Chronic Headaches

October 16, 2001

Does anyone else have chronic fibro headaches? I've had two headache free

days in the last year and I am just about at my wits end. This has been

going on for about ten years. Four or five days a week, the pain level

can be controlled with tylenol 3 or even sometimes with over the counter

extra strength stuff, but the other two or three days are horrific. The

headaches are so bad, that they actually make me not care that the rest of

my body hurts.

I work full time - if and when I'm at work. I've missed appointments,

conferences, training sessions, board meetings, speaking engagements, air

line flights, and even a banquet where I was supposed to be the guest of

honour, simply because my head hurt so much that all I could do was lie on

the bed and throw up in an old ice cream pail.

I've had migraines since I was a little kid, but these are not the same.

The migraines usually are treatable with Migranol nose spray and fiorinal

and sleep. But these other bad headache days don't respond well to

anything I've tried so far. All a shot of morphine does is make me not

give a damn for a couple of hours, but it doesn't even dull the pain.

Fiorinal with codeine dulls it, but it dulls me too. I can't function

properly with two of them in me every five hours. Between the migraines

and the fibro headaches, I often feel like hitting myself over the head

with a brick, just to get some relief. They are wearing me out physically

and emotionally.

I've been through a pain clinic, biofeedback, catscans, MRI's, PT - the

whole nine yards. I force myself to have a few pain prescription drug

free days each month, just to make sure that my body has not become

physically dependent on narcotic pain meds, and I have never experienced

rebound or withdrawals, so at least that part is still okay :-) Taking

those narcotic free days doesn't make the headaches come back harder the

next time, but it does give my liver a bit of a rest.

If anyone has some experience, strength and hope to share on this one, I

would really appreciate it.

Thanks

Lyndi

October 16, 2001

Hi all, I also have migraines. They're horrible. I couldn't take Imitrex

because of an allergy to it, but, they put me on Maxalt which is wonderful!

It works rather quickly. I also take Neurontin 4 times daily and it is

supposed to hold the headaches off. It does, as I don't have them several

times a week now, but only a couple of times a month. Someone that has them

less often will probably have them even less on the Neurontin. It also works

as a mood stabilizer which always helps with the depression. Hope this

helps. Shay

Join my new Diabetic Recipes group @

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Recipes4Diabetes

God Bless You All, Shay/Shalynn and the rescue gang;

Max, Samson I, Samson II, Zeuss, Tazz, Walter, Curly, Ralph, Sebastian, Tina

Marie, Bear, Bogie and Jake

October 16, 2001

Hi all, I also have migraines. They're horrible. I couldn't take Imitrex

because of an allergy to it, but, they put me on Maxalt which is wonderful!

It works rather quickly. I also take Neurontin 4 times daily and it is

supposed to hold the headaches off. It does, as I don't have them several

times a week now, but only a couple of times a month. Someone that has them

less often will probably have them even less on the Neurontin. It also works

as a mood stabilizer which always helps with the depression. Hope this

helps. Shay

Join my new Diabetic Recipes group @

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Recipes4Diabetes

God Bless You All, Shay/Shalynn and the rescue gang;

Max, Samson I, Samson II, Zeuss, Tazz, Walter, Curly, Ralph, Sebastian, Tina

Marie, Bear, Bogie and Jake

October 16, 2001

Hi all, I also have migraines. They're horrible. I couldn't take Imitrex

because of an allergy to it, but, they put me on Maxalt which is wonderful!

It works rather quickly. I also take Neurontin 4 times daily and it is

supposed to hold the headaches off. It does, as I don't have them several

times a week now, but only a couple of times a month. Someone that has them

less often will probably have them even less on the Neurontin. It also works

as a mood stabilizer which always helps with the depression. Hope this

helps. Shay

Join my new Diabetic Recipes group @

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Recipes4Diabetes

God Bless You All, Shay/Shalynn and the rescue gang;

Max, Samson I, Samson II, Zeuss, Tazz, Walter, Curly, Ralph, Sebastian, Tina

Marie, Bear, Bogie and Jake

October 16, 2001

In a message dated 10/16/01 8:43:32 AM Central Daylight Time,

IndianaQuilter@... writes:

> The headaches are part of Fibro. Not every one gets them.

