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Moderator

Headache and Migraine Group: Let’s connect

Posted by Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier, Feb 27 1:49pm

Welcome to the Headache & Migraine support group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

If you or someone you care about has headaches or migraines, this is a great place to talk with others with similar experiences. It’s a welcoming forum to learn from each other and share stories about challenges, coping strategies, setbacks and what helps.

Take these steps to participate in the group:

  • Follow the group.
  • Browse topics.
  • Use the group search to find answers to your questions.
  • Introduce yourself.

Pull up a chair and chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What is your experience, or your loved one’s experience, living with headache or migraine (i.e., what type, how long since diagnosis, how it’s managed)? Have a question, tip or story to share?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Headache & Migraine Support Group.

Profile picture for scy
scy | @scy | Jul 20 6:40pm

My most successful treatment for my
Migraines is acupuncture andchirocare
My chiro and acupuncture one in the same
Get same day service
Been going for 28 yrs

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Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jul 21 11:04am
In reply to @babmuse "I am a 76 year old woman. About 6 years ago (AFTER I retired as a..." + (show)
Profile picture for babmuse @babmuse

I am a 76 year old woman. About 6 years ago (AFTER I retired as a writer), I started experiencing an irritated scalp and tight neck, which gradually got worse. Docs, including a neurologist, wanted me to go on gabapentin immediately, but I wanted to give other solutions a try. I did physical therapy with several different practitioners, but no luck and the pain was getting more constant and waking me up at night. I finally went to a pain specialist who immediately said it was occipital neuralgia. Happy to have a diagnosis, but I seem to be trapped in a 3 month cycle with steroid injections in my neck. I have relief for about 6 weeks, but I can’t have more steroids until 3 months, so about six weeks of pain, up to a 10 at intervals. Treated with Tylenol and ibuprofen, every 3 to 5 hours. I recently stopped the ibuprofen, but my body is on a rebound schedule so I have to take the Tylenol every 5 hours now. I am very fatigued and this is affecting my social and emotional life and energy level. I may try the gabapentin next. Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with a low dose of gaba? Any other suggestions? Sorry for this long post.

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Hi, @babmuse, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad to hear you have a diagnosis, too. Sorry to hear about this 3-month cycle you are having to experience, however.

I took gabapentin personally, but it was for postherpetic neuralgia after having shingles, to deal with lingering pain/tingling after the condition had run its course. I recognize that some individuals report side effects from gabapentin, but I experienced none. It helped me with my pain. My doctor had me trial off of it after about 7 weeks of treatment, and fortunately, my pain and tingling were then gone.

There are numerous discussions on Mayo Clinic Connect in different support groups about gabapentin. Here are a couple that might have some useful information for you, including one from the Neuropathy support group and one from the Chronic Pain support group:

- Has Gabapentin helped anyone out there? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-gabapentin-helped-anyone-out-there/

- Is anyone on Gabapentin? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-anyone-on-gabapentin/

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1 reply
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mbixler | @mbixler | Jul 21 11:36am

Migraines truly are horrific, and I know how frustrating trying to find a solution can be. I pray you are able to find a solution that can give you some relief, as I also have experienced unrelenting pain for months on end, and know its toll effects every aspect of your life.

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bernieboy | @bernieboy | Jul 21 5:01pm
In reply to @bernieboy "Thanks Jody I will hang in there and take it one day at a time. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for bernieboy @bernieboy

Thanks Jody I will hang in there and take it one day at a time. I hope it finally works for you.
Bernie

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Keep in touch Jody

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babmuse | @babmuse | Jul 22 3:31pm
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @babmuse, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad to hear you have a..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Hi, @babmuse, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad to hear you have a diagnosis, too. Sorry to hear about this 3-month cycle you are having to experience, however.

I took gabapentin personally, but it was for postherpetic neuralgia after having shingles, to deal with lingering pain/tingling after the condition had run its course. I recognize that some individuals report side effects from gabapentin, but I experienced none. It helped me with my pain. My doctor had me trial off of it after about 7 weeks of treatment, and fortunately, my pain and tingling were then gone.

There are numerous discussions on Mayo Clinic Connect in different support groups about gabapentin. Here are a couple that might have some useful information for you, including one from the Neuropathy support group and one from the Chronic Pain support group:

- Has Gabapentin helped anyone out there? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-gabapentin-helped-anyone-out-there/

- Is anyone on Gabapentin? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-anyone-on-gabapentin/

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Hi Lisa
Thanks for your response and the other links, I will take a look. I just read an article today about a research paper showing that taking it long term is linked with dementia. I can link it here once I figure out how to do it!
Thanks again.
Babmuse (barb)

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