Question:
Newly diagnosed with migraine disease
I have a number of questions. I researched in the library database but nobody has tied together a number of issues, so I guess this is fresh. <ul> <li>I'm on the Ortho-Evra patch. Hormonal birth control of some sort is a necessity. Will the Nuva-Ring be better in terms of the headaches? <li>I am 18 months post-op and the migraines developed suddenly two weeks ago. Has anyone else had this happen? <li>I am seeing a neurologist who specializes in migraines next week. He has already ordered a CT scan and an MRI. What else should I expect in terms of tests? (I have a fresh set of very extensive blood work). Is there anything special he should look for since I have a medial (125 cm) RNY? <li>Are any of the commonly-used prescription medications CONTRAINDICATED for those who have had RNY? <li>I have two different kinds of headaches. One is clearly classic migraine; I have the visual symptoms, nausea, dizziness, then throbbing pain on one side that sort of ebbs and flows. I am also light/sound sensitive. The other kind of headache is more puzzling; I have loud ringing in my ears and the pain does wrap around my head more. What is that about? Anyone have these? <li>Will Wellbutrin IR (immediate release) help, hinder, or not at all affect the course of migraines, typically? I am on 300 mg a day but could probably give it up if it's going to make headaches worse. <li>Is this doctor going to give me grief about my high protein "lifestyle"? If so, what's the right answer, other than the standard "that's what my body thrives on now" -- I really don't feel like I'm thriving. <li>Are there any specific blood work things to look out for? My B-12 is a little low and my TSH is very low (also have an appointment with an endocrinologist to check this out). <li>Can my severe hair loss be connected to any of this headache stuff? (And no, I don't pull my hair out, though sometimes I do sort of feel despondent). <li>Anything else to arm myself with before I see the neurologist? I don't want to waste time; I want a resolution. I have a really busy life and a three year old and will be thrown into deep despair if the answer is "learn to live with it". <li>Any web resources that migraine disease sufferers have found helpful? </ul> Many thanks in advance for any info and experiences you can share. I am overwhelmed and feel yet another headache coming on. I've had them every day for two weeks now and I don't know how much more I can take. :-( — Julia Z. (posted on March 28, 2003)
March 27, 2003
Hi Julia, I am 14 mos post-op. I don't have any of the things you do, but
I just wanted to say you did an excellent job of outlining your questions
and concerns. I wish you the best of luck in getting rid of the headaches!
— [Deactivated Member]
March 27, 2003
I suddenly developed classic migranes after a new gyno put me on birth
control pills for my severe menstrual cramps. The neurologist said they
were caused by the hormones in the b/c pills. I stopped taking the pills
and they went away. My new gyno was furious that the other one had put me
on b/c pills for cramps since I had my tubes tied after taking pills for 20
years. I was on a low dosage pill for years and the one that caused the
migranes had more estrogen. This was all before my surgery. Good luck!!
— Sandy T.
March 27, 2003
Hi, I am pre-op but do have migraines. The only item I can address is the
TSH levels. You didn't say how low yours are (.4 - 5.0 is normal range and
mine has ranged from .70 to 19.0), however, I do know that out of range TSH
levels can (in my case) cause migraines. As for the hair loss, I go through
seasonal hair loss but I have noticed that my hair gets very dry and will
sometimes break off. Is it possible some of you hair loss is breakage due
to dryness?
With the TSH levels, the lower the number the more hypERthyroid you are
(i.e. TSH of .2 would be hyperthyroid while TSH of 8.0 would by
hypOthyroid).
Good luck and please let us know what the docs say.
— Carolyn M.
March 27, 2003
I don't have any answers to your questions but hope you have tried Imitrix
nasal spray. It has been a godsend for me. It may not work for everyone but
it's worth a try. Headaches never last over 20 minutes for me after a
spray.
— Mary G.
