[linux]

For the past 4 1/2 months, I've had what could in a very broad sense be called a severe migraine. Every single second of every single day during this time, I've had a persistent, sharp throbbing pain in my right temporal lobe, and it's driving me absolutely insane. I'm a 15 year old freshman and I've missed upwards of 50 school days because of this headache. I can barely do anything but lay in a dark room because of the pain physical exertion and light sensitivity bring.

The 6 neurologists, cardiologist, oncologist/hematologist, nephrologist, and several ER docs that I've seen haven't been able to figure out what is wrong with me, and have tried topamax, depakote (IV and pill), compazine(IV and pill), phenergen(IV, pill, and suppository), Toradol (IV), Indomethacin, Migranal, Imitrex, Zomig, fioricet, percocet, tramadol(worthless), morphine (IV), and hydromorphone(IV). So far I have $32,000 in medical bills (thank God for insurance) after about 70 hospital and doctor visits.

Now, I'm on 300mg of Neurontin 3 times per day, some trazodone to try to help me sleep through the pain at night, and some lexapro to stop me from getting too depressed over all of this. None of these things are working to relieve my pain.

My headache specialist, Primary physician, and just about every other doctor that's not in the ER refuses to treat me with what seems to be the only thing that even touches my pain: narcotics. They keep insisting that narcotics are bad, without any reason, even though current studies suggest they're less harmful than some OTC drugs, and if I used them responsibly and as directed there is virtually no chance of addiction. I hate this stigma against what seems to be the one thing that will give me a chance at at least being functional.

I'm set to have a lumbar puncture sometime soon, even though the doctors said it's a shot in the dark.

I'm tired of being a human pincushion and a guinea-pig.


How can I get my doctors to actually provide me with the pain relief I need? I can't stand this headache anymore, I've just about gone crazy.

[Cats Meow]

Continued use of narcotics used as directed and responsibly always causes dependence (a nicer term for addiction), it's the nature of the beast. You being so young it's understandable why they're reluctant to put you on it's regiment, but you need to have your parents act as your advocate, you shouldn't have to live in pain. Why not try some homeopathic treatments, maybe hypnosis or acupuncture. Narcotics don't work forever, you need to treat the source more so then the symptoms. I hope you find what works for you, sorry about your luck pal.

[lebre56]

linox, were you taking anything before this headache came on....think real hard if you're not sure....bre

[linux]

Originally Posted by Cats Meow

Continued use of narcotics used as directed and responsibly always causes dependence (a nicer term for addiction), it's the nature of the beast. You being so young it's understandable why they're reluctant to put you on it's regiment, but you need to have your parents act as your advocate, you shouldn't have to live in pain. Why not try some homeopathic treatments, maybe hypnosis or acupuncture. Narcotics don't work forever, you need to treat the source more so then the symptoms. I hope you find what works for you, sorry about your luck pal.

I've tried acupuncture for about a month (3x week) and that didn't do anything for me except help me relax a little.

Just to clarify a common misconception, Addiction is strong emotional and /or psychological dependence on a substance such as alcohol or drugs that has progressed beyond voluntary control, whereas (physical) dependence is the body adjusting to the drug and needing it to function properly.

Most recent studies suggest that the addiction potential of drugs used by those who do experience chronic pain is actually rather low.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medi...p?newsid=64485

"When patients take pain medication as prescribed, the risk of abuse will more than likely be minimal." http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2007-mchi/3948.html


I guess my next step is pain management/biofeedback.

Thanks for your help!!

[squirrely2]

My daughter is 15 also and a freshman in high school. Her intense daily migraines have forced her out of school and on-line which is just as difficult and she misses just as much.

Her migraines started around her menstraul cycle and then escalated, to every day with severe episodic migraines a couple of times a month that last 3-5 days.

No meds work yet and doctors won't prescribe narcotics for migraines. They may help temporarily but you might rebound and it may make things worse in the long run.

Don't give up hope. Keep trying....