Headaches

[Melanie]

I know headaches are quite often a side effect of seizures but mine are rather unique and I'm wondering if anyone else is in the same boat.

I'm 29 and have had a constant headache since I was about 10, along with frequent migraines. I was first diagnosed as having seizures when I was 13. I have complex partial and absence. I've seen doctors for the headaches since I was very little, and I've tried many different medications with no help. The best guess I've gotten from the doctors is the headaches might be caused by the epilepsy, but my seizures have been controlled for nine years while my headaches just seem to be getting worse. I have a large family history of headaches and migraines, so its definitely genetic but as far as we know I'm the only person in the family with epilepsy.

So I was wondering if any one else has headaches or migraines frequently which seem to be separate from the seizures and not caused by the medication?

[MountainGirl]

I had headaches an unusually amount, or so I thought. After doing some research, a side effect of my med is headaches. Are you sure your meds aren't causing the headaches?

[Melanie]

I'm positive it's not the medicine because I started having migraines when I was just 4 years old - long before I started taking any medication. I started on seizure medication when I was about 13 but I had been having daily headaches many years before that. If anything the medication might be making them a little bit worse but they're definitely not the cause.

MountainGirl said:

I had headaches an unusually amount, or so I thought. After doing some research, a side effect of my med is headaches. Are you sure your meds aren't causing the headaches?

[MountainGirl]

I can't even imagine what that must be like for you. I would give you a brain transplant if I could...

[Melanie]

Thanks! Most days I just want a complete head transplant.. living with it for so long you kind of learn to deal. It just gets really frustrating sometimes. I often wish I could have just one day without a headache, just one day. And I'm sure there's many people who feel the same thing about their seizures... I've been very fortunate in getting my seizures under control. Its strange though as well because I kind of go through some of the same things when talking with other people as I would describing seizures. Its hard to make someone understand what you're going through when they're not and never have experienced it.

MountainGirl said:

I can't even imagine what that must be like for you. I would give you a brain transplant if I could...

[retroman73]

Yuck. Not sure what that could be...I agree it could be related to epilepsy, but since you have migranes too, it is difficult.

Have you tried topamax? That is an anti-seizure and anti-migraine drug at the same time. It might be worth giving it a shot.

I hope you can get some success.

Jon

[Melanie]

I tried topamax, and like many people it quickly became known as dope-a-max to myself and my boyfriend. I could not stay awake on it at all. I've tried many of the other common medications as well, paxil, prozac, I've lost track of them all. I'm currently taking Lamictal for my headaches and it seemed to be working well at first but like so many other medications it worked for awhile and then just stopped.

Thanks for the suggestion though, it is appreciated.

retroman73 said:

Yuck. Not sure what that could be...I agree it could be related to epilepsy, but since you have migranes too, it is difficult.

Have you tried topamax? That is an anti-seizure and anti-migraine drug at the same time. It might be worth giving it a shot.

I hope you can get some success.

Jon

[Wendi Moore-Buysse]

Hi Melanie,
Yes. Since I was 14, I have had headaches almost constantly - 3-4x per week - some of them migraines. My mother never took it seriously and never took me to see a dr, so I lived with it until I was 37 years old (in 2007). Since she did not take it seriously, I didn't either and just lived with it.

When I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2007, I told my dr about the headaches and the depression, which I have had off and on throughout my life. He said I have a chemical in my brain that causes the seizures, the headaches, and the depression. He is treating me for all 3.

I take Lamotrigine for seizures, Lexapro for depression, and Nortriptyline for headaches. I rarely have headaches now. My seizures are down to maybe 1 per month and I'm feel the best I have ever felt.

Hope that helps.

Wendi

[Moxie :^^:]

I sometimes get headaches from the Lamictal. Never had a migraine. Do consult your doctor about the AEDs you are taking and whether it could be a side effect.

Good luck!

[john moore]

Wendi,
My children were taken from me because there mother was angry that they overwelmingly indicated to her the day before, they intended on staying with me. My family suggested I 'finesse' by writing, calling, driving by waving, and sending gifts and money regularly so there mother would not overreact. Well, she did! Her married boyfriend had high school buddies that were cops in this small country town. I was arrested 7 times on false charges, and my children suffered so badly that both of them are currently experiencing the same inbalancement. She had me convenced for years (up until recently) that my children played a big part in having me arrested. That caused an ongoing offense/defense that did not allow a proper transition when I got to see them almost a decade later. Subsequently I found out they never recieved any of my communications, gifts, or money. They have been convenced I am crazy and evil. Their mother and stepfather(s) were obviously very abusive. I am sure my children, in some illogical frame of thought, still believe this. If they can come to grips with what was done to them and not who was always there for them in every kind of support, and then work with me in a harmonious way, I believe they can be cured over the next year or so. I am not sad about what happened to me. I'm a man. I am sad because of what happened to my children. If I could talk to her/them now, I would say CONTACT ME!!! I am only looking at what would be benificial to them... The mind is most believe...

Wendi Moore-Buysse said:

Hi Melanie,
Yes. Since I was 14, I have had headaches almost constantly - 3-4x per week - some of them migraines. My mother never took it seriously and never took me to see a dr, so I lived with it until I was 37 years old (in 2007). Since she did not take it seriously, I didn't either and just lived with it.

When I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2007, I told my dr about the headaches and the depression, which I have had off and on throughout my life. He said I have a chemical in my brain that causes the seizures, the headaches, and the depression. He is treating me for all 3.

I take Lamotrigine for seizures, Lexapro for depression, and Nortriptyline for headaches. I rarely have headaches now. My seizures are down to maybe 1 per month and I'm feel the best I have ever felt.

Hope that helps.

Wendi

[Seruzies]

I'm having too many migraines, and too many seizures, I want to find a new med or change Dr's to someone who will get me on some kind of different treatment plan to get my seizures and migraines under control.

[Jen]

Have you had a MRI or CT scan of the head?
Just wondering because I have been having seizures for many years now,along with daily severe headaches, and just learned that I have abnormal MRI and CT scans. Which after researching, seems to be related to something entirely seperate from the seizures.

Maybe something to look into.

Good luck!

~jen

[frankcipolla]

stay away from cheese chocolate and dairy products are cause`s of
migraines i get them alot to bet i go into a dark room and sleep it off
if you need some one to talk to please email me anytime ok framkie
cipolla from newark delaware,
frankie cipolla

[e-mail]