All About Bipolar: Bipolar disorder linked to migraines
Posted By atorturedsoul on August 11, 2009
Studies have shown that people with bipolar disorder, especially bipolar I and bipolar II, are more likely to have migraines. A new study has discovered that people with a family history of bipolar disorder also increases the risk of migraines.
Bipolar Disorder and Migraines
Someone who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder has a greater risk of having migraines but if there is also a family history of the disorder then it greatly increases that risk. A patient who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has a family history of the illness is three times more likely to have migraines. A patient with major depressive disorder, also known as unipolar depression, and a family history of bipolar disorder is 4.3 times more likely to have migraines.
Source:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19246955?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezS
There is some good news. Topamax, which is a mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder, has been proven to be an effective treatment for migraines.
The list of illnesses associated with, possibly caused by, and possibly causing bipolar disorder is steadily increasing. Read my previous posts on this subject:
Illnesses associated with and/ or caused by bipolar disorder-Study finds that patients with bipolar disorder have an increased risk for many illnesses:
Genetic research on bipolar disorder-Bipolar Disorder linked to Chromosome 6, which is associated with immunity:
http://www.allaboutbipolar.com/2009/07/08/all-about-bipolar-genetic-research-points-to-chromosone-6/
Medical ailments linked to bipolar disorder-Toxoplasmosis and various parasites:
It’s unfortunate that the stress of dealing with bipolar disorder is often compounded with one or more medical conditions. It’s difficult enough to deal with one or the other, but having physical and mental ailments can really take its toll on a person.
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All About Bipolar: Bipolar disorder linked to migraines- Studies have shown that people with bipolar disorder, espe… http://bit.ly/bqdvR
All About Bipolar: Bipolar disorder linked to migraines http://bit.ly/jSaz9
All About Bipolar: Bipolar disorder linked to migraines- Studies have shown that people with bipolar disorder, espe… http://bit.ly/bqdvR
Could the migraines be attributed to the medications?
Possibly. I would love to see a study done on that.
I know Topamax is said to help with migraines but I have taken a few medications over the years that seem to make my headaches worse. Before I started taking meds, I had one or two migraines a year. Since I started taking meds, I have had one every two or three months. Some of the meds seem to be worse than others. I have had quite a few since I have been on Lamictal. Not only have I had more frequent migraines, but I have more frequent headaches as well.
I would like to know other people’s experience with this. If you take meds, have you had migraines? If so, has any med seemed to make them more frequent?
I’ve rarely had migraines in the past, and I’ve had none in a long while. I know headaches are a side effect of Lamictal but I haven’t had any since being on that one, I suppose I’m lucky with that.