Feeling Hopeless

Hi Linds91,

I'm sorry things are so difficult right now. I know how frustrating, debilitating and exhausting chronic migraine is - you're not alone! We understand and are here for you.

Being in chronic pain is isolating and depressing, and I don't think winter helps! If you need someone else to talk to immediately, let me share some of our crisis resources with you; https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-crisis-help/.

Please don't lose hope!! I know it feels like you've tried everything out there to treat migraine attacks, but that probably isn't true. There are over 100 medications and supplements that can be used for migraine and if we add up the combinations that number goes up dramatically. This article has more information on migraine prevention;
https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-preventives-start/.

There are also many things that can be done to break a nasty cycle. When I'm having a rough time my doctor (who is board certified in headache medicine, which is different than being certified in neurology) gives me an infusion of various medications to help break it. I'll list those medications here so you can discuss them with your doctor;
Brand name Decadron, or dexamethasone
Brand name Depacon, valproate sodium
Brand name Inapsine, or droperidol
Brand name DHE-45 or dihydroergotamine
Brand name Keppra or levetiracetam
ketamine
lidocaine
Brand name Phenegran or promethazine
Brand name Regaln, or metochlopramide
propofol
Brand name Ultram or tramadol

Something to keep in mind is that when we start new medications it can take up to 90 days before we see a reduction in migraine frequency and severity as our body adjusts to the new medications. Also during this time potential side effects may lessen. If we don't give each medication fair trial we'll never know which one would have be the one to work! Does that make sense?

By any chance are you taking something every day, or near daily to help relieve pain? It sounds reasonable to take pain relief medications when we are in pain. However, if we take migraine medications and/or pain relievers, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription, more than two to three days a week we may run into something called rebound, or medication overuse headache, moh. And the thing is if we are in a rebound cycle, our migraine attacks may be more difficult to treat and worse, we can end up in a daily cycle of pain that to is hard to break. When you get a minute take a look at this information;https://migraine.com/living-migraine/stop-rebound-headaches/.

I've given you plenty to go over. Will you let me know how you are doing, please?
Nancy

Linds91,
I am sorry to hear this, but understand it and know it all too well. Feeling like I had lost control was probably the worst thing for me, I worked 3 12 hour shifts at a job I LOVED,had 2 school aged children, coached sports teams, volunteered at their school managed the house, the finances and had friends. I have always had migraines, but they just progressively got worse until I could no longer work, luckily my kids are too old to want me around (high school and college), I've given up the house responsibilities to their dad,my friends have drifted away ( I get it, you can only cancel on someone so many times before they just stop asking) and I no longer drive. May I make a suggestion? Have you thought about your mental health? You may need an antidepressant (I know, another pill, right)? And you would definitely benefit from some therapy (I know, you can barely get dressed, let alone go see a therapist). I drag myself once a week, regardless of whether I've showered or not. I may very well be in sweatpants, a t shirt and Uggs and I always have on sunglasses even when it's not sunny, but it gives me a chance to unload my pain, my frustration, my sadness all on to someone who gets paid to listen and the bonus is, she helps, sometimes she recommends something that I haven't tried or thought about and the bonus is you won't get that feeling that she resents you like you might when you break down to a loved one. Treating migraines isn't always about just treating the migraine. I wish you well, I have been where you are many times and I will end up there again, because migraines are evil. But hope is not lost. This community is here for you and a good therapist and an antidepressant could be just the extra boost you need to get out of the funk you are in right now.
Much Love'
Dana