8 Day Migraine

jennyredfern

Hey Pals,

Again I turn to the community of MFP'ers great advice and expertise.

I have had a migraine for 8 DAYS in a row. I've suffered from migraines for the past five years, but this is by far the longest ever! It's just getting ridiculous at this point. I've taken my migraine meds as prescribed, and they offer some relief, but wear off and the pain is still there. The intensity is not as bad as it's ever been. In fact sometimes it's almost gone and I think I'm over it, but sure enough it comes back.

Should I go to the doctor? I hate going and really don't want to. How long has your longest migraine been?

MoreBean13

You need to go to a doctor. The absolute longest migraine I've had has been 3 days, and the pain came and went over that time, and it was pure anguish and I couldn't eat. I cannot imagine 8 days.

trinitrate

Not a Dr., but I did stay at a Holiday Inn....

Had a buddy at work that suffered from fierce migraines, and never got much relief from meds. He convinced the Dr. to prescribe medical oxygen for him.. When he feels a migraine setting in he breaths off of the tank for 20 - 30 minutes and the migraine never sets in fully... helps relieve existing ones too..

I dont know how standard that practice is, but might be worth checking out if your running out of options.

geezer99

You are clearly debilitated by your migraines and need professional help -- ask your doctor to refer you a specialist. Cymbalta (an antidepressant) made mine stop completely BUT this is not a recommendation for a specific drug -- just to point out that a knowledgeable doctor will know of choices beyond what a family doctor knows.

liog

After 8 days, I would skip the doctor and go to the ER tonight. Seriously. I had migraines on a regular basis for 23 years so I know how terrible this must be for you. I haven't had one since I was about 6 weeks post-op on a heart defect repair done 6/2011.

happyfeetrebel1

I'd go to a Dr soon, only because not only do migraines suck butt...it COULD be something else non related, and your body could be in a crisis.

Headaches can be signs of other medical stuff, so after 8 days, I'd definitely check it out. It'd be awful if something else were wrong and you waited.

Go in, I hope you feel better, and good luck

usmcmp

See a doctor. I had a week long migraine and they found a mass in my brain on the MRI.

shelli1982

any chance you could have a sinus infection? Or maybe allergies? Maybe that's why it's lingering? This sounds nasty, but I started using a Neti Pot, and that helped cut down on frequency for me during allergy season...

Also, as a fellow migraine sufferer, sometimes I find plain old high doses of ibuprofen, a dark room and an ice pack over my eyes/forehead helps more than any of the triptans... without the side effects too.

I also take B2 (200 mg twice daily) and 500 mg of magnesium daily as preventatives (along with a prescription med) and the OTC meds helped cut down on frequency... again, without much in the way of side effects...

Hope you feel better.... and I think i'd probably see a Dr. too.

MB_Positif

This can't be good, I would definitely see your doctor. At the very least maybe your meds need to be changed. I personally have had chronic morning headaches for almost a year. Nothing was changing them until I started seeing a Chiropractor recently. That said, the results have been great, but then I got a cold last week and it was like I went back to my very worst pain with the headaches which must have been due to sinus pressure. So maybe you have a little bit of that going on which is magnifying what might have normally just been a 3 day migraine!

Eve23

Oh dear, I hope you feel better soon.

A few things, I know not everyone agrees but seriously sugar free things can cause some people to have migraines even for extended time periods. Second make sure you do not have an allergy or food sensitivity and do the usual things, eating enough? drinking enough? And definately check in to a Dr. No one knows yourself like you do.

kg2run

Yes, you should go to the dr. I was actually at the dr. today for almost the same reason - I've just felt on the verge of a migraine for the last week and a half. If it was a full blown migraine, I'd have been there a lot sooner. That's no fun.

Enigmatica

I dealt with that for years. Sometimes I knew what was triggering them (hormones, stress) but a lot of times I didn't. Just found out last year that gluten and dairy products were major triggers for me and towards the end of my association with those foods I had headaches or full-blown migraines pretty much every day. It was horrible. I was so desperate for relief that when my doctor suggested eliminating gluten and dairy from my diet I was more than willing. I would try anything to stop those damned migraines!

See if you can find the cause and address that instead of just masking the symptoms with meds. It's worth it.

jennyredfern

Totally agree! I have learned to manage them much better over the years. For me, smoked anything is a huge trigger. The smoking agent, even liquid smoke is poison to me. I know hormones play a big role also, but take hormone supplements is almost as bad as not... so many side effects, and guessing on dosing. Also stress is a big trigger, which I have had A LOT of the last week... so kinda thinking that could be why I can't just get rid of it. Also nitrates (lunch meat, hot dogs, etc) are a trigger.

Since I've been eating much healthier this year I was hoping to eliminate migraines, but it hasn't so much worked that way. I feel better, stronger, dropped weight, more energy, but the headaches didn't stop, so I don't think it's much diet related. I don't do much processed anything.. just once in a while. I'm pretty close to gluten free, and have been totally gluten free for days and not seen much change. Although just due to a healthy diet I don't get much gluten anyways.

Going to the doctor pretty much guarantees more tests / MRI etc... and the more I can stay away from the medical world the better for me! I've tried essential oils, but they never have worked for me. Probably will break down and go to the doc tomorrow or Wednesday if it's still lurking... this is just crazy!

I dealt with that for years. Sometimes I knew what was triggering them (hormones, stress) but a lot of times I didn't. Just found out last year that gluten and dairy products were major triggers for me and towards the end of my association with those foods I had headaches or full-blown migraines pretty much every day. It was horrible. I was so desperate for relief that when my doctor suggested eliminating gluten and dairy from my diet I was more than willing. I would try anything to stop those damned migraines!

See if you can find the cause and address that instead of just masking the symptoms with meds. It's worth it.

Eve23

Gluten and dairy are just one trigger for people. But corn can do a job on some people too. My sister suffers with this one. She is 98% corn free now but for a long time it was very hard for her. With horrible mood swings, migraines, and weight gain.

I also like to use an Eucalyptus Spearmint oil on my neck and shoulders. It always seemed to help with migraines for me.

Enigmatica

I didn't mean that gluten or dairy are the only foods that might be a problem - just used them in relating what happened to me. There may be something you'd never suspect as the cause. I used to be so super sensitive that a loudspeaker in the grocery store could set off a,migraine. Another friend noticed she got them after running. Whatever is causinf yours, I hope you solve it soon.

annanoel21

Migraines are a daily part of my life. Normally 3-4 times a week, sometimes more. I feel your pain. You need to watch what you eat. Even keep a food diary and note when they start to come on. What you eat has a part to do with it

jennyredfern

Mine are totally hormonal. I've tracked them for years, and I can even predict the day they are going to start. I ended up seeing the doctor who gave me some stronger meds (Norco) and prescribed rest. It finally went away! Thanks again for all your helpful suggestions and comments!