does anyone know what can help these type of headaches? usually when I get them I also get nausea, I dont know if this is indicative of anything. I also get them if I havent slept long enough (which is at least 12 hrs for me). I have tried things like vicodin, aleve, etc. percocet is the only thing that helps but i cant take that all the time.
Posted by sbh93 (Member # 30429) on :
The nausea does indicate that you are having true migraines, not "tension" or "cluster" headaches. I get that and the visual aura as well. I've tried different preventative medications but had such terrible side effects from them I'd decided just to risk having the migraines instead.
What did finally make a difference (this was all pre-lyme) was having my vitamin levels checked. Blood tests indicated I had very low B12. Supplementing the B12 did reduce the frequency of my migraines.
My primary doc also recommends feverfew or butterbur (herbs) to help prevent migraines. Check with your doc, though, because I don't know about reactions with other meds and I know feverfew cannot be taken daily, not sure about butterbur. I didn't find a difference with feverfew and never ended up trying the butterbur.
Do you ever get vertigo, either with or without the migraines? How often do you get them? A visit to a neurologist might be in order.
Posted by katrinab (Member # 30330) on :
the neurologist i saw wasnt helpful. he said to avoid eating chocolate and processed foods and that should get rid of the migraines. well, it didnt. this was before i was diagnosed with lyme. No I never got vertigo. I get the migraines still once a day, stress makes all of my symptoms worse so if it was a stressful day the migraine and nausea could last up to 6 hours. now if i am not under too much stress it usually lasts 1-2 hrs.
Posted by desertlily (Member # 13894) on :
Have you ever tried any of the medications in the triptan category? For example, Imitrex, Maxalt, Relpax, etc? (Imitrex is generic, so it is the cheapest.)
They are a rescue med, ie. you take them when you get a migraine vs a preventative. They work fantastic for me, and are considered the first line of medical treatment for migraines.
Something to look into, they seem to work for most people, sometimes, one of the triptans will work better for one person than another, so say, if Imitrex doesn't work that well for you, Maxalt might work better.
Hope this info is helpful... I know that migraines can be intolerable.
P.S. I have had migraines my whole life, but they definately worsened when my Lyme and co-inf. kicked in.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Imitrex works for me. I take it immediately, as soon as there is any indication of a migraine type headache coming on. It is actually probably babesia causing my headaches now because they are behind both eyes, not just one. I have had migraines since I was 12 and these are a bit different but the imitrex is very effective.
I used to suffer with migraine 3-6 days. In bed, no light or sound. When imitrex was put on the market it was a miracle for me. But it was extremely expensive becoming more and more costly until I was paying $24 a pill. Now it is $20 for 9 pills. I buy the 100mg ones and use about one third of a pill for each headache. I wish Mepron/malarone would go generic!!!
Posted by HopesAlive (Member # 29774) on :
I think migraines were one of the first symptoms of Lyme, because I was first dxed with them at such a strange period of time in my life (no time of hormonal changes or high stress, etc)). I had high hopes for the triptans but none worked for me, and I tried them all, and in many different forms (oral, shots, nasal, etc.).
I tried several preventatives, and I found that Topamax does help with the frequency and intensity.
Kept a migraine diary for almost a year, and I was unable to I.D. any food triggers. The only trigger I found was damp/rainy/humid weather and changes in barametric pressure.
I take the preventative and pain meds. I take the pain meds like I would a triptan. First upon getting the aura and again an hour late if I get the full blown migraine.
I used to get so bad, once or twice per year, that I would go the E.R. However, I was treated SO horribly last time I had to go in, that I will now suffer through them at home no matter what.
I know they are not fun. I went to a pain clinic for years and they tried every preventative, painful procedures, physical theraphy, and triptans and I ended up on maintenance after all that. That was my first experience with feeling like a guinea pig. Lyme is my second, lol.
Good luck and I truly feel for you!
Posted by LymeGoAway (Member # 25041) on :
Have you tried supplementing with magnesium? Here's a link to an article that talks about the connection between migraines and magnesium.
I've had migraines most of my life (probably lyme related, and definately worse when lyme is flaring). I've tried a variety of preventatives. I still get them frequently, but the severity is not as bad as it used to be.
I take daily: B2 (riboflavin) B complex Magnesium (chelated - according to one neurologist it's the most effective, and I did notice a difference once I switched) depakote ER (it's an anti-seizure med, but helps prevent the migraines) Butalbitol/Aspirin/Caffeine (1 daily, and extra if my migraine gets too bad)
If I get a migraine I take: Imitrex if it's on my left side Maxalt if it's on my right side extra dose of caffeine or butalbitol/aspirin/caffeine
I know that sounds strange, but after years of experimenting with different drugs I realized that some drugs work better for certain migraines than others, so I take different drugs depending on the symptoms.
Keep experimenting (ask for samples) until you find something that works for you.
I also find that a good chiropractor helps.
Good luck!
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
I used to get menstrual migraines until I stopped eating gluten. Now I only get a migraine if I have accidental gluten exposure.
Posted by desertlily (Member # 13894) on :
I'm also on Topamax for prevention, and take Imitrex for when I get a migraine. For me, the Topamax hasn't reduced the number, but has greatly reduced the severity, SO worth it as far as I'm concerned.
Topamax is also generic now, it used to be very costly, now it is much more affordable.
Posted by HopesAlive (Member # 29774) on :
I do not eat gluten, and I do take magnesium. I have tried SO many things. I was going to let you know that the caffiene sometimes does prevent mine. Stay away from Excedrin migraine: it can cause horrible rebound migraines. Also, the only reason they can call it "migraine," is because it helped a few people who had migraines in one of their studies. It is just aspirin with caffeine. lol
They tried occipital nerve blocks for me, insisting that the migraines were neck involved, even though I tried to stress to them they start in my right eye with the aura, then numbness then PAIN. I had to talk to the director of the entire pain clinic to get that through their heads and get them to stop torturing me with their painful procedures.
That is interesting about the poster who tries different meds according to symptoms.
Sometimes, ice packs help me, and also muscle relaxers for the "ER type of migraine." When I used to get them bad, the worst was mine would go on for DAYS. I hate taking muscle relaxers, but if it kept me out of the ER, I did it. Compazine for the nausea, too, and I would live on soda crackers and water. Now, I would have to have my gluten free crackers, lol.
I know it is not funny, but it is just so crazy how much we all have to go through. I sympathize (sp?)...empathize with anyone who has migraines, because they are also misunderstood and so debilitating. I was diagnosed with classic migraines (aura) and also daily head pain. I used to get horrible ice pick headaches, also.
My father suffered from migraines, my sister and my youngest son, so I know there is a genetic component. My youngest son also was getting clusters during his high school years. Poor guy. Those are the WORST!
I hope you find something that will work well for you. Good luck and my thoughts are with you.
Posted by katrinab (Member # 30330) on :
I have tried the prevntative meds (topamax, zonegran, etc) Ive tried Neurontin and Lyrica. Lyrica helped a little but it made me dizzy and gain weight. anyone else have this? I have tried triptans, I ve tried the Butalbitol?/aspirin/caffeine. I think the only thing I havent tried is that new injectable triptan. Anyone tried this? not sure if it would help since the oral triptans didnt.