March 27, 2003
Hey Julia. I can help with the question regarding medication. I take
Imitrex 50mg pills and they work very well on my headaches with no
complications since I've had the surgery. The doctor felt that my
digestive tract wasn't altered enough after the surgery to be negatively
affected by the medication. Good luck. Mike
— Michael N.
March 27, 2003
The doctor should not give you any grief regarding your diet and as far as
I know, there are no contraindicated medicines for RNY unless they further
inhibit absorption of your nutrients. I have fought for much of my life
with migraine headaches, and yes they can be associated with birth control
hormones. I don't remember my neurologist ever taking any blood from me.
One M.D. did put me on Zoloft because it had been found effective in
decreasing the frequency of migraines. That helped me. Imitrex also
helped. I have the pills, but I hear that the shot works better/faster.
Are your headaches and hair loss related? Doubtful, unless they both are
symptoms of the same problem, which could be thyroid problems, hormonal
imbalance or emotional stress. I have to say though, I am not a medical
doctor. I am sincerly sorry that you have had to endure these headaches. I
know what a pain they can be, and how they can disrupt you life. I wish
good health. I hope I was helpful.
— Klynn D.
March 27, 2003
I get migraines also. I am very interested in what you come up with. I get
classic migraines about 2 or 3 times a month-more in the summer. When I get
one it comes on like this--double vision, heart palpataions, nausea, pain
in the temples, sweats, weakness, vomiting. This time span is about 6-8
minutes. If I can get 3 x-strenght Tylenol into me when the dbl vision
starts, the whole experience can be minimized considerably. I was told by
my PCP to look for triggers in my diet and lifestyle. I beleive in being as
pill free as possible. I am not on any medications, I don't take any
hormones at all, I have an IUD for b/c. I am 44 yrs old. My triggers are-
sunlight, heat, consipation, tension from stress-when my whole body feels
tense, second hand cigarette smoke-I don't smoke, mid-menstrual cycle. I
have no food triggers and heat and sun seem to be the guarantee of a
migraine. I am preop/300lbs but have had these migraines since I was 6 or 7
years old and have been less than 200lbs for many years of my life so I
don't beleive it is weight related. I beleive my migraines are triggered
mainly by 1.heat and/or sun. 2.constipation-I don't know how this happens
but it does. 3.visual disturbances and irritations-bright lights,smoke. I
have been to a neurologist and was told that migraines are caused by
dialated blood vessels in the head. The ringing in your ears followed by
pain sounds like high blood pressure more than classic migraine. There has
also been studies to prove an association between classic migraine and
epilepsy. Last year I found by birth family, I was adopted, and my birth
mother and 1 half sister have epilepsy. So there was a puzzle piece for me.
Birth mom also had migraines. I thought of asking for a MRI or a CAT scan
but this would take months for me to get here in Canada, unless I blacked
out from a headache and paramedics were called in, then I could get one in
a day or 2.
Good luck to you in finding a solution to your migraines and please let us
all know how you make out.
mary ann taylor
— mary ann T.
March 28, 2003
Hi!! Migraines "YUK" I have had migraines for 20 years. I have
taken everything under the sun. I found that the only thing that has helped
is Zomig and I also take Zoloft to help with migraines. I have to watch
with certain foods which can trigger migraines.I haven't had any CAT scans
done because my PCP doesn't feel it is necessary. My mom and alot of her
side of the family is plagued with migraines. Hope this helps, Take Care,
Natalie B.
— jibjab
March 28, 2003
My migraines are hormonal, only around my period. Topamax helps alot, it an
antiseizure medication which worked wonders. I stubbled on this one, I work
for a psychiatrist and she suggested Tompamax because she has had several
patient who had lost weight taking it. I took it for the same reason
(weight loss) and realized it was helping my migraines. Purely accidental,
when I told her that she mentioned it was antiseizure med. But since RNY,
my food choices are better, my migraines are a lot less, I've increased my
excerise which has also helped, I haven't had a full blown migraine since
surgery 7 months ago.
