Re: Tension/Migraine Headaches

[Guest guest]

Cat, It's just not fair to have RA and migraines at the same time! I

used to have one or two migraines a week, but I didn't have RA in those

days. When I got RA a couple of years ago, my migraines had already

been cured.

It does sound like migraines when you say you had shooting behind the

eyes along with nausea and vomiting. When I used to have them, it would

feel as though my eye was just going to pop out of my head. When they

were at their worse, I felt like crawling into a dark hole, because any

sound or light would just make the pain much worse.

Migraines usually occur on one side of the head at a time, but mine

were not like that when I first started having them but were on both

sides. After a while, they would usually be on my left side, and my

left shoulder would hurt along with the head and eye. I know what you

mean about getting into a cycle. It seemed that I was always about to

have a migraine, having one, or getting over one.

If your doctors conclude that you are having migraines, let me know and

I'll tell you the combination of triclyclic antidepressants that cured

mine.

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt! Sue

On Wednesday, July 28, 2004, at 07:24 PM, Cat wrote:

> I've had a bit of a rough spell lately and don't know if it is

> related to my RA or not. I started getting neck stiffness which led

> to slight headaches at the temples that became serious headaches

> shooting behind my eyes that made me nauseous and caused vomitting.

> It seems like when I get into the cycle and get sick it is so hard to

> get out of it even with migraine medicine, anti-nausea, and muscle

> relaxants.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Cat, I have severe neck stiffness and pain everyday. It also

makes me have headaches sometimes, and pain in the lower part of my

skull. I think mine is the RA effecting my neck.

I will keep you in my prayers, Tawny

> Hi all!!! You guys are so great to share ideas and feelings! I'm

a

> lurker so I don't post much but do enjoy reading all of the emails

> daily.

>

> I've had a bit of a rough spell lately and don't know if it is

> related to my RA or not. I started getting neck stiffness which

led

> to slight headaches at the temples that became serious headaches

> shooting behind my eyes that made me nauseous and caused

vomitting.

> It seems like when I get into the cycle and get sick it is so hard

to

> get out of it even with migraine medicine, anti-nausea, and muscle

> relaxants. Have told my rheumy and even when I had to go to the ER

> he didn't seem that concerned or at least didn't have any helpful

> suggestions. I am trying to change rheumy's but my insurance is

> limited so it's interesting. My PCP is helpful but still hasn't

> figured it out and doesn't know about my RA medicine much.

>

> Does anyone else experience headache, neck ache problems? Any

> suggestions?

>

> oh, I am on 7mg of prednisone, max dosage of sulfasalazine, and the

> NSAID diclofenac. I know the pred and sulfa can cause nausea but

I'm

> usually ok with it and the pred can cause headaches but I've been

on

> as much as 40 mg a day and for 10 months and never had head

problems

> before.

>

> Thanks!!!

>

> Cat

[Guest guest]

Hi Tawny....I have bad pain and stiffness in my neck too. I sometimes get

pain in my right arm from it and my thumb is numb. I have a question for you and

everyone with this problem. I have a terrible time trying to back out of

parking spaces. I try to pull forward when I can but a lot of parking doesn't

have

that option. Does anyone have suggestions? I am so worried while I am backing

up only using my rear view mirror and side mirrors. Any ideas? Judy

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy, I have a terrible time also, with backing up, I can't turn

my neck very much anymore. I don't have any suggestions, I just try

to watch my mirrors, and usually I have someone with me.

What gets me when your trying to back, someone darts out and starts

walking behind your car, that really makes my day. Thanks for

bringing up this subject, and maybe someone has some ideas to share

with us,......thanks Tawny

> Hi Tawny....I have bad pain and stiffness in my neck too. I

sometimes get

> pain in my right arm from it and my thumb is numb. I have a

question for you and

> everyone with this problem. I have a terrible time trying to back

out of

> parking spaces. I try to pull forward when I can but a lot of

parking doesn't have

> that option. Does anyone have suggestions? I am so worried while I

am backing

> up only using my rear view mirror and side mirrors. Any ideas?

Judy

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

There are physical therapy exercises that you can do to help increase your

range of motion in your neck. Just ask your Dr. for a script to see a physical

therapist.

