Hi Lou,
Boy it’s almost impossible not to see myself in the lines of your post. There are many similarities. You should copy and paste this on the portion of the forum where it says to post your story…you should get good feedback here as well. First of all, welcome. You are in a good place with this site. It has helped so much…both for myself and countless others.
I will share that I never had anything near a migraine in my whole life, let alone a regular headache. So when I started getting dizzy, I assumed inner ear/viral etc…went through the battery of tests, all normal and I was diagnosed with a migraine variant. I thought the neuro was a quack and kept saying, “but I don’t get headaches” and he would shrug and say it didn’t matter. He really didn’t offer any education, just told me about some med to try (nortriptyine) and sent me on my way. Through many doctors and specialists etc…I have come to realize I do have a migraine brain, and something triggered it, and now it’s here. I had 24/7 dizziness “off” feeling, my vision didn’t seem right, I started getting anxiety (for the first time in my life) and insomnia, again, for the first time ever…then depression set in. I was scared and confused and didn’t think I wanted my life is this was going to be it.
The good news is this…my life is pretty normal now. I have to take different meds, and they have their side effects, but they have given me my life back. It is easy to ask everyone what their meds are and how they feel or felt, and what worked or didn’t, and the only thing that is truly consistent, is it’s inconsistency. Everyone’s brain reacts differently…I spent hundreds of hours researching every med, and I consider myself quite educated for a layman (woman!) in regards to psyche meds.
For the record, I tried propranolol, and it made me worse. It can also make you depressed. Also, I have found that working with a psychiatrist, vs. a neurologist, i seem to get warmer, more comforting feedback. The meds these doctors use are pretty much the same, so I prefer someone who is used to dealing with the mood/anxiety stuff that this can bring about.
Everyone here is very friendly and supportive…things will improve…have faith and good luck on your journey to wellness…
ps get the book “Heal Your Headache”…it was very informative!!
Kelley
(NB from admin: these images link to a products this member has found helpful and at the same time helps fund the site: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!)
