Skip to content
My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
Debilitating Migraines please help me
avatar
An_245041 posted:
im a 21 year old college student and have been experiencing migraines since junior high (13 years old) my migraines are the worst i have heard of. It starts with vision or "aura" my periphreal vision goes away and if I look directly at writing I cannot see it (blind spot), next usually my hands will go numb followed by my arm and then by my face. At this point I am in panic mode. Then the headache sets in. if it progresses, which it usually does I will begin vomiting violently, often with the result of throwing up small amounts of blood. at this point anything I ingest is pointless (medication will be useless). I have had to take a suppository to prevent vomitting just so I can keep something in my stomach. The vomitting has lasted as long as 5 hours only to stop when I use a suppository. the headache will continue for 2-3 days and for about a week, I have what is described as a migrain hang over where my coordination and vision are not quite right and just feel pretty terrible.

IMPORTANT: the last few times if have had a migraine it was not long after intense cardiovascular activity and sweating.

What can I do to prevent these, ease the symptoms, recover more quickly. I am desperately seeking answers as my migraines my it impossible to get school work done.
Reply
 
avatar
jenlewi responded:
Have you seen a specialist for your headaches yet? Make sure you keep an accurate headache diary for a minimum of two weeks before your appointment, a month is better. If you're claustrophobic, make sure you tell your doctor before being sent for tests. Being shoved into a closed CAT-scan without medication in the throes of a migraine is extremely unpleasant for claustrophobic migraine sufferers, and for most tests, if you admit to nervousness beforehand, they'll pre-medicate you. My first CAT-scan 25 years ago was terrible, but now I ask for medication and it's not so bad.
 
avatar
carpetcrawler5 responded:
Also, drink coffee right away right when the aura starts.

Did whoever gave you the suppositories ever give you Imitrex? Or any type of preventative? A dr can start you out on this.
 
avatar
Laur1981 responded:
I first would like to say that I am a nursing student and did this upon the advice of my teacher and my neurologist. I have found that taking 500mg of magnesium when I first wake up wards off a migraine. I was taking topamax for them but getting bad side effects (neuropathy, metallic taste in mouth) but I would go see a neurologist and have an MRI done just in case.


Helpful Tips

Occipital Nerve
I have a pinched occipital nerve. The only thing that helps m e long term is a chiropractic adjustment.Hope this helps. More
Was this Helpful?
1 of 1 found this helpful

Related Drug Reviews

  • Drug Name User Reviews

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

FDAYou are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For more information, visit the Duke Health Pain Disorders Center