Question
I began having migraines 2 years ago and at this point have very little quality of life.  I have one or two days a week when I feel FREE and good and grateful not to be in pain. I take wellbutrin but cannot take it with topomax because of the memory/functioning problems (I forget how to drive, can't speak well).  My doctor is suggesting depakote but has not ordered any blood work which I feel is irresponsible and I am terrified of the side effects.  I have tried serzone,zyprexa, prozac, elavil for the pain with no effect.  Now I mainly use ergotamine and prednisone for the attacks but only get 10 pills a month which means I can only treat the worst attacks or when I HAVE to be somewhere.  I work from home now because I cannot drive most days and cannot tolerate light or noise.  I take Lortab most of the time but hate the nausea and spacey feeling.  I have an IUD I am having removed as a last resort.  My mother and grandmother grew out of theirs but mine do not seem to be hormonal since they are all month long.  Do you think Depakote is a good risk and have you heard of anyone having worse migraines from Mirena IUD?  I am a mom and am missing out on so much.  

Answer
Erica,

It's unfortunate that you have known only of these drug options.

It is my experience with migraine headaches that they occur when the deep muscles at the sides of the neck and base of the cranium are highly contracted.  I've never seen anyone with migraine whose neck muscles were relaxed.  I have seen the headaches quickly diminish in intensity and duration, and finally cease in a few weeks when the client learned to relax those muscles, without exception.

Please see the article on headaches at somatics.com/page4.htm.  It explains headaches and the means of overcoming them.  This is probably the answer to your prayers.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold