ivyology | (no subject)

Since the migraine thing was getting worse in both frequency and intensity I sucked it up and went to health services two weeks ago after a particularly bad one. While I actually liked the doctor I saw, I liked his advice less (cut back on caffeine, sleep more) but I've been dutifully obeying (I'm down to two-thirds of my usual daily caffeine intake, and only true caffeine addicts will recognize that for the achievement that it is.)

He also gave me a couple of samples of Imitrex since the analgesics (excedrin migraine like I'd been taking) aren't the best things to use on a regular basis (and, well, they work primarily because of the caffeine in them, so) and even though I'd had two migraines since then, this morning was the first time I tried it. I woke up with a migraine and did not want to miss Con Law, and it was bad enough that I was going to have to.

Well, it worked like a charm on the migraine (it was gone in fifteen minutes, as opposed to the hour it takes with excedrin migraine) but the side effects scared the hell out of me. They hit first (five minutes) so I knew it was drug-related; I could suddenly feel my blood moving through my veins, and then the muscles in my neck and shoulders clenched up in near-spasm, and my heart started racing and I had a mini panic attack - although the panic attack could've been independent, since I really thought for a few minutes that I was having some sort of severe allergic reaction.

So I ended up missing Con Law anyway, since I returned to health services, utterly freaked out, although the worst of the side effects passed fairly quickly and only the clenched muscles remained; still. I saw a different doctor, who pissed me off; while apparently those side effects are not terribly uncommon, shouldn't I have been TOLD about them? And I really cannot overemphasize how fucking scary it was for those first few minute; but his attitude was very much "well, your headache's gone, right?"

And then when I asked him about the fact that the migraines were still increasing in frequency (three in one week, now, although the first two weren't as severe as today's) he said he wasn't ready to prescribe a prophylactic yet until more lifestyle factors had been ruled out (and pulled the tired you're-a-law-student-it's-all-probably-stress crap); fine, but then, as an abortive in the meantime, he actually prescribed more fucking Imitrex, albeit at a lower dose.

The whole thing is just frustrating, and kind of exhausting. It's why I didn't want to deal with it in the first place - I hate doctors, how little they know compared to how much they THINK they know - and all I REALLY want, anyway, is to not have to worry about getting a migraine right before a final, which is what drove me to health services in the first place, but not only am I still getting the migraines, but the only treatment I've been given has such crappy side effects it won't exactly be a good alternative to the migraine if my personal worst-case-scenario does arise.

Argh.

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Sorry it's so crappy for you. My friend

spc_bink also suffers from chronic headaches and has dealt with many a crappy doctor in her time. She might have some useful advice for you. One of the most frustrating things for her has been arrogant doctors who try to tell her that she's just making it all up (or worse still, that she's doing so in order to get free drugs, which is bullshit). The only semi-viable solutions I've been able to stumble across and pass along to her and two of my other friends who suffer from mysterious chronic pain issues point to eastern medicine like acupuncture and such. It may seem like hokey weird stuff at a glance, but I have heard many, many people say that stuff like that works a lot better than western doctors who just want to throw drugs at problems to mask the pain rather than actually do something about its causes (which they can't figure out).

My doctor in high school was the best. He'd always act to get something over with quickly, not fucking around with the BS that you're dealing with.

It sucks, but you will hopefully get good assistance soon. Just keep on them like crazy and don't give up! your sanity is worth it!

Imitrex is no joke. For me, the side effects are worse than the migraine. Have you kept a journal of you migraines? I always, always get them about three days before and after my period. It helps to know that because they don't freak me out when they come. The more you freak, the more out of control they get. Of course, I'm sure you know that already.
I think I told you about Feverfew before. Really, try it. It's not too expensive, and it works. I take one a day, but you should start out on about 2 a day for the first couple of weeks. You have to take it every single day. I also take Melatonin in the morning. It's helped a little, I think. The Feverfew has not completely gotten rid of the migraines, but when I do get them, they are bearable. And they are not as frequent. It takes a little bit to work.
Other things that have helped me: massage (expensive, but sometimes you can find cheap ones. Usually, massage schools have great prices) and running. Walking at least 30 minutes three days a week would probably help.
Caffeine: Sad but true. It is one of my triggers. I've cut back to one coke a day, and the days I fall off the wagon, I pay for it. It sucks, but caffeine free coke doesn't taste any different. Just go slow on that one as withdrawl headaches are no joke either.
Another suggestion: A good Magnesium supplement. I haven't tried this one yet, but I hear it works.

I know this is a lot of info to digest, and I know it's a pain when everyone has a cure. I just know how bad they are (I had one for four years straight. Literally.) and hope that some of things that have helped me might help you too. Oh, and meditation and relaxation exercises are good too. While they don't keep them from coming on, they can keep you calm when they do so you don't make it worse by getting upset.

Good luck. Hope this helps a little....