— Jeana S.
March 28, 2003
Julia, I see you have gotten alot of responses already on this one. I
didn;t realize that so many of us suffered from migraines and headaches,
it's unfortunate. I do not have the classic migraine, I have what is called
"chronic daily headaches", both a medical and descriptive term. I
literally have a dibilitating, pounding, severe headache EVERY minute of
everyday for the past year. Glad your doctors and neurologists have already
ordered tests, etc. I would like to warn you, however. B/c headaches are so
mysterious, it may be hard to tell where they stem from and how exactly
they can be stopped. Mine are so bad, I have gone even through trigger
injections, chiropractor, massage, botox, hypnosis, acupuncture and am an
very strong narcotics just to survive everyday. So i pray for you they
clear up or traditional medicine works. You asked about medications.
Usually most headache meds are generally safe on the stomach, but be weary
of going on too many medications at one time. I was on up to 25 pills a day
(headaches meds, migraine prevention and ofcourse vitamins) and I got a
hole in my stomach. This is rare, and not trying to scare you, just want
you to make sure you don't take too many, b/c our stomachs really are
sensitive. My head was bad, but an ulcer and perforation made things worse.
<p>
Birth control wasn't a factor in my headaches, but you never know, everyone
is different, so maybe switching the brand or going completely off for a
while could help. Headaches can't make your hair fall out, unless there is
another underlying problem, but stress can, and you are obviously under a
great deal of stress and pain, so this could be a reason. I wish you the
best of luck in the world, my profile has more in length about treatment
issues, etc. I'm sure they will find something to help you. Wish you the
best!
— Lezlie Y.
March 28, 2003
Hi Julia- I have suffered with migranes since my teenage years (about 20
years now). Some things I have noticed, for me, they seem to happen a
couple days into my period, they are the same frequency while on bc pills
or not (I have to take bc pills for menstral irregularities), when I was
following the Atkins diet, my migraines virtually went away, and my
prescription for Cafergot is a lifesaver! Best of luck to you, hopefully
you will find your formula for keeping them under control :o)
— Mea A.
March 28, 2003
Just a comment here, no answer. I'm 4 months post op and about 2 months
developed occular migraines...all visual symptoms w/auras, but I only get
the headache pain about 25% of the time. I am also in the process of
seeing a neurologist and just had an MRI. I'm scheduled for an EEG and
follow up. He doesn't think it is necessarily related to the WLS, but
isn't discounting anything. The migraines started about once every 3 days
or so, and are now daily. If I get more than one in a day, it's the second
or third that cause the headache part.
My doctor's first observation is that since I had the surgery I have been
tapered off my beta blocker I was taking for High Blood Pressure. I
started on it about 2 years ago after I developed HBP while pregnant.
Anyhow, I guess they give Beta Blockers as a migraine preventative, so his
theory is that the migraines were being suppressed by the beta blocker, and
now are surfacing during the tapering off of the drug. Once I went off
completely, the frequency increased to daily. He suggested I go back on
the beta blocker to see if they stopped, but the first day I began the drug
again, my BP dropped and my pulse dropped to about 48 (Beta blockers slow
the pulse rate but should not go below 50-60). I got very dizzy and light
headed...but no migraine that day...but the dizziness was just as bad and
longer duration than the migraine, so I guess we'll have to find something
else. Not sure if you were ever on beta blockers, but it might be
something to check into.
I'm interested in the other responses too...gotta love this site!!!!
— angelav
March 29, 2003
It all relates to hormones. I have noticed that at about the age of 35
women complain of migranes. Our estrogen levels begin to drop. If you get
the right amount of estrogen (for your body) the problem subsides. This has
been my experience and my observations of others as they age. One friend is
taking a blood pressure med shown to help migranes called Calan. I take
Fiornal but find anacin also helps. If someone knows of a endocrinologist
or gyne who is knowledgeable of estrogen replacement, please let me know.
— Marian B.
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