I'm having chronic migraines. My neurologist thinks they might be caused by focal seizures.

Anybody else having problems with these, and if so, what medications are you taking?

I was on 1200 mg of neurontin / day, but have been taken off of that in favor of tegretol to control the seizures. I've been in chronic pain for the past 3-4 weeks and I really can't take it much longer.

I hear you. Thanks to a major TBI, I've had a headache that while it varies in intensity, has been with me every single minute for almost three years. I know how it wears you down. Frankly, if I didn't have a small child...

Unfortunately, my neuro thinks that there is nothing that can help this sort of headache, so that's what he gives me. Others here are getting relief from various medications like Topamax and plain old acetaminophen and I'm sure they'll be along to share their experiences. I suggested some of these meds to my neuro - and he just sneered at me. I've got to think you'll have better luck with your doc: the world can't really be big enough to accommodate two a##holes of such enormous proportions.

Like you, I'm on tegretol. How high is your dose? I ask because one of the possible side effects of that drug is HEADACHE!!!!!!

I know it's hard, but hang in there.

Right now I'm on 400mg a day, but will be jumping up to 600mg / day in a few days.

Tegretol is given by weight. If you're a big guy, 600mg isn't too out there, but it's climbing. My new dose made my druggest gasp and insist on confirming with the neuro. What's sad is when we take big doses and get little relief.

You'll have to see how you handle the 600mg. I'd keep a journal to see if your headache increases along with the dose. A common alternative to tegretol is Lyrica. It didn't work for me and the withdrawl was murder, but some people really like it.

Have you tried accupuncture for your headaches? It's generally not that effective against PCS headache, but it's worth a try. I can't remember, has a good chiro checked out your neck for contributing issues? Some of the folks here also swear by biofeedback. I'm trying to save my pennies to give that a whirl.

Hang in There!

Thanks dude, I'll give accupuncture a try. It's weird sometimes the headaches are really bad, like a typical 'headache' but most of the time it's more like 'pressure'... Like my brain is too big for my head, or my head is wrapped really tightly in a towel or something.

Just hoping I get back to normal or close to normal.. it's really wrecking my life.

Yeah, I know the "head won't fit in skull" feeling. There are times when I seriously think my head will explode. I really feel the headache at the temples and at my eyebrows, too.

With the accupuncture, they can put in needles that you can wear for three days at a time. I find it can help if they put them in to lower my stress level. If I keep my blood pressure down, the headache seems less pronounced.

Hey Hockey,

You really ought to try Amitriptyline. I have found that it helps my headaches, whereas other headache pills such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) did not help.

If your neurologist doesn't want to try anything, just go to someone else. Ordinary non-specialists such as your primary care doctor can prescribe this. It doesn't have to be a neurologist. You can start at a low dose 10mg nightly and work up. I believe you can go as high as 150 mg nightly.
I take 12.5 mg nightly and it seems to help me.
It also helps you sleep and I don't think that it is adictive.
You should check it out.

CS

Originally Posted by Hockey
I hear you. Thanks to a major TBI, I've had a headache that while it varies in intensity, has been with me every single minute for almost three years. I know how it wears you down. Frankly, if I didn't have a small child...

Unfortunately, my neuro thinks that there is nothing that can help this sort of headache, so that's what he gives me. Others here are getting relief from various medications like Topamax and plain old acetaminophen and I'm sure they'll be along to share their experiences. I suggested some of these meds to my neuro - and he just sneered at me. I've got to think you'll have better luck with your doc: the world can't really be big enough to accommodate two a##holes of such enormous proportions.

Like you, I'm on tegretol. How high is your dose? I ask because one of the possible side effects of that drug is HEADACHE!!!!!!

I know it's hard, but hang in there.
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hi hock


I have had daily HAs for two years but thankfully they are relieved by laying down ,but very wearing I take strong pain meds if I have to, perhaps you could get referred to a specialist head ache clinic I know there is some in the states


an old friend on another site said this little pearl of wisdom

IF THE DOCTOR DISMISSES YOU !!! DISMISS THE DOCTOR !!!!

but not until you have one with ears

I was on Neurontin myself for a while and it didn't seem to do much for me except make it hard for me to think clearly. I called it morontin. I now take topamax. I didn't think that it helped that much until I stopped taking it. About 2 weeks later I was running to CVS to refill the script. I had done the lyrica and tegretol as well. For me the topamax has been the best, but everyone is different. I must say though, that nothing makes me headache free. The meds make it where I'm not laid up in the bed everyday with one so bad that I can't function.

Funny you call it Morontin, because when I was on Topamax, I called that medication "Dope-a-max". Made me feel like a zombie.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.