Meds for migraines

[achilles2]

I have had Lyrica, neurontin, depakote, and topamax. I have reacted to all these drugs and I cannot take fioricet. If I specifically do not react to the drug I react to the preservatives in the drug such as lactose, sodium laural(th) sulfate, (or any other sulfate), artificial sweetener, and talc. Is there any drug out there I can take to prevent my migraines that does not have these preservatives? I am having migraines way too often. I have relpax but I can only take up to 3 per week.

[sara12345]

HI achilles2,

Good to hear back from you.  There is good research on one of the herbals I told you about.  You will need to look it up on the internet as I got in trouble elsewhere for giving more info.  

I also use a skin gel that helps my mild to moderate headaches to prevent them from getting worse.  The meds don't go into the blood stream, so it doesn't cause rebound headaches either.  You do need a prescription for it and you need to find a pharmacy that can compound the meds in it.  The ingredients are:  Amitrityline-2%, Ketoprofen – 10%, Gabapentin 3%,  Lidocaine2%, and Transdermal Gel – 60 g.  TID

And I also use a prescription Lidocaine nasal ointment which again does not enter the blood stream.  It's unpleasant, but effective which may be why my neurologist took 2 years to prescribe it for me.  You need to insert the ointment very slowly so that only a small amount goes down your throat, but not enough to matter.  He prescribed 2 ml in each nostril, no matter which side the headache is on.

The key with the latter two is the timing.  It is critical to use them as soon as you feel the migraine coming on.

Another treatment that has helped me a lot are nerve block injections which may or may not help you.  Also Botox injections have also helped me which help about two thirds of migraine sufferers.  Dose is important.  So if you decide to try it, I can give you more info on that route.

I hope that some of this might help you.  And the only way I know to contact you is through this website which is fine.

I really wish you well.

[achilles2]

I am always interested in alternatives I just know I need to be careful because I do take rx meds for other health issues I do not want anything that will interact with them or effect my health other issues.  I also would want my primary care doctor to know about this and I would want to have some peer reviewed research to give him. (I have to find a neuro because my past ones would not listen to me, I do not think my last one even read my chart) I trust my primary and he listens to me and is honest. So if I could have some good research I know he would listen and he might even tell his other patients. If you need to give me more info than a simple reply allows, feel free to send me a message in my inbox. Thanks
achilles2

[sara12345]

First, start by asking the pharmacist if ALL meds have these ingredients.  They usually know more than anyone else.

If not, there are many other medications that you could try.  I would get a list of ones that your doctor will consider, then ask a pharmacist if the meds have those substances that you can't tolerate.  Or maybe you can call manufacturers to get the info.

If all meds do have those ingredients, perhaps an herbal medication, such as a feverfew and butterburr herbal, such as Petadolex, might not have those ingredients.

There are other treatments as well as medications.  If you're interested, respond back.

Good luck.