[Dmom3005]

Hi everyone, I'm really so worried about this one of my son's. I don't know
what else to do for him. He just called and has gotten a excused out of
work for this week from his doctor.

The migraines just don't seem to be going away. And I am not sure when
he will be willing to give work another try.
He has to sometime. So he will at least be getting back to ready.

But I understand with a migraine you can't concentrate, or work.

I am more frustrated because it seems we are back in high school again.
And he is trying to avoid something. I could never be sure that was what
was happening then. And I know that migraines have been a lot worse
this year for all of us in the family. So I am not sure its that.

Thanks for listening. I'm just scared.
I don't want him to lose his job.
Donna

[Mari]

Donna,

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mig...ative-medicine

Sufficient evidence and consensus exist to recommend propranolol, timolol, amitriptyline, divalproex, sodium valproate, and topiramate as first-line agents for migraine prevention. There is fair evidence of effectiveness with gabapentin and naproxen sodium. Botulinum toxin also has demonstrated fair effectiveness, but further studies are needed to define its role in migraine prevention.
Limited evidence is available to support the use of candesartan, lisinopril, atenolol, metoprolol, nadolol, fluoxetine, magnesium, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), coenzyme Q10, and hormone therapy in migraine prevention. Data and expert opinion are mixed regarding some agents, such as verapamil and feverfew; these can be considered in migraine prevention when other medications cannot be used.

Evidence supports the use of timed-release dihydroergotamine mesylate, but patients should be monitored closely for adverse effects.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mig...ome%2Dremedies

Try muscle relaxation exercises. Progressive muscle relaxation, meditation and yoga don't require any equipment. You can learn them in classes or at home using books or tapes. Or spend at least a half-hour each day doing something you find relaxing — listening to music, gardening, taking a hot bath or reading.

Get enough sleep, but don't oversleep. The average adult needs six to eight hours of sleep a night. It's best to go to bed and wake up at regular times, as well.
Rest and relax. If possible, rest in a dark, quiet room when you feel a headache coming on. Place an ice pack wrapped in a cloth on the back of your neck and apply gentle pressure to painful areas on your scalp.

Keep a headache diary. Continue keeping your headache diary even after you see your doctor. It will help you learn more about what triggers your migraines and what treatment is most effective.

Does he keep a headache diary? Does he notice the patterns?

M

[waves]

Hi Donna,

I am sorry about Devin's situation.

It comes goes and comes around with me too, besides the other stuff like depression and anxiety. Really I can hold a job with depression... harder with anxiety and/or migraines. But as hard as that is it is harder still to find employment, when one has any these troubles.

Thank goodness Devin has this union job, but all the same I realize there are limits... and if an employer wants to get rid of you they will.

Two things come to mind in his case, since you said he was basically having migraines headaches around the clock or close.

1. are you sure they are "simple" migraines and not complicated by rebound headaches? rephrase: how has he been medicating them before this recent doctor visit and for how long? If he's been using pain killers, he may be in a rebound situation - that would explain why meds don't work.

2. I know you're familiar with status epilepticus. What about status migrainousus? A migraineur is considered to be in status if a single attack lasts > 72 hours. Has he had any like that? I've read that these warrant abortive treatment - typically with a triptan, ergotamine or other. It might also be better to go to the hx where they can give it IV. Or if he takes a triptan, maybe a different one would work better for him. And i"m finding that Zomig brand is better than the generics. And if he isnt' scripted a triptan, or other abortive drug... why not?

Also thought I'd mention, the Depakote might take a while to work as prophylaxis agents often do. If the ketoprofen is not doing the trick, then something is up, and I would call the doc. Tell the doc if he has been taking a lot of pain killers and ask about rebound heaches as well as possible status.

i hope he gets free of these beasties soon! and that he doesn't lose his job. it is hard enough to keep a job in these conditions but seeking one is worse... one esentially must liie through one's teeth about reliability and availability. Even though i feel like i've got fireants in my pants as far as gettng to work again, I don't feel like i can reasonably commit to what is required. And i hate outright lying. So I really hope this gets resolved in time he does not lose this job (... and then have to find another )!



~ waves ~

[Brain patch]

DMom,
Would you mind telling me more about the situation with Devin? I may be able to help as I suffer from severe migraines and have for many years. What is his history? Is this the one who has seizures? Sorry if I am getting the information turned around as you know my situation. We have talked. Tell me what medications he is on also. If you don't mind, if you would rather not discuss it that is just fine too. I am here with support for you.
Much love,
Brain

[Dmom3005]

First thanks Waves and Mari
Brain I'll do a thread to answer your questions.

Waves, The imitrex is what he was on for a period of time. I don't believe it was working. So I believe his regular doctor started him on a pain reliever with codeine or something like that. I'm honestly not sure about this. He doesn't tell me it all. He is also getting two kinds of shots at the present when the migraines get to severe and last for two long. Which at present have been over a month I believe.

One that he calls without a narcotic in it. One with. Sorry, I'm not sure what he means. He at times does not make much sense to me. But the fact that he will call and talk to me about what is going on is more than he was doing in December when the Headaches came back so bad. At first I believe if he
had one for two days a week it was bad. But he started having them every other week soon. And then the problems really started.

Yes Waves I have been worried about rebound headaches. I'm pretty sure that is why drugs like imitrex and things like that are not being used right now. Other than in shot formula. I have also read up some on oxygen. I don't know that I can explain this one to him, so I haven't suggested he ask about this. I do not think from what I've read on cluster headaches, it is these. They last to long.

I do believe it could easily be status migraines. But I so far have not found anything to use for these. IF the regular meds for migraines don't work.
Depakote has just been on board for almost one week. His doctor told him to expect it too take at least 2 weeks, but I also know that he is on a very low dosage. (500mg) So its possible it will take more. Also the other new med. for pain relief is new and has been on board since just last Wednesday late or Thursday morning. So its not been quite a week.