I've been doing them for 30 years. The side benefit is that you don't get a

double chin! lolol

Dix

[ ] Re: Tension/Migraine Headaches

Hi Judy, I have a terrible time also, with backing up, I can't turn

my neck very much anymore. I don't have any suggestions, I just try

to watch my mirrors, and usually I have someone with me.

What gets me when your trying to back, someone darts out and starts

walking behind your car, that really makes my day. Thanks for

bringing up this subject, and maybe someone has some ideas to share

with us,......thanks Tawny

> Hi Tawny....I have bad pain and stiffness in my neck too. I

sometimes get

> pain in my right arm from it and my thumb is numb. I have a

question for you and

> everyone with this problem. I have a terrible time trying to back

out of

> parking spaces. I try to pull forward when I can but a lot of

parking doesn't have

> that option. Does anyone have suggestions? I am so worried while I

am backing

> up only using my rear view mirror and side mirrors. Any ideas?

Judy

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the smiles! I can feel them through the email.

Just got back from the doc and she says yes, definitely migraines.

In fact I think she prescribed an old antidepressant - Elavil - to

add to my daily routine (as if i don't take enough pills already:))

but I would LOVE to hear what worked for you! Thx!

Cat

> If your doctors conclude that you are having migraines, let me know

and

> I'll tell you the combination of triclyclic antidepressants that

cured

> mine.

>

> Been there, done that, got the T-shirt! Sue

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey:

I'm new to the list, just today and with the first few messages, I find

communality.

I have this problem with my neck and looking backward to back the car out. It

scares me, but you can't avoid doing it. I just creep back as slowly as I can

get the car to go and hope not to hit anybody. I turn around when ever I can.

[ ] Re: Tension/Migraine Headaches

Hi Judy, I have a terrible time also, with backing up, I can't turn

my neck very much anymore. I don't have any suggestions, I just try

to watch my mirrors, and usually I have someone with me.

What gets me when your trying to back, someone darts out and starts

walking behind your car, that really makes my day. Thanks for

bringing up this subject, and maybe someone has some ideas to share

with us,......thanks Tawny

> Hi Tawny....I have bad pain and stiffness in my neck too. I

sometimes get

> pain in my right arm from it and my thumb is numb. I have a

question for you and

> everyone with this problem. I have a terrible time trying to back

out of

> parking spaces. I try to pull forward when I can but a lot of

parking doesn't have

> that option. Does anyone have suggestions? I am so worried while I

am backing

> up only using my rear view mirror and side mirrors. Any ideas?

Judy

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dix, My problem is that I don't have insurance coverage right now,

but that sounds like a good idea:)

> > Hi Tawny....I have bad pain and stiffness in my neck too. I

> sometimes get

> > pain in my right arm from it and my thumb is numb. I have a

> question for you and

> > everyone with this problem. I have a terrible time trying to

back

> out of

> > parking spaces. I try to pull forward when I can but a lot of

> parking doesn't have

> > that option. Does anyone have suggestions? I am so worried

while I

> am backing

> > up only using my rear view mirror and side mirrors. Any

ideas?

> Judy

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Cat, Glad you went to the doc, and we have to do what we have to, got

to keep kickin:)

>

> > If your doctors conclude that you are having migraines, let me

know

> and

> > I'll tell you the combination of triclyclic antidepressants that

> cured

> > mine.

> >

> > Been there, done that, got the T-shirt! Sue

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

What's the exercise?

[ ] Re: Tension/Migraine Headaches

Hi Judy, I have a terrible time also, with backing up, I can't turn

my neck very much anymore. I don't have any suggestions, I just try

to watch my mirrors, and usually I have someone with me.

What gets me when your trying to back, someone darts out and starts

walking behind your car, that really makes my day. Thanks for

bringing up this subject, and maybe someone has some ideas to share

with us,......thanks Tawny

> Hi Tawny....I have bad pain and stiffness in my neck too. I

sometimes get

> pain in my right arm from it and my thumb is numb. I have a

question for you and

> everyone with this problem. I have a terrible time trying to back

out of

> parking spaces. I try to pull forward when I can but a lot of

parking doesn't have

> that option. Does anyone have suggestions? I am so worried while I

am backing

> up only using my rear view mirror and side mirrors. Any ideas?

