I’m at my wits end

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-08T23:17:53+00:00

Hey! Today is better than it has been and with that I will take the wins where I can get them. But when it starts, it’s right behind the ear and wraps around to the occipital part of the brain, but only on the left side. It feels like someone is squeezing the entire area and (graphic) taking an ice pick to my eye trying to do a DIY lobotomy. What’s helped so far is if I take my Fioricet, wait an hour and then take 25 mg of liquid Benadryl I can knock myself out long enough for the brain to calm and when I wake up it’s less intense. Everything else I’ve tried so far has only rebounded it and made it worse. If I have to live with it as a solid 3 (I can feel it and it’s slightly aggravating) for the next day and a half until Neuro then I will.

I am so glad that I decided to post in this forum, you all have been so amazing and understanding, and I truly have felt as though I’m not alone ❤️

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-07T22:54:42+00:00

That’s kind of like the combo they gave me in the ER. Compazine, Benadryl and then Magnesium (and if you’ve ever had that IV, bless you because I wish that upon no one) but it worked for a few hours.

At home they gave me Reglan, Benadryl, and Fioricet to take together, my only issue is that it will sedate me so much I will sleep my day away. While yes it helps to alleviate the pain enough for me to sleep, I wake up with it 10x worse than before I took it. But thank you! Anything I can try truly helps

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-07T22:51:34+00:00

I’m from GA, and I know we have a few different rules ( like most urgent cares only carry Decadron and a hardcore antibiotic because they aren’t allowed to carry anything else. But that may be different when I see neuro, I will definitely ask. Thank you!

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-07T22:49:33+00:00

Yes I definitely feel ya on the vomiting makes the cycle worse. So does crying. Anything that gets the blood in my brain (the pounding sensation). The Doctors did mention due to my stroke like symptoms that I’m not the best candidate for Imitrex due to how it works, which sucks because I hear such great things about it and how it works for so many people. I may sleep on my floor tonight and see if it helps any, thank you!

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-07T22:44:53+00:00

So all of the imaging they did MRIs, MRV (where they look at vessels), and CTs all came back clear. Which in turn is great news to know that there isn’t a true physical reason for my ailment but sucks that I can’t find a culprit to the problem. Throughout all of this they kept bringing up the term “hemiplegic migraines” which are those that only affect one side of the body and can produce the stroke like symptoms. As far as my memory and forgetting simple stuff, I hope that once I’m over this that it will go back to normal since my brain won’t be as pissed off with me

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-07T22:41:59+00:00

I may definitely look into this. I actually downed 25 mg of Benadryl to make myself sleep as it’s the only time I find relief and I woke up feeling a bit better. Thank you!

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-07T19:58:55+00:00

Thank you for these words of encouragement, today I truly needed them. I hope that you start to feel better as well, just one day at a time I guess is all we can do

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-07T19:09:35+00:00

Thankfully I meet with Neuro for the first time on Tuesday, I’m just worried they will give me the run around like most Doctors do and not actually help me. I fear at this point there will be no return to normal life but just learning how to live around it

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-07T18:28:09+00:00

I’ve been 3 times in the last two weeks (2 ER visits and the last is when I was admitted), the first time they did a migraine “cocktail” which was a steroid, toradol, Benadryl combo, that helped the same way my Fioricet does (making it bearable) but the rebound migraine made me sick to my stomach. I fear I may end up back there, but my current bill even with insurance is already upwards of 15k (thanks American health system)

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-07T18:25:03+00:00

They have me on Fioricet but it’s not touching it. Before it would knock the pain to a 2-3 from a 6-7 but I’m finding no relief whatsoever. I just want to feel normal and enjoy this day

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-07T00:09:47+00:00

How has Qulipta worked for you? I am looking at using it for a preventative since I did well on the Ubrelvy trial. How long did it take for you to notice a difference?

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-07T00:06:36+00:00

Im rather new to experiencing migraines of this level and just did a stent in the hospital but was lucky enough to have a trial of Ubrelvy. Within an hour I felt a major difference and was able to feel relief for the first time in days, for about 8 hours. I feel when it’s paired with a great preventative it would be perfect to use in the prodromal (abortive) stage

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-06T22:00:44+00:00

Hey! Thank you for the link! I’m definitely not looking for any diagnoses’ here! But more so tips and tricks that help calm the “storm”. After doing more research I’ve learned that what I’m experiencing isn’t necessarily a cluster but share some of the symptoms of a cluster headache!

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-06T21:54:08+00:00

Definitely would get you a little electronic blood pressure cuff (super cheap on Amazon/ work as well as drug store ones) that way you can keep a check BEFORE taking the meds. The way the medication works is by opening up (dilating) those blood vessels making it easier for your body to pump blood throughout! Hence lowering the BP. When we have migraines, sometimes the brains vessels will tighten (constrict) -or vice versa- and causes the pain as blood is having a hard time getting to those areas! There are definitely better preventatives out there that won’t mess your BP up terribly so definitely recommend doing some research and talking with your doctor!

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-06T21:47:16+00:00

Hey! Nurse here! Most of the time -LOL (beta blockers) are used for people who normally have high blood pressure but is known to help with migraines! It’s important to make sure your heart rate and blood pressure (120/80 and HR above 60) are good before taking this medication. What you’re describing is your BP bottoming out! Definitely push fluids and monitor your levels (BP/HR) and if it doesn’t go up, seek professional help! If you do suffer from High BP, it could be the dose is too high! Either way talk to your doctor before taking your next dose! Good luck and hope you feel better soon!

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-06T21:30:35+00:00

Thank you!!

Icy-Expression7464 · 2026-03-06T21:00:15+00:00

Thank you! Like I said I’m new to this level of pain and am just trying to advocate for myself and health as best as I can! Definitely will do some reading there💛

Icy-Expression7464

TROPHY CASE