>

I have had them since the age of 15, and use Imitrex for mine. But I have a

question for those of you that take these " triptan " type drugs for

migraines....has anyone had the experience of taking them and while it helps

your headache it makes your other pain worse?

I have noticed that everytime I take Imitrex for a migraine I hurt MUCH more.

I have been diagnosed with fibro and peripheral neurpathy...and I can't

quite tell which of these problems it might be affecting.

Does anyone else have this experience, or once again....am I just the " odd

one " when it comes to the way meds affect me?

Kate

October 16, 2001

In a message dated 10/16/01 8:43:32 AM Central Daylight Time,

IndianaQuilter@... writes:

> The headaches are part of Fibro. Not every one gets them.

>

I have had them since the age of 15, and use Imitrex for mine. But I have a

question for those of you that take these " triptan " type drugs for

migraines....has anyone had the experience of taking them and while it helps

your headache it makes your other pain worse?

I have noticed that everytime I take Imitrex for a migraine I hurt MUCH more.

I have been diagnosed with fibro and peripheral neurpathy...and I can't

quite tell which of these problems it might be affecting.

Does anyone else have this experience, or once again....am I just the " odd

one " when it comes to the way meds affect me?

Kate

October 16, 2001

In a message dated 10/16/01 8:43:32 AM Central Daylight Time,

IndianaQuilter@... writes:

> The headaches are part of Fibro. Not every one gets them.

>

I have had them since the age of 15, and use Imitrex for mine. But I have a

question for those of you that take these " triptan " type drugs for

migraines....has anyone had the experience of taking them and while it helps

your headache it makes your other pain worse?

I have noticed that everytime I take Imitrex for a migraine I hurt MUCH more.

I have been diagnosed with fibro and peripheral neurpathy...and I can't

quite tell which of these problems it might be affecting.

Does anyone else have this experience, or once again....am I just the " odd

one " when it comes to the way meds affect me?

Kate

October 16, 2001

In a message dated 10/16/01 9:05:37 AM Central Daylight Time,

janissa@... writes:

> Addendum -- if you're on Prozac or another SSRI, you cannot take drugs like

> Imitrex. Bad interaction. If your pain doctor prescribes a new drug to

> treat your headaches, make sure to consult the pharmacist before actually

> filling the prescription.

Absolutely Em!

Thanks for the warning. It is called " serotonin syndrome " and depending on

your reaction it can be life threatening. Please take Em's warning and

beware of doing this!

Kate

October 16, 2001

In a message dated 10/16/01 9:05:37 AM Central Daylight Time,

janissa@... writes:

> Addendum -- if you're on Prozac or another SSRI, you cannot take drugs like

> Imitrex. Bad interaction. If your pain doctor prescribes a new drug to

> treat your headaches, make sure to consult the pharmacist before actually

> filling the prescription.

Absolutely Em!

Thanks for the warning. It is called " serotonin syndrome " and depending on

your reaction it can be life threatening. Please take Em's warning and

beware of doing this!

Kate

October 16, 2001

Em, Ask your doctor/pharmacist about 1.) Neurontin, because it is supposed to

keep the headaches from even surfacing in the first place.

2.) Topomax, because they are also supposed to keep the headaches at bay. and

3.) Maxalt for when you get the headaches. and 4.) Stadol, if nothing else

works at taking the headache away, whuich the Maxalt usually does, then the

Stadol will help with the pain. Shay

Join my new Diabetic Recipes group @

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Recipes4Diabetes

God Bless You All, Shay/Shalynn and the rescue gang;

Max, Samson I, Samson II, Zeuss, Tazz, Walter, Curly, Ralph, Sebastian, Tina

Marie, Bear, Bogie and Jake

October 16, 2001

Em, Ask your doctor/pharmacist about 1.) Neurontin, because it is supposed to

keep the headaches from even surfacing in the first place.

