Chronic Migraines - I can't take it anymore :(

crista_b

I've been dealing with chronic migraines/chronic daily headache since 2006. I've had to go to the ER for severe migraines a couple times. I have a headache almost every day. It's gotten to the point that my friends/family know it's a pretty bad one if I actually say something about it.

For the last week, I've had an aura. I usually get them for about 15-20 minutes before migraine pain, but they gradually increase over that time and go away when the migraine pain hits. This time, it's like the beginning of one of those auras and doesn't go away. I've had trouble seeing correctly for the last week. My neurologist has tried multiple different medications over the years with no luck. When I called to ask about this one on Wednesday morning (it had been going for 5 days at that point and had increased to include reduced sensation on the right side of my face), they said to go to the ER. I did and the doctor said it's just a migraine presenting itself differently. My CT scan, MRI, blood tests, etc. have all come out normal so doctors can't find any cause or solution.

I decided to look online today to see if I could find anything that might help, and I found this forum:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Migraines--Headaches/permanent-visual-aura/show/365090

That whole forum sounds like it could've been written by me (except this 24/7 aura has only been going for 7 days, not years, but has shown no signs of going away). Seriously... no cure and it sticks around forever?!! I can't handle this. The "regular" migraines have been negatively affecting my daily life and job for years. I also deal with depression and anxiety, and all the added stress of this persistent aura and seeing that it could possibly not ever improve is starting to drown me. I'm losing hope. :frown:

stringsnthings

Crista, I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. I would like to offer you my experience strength and hope suffering with my pain after doctors told me I might have to "live" with my arm/hand pain. That's not living because I am a musician! I have used body alignment exercise called the Egoscue Method since 2006 and it worked so well I even got certified in it.

Your migraines could be from your head positioned too far forward of the shoulders and your shoulders are probably rounded forward as well. This inhibits diaphragmatic breathing and can lead to hypoxia, which is a condition in which the brain is deprived of adequate oxygen supply leading to migraines. I am not trying to sell you anything, only to help others with what I have learned over the years.
Check you head position standing with your heels against a wall. Your head should be touching the wall also.

There is always hope!

ConverseBear

Hi Crista, I am so sorry you are struggling with chronic migraines as well. I am 30 and have suffered from a chronic migraine for about 16 years. Mine started when I began high school, so the most common diagnosis was I was afraid of school, which was nowhere near the truth! I have been where you are, in and out of doctor offices, in and out of the ER, spent three weeks at a headache specialist hospital out of state and tried practically every medication or option out there and haven't had much success either. My migraine issues have been so severe sometimes I'd lose sight for a few minutes, but sometimes it lasted a full day so I only drove two months after I got my permit. I've never had a job either, so I am honestly impressed and proud of you that you've been able to work!!

It took me a looooong time to figure this out, but doctors do not know everything regarding your migraines/your symptoms/your pain. It is a very personal thing; we all experience pain differently. In my case, no one except my mom and close family members could visually see how poorly I was feeling, and it was very depressing and upsetting to be questioned all the time if your symptoms are "as bad" as you claim--honestly, who would lie about this, or want to? But, despite the constant pain, battles with doctors, frustration, confusion, depression and tears I still haven't given up hope.

I was lucky enough to find a doctor who referred me to various specialists, but realized I still had to live my life and do things so she's had me on various narcotics over the years. I don't like it, but I do like to be able to function and unlike many people think, I don't feel high or overly medicated; they allow me to focus or make it through the day until I can get back home and crash
I have accepted ago it's how my life has to be for now. Granted, it's nothing like I envisioned my life would be like, but I have still been able to accomplish a lot of things people without chronic pain take for granted, like graduate college (it may have taken me 10 year, but I still did it!!!) and study abroad a semester in London (I was so terrified I'd get a serious migraine while I was there and that it would ruin the trip, or I'd run out of meds, or what if my aura caused me to lose sight while I was wandering around, etc.). I still have bad days where it's an absolute miracle I can get up out of bed, but I do what I can and start each day fresh.

I hope you are doing okay, even if that means you're still really upset/depressed/scared/anxious. Take time for yourself and focus on what you want/need/feel like, and if it doesn't fit with others' needs, so be it. It is much more important to do what YOU need to do to keep yourself comfortable and able to cope.

Good Luck!

RockinTerri

Crista,

I too had experienced head pain day in and day out for several months (along with other symptoms that left me near catatonic, and had doctors scratching their heads). My end diagnosis was basilar-type migraines. (I'd never even had a migraine prior to that.) I've now been being treated for it for over a year, and have only had a handful of episodes/attacks, mostly connected to stress.

My medication regimen is Verapamil, Venlafaxine, and Meclizine. (Full disclosure, I take several other medications as well for other ailments.)

I hope that at this point you have found some relief, but if not, definitely check out Mayo Clinic if you haven't!

Terri