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from John Claude Krusz, MD, PhD and Teri Robert
August 24, 2004, page 2
Dr. Krusz is a recognized expert in the fields of headache and Migraine treatment and pain treatment. To read more about Dr. Krusz, click HERE.
If you have a question for this section of our site, please click HERE. Questions will be answered by publishing the answers here. Please note: We cannot handle emergencies or diagnose via the Internet. For those questions, please see your physician.
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5) I am currently a 39 year old woman in relatively good shape. I was diagnosed with migraines back in my teens and have had them throughout the years. Over the years I have had multiple CT scans, seen several neurologists, kept the headache diaries, etc. so I feel pretty confident that I know a migraine when I see one. From the headache diaries, we discovered that most of my migraines occur either right before or during the week of my menstrual cycle - not an uncommon thing. Normally I would get one every 3-4 months so I was extremely worried about them. In the past my migraines were primarily without aura however recently I have had an increased frequency of migraines and they all are migraines with aura. In the past month I have had at least 5 migraines that I can remember. The headache pain is slightly less severe but the optical problems caused by the aura keep me from functioning. (it is hard to do work on a computer when you can't see half the screen). I don't think I am under any more stress than usual....as a matter of fact I was under much greater stress last year and did not have nearly the amount of migraines that I am experiencing now. My question is could this increased frequency be caused by an pre-menopausal state? Since my migraines were originally associated more with menstrual cycle, I was wondering if there was a link. Lori.
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6) So glad to find the migraine site. I have had migraines since age 12 and figured out early that I couldn't stay in bed too long and have always got up as soon as I wake up. If I dare to go back to sleep in the morning I will wake up with a migraine. I identified other triggers early also, such as smoke or fumes. I diaried my headaches for years. They have many triggers. Weather, light, etc. All the usual stuff. My problem is that for years I've taken Fiorinal with codeine because it works best for me. Imitrex makes me feel "muddy" and only seems to put the migraine behind a curtain, I can feel it lurking. I was pregnant when I found out my headaches were migraines and for years I took nothing at all for them, just toughed my way through them. My problem is this: My doctor will not renew my prescription and has labeled me as a drug seeker so nobody will prescribe this medication. I'm using Imitrex, which is better than nothing. Needless to say I dumped my doctor. I had a good doctor for years that moved away and have not been happy with anyone new. I don't abuse my medication...but I am 61 years old and my migraines have suddenly picked up in frequency. I stopped charting them during perimenopause because at that time they got horrid and totally off the charts with nausea, agitation and total inability to function through one. That was when I started taking the Fiorinal with codeine. Somebody gave me one of theirs and it worked so I got a prescription. Rarely did my migraines used to go longer than 3 days but recently they seem to go all week long. I mentioned to my doctor I was wondering if they were rebounds and that's when she refused to give me any more Fiorinal. If they are rebounds, will the Imitrex eventually cause rebounds as well? It isn't as affective for me and if I'm going to get rebounds, I prefer the less expensive and more affective Fiorinal. Pam.
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7) My 11-year-old son experiences pain in the back of his head that makes him nauseous and causes him to have to lie down. He asks for us to turn down tv's, turn off lights, etc. We give him acetaminophen and a cold gel pack, and he usually will just go to sleep and wake up feeling better. He is short-tempered and irritable by nature, being very serious about life in general. The headache he had last night came on right after a Little League baseball game. The headaches generally occur after he has been playing outside for a long time. He is a picky eater and doesn't eat a balanced diet. He also has asthma. Your thoughts?
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8) I have been suffering from severe allergies for about 6 years. I have a headache every day of my life. This has been going on for such a long time. It has gotten to were just a regular Allergy Sinus Headache Relief medication is not working anymore. Excedrin Migraine is the only medication that takes my headaches away. So I have to take at least 2 of these a day. And I am hoping to get pregnant and I am worried that that is going to affect me trying to get pregnant. What do you think I should do?
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