Chronic Migraine, neck issues and visual issues? Any advice more than welcome!

Hi, just found this forum so thought it worth a post! For a long time I've had headaches daily and am photophobic especially under flourescent lights. Over the last six months they have got much worse and a neurologist has diagnosed me as a Chronic Migraine sufferer. I've seen loads of specialists and the latest theory is the headaches are caused by neck issues which impact on the occipital nerves and therefore impact vision. I'm desperately trying to sort my posture out to try to help with regular massages and am taking Dosulepin too, neither of which are helping. I'm finding it very painful to use computers and tend to wear dark sunglasses daily which help block some of the pain. I used to get what I'd call a full migraine (vision going and a pneumatic drill in my head around once a month, but now I tend to get the medium level pain behind my eyes/nose/forehead daily. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

Hi and welcome.

You don't mention what you take for the pain. Do you take analgesics daily? If so, that could be contributing to your problem, although your neurologist has probably already talked about that.

I can definitely relate to your experience, in the sense that years ago I experienced 'classic' migraine with aura around once every month or two, then I started getting a daily form of it without aura alongside the occasional aura migraines. I think this is quite common for migraine to transform in this way when it becomes chronic (unfortunately for us all!)

Thanks for that. I was on Dosulepin but have come off it and am prepping to go onto Beta Blockers but need to research to ensure I'm as happy as I can be with it. Getting dizziness from coming off the dosulepin which isn't great.

Re: for the pain, there's nothing that really helps. Ibuprofen doesn't touch it. I tend to put the dark sunglasses on and hope. Are you aware of anything which helps?

I'm still hopeful the neck thing will turn into something positive and potentially the beta blockers might work out too.

The only things that help me at all are drugs from the triptan family. Assuming you are in the UK, you can buy Imigran/sumatriptan over the counter to try out before going to your GP to get it prescribed (it's the only one of the triptans that is available over the counter, and then you only get two tablets). There are a few others too.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/triptans

Hugs flip

I too have major neck issues with my migraines - a couple of things you could try - one is a water pillow - as this moved with your head when you sleep and you can fill it to the height which helps you the most - not too high.

Computers need to be at eye level - many are just below and this causes neck strain.

Talk to your doc re a GONB - its an injection in the neck which blocks the nerve - its used a lot with chronic migraines - but since you mention your neck it may be help you lots.

Acupuncture - dont underestimate this - even my consultant was pushing it the other day - there are studies to show it help easy the nerve pain - I am about to start this (and I dont like needles gulp) but my doc has pushed to give this a go in order to easy the neck and shoulder pain.

x