Cathy63

[TheAwakening]

Hello everyone, I've just joined this group as I am at my wits end.

I have had Chronic Migraines for over 10 years now. I have had all number of treatments, traditional drugs as well as complementary treatments such as seeing a Chiropractor.

I have noticed that before I have a migraine, I have back pain and an insatiable need for sweet food. Last night I had all of these symptoms as well as the usual ones, ie nightmares, sleeping like I'm drugged, inability to find and/or pronounce words clearly, dizziness and disorientation, neck and shoulder pain etc. However, when I woke up, I had no migraine pain, just all the other usual accompanying symptoms. This is a first for me. Does anyone else have this? I feel like my migraines are changing. I'm in total despair about ever being free from all of this. I've tried just about everything I know of to try and manage this condition and am back at UCLH who are putting me back on to drugs that I've taken before - but now on higher doses. It's like I'm treading old ground and yet I'm sinking further and further into this nightmare with no light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm so sorry to have written such a miserable post with no real question asked but really felt the need to speak with others who understand and who may have a suggestion that may help that I've not already tried!!

Thanks for reading x

[Bea66]

Hi, I know how you feel, I've lived with this for years too, and suffer "silent" migraines regularly. I can't really offer any advice, I'm pretty much out of ideas too! But you have my sympathy. Just one thing, depending on your age, could it be down to hormonal changes? That can sometimes affect changes in the type of migraine.

[TheAwakening in reply to Bea66]

They began at the beginning of my menopause but i'm 10 years on and the migraines are still with me! Nightmare.

[Bea66 in reply to TheAwakening]

Ah, same as me then! I had an early surgical menopause and still suffering. They put me on hrt, then took me off, then put me back on, but have now taken myself off, no blooming difference to the migraine as far as I can tell! It really is the pits though 😤

[TheAwakening in reply to Bea66]

Grim isn't it. I had to come off HRT recently and really noticed the migraine getting worse though. So, back on it now. How long for - who knows

[nylykcaj]

I'm very but I don't have any medical advice but you have my greatest sympathy cause I'm also experiencing a terrible headache and pain all over my body for 4 years.

[TheAwakening in reply to nylykcaj]

So sorry to hear that

[troy04]

Can you please try to do some light exercise everyday? If this is not possible, can you walk for an hour (slightly fast walk) ? You have to exhaust yourself - if you can do this, after a week or two you will find improvement! I know it is not easy but perhaps start with just 20/30 min walk and then increase if you can. There are people (including myself) who do not respond well to usual treatment offered by doctors. So, we have to try other things, but exercise / walking is a must ! Apart from this - have you tried taking Magnesium supplements? You can try taking 1 or 2 capsules every day (please purchase magnesium glycinate [250mg] and NOT citrate or oxide).

Other important thing you can do is to introduce good amount of dietary fibre (wholegrains, oats, fruit, vegetables and linseeds). Ancient doctors (thousands of years ago) always believed that if we can keep our guts (bowels) happy then most problems can solve itself. Scientists have found out that our bowel actually controls our nervous system enormously and produces about 95 percent of the serotonin in our body !

[You have to reduce taking sugary foods!]

Ok, so I have written a lot - but these three things you can start today and see if things improve (I believe it will):

1) Exercise / Fast walk

2) Taking Magnesium supplement

3) Introduce dietary fibres as much as possible

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Best wishes,

Troy

[TheAwakening in reply to troy04]

Thanks so much Troy. Everything you say makes enormous sense. I don't take much exercise (bad back). Also, since I had my Gall Bladder removed last summer, I find that I'm constantly craving sugary food. I've also heard about Magnesium. I will make the small changes you suggest - thanks again!