I am a 27 yr old female. Began having migraines 8 years ago. Tried everything accupunture, massage, diet, hormonal altering drugs, Frova, Imitrex, Maxalt, fioricet, tramadol, midrin, amerge, and topomax, along with the typical OTC meds.
After several self studies and visits to the doc, I changed my diet, avoid MSG, hydrolized protiens, nitrates etc. This helped with some.
Topomax has decreased the frequency that I get over the month, however, It makes me anxious and depressed. And causes the migraines to be more severe and longer lasting.
Frova was supposed to supress my hormonal migraines, but thus far, no luck.
Flexiril decreased the muscular tension migraines, but the doc pulled me off of it.

Now I get about 2-3 sets of migraines a month each one lasts for 2 -4 days.

I have exhausted all resources. I have been the the Keeler center (migraine specialist center).
Has anyone tried first rib removal?

Thanks

Hello,

1st rib removal?? I haven't read of a rib removal for migraines ??

Do you possibly have thoracic outlet syndrome? {TOS}
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Thoracic Outlet Syndrome/Brachial Plexopathy
our TOS forum -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24

You mean you don't like having migraines?

(sorry, couldn't resist)
Wow, it sounds like you have been on quite an assortment of meds. I am so sorry you have to go through this. I had almost daily headaches since age ten that got worse about 8 years ago. It took me a long time to control them (part of it was being diagnosed with HE and treated with steroids, but I don't think it sounds like you have HE).

Before the steroids for the HE, I searched high and low for ways to get rid of the pain.
As you probably already know, there's two types of treatment for migraines: prevention/prophylaxis taken every day, and abortive therapies like triptans or ergot derivatives on the days you get the headache.

They probably put you on the topamax to prevent the headaches. It's an anticonvulsant. Sounds like it's not working all that great.

There's 4 basic classes of medicines used to prevent migraines (prophylactics):
1. anticonvulsants (antiseizure medications which are also used in bipolar disorder too)
2. calcium channel blockers
3. beta blockers
4. tricyclic antidepressants

I failed a beta blocker (propranolol) and a tricyclic (amitryptalline- Elavil)
I was too scared about weight loss to try the anticonvulsants, so my doctor suggested a calcium channel blocker last year. I was skeptical to try the verapamil, but it really seems to do the trick even though I'm only on 40 mg at night. My headaches went from daily to once a week and the weekly headaches are controlled with Imitrex, sudafed, and/or steroids.

But every person is different obviously, so my answer is not your answer, and it sounds like you have already failed triptans and your headaches are stubborn.

It sounds like it might be helpful to discuss with your neurologist trying another type of prophylactic. You may have better luck with something in one of the other three classes. Your doctor should know your complete health history and should be able to help you select another one, if that's what you want and if he/she thinks it's a good idea.

I went into my third prophylactic thinking: "oh, so they really think this is going to work, huh... well not with MY headaches" but it really did work! I was so bitter and cynical that anything would work, that I almost didn't start the verapamil.

I don't know if any of this is useful or not. I haven't heard about the rib removal, but it sounds painful!

I hope you find some relief soon!
Best Wishes!

I agree with the above poster. Often times it takes multi disciplined approach and mutiple medications to make a dent in this difficult problem.

I know a common combination is taking a tricyclic antidepressant (like Elavil) together an anticonvulsant (like Topamax). Throw in following an all natural diet and some vitamin supplementation...well you might get improvement.

Some supplements that can be of help include the B Vitamins, Co-Q10, Calcium and Magnesium.

Certainly relaxation can be helpful. Biofeedback can help. Seeing a therapist if a person is suffering from depression or anxiety might be of some help. Getting massages to release excessive tension could be of some help. Moderate exercise...all of some help.

It really takes diligence and hard work and even then there are no guarantees.
However, the way I see it...and I'm speaking from experience...'cause I have had lots of heartache with migraine, what choice do we have but to work very hard and do what we need to do to get some improvement? I have found that each little thing I do seems to bring a tiny bit of improvement and I will take what I can get.

Keep seeking answers and make sure you have a good physician (preferably a neurologist with an interest in the subject) in your corner.

Have you had an MRI of your brain?

hi there. i have Migraine too but on top of that i also have headaces

in year 10 at school so i was about 15years old. i started getting headacs everyday and nothing would stop them. i had an scan on my brain becouse i have HYDROCEPHALUS (water on the brain) the headacs carry on for years on end. they may of stoped for a few months then came back in jumps lol. where i get there really bad again. so this carry on for years on end and

after my scan on the brain i went in to hospal for some tests on my brain. to do with my shunt. i was in for a week.

i went in to hosptal again i was not well. i was beeing sick tiryed and headacs a lot. and i had more tests on my brain in 2004 ithink thats right.
and in the end they said i was having Cluster headaches but now i also have Migraine

my Migraine make me sick and very tiryed and sleeply. i dont now if ficker of lights make them come on

i'm now 23years old and still get them... i am also on meds they dont all ways help me.

i dont now of any ways to stop them coming? why do we get them?

take care cazzie

Rib removal?? Please tell us more...

Valproate is another anticonvulsant that works as a prophylactic. It's been fairly helpful for my migraines, they are less frequent.

Question--are you getting enough sleep? I find that when I don't get enough sleep I'm more prone to a migraine.

I've heard botox works for some people but I haven't tried it myself.

I also agree that an MRI seems prudent. I read about one woman who had stubborn migraine-like headaches for years but they turned out to be from an AVM aneurysm that was bleeding gradually. They found out after she had a major stroke and they did a scan.