I used to just get a severe migraine once a year. Now over the past few months they have increased to several a week. I am having a horrible flare right now for the last two weeks with aching, squeezing, stabbing pain in my neck and shoulders and tightness. It’s so tight that I’m afraid to get a massage because I’m afraid it will make it will make it worse. My hubby is a PT and he said the muscles are like ropes and didn’t know if it was a good idea.
Anyway, last night I had a severe migraine, on a 10 scale of pain. I couldn’t even move or speak for a while. I had to take a phenergan suppository. 1, then 2 Frova, Kenalog, 2 Pamlor. I finally went to sleep but not well. It has eased up this morning and I’m better now, thank God!
I can’t handle all of this pain, my head or body or BOTH. My neuro increased my Topamax for Migraines. My rheum started me on Gralise (type of neurontin) for pain. I’m on day 3.
This might be a stupid question, but are migraines common with fibro?
i have them HORRIBLY and i was told by my GP that they are common. i have found that taking an excedrin migraine at least eases the intensity of them enough that i can stop throwing up and manage to sleep it off a bit better. i actually prefer it over perscription meds,. hang in there! i completely understand your pain and frustration with them. i've been getting one a week for almost 7 years now!
I have suffered from them since I was 13. Worst was either right before, during or after my period. I have taken corgard, hydochlorithiaxide and Benacar proactively for the last 2 years to help with keeping my blood pressure down so when I do get one its not flat on my back in the bathroom or the ER. When I feel one coming on I take fioricet and if that doesn’t keep it at bay or if I wake up with one ( usually the case) I take a 5 mg Zomig. I too use an anti- nausea suppository to help with vomiting.
I have been through all the migraine meds - imitrex, topomax, etc. the best has been what I now take. I can honestly say that ever since I went to a TMJ doc and got a splint for the TMJ I have had for years but went undiagnosed - has helped me immensely.
For me, it's kinda the other way around. I first developed migraines with aura when I was 12. Back then, I had them about once or twice a week. After puberty, when I hit my 20ies (I'm almost 30 now), it became less. Though sometimes, the attacks themselves are worse than before.
Now I have them about once a month, though it's hard to tell the differences between a real migraine headache and tension headaches.
Strangely enough, migraines WITH aura tend to be milder than the attacks without. The nausea accompanying the attacks occassionally has become worse since my diagnosis.
As far as I know and from what I've read, a lot of fibro patients have migraine headaches. But I can't say if that's really connected to the fibro itself.
Hi Deena - Oh!! Absolutely do I have migraines. They started right around the same time I got FIbro. I still get them to this day - sometimes several a week, like you. Mine comes from the Arthritis on both sides of my neck. You might want a doctor to see if you have Arthritis there. Most importantly, over the years I have MRI's taken of my head to rule out in tumors or anyuerisms. Now that I have that out of the way - I can concentrate on what is really giving me the headaches. Feel better - I know how much they hurt! Hugs! Laurie
Deena~I definitely get migraines as well and also take Topamax for prevention. My neuro also has me on magnesium and B-2 which definitely help as well. I take Relpax when I get migraines and it usually works pretty well. Over the years I have also learned what a lot of my triggers are so I try to avoid them. Unfortunately that’s definitely not foolproof. Whenever I get a migraine cluster that doesn’t respond to the Relpax, or only slightly goes away and then comes back my neuro gives me a steroid dose pack where I take six pills one day, five the next, four the next, etc. It has always worked for me and I suspect that given all the muscle tension and neck pain you’re talking about that it might work for you as well. Good luck and let us know how you’re doing honey .
I know a few people with fibro who get them. One was diagnosed with Arnold-Chiari syndrome that was diagnosed after an upright MRI. I read some about it and wish I could remember the link because it said those with migraines should have an upright (standing) MRI to rule out Chiari. This isn't the link I saw that on but this explains Chiari.
It's very interesting to read every ones responses. Reasons and symptoms sure vary. I had full on migraines in my late 20's. After about a year they stopped. I never knew why I had them. Then many years later in my late 40's I got migraines as a result of taking effexor. Over time and several docs we reduced the amount of effexor and have now added a tiny amount of celexa to help with anxiety, depression and fibro pain and it's fine. (I take other meds too).. No migraines. I was diagnosed with fibro about 5 years ago in my early 50's.
I sure hope you can find out whats causing yours and get them stopped. Hugs.
Hi Deena, I too have migraines several times a week. Sometims I wake up with one. It's usually on my right side along with pain in my jaw, ear and teeth. I usually take OTC pain meds to reduce the intensity. What I've also noticed is that after a massage or any physio work on my neck and shoulders, the headache comes on and stays for quite a while. As far as I understand, it's very common with fibro :-(
Hi Simmy - about a year ago, I was at the doctor's office for an appointment with my nurse, Megan. I mentioned to her that I thought getting massages would help me. She had a fit!! She told me absolutely not!! It makes the Fibro worse and can bring on headaches, if you have previously had them. I do miss my massages from years ago, but I didn't have problems then. Hugs! Laurie
I have been having a time with migraines as well. My rheumatologist told me last Friday it’s normal and usually my neurotin would work preventatively. Not happening so my neuro put me on Medrol. I have needed it twice in a week. It seemed to help quite a bit! I still hurt everywhere but minus the headache!
They are for me, in fact that was the first real symptom that I had. I have some of the worse migraines that my neuro has every seem. When I get one if I don't catch if early I will always end in the ER and usually hospitalized for at least a day or two. One time they had me on so much pain medication that they actually put me in respiratory distress. I have been on every migraine medication known to man. I am currently on celexa and valporic acid daily and then migrinal nasal spray for when I start to get one but if that doesn't work into the ER I go. I also get cluster headaches which are migraines on steroids, they never get to the debilitating state but are right on the verge and last of weeks. I have one know that I have been fighting for about 3 weeks.
Deena, no question is stupid and it's good you ask about migranes. I used to get one the day before my period. I would lay in a dark room and couldnt move my head. They were depilitating. Im post menopausal now and dont have them. One good thing about getting old! But I remember vividly what they felt like and to have them on a regular basis must be awful. Sue xoxo
