ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: nannettesea on March 29, 2006, 09:13:08 pm
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Nan here-
So three docs are suggesting I may be having a constant migraine without the headache, thus the dizziness...
Has anyone else out there been treated for migraine minus headache? Recent doc said I'd have to try a medicine for 2 months, and maybe try another....
Just curious.
Nan
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Hi Nan, what type of medication is he suggesting?
I've always thought migraines were instense headaches. Or at least my migraines made my head hurt horribly!
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Being a migraine sufferer myself, both pre- and post- op (mostly post) I have never heard of such a thing! I started a migraine thread a while back under Post-Op and referenced a really great book I found on them.
Capt Deb
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Nan, Interesting you should bring the migraine without the headache topic. I have a long history of migraine headaches that was attributed to mostly hormones. After suffering from migraine headaches for over seven years without response to any of the treatments that were suggested (medication, accupuncture, chiropractor, tai chi, chinese medicine, massage, meditation, and more), I finally sought the advice of a gynocoligist who recommend a hysterectomy. He said he had treated three of his patients who were nonresponders also. Other doctors I consulted said he was a quack, but they weren't able to help, so out of desperation I went ahead with the hysterectomy. To my surprise, and relief, the removal of my ovaries along with estrogen replacement reduced my headaches by 80%. The other 20% come from stress, changes in the weather, and sinus flare-ups. So, when I went to the ENT with extreme dizziness that had been going on every morning for over a month, he decided to treat me for an inner ear infection. After antibiotics, the dizziness was still there. He then sent me for a MRI, and that is when they found the AN, a small one--4mm x 5mm. The ENT then sent me to a specialist--by the time I saw him the dizziness had subsided. He recommended wait and watch since the AN is small, and my hearing test came out normal. But, he thought the dizziness was not from the AN, but instead from a migraine without the headache. That just didn't seem to add up to me, but I didn't question it--after all isn't he the specialist! On and off after my diagnosis of the AN, I was having some typical migraines due to stress, but with no dizziness. Then last week, three months after my dizzy spells ended, I had three dizzy spells in a row, but this time with the migraine headache. The dizzy spells didn't last very long however. With a new medication (Fiornal), I was able to abate the migraine headaches. But, I have heard that you can have many symptoms without the actual headache. For instance, my husband had these funky vision problems going on once, and he rushed to the eye doctor because he was freaking out. The doctor said he was having visual symptoms of a migraine without the headache. The vision cleared up shortly, and he hasn't experience anything like this since (he had no history of migraine headaches). I have also heard that you can have an abdominal migraine without the headache. It is hard to believe, but I guess it could be true. Still, I have a hard time buying into having dizziness without the headache every morning for over a month. It would be interesting to hear if anyone can relate to this topic. Anybody believe the dizziness migraine without the headache instead of the dizziness being a symptom caused by the AN? Good luck Nan. Let us know how your situation works out. Nancy
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Batty and Capn Deb--yes, you can have migraines without headache, as odd as it sounds. I'm going to see another neurologist when I get back to WA--have been in MN for two months, one more to go, and my surgeon doesn't want me to start with someone here then switch...so I don't know what medication I'll end up with. Three docs think the migraine thing is a possibility, so I figure it can't hurt to try. Though 11 months straight...7 months post-op, I know it's a long shot.
Nancy, very interesting comments about migraine experience. Hormonal changes, that's new to me. For me to have migraine-related dizziness for so long seems unlikely, but as I said above, I'll try anything. I spoke to another doc last nite, the one I went to for first opinion for AN treatment--he told me to watch and wait because he wasn't convinced my original dizziness was AN-related. He was the third one who mentioned migraine possibility.
So, I'll keep you posted when I try the medication in a month or so. Thanks for the feedback/experience.
Nan
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My only symptoms prior to being diagnosed with an AN were dizziness and unsteadiness and mild ear fullness. After being diagnosed it disappeared for a few months and then returned and continued right up to surgery. I, of course, had some unsteadiness after surgery, but I am now 5 months post op and the dizziness and unsteadiness are completely gone. I have never suffered from migraines. I believe your dizziness could very possibly be from the AN, not the migraines.
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I have also doubted the migraine without the headache theory as far as the dizziness is concerned. I do believe that having symptoms with no headache is something that is real. But, to be truthful, I would rather believe the docs migraine theory rather than thinking I am having a symptom of the AN. I feel lucky to have my hearing, and I just hope that I am lucky enough that the darn AN won't grow. However, the reality is ,according to the doc, is that it will most likely grow due to my age. I am 46, and he said if I was 75 or 80 he wouldn't be so concerned with growth. I have my second hearing test next week, and the second MRI is in June. In the meantime will continue to receive support from this forum and just take it day by day. For the most part, I am not freaking myself out as much as I did in the beginning. I tried to attach meaning to eveything that was happening to me even though it was probably just every day normal things that happen to most people--like tripping over a pair of shoes in the floor or hearing a stange noise. But, still I know the AN is something I will have to contend with for the rest of my life. Admire all of you who have shared your stories even though some have been heartbreaking. Thanks for listening. Nancy
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Nan you can have mirgraines from hormonal surges. For years before my AN was diagnosed I'd get a mirgraine about 4 days prior to starting menstration that would last almost a week if I didn't take meds before onset. I have had buggy eye things that were unexplained..wonder if it was as nancy's husband had migraine symptoms without the migraine? I've always been a medical marvel :o
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I am convinced that my debiliatating headaches are tottaly due to the trauma on the scapl and muscles by surgeons focussing on the tumour and not the other things.
