Falling appart Migraines/Back Pain

[Saren]

Hello. I'm a 25 y/o woman in need of some answers.

I have had migraines since I was 12, and diagnosed with Pseudo Tumor Cerbri (Now called Inter-cranial Hypertension). I've gone through really bad bouts of them, but always managed to survive. I was told it could come back, but I've never had full-blown symptoms after they treated me years ago. Over the last six months they have been getting more frequent and more intense. Now, they are coming about 2 to 3 times a week, and while I have always just worked through them, I find that they are worse than ever before. I get physically ill with bright lights and sounds. The Excedrin no longer works, and I've taken to dumping my head in a bathtub or sink filled with water to even out the pressure inside my head. I've even used Head-On.

But added to that, is back pain (lower back/shoulders), pain in arms and joints, dizziness at random times, nausea, numbness in fingers/toes at odd times, random aches and pains. This started about 6 or 7 months ago, and I've graduated to taking the following on an almost daily basis:

Exedrine Migraine (4 pills a day)
Alieve (sp) (4 pills a day)
Icy Hot
Heating pad
Hot showers

I bought a Memory Foam mattress topper and pillow hoping that would help.

My latest MRI (done a week ago) is clear, but the doctor is clueless. She thinks it may be psychosomatic. But, I'm pretty sure that I'm sane enough (though my room-mate will question that).

Does anyone have any ideas?

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? It is good that the MRI was clear.  Symptoms associated with pseudotumor cerebri include  headache, nausea, vomiting, and pulsating sounds within the head. Although differentials for your present symptoms may be include migraine variants such as complicated migraine or vertebrobasilar migraine. Complicated migraine presents with migraine attacks that are accompanied by persistent neurologic deficits while vertebrobasilar migraine present with symptoms, such as vertigo, dizziness, confusion, dysarthria, tingling of extremities, and incoordination. It is recommended that you check with your doctor regularly to  monitor any changes in vision. Discuss medical management with your doctor and also to reduce fluid buildup and to relieve pressure. Take care and do keep us posted.

[Saren]

Sorry in the delay of getting back to you, and thanks for answering!

@ Dame: Yea, I've had to back off due to worry about damage to liver/kidneys. A friend of mine pointed that out to me minutes AFTER I posted. The pain did get worse and then became a sharp ache that stays with me for the whole of the day. I had a horrible migraine the other day, and ended up having to be "kept" at work until I could function again. They were afraid to let me drive. Those are the worst ones. And you are right, I need a new doc...I think I'm going to have to invest in seeing a migraine specialist or neurologist.

@ Sondy: I don't know about hormones. I have high estrogen levels (abnormally high), but other that, I've never been tested for hormone problems. I've tried a few detox programs and try to keep my diet balanced. I've actually been trying to cut down the caffeine, as I read that sometimes it causes migraines.

But it's the other pains/aches that are throwing me. I mean, eventually, i'll get treated for the migraines, but could the backaches, shoulder pains, numbness, and dizziness be related?

[sondyD]

Have you thought about having your hormone levels checked? I started having migraines when my daughter was born. I had infertility prior and later found out that my progesterone levels were too low which can cause migraines. Typically they would only occur around my cycle then later became worse several times per week for several weeks at a time. I also think I had some rebound pain from taking over the counter pain meds... I have tried to drink a little bit of coca cola or something with caffeine when I take Tylenol and have had success sometimes.  Also, I was told by a friend of mine to try to do a detox which did seem to relieved them when they were at their worst. There are also many foods that have been found to be triggers... keep up with what you eat and look up a tyramine free diet. Hope you find some relief.

[dame_wilbur]

You say that Excedrin no longer works, so why are you still taking it? You may be suffering from rebounds from it (or the Alieve) because you're taking so much so often. I know it sounds crazy and painful, but you might want to stop taking the painkillers for a while and see if the pain gets less. I can't take Excedrin because I get rebounds 'cuz I took it *way* too often when I was younger.

Also, if your doc is clueless, maybe it's time that you sought a second opinion?

Good luck,

~Dame