Migraines

[EricKei]

Here's the problem with doctors and migraines... no one who has never suffered a migraine themselves understand how devastating migraines are. Doctors tell you to suck it up or quit being a baby or give you pain meds that don't work because they simply cannot comprehend the suffering that goes with a migraine.

Seconded. I'm afraid I can only mildly sympathise with those of you that suffer from these on a regular basis, because I've only had one "headache" that turned into a full-on migraine, ever...But it was enough to convince me that siting down on the floor of a darkened pizza joint restroom was superior to the alternative, that of letting light in (I was working at DaddyJim's at the time). It's been so long, but I still remember what it felt like -- I could only describe the pain as "acute"; somewhere beyond what I had previously considered to fall under the realm of the conventional definition of pain.

I used to think that having a leg cramp bad enough to prevent *walking* for upwards of an hour hurt a lot (I used to get those monthly if not more often -- you can't "walk it off" if you can't get your leg to unfold)...But compared to migraines, they're nothing >_< The migraine was like a massive series of charlie horses in my brain, all tied together and focussed on one spot...

Aside from what's been said above -- Maybe see if you can locate a Pain Specialist in your area if you can't get a good neurologist. If anyone is going to take pain seriously...

[Sapphire Silk]

That's true about the seizure medications, but most doctors don't prescribe them unless your migraine attacks are seriously crippling you and nothing else is working. They often have significant side effects.

I had not heard of anti-depressants being used to treat migraine. I was on a mild anti-depressant for a short period of time, some years ago. I wish I had kept a migraine diary at that time, so I'd know if there was any difference for me.

Oh, doctors use anti-depressants for pain management all the time. And use of these meds is actually pretty standard treatment for migraines. I was on Depakote for years, and it worked quite well.

Not to mention beta blockers can also have some whacked side effects ... pretty much any med for migraines can have unexpected side effects.

True. Sexual side effects, hair loss, hypotension, diabetes, heart block.

I'm on a beta blocker for my high blood pressure. Been on it a few months. I'm due to have my blood sugar checked soon . . . if it is up I may ask my doctor to change my meds.