Astra
Moderator
Been to see the neurologist today at the Walton Centre, Headache Clinic.
This is what we came up with! I have chronic migraines.
Some patients with chronic migraines present with other predominant complaints : - chronic fatigue, neck and/or back pain, generalised body pains, poor memory, forgetfulness, excess sensitivity to light and sound, irritable bowel symptoms, depression and irritability - yup, got all those!
Chronic migraine can start as acute, which gradually become worse over time.
One of the most common features of chronic migraine is that medication to treat acute attacks have stopped working and there has been an escalation to different or stronger meds. Yup, that's me too!
Certain factors may trigger a change from acute to chronic; it is most commonly the intake of painkillers and/or caffeine that keep it going, even small amounts.
Successful management of chronic migraine involves laying down a good foundation of lifestyle; in other words like any foundation, needs to be left in place long term.
* No painkillers/acute attack meds
* No caffeine
* Good hydration
* Regular meals
* Regular sleep
The best stategy in treating chronic migraines is to completely stop all painkillers and all caffeine as an abrupt withdrawal - cold turkey!
Once all painkillers and caffeine are stopped the headaches and other disturbances typically improves to some degree.
She has recommended a preventative med called Amitriptyline! When I said I was already on it, and have been for a year, she said it won't work effectively if there are still painkillers and caffeine still being taken.
She is going to up the dosage to 50mg, but only once the caffeine and painkillers have stopped, usually 2 weeks. There will be an increase in headaches but to bear with it!
The aim is to achieve 28 or more 'brilliantly crystal clear headache free' days per month.
If I'm taking painkillers for the Crohn's however, this will only amplify other types of pain. The mechanism for this amplification is called 'central sensitization' and is the reason why migraines may amplify other normal sensations and make them less tolerable.
For any arthritis pain, she recommended glucosamine.
So, during a migraine attack -
* Over hydrate, drink up to 3 pints of water straight away
* Use 4Head or other localised menthol strips
* Massage temples, neck and scalp
* Apply ice packs
* Rest
Hope this info helps other migraine sufferers, wish me luck in my 'detox'
I've just bought some de caff coffee and haven't had a painkiller since 8am, I'm in pain, but gotta see this thro, hope it woks!
xxxxxxxxxx
This is what we came up with! I have chronic migraines.
Some patients with chronic migraines present with other predominant complaints : - chronic fatigue, neck and/or back pain, generalised body pains, poor memory, forgetfulness, excess sensitivity to light and sound, irritable bowel symptoms, depression and irritability - yup, got all those!
Chronic migraine can start as acute, which gradually become worse over time.
One of the most common features of chronic migraine is that medication to treat acute attacks have stopped working and there has been an escalation to different or stronger meds. Yup, that's me too!
Certain factors may trigger a change from acute to chronic; it is most commonly the intake of painkillers and/or caffeine that keep it going, even small amounts.
Successful management of chronic migraine involves laying down a good foundation of lifestyle; in other words like any foundation, needs to be left in place long term.
* No painkillers/acute attack meds
* No caffeine
* Good hydration
* Regular meals
* Regular sleep
The best stategy in treating chronic migraines is to completely stop all painkillers and all caffeine as an abrupt withdrawal - cold turkey!
Once all painkillers and caffeine are stopped the headaches and other disturbances typically improves to some degree.
She has recommended a preventative med called Amitriptyline! When I said I was already on it, and have been for a year, she said it won't work effectively if there are still painkillers and caffeine still being taken.
She is going to up the dosage to 50mg, but only once the caffeine and painkillers have stopped, usually 2 weeks. There will be an increase in headaches but to bear with it!
The aim is to achieve 28 or more 'brilliantly crystal clear headache free' days per month.
If I'm taking painkillers for the Crohn's however, this will only amplify other types of pain. The mechanism for this amplification is called 'central sensitization' and is the reason why migraines may amplify other normal sensations and make them less tolerable.
For any arthritis pain, she recommended glucosamine.
So, during a migraine attack -
* Over hydrate, drink up to 3 pints of water straight away
* Use 4Head or other localised menthol strips
* Massage temples, neck and scalp
* Apply ice packs
* Rest
Hope this info helps other migraine sufferers, wish me luck in my 'detox'
I've just bought some de caff coffee and haven't had a painkiller since 8am, I'm in pain, but gotta see this thro, hope it woks!
xxxxxxxxxx