Bram, thank you so much for all of that information. I really appreciate your help.

I usually drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day. I haven't changed that lately. In the interest of full disclosure, when I decided today to lay off the caffeine I did so AFTER I had already had my morning coffee. And I carried on drinking cola. Going cold turkey would have killed me!

Thank you so much for your kindness, as always. I cannot tell you had badly I needed that 'atta girl'. It helped my mood so, so much.



Kim

Hi Nanc.

I haven't ever tried Topamax. The Pizotifen worked really well for me when I took it. I will think about taking it again, or maybe trying Topamax. That's when I'm able to think straight again. I don't know how you do it with a headache every day.

I'm not currently on any meds. I do have tramadol but I take that very infrequently and did not take it around the time of the onset of this particular migraine. I only take tramadol when I absolutely have to because it turns me into a zombie. Basically, if I take it I can't do anything at all that day. So, I only take it when the pain is so severe that I can't do anything anyway.

As for daily meds, I have tried Lyrica and nortriptyline but they both made me too groggy so I stopped taking them. I will try amitriptyline next but I haven't started that yet.

I don't take anything else apart from a very occasional Anadin Extra (aspirin, paracetamol, and caffeine). Or, rather, the store-brand version of Anadin Extra. That sometimes helps with migraines (note the caffeine as Bram explained). During the course of this horrendous migraine I have taken 3 of these (not all at once, obviously).

I have had naratriptan before and it worked reasonably well. I may ask for that again when I next see my GP. I'm so sorry that you developed an allergy to it. That truly sucks.

I am going to work on being more open with my doctors about how I am feeling. I really appreciate your support in that. I just can't seem to openly say how much pain I am in. I think: I'm tough, I can handle this, I will be fine. But you are right, I need to be more open with the doctors so that they can provide appropriate treatment. I don't mean to be dishonest with them; 'I'm okay' just comes flying out of my mouth.

I'm sorry you are having a horrible headache too. I hope your head settles down a bit soon.

Kim

When the Topamax was no longer effective, the neurologist tapered me off of it and had me start amitriptyline, gradually increasing it, I had issues with it so I had to stop it. Tramadol gave me bad migraines. Some people say that Topamax makes them dopey feeling and nauseous. It didn't mess with my mind and the nausea passed very quickly. It can also cause tingling in your hands and/or feet when you first start taking it. That also goes away. My dr told me to eat a kiwi a day and I would not tingle...it worked!! The extra potassium stops the tingling...funny huh?!?

I understand what you are saying about being tough and not completely sharing with your doctors. I know you aren't doing it intentionally. It took me a very long time to admit to it or to say out loud how bad I really was and how much I was hurting. Saying it made it so real when I wasn't quite ready to accept it. My husband gets upset when I don't share until things get really bad...he says "why didn't you tell me??"

Yeah, I was so mad when I developed the allergy to Amerge. I got short of breath and broke out in a rash the last two times I took it. It worked the best for me My headache has eased up for now, thanks to some Fiorinal the edge is off. I sure hope yours eases soon!!! Call the dr if it doesn't ease up!!

Nanc, thanks so much for this. It is so helpful to know that you understand. I had to laugh when I read your post because just after I made my original post my husband sat next to me and while he was rubbing my head he saw my post (he was snooping, it was just right in front of him). He asked 'You're burning is worse? Why didn't you tell me?'

A kiwi a day is a pretty awesome prescription compared to what the docs usually give us. If only kiwis worked on pain too.

I still have a migraine but I just spoke with my doctor. (He called me at 7:30pm, not bad.) He suggested ibuprofen and that I make another appointment if that doesn't work. I can't really see ibuprofen being of much use but I'll give it a go. My poor stomach, though!

KimA

Haha, you are so busted now!!

I am not sure what I am gonna do for the tingling this time when I start back on Topamax. I have interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome) and have to eliminate so much, so many fruits and veggies including kiwi and potatoes. I have to follow a low oxalate and IC diet...ugh! I guess I will find something to help. Yeah, that would be nice if something as simple as kiwi helped our pain!

Sorry you still have a migraine. Glad you talked to your dr and that is great that he called at 7:30 pm! I can't imagine ibuprofen helping much at this point, but I guess it is worth a shot...just make sure you eat when you take it!

Oh, I get my husband to rub my head too. It doesn't get rid of the pain, but it sure feels good!

Again, I hope you get some relief soon!
Nanc

I hope you are feeling better Kim and that you migraines and rsd flares are gone. My thoughts and prayers are always with you. With love, Renee.

Hi everyone. Well, I still have the migraine. Okay, I'm not sure if it the same migraine or if it has been a series of migraines. My head has hurt the entire time but the severity of the pain and aura symptoms has fluctuated throughout the two weeks.

I am going to see my GP tomorrow. Any ideas?

Well Kim I guess I couldn't help so I removed the post. I was only trying to help. I'm sorry! I wish you the best with the migraines and hope you have minimal pain.
Another brother in pain.

Hi Kim,

Yikes, I'm late on this.. so sorry hon. A near two week migraine, yes I think it is time to see your doc and get some relief of some sort if possible. So much of what the others have said is true. Don't just suddenly quit caffeine for sure. Caffeine is used frequently for treatment. My step daughter suffers from migraines and I will have her grab a soda or two, but it sounds like you are beyond that.

I did a couple of searches for new treatments and maybe you will find something helpful here for your apt tomorrow.

The Future of Migraine Therapy http://www.webmd.com/migraines-heada...graine-therapy

FDA Approves New Magnet Device to Treat Migraines http://www.webmd.com/migraines-heada...reat-migraines

Also I thought of Botox. I hear it's good for migraines and bonus (or would be for me at my age) you can simultaneously smooth out wrinkles. Again I have no idea how old you are so I mean no harm,

And then there's this. I thought of you Nanc. I know this might be too radical for anyone and I'm not sure I could do it, but given enough pain.. maybe. This seems to be how they are treating all kinds of pain hu?

Electric New Treatment Offers Hope For Migraine Sufferers http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/10/...ine-sufferers/

Kim, I sure hope your able to get some relief.

Hi Kim,

I don't have any really useful ideas on your GP appointment to offer but just wanted to wish you luck and hope to goodness they can get you some relief.

Whatever you do, don't let them fob you off, this is a long time to have a normal headache, let alone a migraine. You must be exhausted.

I have my fingers crossed (not my toes lol, they are very burny at the moment - I blame this air pollution!).

Let us know how you get on x

Bram