I hope you got the prescription filled and have taken some medication. Hope you are feeling better pronto.

Ohhhhh, I'm so happy that you finally went, Nicki. Not to be too neagative, but do go see an ent doc if the symptoms don't improve pretty darned soon. He/she didn't give you Imitrex (common med for migraines)? It's true that migraines can take many forms, but you've had this for an awfully long time. Thank you for going to the ER!! I too am very relieved there was no sign of a tumor or aneurysm. Are you feeling better, flu-wise?
Erin

Thanks guys!
Erin, I have an appt with my regular Dr. on Christmas Eve day in the morning that I'm keeping for my follow up and the ER Dr. told me to talk to her about daily meds you can take to avoid the migraines and avoid having to take the pain medication... and I have to admit the pain medication that he prescribed for me at the ER sounds kinda scary. I was reading about it online.
sheilajoyce, I didn't get it filled yet, we got home too late.

Hey Nicki! Glad to hear that you went! Since you mentioned eye pressure earlier in a previous post, make sure you check out the onset of glaucoma. It's an elderly person disease, but my husband was actually born with it. When he was little, he had blinding headaches and eye pressure, until they figured out it was glaucoma. Now he takes eye drops and it's totally under control, but eye pressure is nothing to mess with- even if it feels like it's BEHIND your eye. Just something to mention to your regular doc. :)

Blessings!
Haley

Fioricet contains acetaminophen (Tylenol), whereas Fiorinal contains aspirin.

Years ago I was prescribed Fiorinal for awful, awful headaches that I was having. It worked wonders.

Yay! That's great news, Nicki! Thanks for the update!

See? Now you can enjoy the holidays without the stress and worry of what the heck is wrong.

Jodi-

Nicki-
So glad you went to the er. I 'm glad they didn't find anything wrong on the cat scan. Take care of yourself and make sure you do go for your follow up and please relax now and enjoy your holidays.

nickie one thing that's helped me and my dd1 (she has migraines, and does take meds) that i swear by, is our water pic shower heads, or any pulsing shower...it's the most relaxing thing to take a warm shower, then wrap your head in a nice warm towel...and lights out...

Glad you went. I take what they gave you for migraines. I am intrested to find out what the other one is that maybe you can take (and I can find out if I can take) to avoid taking the firocet.....Stacy

I'm so glad, nicki. I used to have terrible headaches that eveyone said were migraine. Apparently mine were allergy related. They also effected my eyes.

Do you have any sensitivity to aspirin? That could explain why he gave you the one that is similar to tylenol. I can't take anything related to aspirin.

I've also been concerned for your girls. It isn't easy for them to see Mom sick.

I hope eveything impoves quickly for all of you.

By all the inquiries and replies to your postings, you surely have to realize just how much we all care and want the best for you.

Nicki, I'm glad they ruled out a tumor or anything like that. If the migraine meds don't work and if you are having any other symptoms (can include depression, constipation, weight gain or loss, dry skin) - see about having your doctor do a full panel thyroid test (Including thyroid antibodies). I had what was diagnosed as migraines for 4 years (mine were not as bad as you describe yours though), the meds didn't help and some of them have really bad side effects. Once I was diagnosed and treated for the hypothyroidism - the headaches went away.

Not saying this is what is wrong with you, but as many as 1 in 5 women have thyroid problems and many are undiagnosed. The doctors just label them as depressed. It took me many years to get the correct diagnosis - an endocrinologist, a rheumetologist, several ob/gyns and many general practioners all missed it.

((((Nicki))))

Good for you!

I know it's hard to *put yourself first* when you have children at home, but when it comes to your health you really do need to do that. Because those babies depend on you and when you're crippled by headaches or other health problems, they suffer too. I know that you KNOW that ... but it's still hard to do. I remember!

Hoping you've gotten your prescription filled by now, and that your headache has eased up or is gone totally! And wishing you the best for your appointment next week. If you want, we'll all come along with you and hold your hand. (cyberly, of course) Can you imagine that little room with all of us crowding in too? LOL!

I'm so relieved for you! Maybe, if the headaches are at all stress-related, they'll subside a bit now that you know you don't have a tumor. I'm glad you're going to take something for them and that you're seeing your doctor soon. Way to go, Nicki; we're proud of you for going to the ER.

