Monday, October 13, 2008

D is for....

Depression - Almost half of Migraineurs experience depression. Why wouldn't we? Being in pain more days then not can get very depressing and lonely. Not to mention some of the preventive medications we can use have depression as a possible side effect. Teri Robert has written about Depression and Migraine being co morbid - meaning you can have both, but one does not need to exist for the other.






If you or someone you know suffers from depression, HealthCentral has a site for this as well. It's at My Depression Connection. Depression is not something to fool around with. I have been battling with it since I was about 8 or 9, but not diagnosed until I was 14.


Dehydration - This can be a huge Migraine trigger! It can also trigger a headache for those who do not have Migraine Disease. You would think the first sign of dehydration would be thirst, but nope! It's headache!


Diagnosis - When dealing with any new symptom or illness, it is crucial to get a proper diagnosis. Don't go guessing what you have - get to a doctor and have it checked out! You will save yourself a lot of aggravation, and maybe even your life by doing this! Trust me!


Disability - "According to a World Health Organization analysis, migraine alone is responsible for at least one percent of the total US medical disability burden, and severe migraine attacks are as disabling as quadriplegia." Migraine also makes up 9% of labor loss in the US alone.

Statistics and quotes found at the Alliance for Headache Advocacy Fact Sheet


DHE-45 - Dihydroergotamine is an injectable drug used to abort Migraine. It also comes in a spray form called Migranal. This drug can be used in an IV treatment therapy as well.


3 comments:

Migraine Chick said...

I love these posts with the letters!

Anonymous said...

I have read that some researchers think that migraine and depression are related because both may have dysfunction in the amount of the neurotransmitter serotonin as a major component. This makes sense to me because some of the genetic research has shown that migraineurs tend to have a genetic dysfunction in that area. I'll try to find the specific studies.

I am a migraineur who also has TTH mixed in just for extra fun, and I also have depression if I don't stay on ad's.

Shari said...

just found your blog and twitter. So interesting that you mention dehydration. I fight that daily and force myself to drink water since I know that's just another headache waiting to happen. Curious why Lexapro didn't work for you. Haven't read all of your posts yet. I'll keep reading. Thanks.