Judy

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi , Glad that you joined the group, I hope you enjoy it

much as I do. I have found so many wonderful friends here, it's just

awesome. When you really don't know anyone with RA, then you find

this group, it's just amazing. I'm just so thankful that I found

this wonderful caring group.

I know what you mean about backing up, my driving moves has really

changed. What is really funny, is when I'm driving, and someone don't

know too much about me. Their telling me to look at this, or that,

and I tell them I can't because of my neck, they look at me crazy.

Oh well, maybe they'll figure it out one day,.....Tawny

> > Hi Tawny....I have bad pain and stiffness in my neck too. I

> sometimes get

> > pain in my right arm from it and my thumb is numb. I have a

> question for you and

> > everyone with this problem. I have a terrible time trying to

back

> out of

> > parking spaces. I try to pull forward when I can but a lot of

> parking doesn't have

> > that option. Does anyone have suggestions? I am so worried

while I

> am backing

> > up only using my rear view mirror and side mirrors. Any

ideas?

> Judy

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Cat,

I get headaches like that. The neck stiffness is caused by arthritis, and

the pressure causes the headaches. Migraine meds won't work. What does work is

5 mg. of valium to relax the nerve, along with a painkiller for the pain.

Sometimes, I'll wake up with one so bad that I'm afraid to move for fear my

head will explode! I have to work on zoning out so I can get up and get my

meds. Then it's back to bed while they take effect. Sometimes, I have to

repeat the meds to get it down to a tolerable level.

There are physical therapy exercxises you can do that will help prevent

them.

Just ask your Dr. for a script for physical therapy. They'll teach you all the

neat things you can do to help.

Dix

[ ] Tension/Migraine Headaches

Hi all!!! You guys are so great to share ideas and feelings! I'm a

lurker so I don't post much but do enjoy reading all of the emails

daily.

I've had a bit of a rough spell lately and don't know if it is

related to my RA or not. I started getting neck stiffness which led

to slight headaches at the temples that became serious headaches

shooting behind my eyes that made me nauseous and caused vomitting.

It seems like when I get into the cycle and get sick it is so hard to

get out of it even with migraine medicine, anti-nausea, and muscle

relaxants. Have told my rheumy and even when I had to go to the ER

he didn't seem that concerned or at least didn't have any helpful

suggestions. I am trying to change rheumy's but my insurance is

limited so it's interesting. My PCP is helpful but still hasn't

figured it out and doesn't know about my RA medicine much.

Does anyone else experience headache, neck ache problems? Any

suggestions?

oh, I am on 7mg of prednisone, max dosage of sulfasalazine, and the

NSAID diclofenac. I know the pred and sulfa can cause nausea but I'm

usually ok with it and the pred can cause headaches but I've been on

as much as 40 mg a day and for 10 months and never had head problems

before.

Thanks!!!

Cat

[Guest guest]

hi , Glad that you joined the group, I hope you enjoy it

much as I do.

: Thanks. Already I have found that it's good to get up in the

morning and have messages from the group here waiting forme. It makes morning a

little less terrible.

I have found so many wonderful friends here, it's just

awesome. When you really don't know anyone with RA, then you find

this group, it's just amazing. I'm just so thankful that I found

this wonderful caring group.

I know what you mean about backing up, my driving moves has really

changed. What is really funny, is when I'm driving, and someone don't

know too much about me. Their telling me to look at this, or that,

and I tell them I can't because of my neck, they look at me crazy.

Oh well, maybe they'll figure it out one day,.....Tawny

: I know, it's just impossible for anyone who does not have a

disease to understand. Even my doctor, whose wife had fibromyalgia, forgets

what it's liike even though he deals with it every day. He suggests I do things

(like drive to Birmingham) and I just stare at him, unablwe to believe he's just

suggested something like that.

> > Hi Tawny....I have bad pain and stiffness in my neck too. I

> sometimes get

> > pain in my right arm from it and my thumb is numb. I have a

> question for you and

> > everyone with this problem. I have a terrible time trying to

back

> out of

> > parking spaces. I try to pull forward when I can but a lot of

> parking doesn't have

> > that option. Does anyone have suggestions? I am so worried

while I

> am backing

> > up only using my rear view mirror and side mirrors. Any

ideas?

> Judy

> >

> >

> >