I still wait for the magical mushroom cure!
Laz
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Laz--
I know what those headaches are like and you really have my compassion on those--no one knows what they're like 'cept us! Mine start in a single point on the AN side just above the base of my skull and then spread out to the entire incision area and lodge behind my left eye--hence the migraine diagnosis. If I get my Zomig nasal spray up my schnozz at the first sign--it either knocks it back to a manageable pain level, or it only lasts about 2 hours instead of 12. Have you tried the Zomig yet? I have Imitrex injectable, too, but I hate needles. The pills don't work for me cuz the doc says my stomach tenses up and quits working from the stress.
It's my miracle drug!
Capt Deb
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Mine pain mgt doc gave me zomig..lived on those little pills. Just for argument sake:
Have either of you checked your occiptal nerve? After I was hit by a drunk driver they determined my migraines were due to nerve damage in the occiptal nerve area. I had blocks done to correct it. It also helped if I laid my head on a phone book edge (something hard and thick) to relieve some of the pressure. They migraine would start at the base of my skull and go into my eye. Sounds just like what you are describing Capt Deb.
Personally I'd come see my pain med guru who has experience with AN sufferers. Plus he's a cutie! LOL
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Yes I have--I took it out and inspected it and put it back in!
Oh yeah--occipital nerve entrapment--that's the diagnosis my physical therapist gave me--I saw him 3x a week for 3 months and he worked and worked on that spot. Headaches are probably from a combination of factors--referred pain, scar tissue from surg, soft tissue and nerve damage from the surgical position, and hereditary migraine. Quaduple whammy!
Capt Deb
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Dr. Cordner fixed my occipital based migraines...Had them for years! I'm just thankful I don't have to add migraines on my already extensive post surgical complications list. I wish I could fix yours!
Have you tried a tens unit for pain mgt? It's electrical stimulation. I had one first prescribed for the migraines and now use it for my feet and face. It does help with the symptoms..it's like getting massaged on your shoulder/neck area which helps release the muscles.
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OK--I could say something naughty here, but I won't!!!!
What is a tens unit?
Capt Deb
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It's an electrical stimulation unit NO LAZ not to be confused with a toy! Much different!!!
I got my first one about 10 years ago and recently got a new one as my other one went kapluyey. My insurance wouldn't cover it and they sold it to me for 50.00. They gave my brother the same deal. You put these little pads on your face, shoulders, neck, feet..whatever ails you and it gives you little electric jolts sorta like a masager only you don't have to hold it lol It kneeds the muscles in your trap area to release the tension thus providing relief from your headache. I used them on my ankle to reduce swelling and on my face to help the facial numbness (that hasn't worked yet lol)
When you move in with me I'll hook you up! :-*
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(Mental picture: Batty Wench laying on table in dark scary castle laboratory a la Bride of Frankenstein all hooked up to electrical tens unit on a black and stormy night! ZAP! ZAP! ZAAAAAAP!!!!!!!)
IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!!!!! IT'S ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Heck it's the closest I'll ever get to being a bride again LOL
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Actually, bride of frankenstein would be good wacky batty - his line could change by saying "I vant to suck your AN" instead of blood.
Hey, is chocolate a good conductor of electricity - if not, Batty might not get zapped at all! ;D
back to work for me - yukko, boring, yuk, I want the weekend back.
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zapped?? I need to be zapped? hmmm...my an is gone gone gone so nothing left to zap! ;D
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Since my an operation Oct. 02, I am not joking---I have not had 1 single headache, not one. I am very lucky for that and I know it. No pain anywhere! My heart goes out for all of you. Hang in there, I hope things will improve.
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I had migraine all my life, and i honestly do not know if it is related to ANs.
I have tried everything and some medicine worked well. It was in fact the one for arrhythmia or angina that kept the migraines at bay.
But they always had the pain in the head with it after the first symptoms which were, numbness of the nose, butterflies in the stomach, cols extremities, vertigo, nausea. Then the pain on only one side of the head. it was serious enough to be confined in bed, dark room, no noises for 3 days, vomiting constantly. Then it would go away by itself as no medicine could do anything once the symptoms were strongly in place. Now than I have aged, I have the migraines still but without the pain, so it is because of this that I replied to your post.
It still last 2 or 3 days but the only proof that it is a migraine are the symptoms and a faint tightness on the top of my right brow, which I recognize well.
antoinette
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I sympathise with you Antoinette.
My best remedy is to be as wacky as possible and try to laugh - at least I get a few minutes break from the pain which at times is unbearable.