Migraine

[livingwith]

I have suffered from headache since my early 10’s. I though that headaches was my biggest problem, but no my headaches turned into migraines. I suffer from my migraine at least once a year and I recently recovered from one which stared on Monday 07, 2008, I took a whole day to rest. I used to take medicine for them, but not anymore because they don’t seem to work for me. I try to sleep as much as I can and rest a lot.
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[Cara]

I also started getting migraines at the age of 12. I am now almost 42. I have tried every medication available to me by my neurologist but nothing helped. He prescribed Tylenol #3 and that would get me through these episodes - allowing me to sleep. Then, Imitrex became available and that was a WONDER DRUG! Unfortunately, after taking it for a few months I experienced these strange chest tightenings which were very uncomfortable and I thought I was having a heart attack. In the meantime my neurologist refused to prescribe any more narcotics as he thought I would become addicted. So, I was left to suffer basically. So, I started taking Ibuprofen in heavy doses. When I get a migraine I can take up to 12 - 15 tablets in a day and they don't really make the pain go away. So, I started taking the Ibuprofen with 2 to 3 Benadryl tablets so I could fall asleep and try to sleep it away. My migraines generally last for 2 days. My headaches are usually triggered at the end of my menstral cycle. I called my general doctor last month while I felt the migraine coming on and asked her to just please prescribe Vicoden, which is an anti-inflamatory with a narcotic - but instead she prescribed "Midrin", which I was given about 20 years ago and it didn't work. I went to the Pharmacist and was told that Midrin isn't available any longer. (probably because it doesn't work). The Pharmacist suggested that I take Seasonique - a birth control pill to help with the hormonal fluctuations. I would like to try it, however, I have a family history of breast cancer (my mother had a mastectomy) and severe heart disease. My general doctor told me several years ago that I should never take birth control pills. So, here I sit - scratching my head. Do I risk taking birth control pills with my family history? Are narcotics really so addicting? Aside from the Imitrex, narcotics were the only other thing that put me to rest. If any of you have experienced this same dilemma, please notify me. Thank you.