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Migraines cause debilitating pain Date published: 7/8/2007
BY KATE HARMON What starts with discomfort on one side of the head can lead to pain, nausea, light intolerance and a general desire to hide in a dark room until the distress is over. Migraines interrupt a sufferer's life, causing absences from work and school and leaving them not only with physical pain, but the anguish of trying to find a cure. Nearly 30 million people suffer migraines in America, making me feel like just a statistic. I got my first migraine at age 12, and they have yet to stop. As a child, I was convinced that I had an invisible brain tumor. During my sophomore year of college, I had to be taken to the emergency room because I had a migraine for five days. After cutting caffeine from my diet, trying every daily medication available to treat migraines, and seeing a chiropractor, I've gotten to the point where I ignore the migraines until I can't function. My situation shows that sometimes no matter what you do right, migraines just can't be treated. Without insurance, I can't afford many pain pills, so I have to pick and choose which migraine is bad enough for medication. Not all migraines are the same, though. Some cause aura vision, which can make sufferers feel as if they're looking at a light after spending too much time in the pool. Many are accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. But the most common symptom is pain. For some people, it's minimal. For most, it's paralyzing. There is hope for migraine sufferers--there are pain relievers and preventive medicines, non-drug treatments and specialists who can help sufferers find the right solution. easing the painSpotsylvania County resident Tanya Farris, 42, said she has had migraines most of her adult life. They've gotten to the point where taking 10 over-the-counter ibuprofen at a time doesn't ease her pain. Farris has changed her diet, lowered her caffeine intake and seen a chiropractor, but nothing has seemed to work. Farris said her doctor has been understanding of her frustration, and he's helped her as she's searched for the most effective and affordable medication. "Thank goodness he had samples," Farris said. Farris said her doctor is now thinking about putting her on daily preventive medication.
Date published: 7/8/2007
for a FLS employee??? Too bad because Imitrex inhaler really works on intermittent migraine (much better than pills). Topomax also helps - but while significant weight loss may be a welcome side-effect, significant hair loss is not. It also has other side-effects listed in article. Do NOT take handfuls of over-the-counters like Advil or you will end up suffering rebound headaches which are a DISASTER.
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