I feel like I’m stuck with a permanent migraine/headache these days.
Any time that my hormones shift –> insta-migraine (completely disabling with an aura, light and sound sensitivity, nausea, dizziness, etc…which can last up to three days!)
If I ever have a sip of wine (nitrates) or eat something with certain chemicals (unknown to me) –> insta-migraine (completely disabling with an aura, light and sound sensitivity, nausea, dizziness, etc…which can last up to three days!)
Any time I cry –> insta-migraine (completely disabling with an aura, light and sound sensitivity, nausea, dizziness, etc…which can last up to three days!)
If I don’t get enough sleep –> insta-headache (more like the type one would get with the flu…)
If I’m ever stressed (always) –> insta-tension headache (Tolerable, but still ow.)
Changes in barometric pressure –> insta-headache or migraine…
Tylenol doesn’t help, Advil doesn’t help, narcotics barely touch the headaches, let alone migraines, and the same for Maxalt.
Usually, I end up in bed in the dark, with a bucket next to the bed, trying to massage and put pressure on my head, while balancing a massive cold pack. I try not to move, because that just makes my brain explode with 400 times more pain. Caffeine sometimes helps a teeny, tiny bit, but I don’t drink enough of it for it to be the cause of rebound headaches. If I don’t catch the headaches early and let them become fully established, they become completely unable to be treated. At that point I’m just riding out in survival-ville.
I know I have little dopamine and serotonin in my brain, which most likely plays a role in the genetic factor, and some of the environmental factors are listed above. I’m taking a Celexa and Neurontin, both of which are supposed to help, and I was taking Trileptal, which was also supposed to ease my hurting brain. Alas, nothing does the trick.
Does anyone have any advice for suffering with constant migraines and headaches? I know some of you are afflicted with this problem, and I have heard of the Botox option, but I don’t think that I can get that done in this area. Any advice would be great.
xoxo,
Annie
Annie, the only thing I found worked for my tension headaches was something my mom recommended called Mersyndol. In Canada, you can get it over the counter. It has an antihistamine in it that calms you down, mellows ya out. It also has 8mgs of codiene in it. Before I got dx with Fibro, this is what I took every single night for as long as I could remember.
So maybe try something with an antihistamine? Have you tried muscle relaxers too? Both stuff you don’t need a prescription for.
Blessed be
Have you tried eliminating tyramine? It’s the chemical-amino acid – that is found in coffee, chocolate and red wine which causes migraines but is in SO MANY things. I have eliminated it from my diet – not easy – and it had reduced my migraines from about 12 a month to about 4 or 5. One month I only had 1 !!!! It has definitely helped me. I have M.E./CFS and did this under advice from a nutritionist at the Optimum Health Clinic in London. I have telephone appointments. Email me if you would like to know more.
Lucy