Migraines

wiggyslilsis

Anybody have experience with being diagnosed with migraines? My pediatrician diagnosed me based on symptoms but we never did any tests or treatments. Then, while pregnant, I started having migraines daily so my OB prescribed me fiorcet and it works great. I still have some but I have started getting migraines 3-4 times a week so I think it is time to go to my primary care. I was told not to take fiorcet regularly.

She told me to deal with my endometriosis first and come back when Iwant to address the migraines. She said we will start with an MRI of my head but I don't know what to expect after that. They would be mainly looking for a pituitary tumor with the MRI especially with my history of growth hormone deficiency but she ddoesn't think they will find anything. Anybody know of any other testing and what other treatments I could be looking at?

sgautschi

I would try and get hormone testing. You could have wacky levels, especially with the endo.

carcrashheart

Yep. I think it was stupid advice to deal with the endo first. I've been dx with chronic excessive migraines (13+/mo). At my height I was having them daily. During pregnancy I took my imitrex, which didn't always work, and had shots done in the back of my head. I had daily migraines and dibilitating pain through 21-22w. They came back in November, just as bad, but in may we finally figured out that time it was the Zoloft so I switched meds. My daily preventative keeps me around 4ish/month. Before pregnancy I could easily have 13/mo. It's terrible.

After the MRI they will discuss a treatment plan, maybe do some blood work. A daily preventative will likely be suggested (I would bet money they RX topomax or amitryptaline first).

A few things to try:
Limit caffeine intake to no more than 12oz/day. It is not often realized that it is more often a trigger than a reliever.
Magnesium supplements (1000mg/day).
Exercise/sweat 30 min day.
Meditate 30 min day (yoga, meditation, etc).
Sleep (if possible).
Determine your triggers if possible (common: caffeine, alcohol, smoke, thirst/hunger). I never bother with even a glass of wine anymore, not worth it.

You should also move on to a neuro. Your pcp can only help so much.

The fioricet is a rescue drug, so they may keep you on that or change it. You should only take a rescue med 2-3/wk. sometimes I'm more than within that limit, other times not even close. I take imitrex & naproxen. But there are a plethora of options.

I don't believe the endo is really related. Hormones could be it but that doesn't mean it can necessarily be helped (the hormones).

I have taken/done what feels like everything. Even Botox in my head (30 needle pricks. I had a frozen forehead for weeks. Hated that.). Migraines don't really respond to heat or ice since they aren't muscular.

Good luck!

wiggyslilsis

Thanks @carcrashheart I knew you had experience and I was hoping you would come in here. My PCP wanted me to tackle one problem at a time but FWIW I haven't actually found a PCP I care for so I am just settling for this one who will send me to whatever specialist I want to go to.

Also, thanks for the tips. I have noticed that I can no longer drink wine without getting one and I try to limit my caffeine. Also, when I exercise daily I do feel better but it is hard to do when you wake up with a migraine as I am sure you know! The hardest thing is waking up in the middle of the night to my daughter crying and having one.

@sgautschi I asked about hormone testing with my OB/GYN but she said at this point the testing would be pointless without more information because the numbers for what is normal are so broad I could fall into normal numbers and still need help. She suggested I explore my issues further with my PCP and possibly see an endocrinologist. My pediatrician was a pediatric endocrinologist which is why I went to him for the growth hormones.

greenbeanqueen

I have nerve damage in my neck, so I have stress/tension induced headaches that my doctor called migraines (not sure if they are typical migraines or something else) that I was prescribed Flexeril and Nortriptyline for. Neither are safe during pregnancy so I have stopped taking both.

Limiting caffeine really helps day to day, but sometimes when I get one of these headaches, caffeine helps ease it at the time. Also drinking a lot of water regularly tends to reduce the number of these headaches I get. Exercise/meditation/resting help. 

I would agree with @sgautschi though because hormonal imbalance can produce headaches resembling migraines in some women, so I would start there and then see a neurologist if that doesn't work. 

wiggyslilsis

Thanks @greenbeanqueen My migraines have always been hormone related. When I was a teen and before birth control I would get one exactly 6 days before AF every month. I have also had then in relation to my lupron treatment, pregnancy, post partum and switching birth controls.

If I could I would not be on a hormonal birth control but to keep my endo suppressed I take pills with no period week. Oh and the hormone thing is partially why they want to look at my pituitary gland again. They saw nothing wrong with it when I was three but it clearly isn't working right so that concerns them.

wiggyslilsis

I have also started getting an aura before them that includes dizzyness and nausea. Not fun. My aura used to just be blurry vision and sensitivity to light.