Question: Chronic Migraines, nothing has worked, high air pressure frequent trigger?
Answer:
Full Question:
What hope can you give a near 60-year old who has had chronic, severe Migraine for 50 years? Treatment has been from ergotamine to sumatriptan, Botox to PFO closure, aspirin to Methysergide, homoeopathy to acupuncture to osteopathy, feverfew to lavender, B2 to B6, magnesium to calcium combined, sunglasses to hats, amitriptyline to Digoxin and so on, and on, and on. Very simply it appears all has been attempted, hopefully that is not a correct statement. To envisage another 20-odd years with severe repetitive Migraine (1 in two days), doses not fill one with joy. But jumping off a building might. The depression that envelops an individual in this state surely provokes the frequency and severity of attacks, can you suggest anything else that may assist? Many of my attacks are provoked by a return to a high air pressure, (bright blue sky syndrome)? Thank you.
Answer:
Dear Migraineur;
You said, "Very simply it appears all has been attempted, hopefully that is not a correct statement." No, that is not a correct statement. There are now over 100 medications and supplements that can be used for Migraine prevention, not to mention the virtually endless combinations of them. Here's some information on preventives:
Medications for Headache and Migraine Prevention
For those of us with frequent headaches or Migraine attacks, preventive
medications, dietary supplements, and even medical devices are often a good
option. There are over 100 medications that can be used and nearly endless
combinations of them. The list is ever-evolving, and will this one will be
updated regularly.
One issue that comes up regularly in studies of chronic Migraine is a high rate of medication overuse headache, aka rebound headache. Here's information on that issue:
Medication Overuse Headache: What's a person to do?
Unfortunately, it seems that any medication we take for headache or
Migraine relief has the potential to cause medication overuse headache if
used more than two or three days a week. We need to learn as much about it
as possible. Let’s take a look at what causes it, how to avoid it, and other
important issues.
Changes in barometric pressure frequently affect Migraineurs. Many find that a good preventive regimen reduces the frequency and severity of those Migraines. Also, some take a Migraine abortive medication such as a triptan before flying or otherwise traveling to higher elevations. That's not really an option as a preventive if you live at a higher elevation, but perhaps an option if you travel to higher elevations occasionally.
We can't really suggest specific treatments for you, but what we can and do suggest is that you avail yourself of the services of a good Migraine specialist. If you need it, there's a link below to our directory of recommended specialists.
Good luck,
Teri Robert and John Claude Krusz
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To visit our directory of recommended specialists and clinics, click
HERE.
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Published May 8, 2006
