Medicine for Migraines

[Fere]

Hi.  I have suffered from migraine headaches for years.  I get them so bad, they affect me living a normal daily life.  I spend my time in a quiet dark room laying down.  Don't get me wrong, I have some good days as well (50/50).  I have been on so many migraine medicine these past years and Zomig was working great for me.  Well, now I must have adjusted to it and it is no longer working like it used to.  My doctor put me on Topamax, but I am scared to start it due to all of the negative side effects.  Please, tell me what has worked for you.  Have you been on Topamax?  Any input on remedies for migraines would be great.  I am desperate to alleviate this pain, it is pure hell.  I feel like sometimes people don't understand how painful and debilitating  migraines truly are.  The pain is almost paralyzing to me.

[hava]

There are some natural methods to get over the migraine.
Ear popping, anulom vilom pranayam and bhramri pranayam.
Do all these and you will gradually feel the benefit over weeks.
May 16 ,2012

[rachana87]

i have had migraine since i was 10years almost 13yrs...i hv been taking  paracetamol since then for every attack..i also tried calcium channel blocker for prophylaxis..i am studying MBBS and pain really affects my study..i hv been adviced to take amitryptine but i dont wanna use cns depressant..wat i m gonna do?????

[summerlion1123]

I have awful migraines, just like you described. I have all the horrible symptoms, and even a few I have never heard of people getting. There has never been a single migraine medicine that helped me, and still I haven't found one that helps once I have a migraine. However, taking an aleve pill in the morning and at night has really helped (actually I am lazy and only take it at night, but I was told twice a day). OMG it is the biggest relief ever. My migraines had gotten so bad that I was getting several a week and sometimes several a day. I started taking the aleve and they are practically gone. I get one every couple of months now. There was one bad month where I had a couple, but other then that I feel practically cured! Now, don't get me wrong this might not work for everyone. Migraines are different for everyone. But it is definitely something to try!

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi. I can understand what you might be experiencing. Please note that Topamax will not work once the migraine attack has started. It is a prevention drug. And the side effect profile is different for different people. You have to start with low doses... let's say, 25mg once a day. Side effects are there, but they don't occur in each and every person taking the drug. So, don't be scared. Keep a regular follow-up with your doctor. You may try Rizatriptan mouth dissolving tablet, if you feel the current drug is not helpful. But give Topamax a fair chance.

[love1221]

I tried the topamax.  It didn't work for me.  I kept working my way up the doses and when it didn't work, then I had to work myself back down.  I have also taken amitriptylin 25 mg daily.  It has really worked for me.  You may suggest either one of these medications to your dr.

[momof23191715]

If I were you I would try the topamax.  I tried it and it didn't work for me, but with your severity I would think you would try it for awhile.  If it doesn't work be sure to talk to your doctor so you can wean off of it.  I have had migraines for 40 years (and I'm only 50)!  Mine are definitely hormonal and I'm hoping with menopause I will lose them!  Zomig, maxalt and relpax all work for me.  Try something else if zomig isn't cutting it.  You can not live your life in constant pain.  I hope the topamax works for you.

[noops01]

hi,
well there are some antidepressents like amitriptyline, protriptyline which are very effective. Some cardiovascular drugs like beta blockers and even antihypertensives like lisinopril are very effective as preventive therapy. Please discuss it with your treating physician to decide which one will be best for you.

[bonsai16101]

I have had migraines for many years.  I am 39 years old and have been on all the meds you can think of.  I see a neurologist and I have been on Topamax for almost 2 years and it works really really well.  I can tell you that there was one problem with it.  When I was at the max dosage I contracted a heart problem that was reversible that was neurologically started through the topamax and caused my brain to improperly tell my heart to beat too much or too little.  I had a tilt table test/ and all the other cardiac work up and my heart is healthy and when i went to Topamax 25mg/day I was fine again.  But you have to ween off the med when on high doses.  But every body and person is different and this medication works for me.  I typically had 3 migraines/week and now I have one or two/month.  Good luck to you.  May we all be migraine free for the holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LifesAHeadache]

I took Topomax - worked up to huge dose under doctor's supervision. When I got to the maximum dose did feel some tingling in my head but it never did a darn thing for my headache.  But I am not a simple migraine case.  Topomax is a good medicine and works for  alot of people.  And the best part is that the average patient loses some pounds - doesn't take appetite away for me - I just didn't eat as much.  Additionally, you need a rescue medicine and if Zomig stopped working ask for one of the others - Maxalt, etc... I haven't looked up what is close to Zomig but ask for what my neurologist calls a country cousin of it.  There is an old trycyclic called Elevil/amitriptiline that I swear by.  I had to go off it because I was one of the twenty-five percent who gained weight on it.  Just because it is old doesn't mean it doesn't work.  It works on pain in general as well.  I heard there are some studies that are using it to help with post-operative pain.  Another bit of knowledge from my neuro - he's great.  Only try the Topomax until the insert says it is at efficacy.  Make an appt with the neuro for like six weeks out.  If Topomax doesn't work then time to try something else.  And No, people don't know how bad Migraines are.  I can't count how many times I have been in situations and thought, "OK, if I could give this guy my headache for just 10 minutes, not much God, I don't want to hurt him, just let him feel it. LOL  But that is why this board is here, we truly KNOW what you are going through and how proud you should be to make it through every headache day. Take care

[bhups1]

hi, well don't worry about side effects,every drug has effects but what is more important at this point of time,control of headaches which can be very annoying.Efficacy of drug is more important than side effects.

Please consult neurologist for appropriate treatment.

[angelsofialuz]

I have always suffered from migraines. I don't believe there as severe as yours, however my mother used to get them really bad. What works for us both (in different dosage) is Imitrex. I don't other people's experience with this drug, but overall I have had positive results. You should take it immediately. Don't wait too long.