Donna

[Dmom3005]

Brain

Its my 21 year old that has definately been diagnosed with epilepsy.

But seizures and epilepsy run in the family.

This is my 28 year old. And a few years ago when I believe he was just 18 plus a few months he came to me and told me the following. Mom, I have been blacking out in my car and ending up in a ditch.

He had already been seeing a Neuro, same one he saw last week. For migraines. But I called him, about the possible seizures, because of blacking out. He did a EEG. That was negative. But because of possibility and family history. And fact that this is one of major ones for migraine helping. He was put on depakote for all issues. He did pretty well with the black outs. I don't believe he had anymore. I personally thought he did well with the migraines.
He was attending night school in a neighboring town, for adults because he had dropped out of high school because of illness(migraines.) And didn't miss much at all. It was me that drove him to school, because he wasn't allowed to drive. Also he wore sun glasses a lot of the time, because of sun and glare. I even suggested, that he wear them into school. And if glare bothered him on way home to wear them on way home.

He wasn't doing well with this program at school. And because he got so much better. He chose to try a job with a friend, of magazine selling. And came home after a week. So I'm pretty sure the migraines were a lot better.

But he then had chosen to return to regular school. And went back. But had migraines return. It was more stress though. And the sunlight from a house building program for half a day he was taking. So he took his classes at home in homebound classes. And graduated.

He stayed on depakote for I believe 2 years. Till I believe he was close to 21 if not 21. He then sat out of school for a year. And went to college. And spent I believe 3 years getting two degrees a technical and a associates at IVY TEch. And he spent about 1 1/2 to 2 years looking for work.

He has at times had headaches through this. But they have been manageable through tylenol and sleep. Till this year. It would last at times for a week or two and stop.

Not sure what happened this time, if its not the weather. Or stress of the things going on around him in his life. It really is bothering me. And I sure hope we can get him back under control.

He is accepting the need to go back to the neurologist this time. Which is good. As a teen, I had a hard time getting him to go. He was so angry.

Donna

[Dmom3005]

Everyone

On a personal note. I have a need for prayers for my self.

I had a mammogram, and ultrasound today. And the ultrasound was fine for
the area that is being watched already. But they are doing a biopsy on
March 25 on my other Breast for suspicious things on calcium deposits.

So I'm very nervous and would really appreciate thoughts and prayers.

I feel so bad this is also Derrick's spring break. And I was hoping to be able
to take him somewhere part of the week. I had also scheduled a week of vacation. But I've changed my vacation to the next week. Because I really
need the weed off. And will take a week of sick time.

Derrick was very understanding. And when I talked about working out someone to take him to work. He wants to stay home at least on Tuesday and cook for me.

Donna

[Brain patch]

DMom,
I am so sorry to hear about your mammogram. My prayers and thoughts are with you. My mom had this and had surgery and it turned out to be benign if that makes you feel any better.
The migraine situation with Devin. I can clear up a few things for you. They have moved him from Imitrex and other migraine medications to narcotic pain medication. I have to take this myself. When he says they give him two shots one with narcotic and one without. He is saying that one shot is for nausea -probably phenergan and the other shot is a strong narcotic to get the cycle of the migraine and to break the pain cycle. Probably morphine, dilaudid or something like that. When he says he is blacking out. My vision goes totally black when I get a real bad migraine. Sometimes it is black in the peripheral vision (sides of vision field) sometimes it is my whole central vision and I can only see what is on the sides. Sometimes it is all of it just seeing black. I have many times been pulled off to the side of the road, throwing up out my door, unable to see and waiting for meds to kick in and vision to return so I can get home. These are so painful it is like your head is cracking open. You can't really answer questions. When I am real bad I can't talk. And it is almost like you get kind of an amnesia. Find out if this is what he means when he says I am blacking out and end up in a ditch. Or is he loosing consciousness? This also happens to me from hypoglycemia (blood sugar drops suddenly) and causes migraines also. I am now on long acting narcotic medication called MS Contin (morphine) and it lasts for twelve hours so I take two a day so I am constantly covered for pain. This has cut down the number and severity of the migraines.
Let me know if I can answer any questions you have. Hope this is helpful.
Much love,
Brain

[BlueMajo]

Everything is going to be perfectly fine desr Donna. I will ask God to protect you and keep you calm and strong

Originally Posted by Dmom3005

Everyone

On a personal note. I have a need for prayers for my self.

I had a mammogram, and ultrasound today. And the ultrasound was fine for
the area that is being watched already. But they are doing a biopsy on
March 25 on my other Breast for suspicious things on calcium deposits.

So I'm very nervous and would really appreciate thoughts and prayers.

I feel so bad this is also Derrick's spring break. And I was hoping to be able
to take him somewhere part of the week. I had also scheduled a week of vacation. But I've changed my vacation to the next week. Because I really
need the weed off. And will take a week of sick time.

Derrick was very understanding. And when I talked about working out someone to take him to work. He wants to stay home at least on Tuesday and cook for me.

Donna

[Dmom3005]

Brain,

I already know what he means. He means that he completely blacks out.
And comes too in the ditch. To him it was a form of seizures. See his brother has had a form of these seizures. And I have a form of fainting spells when I get to anxious, or some other things. Like today I had problems with the mammogram. I have had before, so it wasn't unusual.

I had seizures or epilepsy before till I was 15 1/2, and it was the staring out into space type. So I really do get it to a degree.
I can say I know the type of throwing up things you said. Because I have them too. Its been years since I had to pull off to throw up though.

He tells me this isn't a form for him. So I'm not sure.

Donna