrated and in reading what you wrote I can understand why. You are clearly in status migrainosus which is a migraine that goes beyond 3 days without relief. You are much beyond 3 days (!) and as a result oral medications will have little or no effect at this point.

I suspect that is all that has been thrown at you..oral meds.

Although your lifestyle is quite good for a migraineur (I see ALOT of smokers!) you should be on magnesium if you are not on it now. Start at 200mg/ day and work up to 800mg/day by increasing it every week. Give it 90 days to have the full effect.

Tingling that comes and goes and is entirely on one side of the body is usually anxiety which has a high association with migraine.

Having said all this, you definitely need to be seen by a headache specialist, not just a neurologist. This is now a board certified subspecialty of neurology. In your area, Dr. Jan Brandes is a nationally recognized headache specialist. Here is her address:

Nashville Medical Group
300 20th Ave N Ste 603
Nashville, TN

I have met Dr. Brandes and she is quite nice.

You might also consider going to an inpatient clinic like Jefferson Headache Center in Philadelphia, but that would have to be up to your insurance company.

Clearly, you need a couple of days of IV infusions to break this headache and a combination of oral meds, vitamins and abortive therapies ALL at the same time. Remember, the most common cause of migraine, when all studies are normal, is stress. I have had patients change jobs because of the migraines and headaches virtually disappeared, so consider what is stressing you out and take a good hard look at the cause.

Good luck!
Mary Kay Betz MS RPA-C

PS No you are not a hypocondriac or nuts..you just in alot of pain.