Ask the Clinician: Answers to Readers' Questions

7) I have suffered from migraines for about 10 years. I have tried may different medication and found the triptans to be the most effective. My question (problem) is .. My migraines last anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. How can I control my 72 hr migraines when there is a dose limit of 2 for most) every 24 hours? Thank You, Trina.
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8) I have suffered from headaches/migraines for fifteen years (since graduating high school). I have tried everything you can imagine: chiropractic, acupuncture, antidepressants, antiseizure medication, just to name a few. I am currently going to physical therapy and am taking Relpax. Relpax has been the first medication that actually works in I can't remember how long. I am very concerned though because my migraines seem to be coming even more frequently then before and I am now taking the Relpax almost daily. Could the medicine be making them worse ? What are the side effects of long term use?
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9) I am wondering if you are aware of increased stomach acid as a side effect of Topamax? I had stomach ulcer(s) prior to taking Topamax, but the problem worsened significantly after starting Topamax (titrating up to 100 mg). I now need to take Protonix 40 mg x2 daily and still need to take occasional antacids in the middle of the day. The Topamax has helped my head so much, I hate to think I'd have to go off of it for the sake of my stomach, but I'm afraid it may come to that. My doctor has so few patients on Topamax and is not sure whether the Topamax is to blame for the increased stomach problem. Any thoughts? Thanks, Patty.
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10) I have been seeing my current neurologist for headaches since Jan 2003. I have had headaches since March 2001 and have seen a couple of doctors now. My current doctor did an MRV in Feb. At the time - when we reviewed the MRV he said that there was Asymmetrical venous flow in the back of my head (almost now flow at all on the left side) and pronounced veins on the left side of my head. This is where the Bulk of my headache pain is (in an arc around my left ear). He said I either have a blockage or it could be a mutation I've had since birth. He did some blood tests and said there is no mutation. That leads me to believe that there could be a blockage. On top of my constant headache on the left side of my head I also have what he calls complex migraine attacks every 3-5 days. He has now gotten so caught up in the attack headaches that he seems to have forgotten about the venous flow issue and when I bring it up - he acts like he never heard about it before. At my last visit I asked again about the venous flow issue and he replied - most people have a slight prominence of flow on one side or the other - mine is probably on the left and he moved on to the attack headaches again. Am I crazy to be worried that something he told me could be a blockage in my head and he seemed very concerned about initially (and is still causing me increasing, constant pain) might be more serious than he thinks? Kathy.
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11) I am 39-years-old. At age 11, I had an open head injury that caused me to lose some of my cerebral fluid. I started having headaches shortly after that time each year they got worse. I was diagnosed as a migraineur and then went on to being diagnosed with chronic cluster headaches with bouts of hemiparesis. I have been on all classes of medications some I respond to for short periods of times others not at all. Now I am being tested for MERRF disease or mitochondrial myopathathies and I was wondering is there any connection between the injury and recurring headaches or are these diseases separate themselves. Also what type of prognosis is there for MERRF disease? I would appreciate a response at your earliest convenience. Thanking you in advance for your time.
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12) I suffer from Migraine headaches and someone told me about a new product called MigraHealth. I cannot find any information on the internet and my pharmacist states he has not heard of it. Have you heard of MigraHealth and if so, would you be able to tell me where I could purchase this product? I would appreciate any information - thank you.
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