I Hate Migraines

[MissScripture]

Ever since I was in 8th grade, I've gotten migraines. And sometimes before the migraine, I get an aura, which is where my vision goes all funny, and I can still see, but at the same time I can't really. It sort of looks like when tvs used to go blurry, but just enough so that you could still make out a picture, but not really. That's what happens to my vision, starting on one side of my visual field and then coming across. Usually this is followed by the headache portion of the migraine.

When I got my heart fixed, I was super excited, because the doctor told me about this connection they've been studying between people with my type of heart defect and migraines, and that getting the defect fixed could also end the migraine problem. Well, the last few years, I was getting maybe 1 migraine a month, if that. Really not a HUGE deal, but still no fun.

Well, since my heart got fixed, I've been getting MORE than I used to, and the really weird thing is that now, I'm getting the vision stuff, without a headache always following, or at least not as severe of a headache. And, I mean, I hate the headache, so I don't miss that, but it use be that I'd get the vision stuff, and after about half an hour it would go away and that would be the end of that part. Now I'm getting that part over and over and it's lasting longer and it will start on one side, come across my vision, go away for about half an hour and then start on the other side and come back. And now that's happened 3 times in the last 6 weeks, which is way more often than I ever got them before. And on top of that, caffiene used to pretty much eliminate the problem. I had several episodes today, including headache, the caffeine did NOTHING, and now I'm still awake because of the stupid stuff. I hate how sensitive I am to caffiene. Can someone just come and knock me unconsious, please? I'm tired, just not sleepy in the least!

[AccountDeleted]

Do you take a prescription medicine for migraines? My sister has suffered from them her whole life so when she gets one now, she takes a Zomig (prescription) and two Codis (codeine and aspirin tablets - no prescription required here in Australia, but would be in the US) - then she goes to bed and sleeps (at least she lies there) until the medicine takes effect. She says if she take them when the aura first appears, then they are more effective than after the pain has hit.

I think your doctor should be able to prescribe something that would help better than just caffeine on its own). Prayers for you. Migraines are terrible, I know.

[dUSt]

I do this and it helps -->

[Maximilianus]

I can relate with the migraine thing. Oh that dreadful aura thing, it was a sure sign that my day was about to be ruined. Lately I have been getting the aura thing but not the head splitting nausia inducing headache...which I don't miss either.

[MissScripture]

[quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1305356177' post='2241278']
Do you take a prescription medicine for migraines? My sister has suffered from them her whole life so when she gets one now, she takes a Zomig (prescription) and two Codis (codeine and aspirin tablets - no prescription required here in Australia, but would be in the US) - then she goes to bed and sleeps (at least she lies there) until the medicine takes effect. She says if she take them when the aura first appears, then they are more effective than after the pain has hit.

I think your doctor should be able to prescribe something that would help better than just caffeine on its own). Prayers for you. Migraines are terrible, I know.
[/quote]
I never have been on a prescription, because they used to be fairly rare and typically not that terrible (although there was a time or two when even the little red dot of light on my cell phone was too much and I couldn't move or I would throw up, but that's very, very rare for me). When it sarted this morning, I was thinking when I got off work, I'd check and see if my doctor had anything open this afternoon yet, but when I got off work, I felt so good I thought I was going to be fine. And then about an hour and a half later, I was at the store with my husband and had to have him lead me around so I didn't walk into something in my peripheral vision. And what is bothering me the most right now is the auras, because they keep repeating themselves. But I don't know if there is anything that can be done about that part of it. Most of the medication I've heard of is for the headache/nausea/photophobia part of it. But, I am definitely going to go see my doctor now, when I get the chance. I really want to make sure there isn't something else going on, either. Thanks for the prayers.

[OnlySunshine]

Migraines do stink. I got my first and worst one when I was 17, about 8 days after I graduated high school and was at my uncle's wedding. It was so bad that I was having trouble talking, which made me fear that I was having a stroke. My cousin kept asking if I was OK, which I wasn't, but she was worried. I don't remember any of the wedding and it wasn't an enjoyable experience for me. I couldn't attend the reception because the migraine was so bad. A few days later, I went to my doctor and she did a neurological exam before prescribing me Imitrex. I think the reason I was getting the migraines though was because of the Zoloft I was on at the time. After I got off that, I have not had a single migraine since. It's been wonderful not having to worry about getting them anymore. They seem to run in our family though because my mom gets them all the time. She usually takes Topamax and Claritin and lays down. Most of the time it works, but sometimes it doesn't and she is downright miserable.

I'm sorry you having been feeling good lately, but I would definitely recommend that you get yourself checked out. I don't want to scare you, but what you describe doesn't sound like a regular migraine and you would do well to have a neurological exam. Your GP can do it in their office. They check your vision and the brain. I don't remember all that's involved since it was so long ago, but I know it was painless. I hope you get answers soon.

[OnlySunshine]

I also found this which could help:

[quote]It should be noted that the presence of auras or other disturbances do not always identify migraine sufferers:

* For instance, patients with severe sinus infections may experience double vision or visual loss. (This is an emergency condition, since it indicates the infection has spread to areas around the eyes.)
* Many migraine sufferers have no auras.
* Many elderly people with late-onset migraine have auras but no pain.[/quote]

It could be sinus trouble, not migraines.

http://adam.about.net/reports/000097_4.htm

Edited May 14, 2011 by MaterMisericordiae

[MissScripture]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1305358887' post='2241298']
I also found this which could help:



It could be sinus trouble, not migraines.

http://adam.about.net/reports/000097_4.htm
[/quote]
But I don't even have a stuffy nose. Or maybe I'm just an elderly person.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1305389864' post='2241354']
But I don't even have a stuffy nose. Or maybe I'm just an elderly person.
[/quote]