2.) Topomax, because they are also supposed to keep the headaches at bay. and

3.) Maxalt for when you get the headaches. and 4.) Stadol, if nothing else

works at taking the headache away, whuich the Maxalt usually does, then the

Stadol will help with the pain. Shay

Join my new Diabetic Recipes group @

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Recipes4Diabetes

God Bless You All, Shay/Shalynn and the rescue gang;

Max, Samson I, Samson II, Zeuss, Tazz, Walter, Curly, Ralph, Sebastian, Tina

Marie, Bear, Bogie and Jake

October 16, 2001

I get really nasty headaches every so often, in bed all day, only up to go

to the bathroom and vomit. The doc gave me Imitrex, it's for migraines and

it works really well. You should ask your doctor for some samples and give

them a try.

Rhonda

Chronic Headaches

> Does anyone else have chronic fibro headaches? I've had two headache free

> days in the last year and I am just about at my wits end. This has been

> going on for about ten years. Four or five days a week, the pain level

> can be controlled with tylenol 3 or even sometimes with over the counter

> extra strength stuff, but the other two or three days are horrific. The

> headaches are so bad, that they actually make me not care that the rest of

> my body hurts.

>

October 16, 2001

I use " Zomig " for my migraines. I haven't had to go to an ER in

2 years. This is excellent. I usually went at least once every other

month.

The headaches are part of Fibro. Not every one gets them.

DigitalAngel wrote:

> I get really nasty headaches every so often, in bed all day, only up to go

> to the bathroom and vomit. The doc gave me Imitrex, it's for migraines and

> it works really well. You should ask your doctor for some samples and give

> them a try.

>

> Rhonda

Soft Hugs

Aria

Roanoke, Indiana

Yahoo & AOL Instant Messenger: AriaAJR

ICQ: 36167718

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October 16, 2001

Neurontin has been a life saver for me. I take 900 mg 4 times a day.

That is every 6 hours. If I miss a dosage I know it. It has helped

my headaches a lot also. I don't have them near as often. I had my

first migraine this past Sunday in 2 - 3 months. Neurontin works on

the nerve endings in your body. This is why it's so good for fibro.

ShayPugHugs@... wrote:

> Hi all, I also have migraines. They're horrible. I couldn't take Imitrex

> because of an allergy to it, but, they put me on Maxalt which is wonderful!

> It works rather quickly. I also take Neurontin 4 times daily and it is

> supposed to hold the headaches off. It does, as I don't have them several

> times a week now, but only a couple of times a month.

Soft Hugs

Aria

Roanoke, Indiana

Yahoo & AOL Instant Messenger: AriaAJR

ICQ: 36167718

Check out my lists when you have time:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmericaUnderCovers

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BlockOfTheMonth

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QuiltingWithLimitations

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UFOsInTheQuiltWorld

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/USA4JesusQuiltBlockSwap

October 16, 2001

Neurontin has been a life saver for me. I take 900 mg 4 times a day.

That is every 6 hours. If I miss a dosage I know it. It has helped

my headaches a lot also. I don't have them near as often. I had my

first migraine this past Sunday in 2 - 3 months. Neurontin works on

the nerve endings in your body. This is why it's so good for fibro.

ShayPugHugs@... wrote:

> Hi all, I also have migraines. They're horrible. I couldn't take Imitrex

> because of an allergy to it, but, they put me on Maxalt which is wonderful!

> It works rather quickly. I also take Neurontin 4 times daily and it is

> supposed to hold the headaches off. It does, as I don't have them several

> times a week now, but only a couple of times a month.

