chronic headaches

Omo2three · #1 07-02-2009, 01:26 PM

I have been having one migraine after another sometimes lasting three days.
OTC meds sometimes work....

I went to my Dr. and she prescribed anti anxiety meds for prophylactic treatment. She stated that since its been ongoing its chronic and even when I don't have a true headache pain the foggy head and blurred vision are indicators of headache present. WTH?

Anyone here take headache meds? Curious what works for you...
I am so tired of being dragged down with the migraines. I can't function with them, BTW that is why I have not been online much.

I drink coffee, diet pepsi in the morning just to get started....not both one or the other...I am wondering if the caffeine or nutra sweet are factors in the migraines.

I hate to be tired down to prescriptions...but it has to be better than just suffering with headaches.

If this is garbled its the headache..or can I blame perimenapause?

Brain tumor? I hope not!

s0ccerfreak · #2 07-02-2009, 02:14 PM

Last august I started having daily headaches. I started working with my gp, everything came back as fine and because of all my other conditions she sent me to a neurologist. He gave me Topamax as a prevantive and Fioricet or Maxalt for when I have headaches/migraines. We slowly built up the dose to where we are now. I am happy to say that I am now only have 1-3 headaches a week and feeling a lot better. I see him every 3 months and talk to his nurse in between visits.

StillMamamia · #3 07-02-2009, 02:32 PM

I get migraines when it's too light inside or out.
I also used to get them:
1) the week before my period (TMI

)
2) after huge stress

Sometimes though it can be a misalignement of sorts in your spinal cord. Bad posture or something like that. Stress can sometimes make us hunch (sp?) over our shoulders and put undue pressure on some nerves which can then cause headaches. Just a thought.

No real advice or meds info.

Massages, yoga may help.

Meds may help.

The caffeine is a double-edged thing. Some say it causes headaches. Others say it actually increases blood flow, so less headaches. Read that somewhere, can't remember where.

Hang in there. And don't google too much.

NicksMother · #4 07-02-2009, 02:39 PM

I see a neurologist (who specializes in headaches) for my migraines. According to him, a person who gets migraines is sensative to change. I take Topamax daily to try and prevent the migraines. I take Imitrex when I get a headache.

Some lifestyle changes the doctor recommended:
1. No more then 1 beverage with caffeine a day
2. Only limited amounts of Splenda - no other artificial sweeteners
3. Maintain a regular schedule- go to bed at the same time everyday, get up at the same time everyday, eat meals at the same time everyday
4. Hydration - drink 40-60 ozs. of non-caffeinated beverage a day
5. Daily exersice

Colleen · #5 07-02-2009, 02:40 PM

I have good results from Fiorinol. It has the following in it aspirin/butalbital/caffeine . I have used imitrex and others, but this one works the best for me.

Gaia · #6 07-02-2009, 02:41 PM

Now see, lack of caffiene gives me a headache. My dr gave me samples of a migraine med called Frova. It does seem to help. Also chamomile tea does. Theres also an OTC called 5HTP that taken daily can prevent headaches. It does work, The only reason I stopped taking it is it was contraindicated in one of my meds. Lay in a dark room w/ a cool wet rag. Try a hotbath too. Sometimes the key is relaxing although I know how hard that is.

I hope you feel better!! I get a lot of headaches - almost daily so I can understand how you feel. There are also herbal remedies that I can check out for you if you like.

Omo2three · #7 07-02-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSUMom

Sheryl, the diet coke every day would give me a migraine every day. Aspartame is a trigger for me - a diet coke once in a while is okay for me - but every day I would be suffering like you. The first thing I would do before starting any prescription medicine is remove the diet coke, but keep the coffee to be honest. If you remove all caffeine, you will probably have headaches from caffeine removal. Ugh.

I believe you are on to something there. I have a confession to make......

I am addicted to diet pepsi..seriously, I crave it! I drink at least 3 to 5 servings a day. I am going to try the diet elimination first......it was my one vice besides Ice cream.
warning maybe moody and seriously crabby next few days!

Omo2three · #8 07-02-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicksMother

I see a neurologist (who specializes in headaches) for my migraines. According to him, a person who gets migraines is sensative to change. I take Topamax daily to try and prevent the migraines. I take Imitrex when I get a headache.

Some lifestyle changes the doctor recommended:
1. No more then 1 beverage with caffeine a day
2. Only limited amounts of Splenda - no other artificial sweeteners
3. Maintain a regular schedule- go to bed at the same time everyday, get up at the same time everyday, eat meals at the same time everyday
4. Hydration - drink 40-60 ozs. of non-caffeinated beverage a day
5. Daily exersice

I am copying and pasting this...and putting it on my frig in big bold letters! I have a Rx for imitrex and Amitrityline, nervous about all the side effects. My brother had trouble with some of them. Headaches run in our family, grandma, my dad, my brother....

I almost grabbed a diet pepsi....I am taking your advice...drinking water.

ROVERT81402 · #9 07-02-2009, 08:46 PM

I used to get these darn headaches all the time, now they are few and far between. I have one right now that I have had for 4 days, sometimes it fades, but its still there. I used to take imitrex for them, but it didn't always work and it made me tired and feel sick. Now, I just deal with it the best I can, by taking tylenol, and drinking water. I always think that when I go to sleep, I will wake up and it weill be gone, but it never is. They tend to last for a week or so.

NicksMother · #10 07-02-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omo2three

I am copying and pasting this...and putting it on my frig in big bold letters! I have a Rx for imitrex and Amitrityline, nervous about all the side effects. My brother had trouble with some of them. Headaches run in our family, grandma, my dad, my brother....

I almost grabbed a diet pepsi....I am taking your advice...drinking water.

You may want to cut back on the caffeine a little at a time to avoid a withdrawl headache. If you are used to a lot of caffeine and then stop completely, that's a sure fire way to trigger a headache.