Berkeley Parents Network: Migraines

Berkeley Parents Network

Migraines

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Advice about Health > Migraines

Migraine Equivalence

Feb 2004

Has anyone on this network ever suffered from what is called ''migraine equivalence,'' which is migraine-related symptoms, such as extreme vertigo, light-sensitivity and nauseau, with no headache? I had never even heard of this condition until I had it for the first time last year. When I had it before it lasted for about a month, gradually lessening in intensity, and then mysteriously went away.

I just started suffering from this again recently and this past week has been awful. I have barely been able to get out of bed in the morning and the medicine my doctor prescribed for me is a combo of one motion sickness pill (mecclazine) and one valium, which is almost as bad as just being dizzy all the time. Does anyone know of natural remedies or any types of alternative treatments?

I am fairly desperate at this point, so I am open to suggestions. Thanks, Dizzy and Don't Like It

could it be meniere's or some other inner/middle ear problem? suzie

I too suffer from migraine equivalents. As a child, I had horrible ''classic'' migraines which lasted for days or weeks. In my twenties, they tapered off, and turned into more frequent, though less debilitating migraine equivalents. I occasionally get the vertigo. The episodes usually involve nausea, light, movement and sound sensitivity, are almost exclusively a morning thing, and can be quite miserable or barely noticable. They seem to happen for no particular reason, and I have periods where the episodes happen very little, or almost daily. I have never been sucessful with drugs which are supposed to prevent the attacks, but have had some relief from small amounts of drugs like fiornal,! which take the edge off. I think that migraine equivalents are a fairly uncommon version of migraines, and I have even been seen by neurologists who had never heard of it, and clearly thought that I was a nut. I was told by my current neurologist that some of them are ''headache guys'' and some aren't, so hopefully your neurologist is one of those. If not, I highly recommend my dr. in Berkeley, neurologist John Friedberg 644-2282. Feel free to contact me if you want further information. mac

I have always been quite light sensitive and used to have a recurring problem with vertigo- maybe the same thing that you're describing. It was really miserable. My doctor at the time told me that it wasn't uncommon, was mostly in women, and that the suspected cause was an otherwise benign virus. He prescribed Meclazine, no Valium. I found that if I took a whole 25mg. tablet of Meclazine it was as good as a sleeping pill, but that 1/4 to 1/2 tablet worked for the vertigo and I was still awake. I can't imagine what good Valium would do- it puts me to sleep anyway, and I don't think that the vertigo was from stress/anxiety. For whatever reason, the vertigo became less and less frequent, finally stopped. Then later I developed Migraines (luckily not frequent). I have wondered what the connection might be between the two- was the vertigo really a type of migraine? Meclizine is a safe medication and you might just want to try using less, and if you want to keep up the Valium try less of that also. anon

Hi, I've had both migraines & vertigo, but not at the same time. For me, migraines are brief but intense episodes that may or may not involve a headache, but for me always involve vision disturbances (bright zig-zaggy lines & blind spots) and sometimes some numbness on one side of my body, and sometimes difficulty finding the right words when speaking. Never, ever have these episodes lasted longer than a few hours. I had a case of vertigo once. I was dizzy and queasy and felt like I was about to topple over whenever I walked, though I never did actually fall. I never associated this with migraine. It lasted a few weeks. I tried the meclazine & didn't notice much improvement, so I just waited it out. My doc never suggested valium. I continued to go to work, but I suspended my habit of taking long hikes for a while!

SO, having stated my ''qualifications'' to give you advice, here it is: go to a neurologist. It sounds weird to me that your doc is describing what you're going through as migraine. I like Dr. Starkey in Oakland, near Pill Hill. He is down to earth and can explain to you in plain English what is going on. I will warn you that a migraine to a neurologist seems to be about as exciting as a common cold is to an internist. But at least you'll feel better with a little more knowledge. fellow migraineur (sounds glamourous, doesn't it??)

