Question:
I was wondering if any other post-ops have had problems with migranes

migraines. My sister had this surgery 1 1/2 years ago and her migraines have got very bad. She has had ct scans, eeg's, spinal taps, mri's, ect......and nothing.....She is at the hospital every other night getting shots. Her nuerologist has tried her on many, many medicines. (even the popular imitrex) She has not had luck with any of them. Does anyone else have migraines that got much worse after surgery, if so, what has helped. She is getting very depressed over this issue and I am worried about her. Thanks for any help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    — B D. (posted on March 16, 2005)

March 16, 2005
Actually I have not had a migraine since I lost the weight, so it was just the opposite for me. Sounds silly but does she chew gum? The neurologist told me this can trigger migraines. I get just a *normal* headache now if I dont drink enough fluids??? worth a try , I wish her the best, they are awful.
   — Kathy S.

March 16, 2005
I never had issues with migranes until recently. (3.5 years PO) I can't say they are related, but I have started to develop them. Me no like. Rebecca
   — RebeccaP

March 16, 2005
I had daily migraines before the surgery and do not have them daily now but I go through periods where they do come frequently. The first thing that struck me is that if she is at the hospital every other day for shots that she is probably in a major rebound situation. Also, is she on anything for prevention of migraines? How has her blood work been? How old is she? Did she lose most of her body weight? All of these things can be related. Imitrex doesn't work for me and neither does most of the triptan drugs. One I did find that worked more than it didn't was Relpax. It lasts longer so reduces the chances of a rebound headache. Tell your sister I will be praying for her.
   — rinnchris

March 16, 2005
Tell her to up her Vitamin B complex vitamins. It may seem crazy, but I've had most of those tests done as well. One day, in Cosmo of all places, I saw a blip about migraines and how if you are low on your B vitamins it could cause them. I have been taking a B vitamin complex morning, and sometimes morning and night, ever since. It's been a miracle. I really hope this helps!!
   — Melinda M.

March 16, 2005
I agree with Melinda - I did not have major migraines problems until about 6 months post-op. MRI, EKGs, the works... and 12 different meds, both preventative and treatment. This went on for over two years. Once the migraine cycle starts it is difficult to stop. And steroids for them only made my blood sugar go bonkers.<br> What made the difference for me was getting my B vitamins (atually all vitamins) up to par. Also, more exercise, more water, wiser nutrition. I am not only ANY migraine drugs, and have resolved myself to never set foot in the neurology dept. again.
   — kultgirl

March 17, 2005
I've had migraines for over 40 yrs. For me there are lots of triggers. Allergies is one of the worst one for me. I tried a lot of meds which really didn't help. I have also been taking a beta blocker (had heart attack and heart bypass) that seems to be helping a lot, it opens the blood vessels up. I hope you find something, these "headaches" are so painful. Nut
   — Nut Picker

March 17, 2005
Your sister may want to keep a food diary. I found that when I eat certian foods, it can trigger one. She may have a big food allergie going and not even realize it. Since I am sure that her eating habits have changed. Also look at the B vitamins. My Dr checks mine every 60 days. Good Luck and hope she feels better soon.
   — Peggy R.

March 17, 2005
I'm still pre-op, I get excruciating migraines. They started after I started taking birth control pills. I was hoping the surgery would help them? Is she taking birth control pills? Or any other hormone treatments. Those send my migrains into a tailspin. Also look into the rebound situation. If she's getting them often and getting treatment for them she might have to try to go drugfree for awhile to stop the rebounds. Not easy BELIEVE ME I KNOW. I've also found that mine are affected by barometric changes. If I am sick have not slept well, etc. I seem to be more susceptible to them. They have a migraine clinic where I live and you can go there and they will educate you on rebounds, how stress effects you migrains etc. I'm lucky in that Imitrex has always worked for me, but I know there are several new migraine meds both preventative and for when you actually get one. All seem to work a bit different. Hopefully she can find one that works. I find that taking a daily dosage of amitryptilene, an anti-depressant helps make them less severe and I get them less often. I used to take inderol, a high blood pressure medication which helped a lot, but because I didn't have high blood pressure it slowed me down and made me gain weight. I think if you are predisposed to migraines and you do that one thing that unleashes them, for your sister weight loss, for me birth control pills, they are difficult, but not impossible to regain cintrol of. Good luck to your sister, I know how dibilitating they can be.
   — bettya

March 17, 2005
My sister has had a hysterectomy, so no she don't take birth control pills, she don't even take hormones. she has kept a food diary and eliminated foods and added foods. They just cant' seem to find what is causing them... Thanks for all your reply's
   — B D.

March 17, 2005
Oh My Goodness! I am going through the exact same thing right now! I have had a TERRIBLE migraine for about 8 weeks solid at this point. I had my surgery a little over 1 1/2 years ago. I've had a multitude of tests done, including tons of blood tests, ct scans, mri's, sleep studies, and most recently a spinal tap (which I'm still recovering from). Still no answers as to why I have this severe headache that won't go away. The docs have me taking Neurontin and Vicodin. They also had me take a 6 day steroid pack and then Prednisone and have now put me on a diuretic to supposedly help with fluid pressure on the brain. I cannot function in any of my simple, daily activities. I have had to go on medical leave from work. All of this with the constant, terrible pain has left me depressed and frustrated. I can totally sympathize with your sister. Thank you for posting this question as I'm hoping that others will have some suggestions or advice for us. Thanks!
   — Kimberly B.

March 17, 2005
I'm in the same boat. I'm 15 Post-op and I have tried all the usual meds including Imetrex, Maxtalt,etc. Also, the anti-convulsants like Topamax, Zonegran, Depakote, and Neurontin. I still take the Neurontin but for Post-Hepetic Neuralgia. I have been seeing a Pain Mgmt doctor and he has been trying different types of injections. I have used the Duragesic Patch, Oxycontin, Migranal, and currently trying Dilaudid. Just tell her to not give up. Send her to a headache specialist. Mine are diagnosed as Chronic Daily Headaches. I've done all the tests too, had my most recent Spinal Tap in January. Mri's at least 2x a year, CT scans, Emg's NCV's. I also have Peripheral Neuropathy from Vitamin deficiencies. Good Luck, just don't let her give up. I WON'T. NancyLostit
   — nancymc10

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