Soft Hugs

Aria

Roanoke, Indiana

Yahoo & AOL Instant Messenger: AriaAJR

ICQ: 36167718

Check out my lists when you have time:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmericaUnderCovers

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BlockOfTheMonth

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QuiltingWithLimitations

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UFOsInTheQuiltWorld

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/USA4JesusQuiltBlockSwap

October 16, 2001

At 10:45 PM 10/15/2001 -0500, Lyndi wrote:

>Does anyone else have chronic fibro headaches?

I'm not really sure I know what a fibro headache is. I DO get tons of

headaches, though, different flavors. Migraines, which I usually only have

once every two months or so, complete with aura and all that stuff; more

generalized headaches, not one-sided like the migraines, which I attribute

to tension; and some nasty ones courtesy of my TMJ, that concentrate in my

temples and the back of my head.

Is there a specific type of headache common to FM sufferers? I may be

misidentifying some of mine, I'm not sure.

Addendum -- if you're on Prozac or another SSRI, you cannot take drugs like

Imitrex. Bad interaction. If your pain doctor prescribes a new drug to

treat your headaches, make sure to consult the pharmacist before actually

filling the prescription. I got an RX for Midrin the other day, went to

the hospital inpatient pharmacy, and after they told me the risks of

combining Prozac with many painkillers, I elected not to even try the Midrin.

Best,

Em

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is the tale, not he who tells it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

October 16, 2001

At 10:45 PM 10/15/2001 -0500, Lyndi wrote:

>Does anyone else have chronic fibro headaches?

I'm not really sure I know what a fibro headache is. I DO get tons of

headaches, though, different flavors. Migraines, which I usually only have

once every two months or so, complete with aura and all that stuff; more

generalized headaches, not one-sided like the migraines, which I attribute

to tension; and some nasty ones courtesy of my TMJ, that concentrate in my

temples and the back of my head.

Is there a specific type of headache common to FM sufferers? I may be

misidentifying some of mine, I'm not sure.

Addendum -- if you're on Prozac or another SSRI, you cannot take drugs like

Imitrex. Bad interaction. If your pain doctor prescribes a new drug to

treat your headaches, make sure to consult the pharmacist before actually

filling the prescription. I got an RX for Midrin the other day, went to

the hospital inpatient pharmacy, and after they told me the risks of

combining Prozac with many painkillers, I elected not to even try the Midrin.

Best,

Em

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is the tale, not he who tells it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

October 16, 2001

At 10:55 AM 10/16/2001 -0400, GirlMomx4@... wrote:

>Thanks for the warning. It is called " serotonin syndrome " and depending

>on your reaction it can be life threatening. Please take Em's warning and

>beware of doing this!

I mean, most of us already know to check on this kind of thing. But

doctors are absolutely notorious for prescribing medications without 1)

reviewing the patient's chart, checking for interactions, allergies and so

on; and 2) even knowing what the side effects and interactions of a given

medication ARE. Some nurses are very good at keeping track of this, but

your best bet is your pharmacist. We FM'ers tend to take so many

medications, it's just a nightmare to figure out what you can take that

won't interact with something else you're taking. I have classic, textbook

migraines: preceded by visual aura and some confusion; one-sided; can't

bear the light; vomiting; etc. When I found out I couldn't have Imitrex I

literally sat down and cried. My migraines may not happen very often, but

the last two put me in the ER. It's the worst kind of pain I can imagine,

and there's NOTHING for it? for me? Makes me want to step out in front of

a bus.

Be careful of OTC meds as well. I risk a little when I take some OTCs; I

am allergic to aspirin and ibuprofen, and I'm not always on the ball with

checking the ingredients of OTC meds. But for example, most cold and flu

nostrums, I can't take. They have aspirin in them. Etc.

It's not a question of buying an extremely expensive current volume of the

Physician's Desk Reference. Trust your pharmacist. S/he's a walking PDR. *g*

Best,

Em

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is the tale, not he who tells it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

October 16, 2001