Xanax and pain?

[dame_wilbur]

I'm in the middle of a marathon migraine (Day 3, so i guess it doesn't count as a marathon yet) and it's a pretty bad one. This morning I ended up working myself into a panic attack from the pain, and ended up having to take some Xanax my psych had given me to calm down. I'm much calmer now, but the weird thing is that my head, while still hurting like all get out, isn't bugging me as much. If I focus on it, it's very painful, but I can kinda ignore the migraine if I stay distracted.
My question is is this just because I'm drugged from the Xanax and so I'm just kinda loopy, or can Xanax actually effect pain levels?

[dame_wilbur]

I only can't read during a couple of kinds of migraines. Other times I find that reading is wonderful because it acts as a distraction. (I should clarify that once I counted 8 different kinds of migraines that I get, and that was many years ago)

I actually got my first personal computer (a laptop) for the purpose of being able to be on a computer during my migraines, so that I could work on school work. I now just surf the web, or write, but it doesn't bother me too much.

However, I have to have a specific kind of screen for my computer. I've found that HP laptops have a clearer, crisper image. I tried buying a different model earlier this year when my last laptop died, and I had to return it because every time I turned it on I got a migraine.

I also mess with the brightness of the screen when the pain's really bad, so that it's got more contrast, but with less total lighting. It seems to help, but there are migraines where I'm not able to be online at all for up to a week at a time.

Thanks for the question,

~Dame

[rudyhorse]

That is a good thought too, I have to limit time on the computer and have the light just so to prevent migraines.
Tracy

[LivingInHope]

I find when I have a bad migraine, it hurts to read.  I've gotten handouts from emergency room about not reading during an attack.  I know of a guy who had migraines and cluster headaches used to go on the computer anyhow.  Does it not bother you to be on the computer during a bad attack like this one?

[dame_wilbur]

Thanks! I will bring this up w/ my docs when I see them next and see what they say.

[rudyhorse]

Hey I did find several people who have said Xanax does help...here is one post.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Migraines--Headaches/Chronic-daily-headache-xanax/show/939871

[rudyhorse]

Sooooooo sorry you are in this marathon.  If loopy helps maybe that is a good thing. LOL
I have had a terrible one for 2 days and finally it broke, and mine have been well controlled so I wonder what is up.

I will look for info on Xanax, but I don't know what it does for sure.
Hugs,
TRacy