I know the feeling. I had it for a while when I was sixteen and then again in my mid-thirties. During my teenage years, a lack of calcium was diagnosed and as soon as I supplemented I was okay within 2 days. As an adult, when I woke up in the morning with the room moving around me infinitively and the darkness of closed eyes kept circling! (where is the off- switch???), I remembered the old diagnosis and found out that the calcium in Multi-Vitamins is not enough and may not be absorbed well in that combination. It requires an extra pill. Again it was the instant magic solution. But I also double- checked that my ears were fine (could be a cause of imbalance, so I cleaned them with ear-wax removal drops)and that I didn't have too much going on in my life that would lead to scattered thinking - that itself can make you dizzy, but not as deeply as you describe. I knew something was definitely out of order and I was relieved that it was a lack of calcium again. (The second time I did not even go to a doctor). Anonymous

Get to a chiropractor quick! I've seen tremendous success in reducing and/or eliminating the symptoms you describe using chiropractic care. Good Luck

Worried about working and chronic migraines

Dec 2003

Hi. I'm hoping someone on the network can help me. I've had migraines since I was a teenager and I'm now in my mid thirties. I'm seeing a neurologist and we're working on managing the migraines.

I'm going into my second semester of graduate school, and I'm on the fast track for graduation. In other words, I have enough experience to get my master's degree in my department in 3 semsters instead of 2-3 years.

I'm making it through school, but I'm getting nervous about the work world and my migraines. They aren't considered a ''disability '' under the Americans with disabilites act.

Is there anyone in the network that has chronic migraines and works? I'd like to know how to balance the two, especially when the migraines still seem so unmanageable to me. Beth

I started having migraines after my son was born, and have been working full time throughout. For years I had them and didn't know what they were -- thought I had horrible cases of food poisoning on a regular basis. Eventually I was correctly diagnosed, tried a number of different drugs which did not work, and finally landed on a ''cocktail'' that works for me: Zomig + Alleve. It doesn't always get rid of the migraine but if I take it early enough it will at least reduce its length and severity.

I have learned to travel with the medication, and since then I have rarely had to miss time from work. Been there too

Migraines and Pregnancy

Feb 2003

Does anyone have any suggestions for relieving migraines during pregnancy? Thanks Rochelle

Migraines can be very different for different for different people, so I would talk to a neurologist for the latest information on migraine treatments. Many people find that drinking a cup of feverfew tea once a day is helpful in reducing the frequency of migraines. It doesn't really treat an actual migraine attack, so having a discussion with the doctor really might help in that situation so you know what is safe during pregnancy. Feverfew is sold a dried herb (like mint or oregano) that you can find at health food stores and places like Food Mill in Oakland. Barbara

Ugh. I know how awful an untreated migraine can be. And how hard that is while you're pregnant. Try this: Wrap your head in ice. Use large, soft ice packs and wrap them around like a hatband, with ice covering especially the base of your neck, your temples, and your forehead. You can use a really huge ace bandage (a knee-sized one, for example) to secure the ice packs around your head. Then wrap your whole body in a large blanket that you've warmed in a dryer (beach towels in the microwave can also work). With your head iced and your body warm, wait at least 30-45 minutes. (Sounds like a recipe, doesn't it?) This works becasue during a migraine, the blood isn't flowing properly in your head -- I can never remember whether that's because the blood vessels are constricted or engorged -- and the cold head/warm body trick changes that. Usually, if I use this trick early enough in the headache and follow up with a one-hour nap, I can avoid the worst symptoms and lose less than two hours of my day instead of the whole day. Also, I took feverfew throughout my pregnancy (it helps to prevent migraines in some people). My OB wasn't thrilled about this, but she also said she didn't want me dealing with severe migraine headaches. Good luck to you. -- Headache-free (at last!)

Since you're pregnant, it would be best to check with your doctor as to safe ways to treat the pain. Prevention is important, although that can be hard with all the hormones flooding your body. I had some success with acupuncture. I also found that my migraines lasted only for a month during my pregnancy, and that they were gone for a full year and a half after my son was born. I hope you will have positive changes, too. Carolyn

I also suffer from migraines, and could not take my prescription meds during pregnancy. I found that a large cup of coffee and two tylenols, taken early on, did the trick. As long as that is the only caffeine you drink, it won't hurt the baby. Catherine

I went to acupuncturist Daniel Donner (on Piedmont Ave. near Babyworld) for my pregnancy migraines. He has a really odd bedside manner, but what he did worked. It was a combination of acupuncture, herbs, and homeopathy. Ilana

Try acetimenophen (tylenol). rest. water. good food (no chocolate, red wine, cheese). But check with your doctor, as headaches during pregnancy could be other things. It could also be a blood-clotting thing, which may be cleared up with baby aspirin, but it could be more serious. Try not to worry-My headaches were not serious, just inconvenient and annoying. jan

