Post partum persistent migraine

Dear Ask The Doctor: I've been having headaches since about a month after a gave birth to my daughter. I've had a CT scan and an MRI (with and without contrast) which both results were normal. My headaches switch from the left to the right side and are sometimes behind my eye (whichever side the headache will be tOn the affected eye will get red alsIo). Ive been referred to a neurologist who believes it's a migraine that just never shut off (I forgot the medical term). He put me Depekote through an IV for 40 hrs to make them go away. They did but now they're back. Not the headaches as much, but the eye pain and occasional neck pain (on the affected headache side). My nostril sometimes burns on the affected side also. I'm not sure what to do. Is this classic migraines? I just want some relief!

Dear Angela: Yes, according to your description this is most likely a Migraine headache and after your doctor treat the acute episode you will need to take some preventative medication to avoid future attacks. Migraine headaches typically last from 4-72 hours and vary in frequency from daily to less than 1 per year. Migraine affects about 15% of the population. Three times as many women as men have migraines. More than 80% of people with migraines (called migraineurs) have other members in the family who have them too. Common Migraine accounts for 80% of migraines and these are more related with stress and tension. Classic migraines are usually much more severe than common migraines. A variety of warnings can come before a migraine,for example, feeling "high," irritable, or depressed, also subtle changes of sensation ,for example, a funny taste or smell. Fatigue and muscle tension are also common. Although migraine pain usually appears on one side of the head, 30-40% of migraines occur on both sides. More than 80% of migraineurs feel nauseated, and some vomit. About 70% become sensitive to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). This phase may last 4-72 hours. Sometimes even if untreated, the pain usually goes away with sleep.  Other signs of the migraine (for example, inability to eat, problems with concentration, or fatigue) may linger after the pain has disappeared.