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Victoria - British Columbia - Canada - Vertigo- dizziness - motion sickness - TMJ problems - jaw pain - hip pelvic pain - Headaches - Migraines - Headache Relief - Migraine Relief - Migraine Headaches - Migraine Symptoms - Tension Headaches - Chronic Headaches - Alternative Medicine - Neck Pain - Lower Back Pain - Migraine Headaches - Migraine Symptoms

My name is Laurissa.  I am 40 years old and had never had a migraine, let alone been prone to headaches.  Two years ago I started getting daily headaches, which quickly turned into 1-2 migraines a week (lasting 2 days each), then migraines that lasted for 4 days with 1 or 2 days of reprieve.  Soon, I was experiencing what seemed like one long daily migraine with symptoms that would not go away at all no matter which treatment or medication I tried.

The headaches were always accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, vertigo, a pain as if my eyes were under pressure, throbbing head pain and a feeling like there was an ice pick jabbing into the right side of my head.  I did not have the patience or energy to be in crowds, communicate by phone or in person, or even watch TV.  It was too much ‘stimulation’.

Struggling through each attack seemed like a full time job.  Along with my family Doctor, Neurologist, Chiropractor and Naturopath, we could not identify traditional migraine triggers because the migraines were continuous and constant.

After tracking my information in a headache diary it seemed like all the traditional triggers did not apply to me – citrus foods, caffeine, sugar, wine, a smell, overhead fluorescent lighting, weather changes, oral contraceptives, stress, eye strain etc.  Nothing was the “trigger” to my attacks.

I had to deal with trying to find an answer while working full time.  Soon I was off work more than I was there.  Then my manager said it was too painful to watch me at work in so much pain every day and I was off on Long Term Disability.  I knew the migraines had taken over my life and prevented me from functioning in a normal manner but I still could not admit that I was ‘like this’, a sick person.  I am not the type to be off work!

My boyfriend, friends and family tried to understand my condition, but were concerned about my change in personality and lifestyle.  I was more concerned about the amount of medication I was taking and the little relief it provided.  I also felt like I was disappointing them and more importantly myself, removing my self from social events and life as I used to enjoy it.  I understood that they were suffering too; it was hard for me, let alone a non-migraine sufferer to really see how severe the symptoms of a migraine were and how I had changed.  We were all frustrated with the lack of answers as to what was causing my sudden onset of migraines, resentful of the new ‘migraine ‘ life I was forced to live and disappointed every time a new treatment or medication failed to help even ease my pain.

In the last year and a half I tried many conventional and alternative treatments and medications. I have summarized below as it is far to long to give all the details.

Professionals that I saw and treatments I tried:

• Physiotherapy (including Bio-feedback, Acupuncture, TENS machine)
• Optometrist (Visual field testing for ocular problems)
• Acupuncture (hurt more than anything causing me to tense up).
• Acupressure (no apparent changes).
• Graston Technique (while giving some relief,  it did not give any reprieve from reoccurring pain).
• Visualization for Chronic pain management
• Reike (felt relaxing but addressed none of the pain).
• Neurologist (neurological testing CAT scan and a MRI)
• Orthodontist/Dentist who told me my jaw may need to be broken and repositioned and that it could be symptoms of neurological problems i.e. Lupus.  Where do they get their training?
• The Faculty of Dentistry at UBC where I was diagnosed with Temporomandibular Joint disorder (TMJ).  The Director of the Orofacial Pain Program told me I had to start accepting the migraines because they will probably be with me my whole life.  He suggested behavioral modification (he never said what I was to do), a night guard (which I already had and chewed at night making my migraines worse) and recommended a course of treatments which included injections into my jaw muscles and more physiotherapy which would cost a minimum of $2,000 and I would have to travel to Vancouver (from Victoria) weekly.
• Packing my head with ice.
• And finally retreating from my life with my blinds closed; taking any medications I could just to stop the pain.

Medications and supplements I tried, listed alphabetically:

• Acetaminophen,
• Celadrin (a natural anti-inflammatory)
• Celexa: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs
• Demerol: Narcotic analgesic for insomnia and migraine pain relief
• Diazepam: Benzodiazepines, central nervous system depressants.
• Emtec: (without caffeine) narcotic analgesic and acetominophen
• Flexeril: Cyclobenzaprine, acts on the central nervous system to relax muscles.
• Ibuprofen: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, NSAID
• Lorazepam: Benzodiazepines, central nervous system depressants. 
• Methocarbamol: skeletal muscle relaxant, for TMJ muscle rigidity
• Naproxen: I experienced severe stomach acidity, nausea
• Prednisone: steroidal anti-inflammatory (two different prescriptions in one year)
• Topamax: Topiramate 
• Traumeel (homeopathic anti-inflammatory and analgesic)
• Tylenol 3’s: (with caffeine) Narcotic analgesic and acetaminophen.
• Zomig-Rapimelt: Zomitriptan  Imitrex: Sumatriptan and Amerge: Naratriptan Amerge helped the most
• Vitamin/Mineral Therapy (B2, Magnesium, Essential Fatty Acids).

Note: Topamax was the most damaging to my life; I had little energy when I was on it.  I was forgetful, confused, felt like I was ‘watching’ my own life happening around me though my “migraine goggles”.

ON MY 40TH BIRTHDAY, I woke up (literally and figuratively), unable to make any birthday plans as I had had a migraine for which seemed like forever, I was lethargic from all the medication I was taking and decided I was not going to live like this anymore.  I refused to accept the advice that I would just have to ‘deal’ with them and they will be part of my life.  I made a promise to myself to find someone who knows what was causing the migraines and could treat the cause, not just mask the symptoms with medication.

The first advertisement I saw for treatment was unique.   “If you don’t want your migraines…We do!”   The Victoria Headache Clinic…I could not believe that this unobtrusive, unassuming, wonderfully humorous ad which caught my eye would soon give me my life back. And the man behind it all. Noel Frayne RMT.

Noel’s treatments were based on a non-invasive technique that I could supplement at home by doing my ‘homework’. The treatments ended up removing my migraines, improving my overall posture and body alignment and loosening up my tight muscles.  My myofascial and joint pain has also diminished a great deal.

After four treatments the migraine symptoms were lifting.  After eight treatments I started going off of most of my medications.  Within 2 months I was …..migraine free!  I then went off the last medication, Topomax.  

Beating migraines requires action and optimism.  I took the action, Noel gave me the optimism.  I have made what my doctors and I consider to be dramatic progress in regaining my health and my life, progress that had previously eluded me. I am now back at work, socializing with my friends and family, I can drive my car (I was too medicated before) and I am starting to ride my bike to work!  It feels great to feel great!

Noel made it seem so simple.  I can never repay him for the control he helped me regained over my health and life, or the happiness that comes with being able to look forward to and plan my life again.  It has all been possible due to his dedication in helping people.

The least I can do is thank him, ask him to please ensure other health care professionals know about his unique approach so that they can help people who do not respond to other forms of treatments, or for those who want to fix the cause of the migraines, not the symptoms.  For all Noel’s help, I wrote this, my story, to tell anyone who has experienced anything like I did that there will be a day, that you wake up, with no migraine!  Seems simple huh?  Who would have thought!

Thanks are not enough, bless you Noel, for dedicating your life to helping those who are in pain~

A forever friend, Laurissa

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