Migraines & Headaches Community

I feel your pain. I am also 24 and had migraines start suddenly about 3 years ago. I went through what seems like every migraine medication in the book, and even a few my doctor thought might help, even though they were not for migraines. Someone suggested acupuncture to me and I was at the end of my rope so I tried it. The belief is that the needles let out energy that is pent up and draw in energy where its needed. I don't believe in that hocus pocus so the medical theory is that it trains your body to release endorphins better and faster. It worked for me. I highly recommend it. I, of course, can't guarantee it will work for you but I think its worth a try if nothing else is working. I couldn't say on the topamax. I did take it for a while but I never saw any benefits from the medications I took, just the side effects to the worst degree. I hope this helps you.

I would love to email you some information about nerve compression. There are so many people out there that suffer from this and simply don't know because it is a newer consept in medicine. If you would like some information you can email me at migrainegirl04@yahoo.com . Hope you feel better.

I feel your pain, too. If it helps any, it really seems that a LOT of people suffer from migraines and that a LOT of those people find something that works for them. I feel like I've tried everything -- I'm 45, I've been getting migraines since I was in my early 20s -- but every time I feel like giving up I find something new or different that wasn't recommended before. I guess that's what keeps me going, the hope that SOMETHING will eventually work for me. Topamax made me really dopey, so I went off it because of that. A lot of women swear by Botox, but after a year, it really hasn't helped me at all. I tried acupuncture for many years and loved it, but it honestly never really helped my migraines. Massage also feels great, but... My new doctor prescribed Frova, which is helping me take Imitrex less; Indomethacin to give my liver a break from ibuprofin/Tylenol combos; an occipital nerve block (it sort of helped); and to visit a sleep doctor and see if we can resolve my excessive daytime sleepiness (a problem I've had since middle school). Apparently a lot of migraine sufferers also suffer fatigue... this is the first I've heard of it, but it makes sense. Anyway, don't despair. At the very least it's good to know there are others out there who deal with this issue, too, and are sensitive to it. Is your doctor a headache specialist, a neurologist? If not, switch to one immediately. At the very least you want to see someone who sees a lot of headache patients.

Thank you so much for your insight.. It does help to know that i'm not alone out here suffering thru this. Ive tried massage as well, and that really doesn't seem to make a difference except in my bank account. I have not seen a neurologist yet. I am planning on seeing one within this year. Right now I dont have any type of insurance, so everything is totally out of pocket for me, and it gets expensive. Once I get married this July, I will be on my fiance's insurance which is really good, and one of the first things he wants me to do is to use the insurance to my advantage and go see a neurologist. I tend to deal with the sleepiness as well, and never knew that it was common for ppl with migranes. Ive been on so many different medicines and it seems that they work well at first for like a month or maybe two and then after that its almost like my body rejects them and then i'm right back to suffering again. Imitrex is one of the medicines that has never worked for me. I recently went off of my topamax because of the unexplained knee pain that I was suffering as well. Ive been off of it for probably a week or so now, and the knee pain has diminished. My doctor is uncertain about this. He doesnt seem to think that topamax could cause such pain. My only worry is that I am currently not taking any medicine for my migranes, and I'm sure that they are gonna return very soon. The good thing is that even being off of the topamax, i havent had any migranes yet, so im hopeful. although i know its only a matter of time. thank you for your insight. its really helpful.

I am sorry you are suffering so much. There is a lot of information out there, more than there used to be, so stick with it, and have your fiance accompany you whenever possible to your dr app'ts, because it is hare to stay clear, and take good notes when it is you the doc is talking about. Try to get an app't with a headache specialist who is a neurologist. Most neurologists don't specialize in headaches. Neurology is a very big field, and if you go to a neurologist whos interest is strokes you will not get good information. Also look up on this website the discussion about Topomax. There is a lot of good information there, and this drug, although it can work miracles for some, has a lot of side effects especially with the generic version. I am not surprised at the pain it caused, it does some wierd things and everyone is different. Most of the medications I have taken in my 41 yrs of suffering with migraines have worked once, and once only. You are not alone in this. This is why you need to find a headache neurologist or a headache clinic. Good luck, and I hope all this helps.