Dr. Hadjikhani says the results indicate that the brain's sensory mechanisms are important components in migraine. This may explain why people with migraines often also have other pain disorders such as back pain, jaw pain, and other sensory problems such as allodynia, where the skin becomes so sensitive that even a gentle breeze can be painful.

Thanks for starting this topic!

I remember exactly where I was when I got my first migraine...3 days before my 21st birthday (I'm now in my mid-40's). From talking with other people it seems that they are very unique to each person...no one else is going to have the exact same symptoms, triggers, etc. as I do.

Long story short - I've been on Midrin, Caffergot, Amitryptiline, Darvocet, Fiorinal, and more that I can't remember. I was on Inderal daily for prevention but it made my blood pressure very low so my Dr. switched me to Verapimil. Worked great. The best invention in the whole world is Imitrex. I use the injection and is a miracle drug in my opinion!

I also needed to identify my triggers. Mine are - waiting too long to eat, being in the sun, change in air pressure (flying), roller coasters, too much of certain foods (chocolate, peanut butter, cheese), sinus pressure, or just no reason at all.

I get nauseaus, spacey, and lose fine motor skills with the migraine. Sometimes after my Imitrex, the pain will be gone but I'll have a "body migraine".

Edited to add: I weaned off of Verapimil and don't see an increase in migraines.

It was interesting to read about migraine sufferers and external stimulation. I can't stand bright lights, loud noises, crowds, too much noise, etc.

Wow...this is the most I've ever written!

I looked up migranal and was excited about that drug never having used it but it is an ergotamine drug. I get very sick on it so I am disappointed.

I see so many similarities here. The foods and the week end migraines and getting them after dealing with a stressful situation. I have encountered all of this.

My sister is on Topamax and has had migraines for probably 20 years. Hers are so bad that she literally can't get out of bed and can't stand any noise at all or lights.

If you don't want to lose weight, don't take Topamax. It's a wonderful preventative migraine medicine and my sister has no migraines while she is on Topamax, but she is currently just bones with skin stretched over them. She has to stop taking them occasionally just so she can eat. She is also on Tylenol 3's, demerol pills and Ultracet. She has run the gamet of migraine medicines with the same doctor and her current regime seems to work the best. We really worry about her since she started taking Topamax. She wants to keep taking it because her migraines are so bad, but she's down to 90 something pounds and she is 5'5". She stopped taking the Topamax when we were on vacation and had a migraine 2 days later. At least her doctor gives her pain medicine every month too, but she's had that doctor since she started going to one for migraines so there's a lot of trust there.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that for her the Topamax eliminates the migraines as long as she takes it everyday, but you'll probably keep losing weight if you take it.

Stacy,

I do not know of any head ache clinics around at all.

To be honest I have been turned away so often I don't think I could stand it any more and spending money on treatments I know do not work is not what I want to do.

I handle my migraines myself. I know what not to eat and drink and there is a lot I have discovered and of course I stay informed on new treatments or drugs.