I’ve had migraines since I was 10. I haven’t found the study but maybe one of you know about it. I’m finally getting some relief but had been so busy with the arthritis didn’t have the strength to go after the headaches. Now that I have, I wish I had started sooner. If you’re having headaches check it out.
So will getting treated for PsA help with the migraines according to what you've read? That wouldn't surprise me & I hope that's how it goes for you.
Being treated for PsA has not made a difference in my migraines. That said, I’m hopeful that the gabapentin that I just started for neuropathy does make a difference.
Sybil said:
So will getting treated for PsA help with the migraines according to what you’ve read? That wouldn’t surprise me & I hope that’s how it goes for you.
I see less of a connection with my PsA than I did with taking leflunomide [for the PsA ] which I am certain was responsible for some corking migraines. Been migraine free, all bar one silent migraine, since stopping it.
I really haven’t seen it get better when my Psa has been better but wonder if, as a population we have more incidence maybe rheumatologist a will help get their patients help with headaches
I haven’t had any migraines since I started Gabapentin but I also quit MTX around the same time. MTX was a huge issue in that area for me regardless of hydration. I started it for feet/toes neuropathy pain but I find the inflammation still increases the neuropathy. I do know my mtj pain dropped considerably since which was also a migraine trigger.
You sure don’t need neuropathy in your job. Are you doing better?
Rachael said:
I haven’t had any migraines since I started Gabapentin but I also quit MTX around the same time. MTX was a huge issue in that area for me regardless of hydration. I started it for feet/toes neuropathy pain but I find the inflammation still increases the neuropathy. I do know my mtj pain dropped considerably since which was also a migraine trigger.
Ha-ha! Has its ups and downs but I did .manage to keep my lead position at the other plant which is easier for me physically. You changed your profile pick didn’t catch it was you. Good to see you post! I will message you so we can catch up.
My migraines seemed to decrease in the last few years. But they flared up since I started on gabapentin a couple of weeks ago. The headaches seem to be related to gabapentin? I’ve never had to take as much migraine meds as I’m taking now. I’ve probably taken more in the last 2 weeks than I’ve taken all of last year! I see a new neurologist in 2 weeks. Will mention the increase in migraines and see if it might be from the gabapentin or maybe it’s PsA(?). Didn’t know about that. I hope I don’t have to give up gabapentin. 300-600 gabapentin with Tylenol codeine #4 allows me to get some sleep. Finally!
Yes, just remember that Gabapentin is one you have to ween off of slowly. I notice dramatic changes if I forget even one dose of it but I take 600 mg 3x per day. It helps but like I said if I could rid myself of my foot inflammation I think I could be off it or at least lower the dosage considerably. I have an appointment on Tues where o plan on focusing solely on my feet it’s an appt way over due.
I used to get drastic headache due to TMJ but when they xrayd there was no damage. I I only can assume that most of my issues stemmed from PSA but that was prediagnosis days. I do have issues when during painful days and clenching my jaw but I have spent years training myself to notice when it happens. I feel for you guys because migraines stop life on its tracks no way around them. Hoping the best for you all!
Stopping gabapentin can result in seizures if you don't wean off of it. I am still working full time as a registered nurse. I have been through gabapentin, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, plaquenil, and I am now on humira. My joint pain is somewhat better, I am having horrible migraines at least once a month, up all night, nausea, vomiting, photophobia. Missing work the next day. I am hoping to retire in 11 months, trying to stick it out.
Could this be it, Dot?
That's interesting! I have had bad headaches for 15 years or so, but never migraine aura until I had inflammatory arthritis. Now I have a lot of ocular migraines without the headache, which is scary, but much better than having the aura AND the headache. I do have both occasionally. Ugh. What we go through.
I had a migraine start last night before dinner and it’s still going strong. Blahhhhh! This sucks!
So looks like the uptick in migraines for me was due to oxycodone. Now that I quit taking it my frequency is back down to usual for me. I was getting worse and worse and had only 4 or 5 days a month that I wasn’t having migraines.
For a lot of other reasons I’m glad to be off the pain medicine. You worry about taking too much or getting knocked over for them in a parking lot. Can’t drive, sleep too much. The cramps.
It took a month to deal with the pain returning like crazy.
Still worth it to get rid of those migraines.
I am so glad to see that I am not the only one battling this. I too have battled migraines which seem to correlate with flares. I have been to an ENT as mine has actually triggered a year and a half bout of vertigo. They discovered that the migraines were actually causing some type of damage to the part of my brain near one ear resulting in sensorial hearing loss. Although they did not think it was related to the PSA, I notice that I get these when I start getting flares in my neck. I have found that if I am getting neck pain using one of the over the counter pain patches similar to a bengay when I go to bed helps keep them at bay, otherwise I take immetrex.
Thanks Seenie,
I’ve been out of it and took a while to reply.
It is the risk of stroke that scares me. I had something like the shades coming down over my sight and was afraid it was a hemoragghic stroke. Went in and they just weren’t sure what it was by the time I came in. It’s important to know if it’s one eye or both and I’m not sure what happened. I was kind of freaked out and it happened twice.
I’m now looking to reduce my inflammation even more since drugs haven’t been enough. I can’t imagine anything worse than stroke. Don’t want to deal with that.
Seenie said:
Could this be it, Dot?
That’s awful. I read that pain medicine can cause the brain to swell and I told people it was like I had jello moving around in my head when I moved it. I also had a crackling sound like congestion, but not. Maybe it starts with the swelling and inflammation of the kind Seenie linked on a study above.
I still get migraines but the weird noises are gone. Now I’m wondering if it wasn’t pressure on my hearing. They’re less frequent. I also have IBS and my gastro said they’re migraines of the gut.
Perfect!
Hope you’re getting the right treatment so you don’t get any more damage.
runnergirl said:
I am so glad to see that I am not the only one battling this. I too have battled migraines which seem to correlate with flares. I have been to an ENT as mine has actually triggered a year and a half bout of vertigo. They discovered that the migraines were actually causing some type of damage to the part of my brain near one ear resulting in sensorial hearing loss. Although they did not think it was related to the PSA, I notice that I get these when I start getting flares in my neck. I have found that if I am getting neck pain using one of the over the counter pain patches similar to a bengay when I go to bed helps keep them at bay, otherwise I take immetrex.
I have hemiplegic migraines. I just told my rheumatologist I feel like flares make the migraines much worse. Looks like I am not alone.
Hi Lynn. Does that put you at higher risk for stroke?
I have never heard of that type. Are you able to take a serotonin or imitrex drug?
I have very low blood pressure ordinarily, so much that I’m prone to passing out, and it worsens with allergies, so can take imitrex. I think it can raise blood pressure too much, in some people.
Haven’t used a serotonin drug. I’ve wondered if it would help or hurt IBS. If one works well with each, that would be nice. I’m finally getting a new neurologist, my last one retired, I see the new one in December.