I used to suffer from migraines..there wasn't much in the way of "good" drugs for them back them..I lost alot of school in JR and SR high...I had them all the way until I was about 27...I found some triggers at the time...(I can now eat or drink those triggers without ill effects.) I went 6 or so years WITHOUT caffine or chocolate..LOL
My triggers were caffine in any form or even small amounts..Chocolate especially...I then would start pushing water or an herbal tea as soon as one started to come on...Hydration..really helps...and I'm sure with your recent flu...and other stresses..your hydration levels are quite low.

I'm glad it's nothing super serious!

Wow! I'm so glad you went to the ER. First step taken! Now, follow up with your Dr. on the 24th to really get into it. At least you now know what it is not, now, find out what it is. Did you read Hale Bopps response about the glaucoma? That was a good suggestion for you to follow up on. But for now, you can relax a little. Take a few deep breaths and have a cup of tea.

I'm glad you went and thanks for letting us know.

sooey

Okay, I have to admit, I'm confused by what you got for your migraine. Why didn't he treat it there, and why didn't he give you an abortive med (immitrix, relpax, etc). And oh so much more. Now I'm not saying the fiorinol/fioricet won't help DD uses that when she gets a bad one, but it's not her "first line of defense". So, I will tell you something my doctor didn't, but Sandy-IA did, and she was so right. When you take this, and it may well work right away, DO NOT take it for more than 3 days. Migraines are funny, they like pain meds, and will sometimes "beg for more", and rebound so you will take more. Not always, but sometimes. I had a neurologist tell me to take 2 fiorinal everynight for mine that would last a while. When I was finally able to see a migraine specialist, he said that the first doctor didn't know a thing about migraines! At this point I don't think you need to take a daily preventative (I know you've had one for a LONG time, but it's only ONE), but you should talk to your regular doctor about an abortative if you get them again. Although I have to admit, your description of this headache didn't sound like a migraine to me. Not one sided, lots of other things. BUT, migraines are so different for different people that it oculd be, and "I'm not a doctor, I just suffer from migraines"

Vickey-MN

Fiorinal was created many years ago, specifically for severe headaches. It is especially helpful for tension headaches; and tension is caused by stress. Nicki, by everything she has been posting recently, has been under a lot of stress.

Fioricet is newer than Fiorinal. It has acetaminophen as one of its components, rather than having aspirin as a component. Many people are allergic to or have sensitivity to aspirin. I can certainly see how a doctor would stay on the safe side and prescribe Fioricet rather than Fiorinal if he/she is unsure as to whether Nicki would have an aspirin sensitivity.

Hope your prescription helps!

Now that you know what the problem is, check into your diet, too. My friend has had migraines for years. Diet, hormones, exercise, stress... so many things affect the severity and frequency of hers. Do much research.

Glad they didn't find anything serious - although, migraines are bad enough. Keep happy and well!

Thanks for all the advice guys!

Vickey, your post is funny, just because I specifically asked the Dr. if migraines really just stay in ONE centralized area and that lights and that don't make it worse... it's just constant no matter what.

Hale Bopp and sooey, I'm definitely going to mention that to my regular Dr. especially since I got that prescription filled and... yes, it definitely took the pain away.. but I can still feel some pressure behind my eye.

They told me about some of the triggers, too. The thing is... like I said... it doesn't stop... it's constant.. UNLESS I take this medicine.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know how big I smiled to see all of you here and thinkin bout me. I'm so thankful.

I'm so glad that you are feeling a bit better. Keep up the good work and keep leting us know your progress.

Hugs to you, and to the girls too.

Migraines are horrible!
I suffered with them for years,and DH has had cluster migraines which can last for days.
Sometimes I would be bed ridden with them.
Fortunately mine disappeared when I started taking a bata blocker for a rapid heart beat and HBP.
As terrible as they are,at least you know they're not life threatening.

Glad you went to a doctor. Hope you feel much better. I've hade a few migraines, maybe ten in ten years. Always came at worek, when I was super-stressed and busy. The pain was awful, and I got flashing lights in my eyes. Enough to send me home. I quit my job three years ago, haven't had one since.

I know how scary it is to go get checked out. Years ago I went through the same thing and was terrified to go. It got so bad i had no choice eventually. Same thing as you...just migrains and a prescription for fiorcet. They were a blessing to me, worked so well. But eventually the doctor took me off of those for fear of addiction to them. I tried imitrex next and those too worked well. It's been about 10 years now and all I have is mild headaches. I haven't had a migrain for so long. Glad everything is ok for you!