I got migraines during both pregnancies, and here are the things that helped most. Acupunture was extremely effective during my first pregnancy. I had one treatment and didn't get a migraine for more than 2 years. During my second pregnancy, multiple treatments didn't help. It turned out the culprit was chocolate, even though I had never had any food intolerances before. Before I figured out the food triggers, my midwife also suggested acupressure -- feeling around on my head for sore spots (they feel almost like a bruise) and pressing and releasing them several times. I didn't expect this to help much, but it was surprisingly effective. Good luck, and you have my sympathy. Jennifer

I had a few migraines during my 5th and 6th month of pregnancy. My OB referred me to a neurologist (Dr. Cromeyer at Richmond Kaiser) who gave me a prescription for tylenol with codiene. It was very effective and mild enough to take during pregnancy. He told me that it was common to get migraines during that time of pregnancy even though I had never suffered from them before. Sure enough, they went away by about the middle of my 6th month. I had them again with my second preganancy at the same time, and other than lying down in my dark bedroom and closing my eyes until they went away (not something I could do as often with a toddler around), I took the tylenol with codiene and had no side effects but a restful sleep! Let your OB know that you are having them and maybe she/he can help. Kerri

I had my first migraine about a year before I became pregnant with my second child, and then only a few times after that. What worked for me when I felt one coming on was Excedrin, and a nap. While pregnant Excedrin is not allowed though, because of the asprin. So what I did was concoct the closest thing I could, the few times I had migraines during the pregnancy, I took two Tylenol, two Advil, and swallowed it all down with a can of Coke... then took my nap. (I know it sounds horrible when we are all supposed to remain drug, caffine, alcohol, preservative, sugar, and dye free during pregnancy... but all of those things are on the OK list I got from the dr's office.) It worked for me. However, I am not a doctor or a pharmacist, so I can't tell you if it was good, bad, right, wrong, etc. You should probably ask a professional who you trust. Been there...

I just suffered thru my migraines until about 19 weeks. I know, it was terrible. Then, after 19 weeks they vanished! It was wonderful- I didn't have a migraine until a few weeks after my baby was born. Sorry I don't have better news, Tina

5-year-old with migraines

April 1998

My 5-yr old daughter has been complaining of sudden headaches. I was very afraid of the possiblity of a tumor in her brain. Her pediatrician refered us to a neurologist who thinks she has migrain headaches specially because there is a history in the family: I have it, my two sisters have it, and her paternal grandmother has it, too.

what scares me is that the neurologist mentioned that there is no way of telling that this is not a tumor, uless they do MRI which requires general anesthesia. And he did not recommend it.

In the handouts that he gave us for migrain, it says that certain types of food should be avoided and that biofeedback has specially been successful in children to control their headaches.

I wonder if anybody has a child so young with headache? Have you been successful in reducing the number of headaches? my daughter gets them several times a week, sometimes several times a day, but the pain is not strong. any experience on biofeedback? any experience with MRI?

thank you.
Anon.

I don't know how helpful this is, but when I was 11-13 I would get migraine headaches about once every 2-4 weeks. I would first lose my peripheral vision (everything looked like it was at the end of a long white tunnel), then the pain would start and I couldn't tolerate noise or light, and then I would throw-up and the pain would subside (this would last over the course of 4 -8 hours). I was treated with some strong medicine (I can't remember what) that sort of helped, but somehow I was eventually able to recognize the signs that a headache was immenent and do something which I can only describe as relaxing the muscles in my head. This prevented a full blown headache and I have never had a problem again! I don't know if a 5 year old could be taught to recognize pre-headache signs, but I do believe that my solution was a biofeedback thing and am all for that type of approach. The only food I can remember being told to avoid is chocolate.

Regarding the 5 yr old w/ headaches, just a thought- Does she get the 'aura'? Migraines are typically (but not always) preceeded and accompanied by a visual 'aura' which consists of a growing, shimmering, colored pattern somewhat like a stained - glass window. It is impossible to ignore, as it typically obscures a big chunk of your visual field, usually on one side, opposite to the affected blood vessels. I got it twice *without* the headache when I was 11 or 12, and was quite bothered by it!

If she *never* 'sees anything funny' before the headaches, this does *NOT* mean it's not migraine, but if she does, it would be a strong, tho not 100%, indicator. Hopefully at 5yrs old she can report, remember, describe such an occurrence, or lack of it. Good Luck! Nils

Before you do the MRI, have you considered getting her eyes checked? Headaches are a very common sign of a need for prescription glasses. Every time my prescription changes, I get recurrent headaches. Also, check to see if your daughter grinds her teeth at night. This can also cause headaches, and it is easily remedied. Good luck

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