Migraines - West Bloomfield,MI

Hi D.;
I understand your situation completely as a sufferer of migraines since the birth of my twins 4 years ago. It is truly a debilitating health condition and unless you suffer from them you cannot understand.
After a couple years of stumbling from hospital emergency rooms to Doctors who all had different forms of treatment, I am working with a neurologist who has been able to help me at least have a little bit of control over them. My migraines have been mainly, but not limited to, centered around my period. Therefore, around this time, I have had to become very aware of my diet - no chocolate or processed foods, especially processed meats with nitrates such as hot dogs. I also must make sure I get adequate sleep! The most important help is that the moment I realize some symptoms are starting, such as, dizziness, depressed mood, sleepiness, slightly blurred vision, sensitivity to light, I take a medication called Frova. The secret is to catch it before the pain becomes severe because once it gets to the point where you are nauseated you are probably in for a few days of misery. I must tell you, however, that this medication is extremely costly. Even with my prescription insurance coverage I pay a $40.00 deductible for 9 tablets which I use every month. Without insurance they are about $30.00 to $40.00 per tablet.
I always ask for samples from my neurologist which helps.
This has been a true life saver to me especially with 4 year old twins. I cannot just lie in bed for 2 or 3 days suffering.
I sincerely hope this helps you - best of luck.

My husband used to get debilitating migraines several times per month. He tried several medications but found that Topomax works really well for him. He takes it twice a day and hasn't had any migraine's in months.

I have recently had a problem with headaches, ongoing, but was told it could be migraines, a lesser form since they weren't severe. I sent in a question and someone suggested taking Magnesium. It worked!!

Through my business we have a dietary supplement for head pain. If you would like a natural alternative, send me your e-mail address and I will forward the information.

Hang in there!

S.
____@____.com

D.,

Do you know when a migraine is coming on?

I too suffer from migraines, and have for years. Have you kept a headache diary? Usually you have better success with doctors if you have kept one and then can describe all the symptoms. Plus it helps to determine if they are stress related or hormone related, etc.

I've been on Imitrex for years. I have classic migraine with aura the majority of the time. Usually, if I catch it just in time I can head it off with sometimes with Excedrin Migraine. Otherwise I have to use an Imitrex. Sometimes that 'Head On' helps a bit too. I seriously would contact your doctor again by phone and tell her you want a prescription for it. Otherwise, I'd find a new doctor. At a minimum, a decent doctor would listen to you, find out how often it's occuring, and possibly send you for some tests to rule out anything else that could be possibly causing your migraines. Then give you a medication that should help and possibly also put you on beta blockers to see if that helps.

--K.

Migranes can be caused be ALOT of things. You could have a food allergy. MSG is known to cause them and MSG is in SO MANY things disguised as "natural flavorings", "other flavorings", "natural seasonings". It can play havoc to someone who has a sensiivity to MSG.
My brother-in-law suffered from migranes and severe back pain for 25 years. He went the same route you have with every OTC and perscription out there. He finally got relief by seeing a chiropractor who determined that his vertabrae in his neck were rubbing on the casing around it because his vertabrae were out of line.
Migranes can also be a result of a hormone imbalance.
Go to www.ahccenter.com
This is a group of chiropractors/nutritionists who deal with your whole system. If you are in the Detroit area, it would be well worth the trip to Grosse Pointe. If you are not in the Detroit area, check out chiropractors in your area who deal with headaches and allergies. The Chiropractic part is sometimes partially covered by health insurance, but the nutrition part is not. The relief you could get would be well worth it! I hope you can find relief soon! Good Luck!

Hi D.,
I used excedrin migraine relief for years, and then it stopped helping my migraines. My doctor prescribed Relpax and it has been a God send. I would seek out a different doctor or call that one back and ask for a prescription. Some doctors require you see a neurologist, but mine did not. My migraines worsened after I had an hysterectomy and I get them 1-2x/week now, but the relpax stops them! The other therapies you mention help as well, but none of them did the whole trick for me. Best of luck!

I am so sorry that your doctor was so unhelpful. I used to suffer from migraines several times a month. I have found great relief with a daily preventative called Topamax. It works to prevent the headache from happening. I took it for over 5 years and have maybe 1 headache a year. Ia ctually quit taking the meds about a year ago and still have not had a migraine. If I get one Relpax work really well on the pain and other symptoms. Dr Lionel Glass is my neurologist, he is in Pontiac and has been great. Good Luck
L.

I have a hard time believing that the doctor offered nothing. What a waste of time/insurance for you. There are a ton of medications that can offer you relief, and it does take trial and error. Find out what the cost of a doctor visit is, and go see another doctor. Was the dr. an internist? GP? Does your insurance only cover one sick visit a year? What about another type of doctor? So many things cause migraines, if it was hormonal, would your insurance cover seeing a gyn? Imitrex nasal spray helps me, it also comes in a pill form, or injectable. Fiorcet (non-narcotic one) helps, but i can only take it at night. Ask around your area, and go see another dr. Don't give up! And think about complaining to your insurance co. about the dr. you saw. Your pain should be taken seriously, and there are so many dr.'s out there that do help.

Hi D.,
Just now read about your migraine sufferings!
Are you looking for something natural(non drugs) that is safe, simple and effective? For the past 7 years, I have had the privilege of helping many folks with various health and wellness concerns incl. migraines. If you are open to learning about what we have done to help others and you are serious about finding alternative answers, give me a call at your convenience and I will direct you.
Hope your Thanksgiving was blessed!
C. W.
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