Migraine meds for people who use them pls?!
Question: I have migraines about 1x per week on average they are severe to debilitating. OTC doesn't touch them even if I feel it coming on. Imitrex takes the edge off Zomig is a lil better, Fiorcet doesn nothing. I took Inderol and it helped very little. I basically stay in bed the entire day. My migraines are hereditary and any medicine I start to take will not work after about 3-6 mos because I build up a tolerance. I am not depressed, not dehydrated, I have a headach diary and they are very rarely caused by food triggers. I have an appt to talk to a doct I was wondering if anyone who has taken preventative drugs for severe to debilitating migraines could tell me what they used and their side effects. Jut trying to be informed when I go to the doc.
Answers: I have migraines about 1x per week on average they are severe to debilitating. OTC doesn't touch them even if I feel it coming on. Imitrex takes the edge off Zomig is a lil better, Fiorcet doesn nothing. I took Inderol and it helped very little. I basically stay in bed the entire day. My migraines are hereditary and any medicine I start to take will not work after about 3-6 mos because I build up a tolerance. I am not depressed, not dehydrated, I have a headach diary and they are very rarely caused by food triggers. I have an appt to talk to a doct I was wondering if anyone who has taken preventative drugs for severe to debilitating migraines could tell me what they used and their side effects. Jut trying to be informed when I go to the doc.
I am taking Topamax at 200 mg per day. It is very difficult to get used to but doesn't make you gain weight like some meds do. One side affect is difficulty in finding words and forgetfulness another that I had that most do not is b*tchiness that I ended up being prescribed sertralinewhich helps with the pain also.. This is getting better, but was bad for a while. I am happy with the amount of headache relief, though so am unwilling to stop treatment because of the side affects at this time.
Hope this helps!
Here are a few links that can help you
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Ato...
http://pdrhealth.com
http://health.discovery.com/webapps/drug...
The last two links are great sources of drug information from medical professionals. Hope you get some relief soon!!
Consult a neurologist
Assuming all other medical problems have been ruled out- complete and full work up... and you've had a MRI/MRA/CT of your head, lots of blood taken, etc. While you have tried several things, there are other things still to try.
"When headaches occur three or more times a month, preventive treatment is usually recommended. Drug therapy, biofeedback training, stress reduction, and elimination of certain foods from the diet are the most common methods of preventing and controlling migraine and other vascular headaches. Regular exercise, such as swimming or vigorous walking, can also reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Drug therapy for migraine is often combined with biofeedback and relaxation training. One of the most commonly used drugs for the relief of migraine symptoms is sumatriptan."
Medications to help prevent recurrent migraines
Beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal)
Antidepressants, including tricyclics like amitriptyline (Elavil) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft)
Anticonvulsants such as valproic acid (Depacon, Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), or topiramate (Topamax)
Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil
If you're not seeing a neurologist, it's time to see one.
Be sure to let the doctor know everything you've tried, what works, what doesn't, etc... it will save you a lot of time and pain.
Prophylactic drugs are usually the best way to go since it's easier to head off the attack than to try and force it back. I'm a chronic pain patient and it's always better to slow the pain down when the level is low than to wait until it's a 10 and try to stop it.
I find that certain yoga poses and meditation help me deal with pain, regardless of cause. I get migraines also but nothing like you're dealing with....I've been fortunate that I have a great team of doctors.. and some of my meds help with migraines also (I have systemic lupus, fms, etc, etc)
Here are some sites to look into... hope these help. Good luck to you!!!
Neurology Channel
http://www.neurologychannel.com/ (has a doctor locator)
The National Headache Foundation
http://www.headaches.org/
American Council for Headache Education
http://www.achenet.org/
The National Migraine Association
www.migraine.org