Migraine Headaches Support Group

I take Topamax daily (300mg), that's my preventative.
I receive BOTOX injections in my forehead, neck and scalp (every three months), that blocks the pain.
I get a deep tissue therapuetic massage every two weeks, (which helps the muscles in my neck and shoulders).
If a Migraine Aura happens I take Reglan, and if a Migraine starts to occur I take Maxalt.

With the above routine, I have gone from 20 horrific migraines a month to maybe 1 moderate. And, no more overnight hospital stays!!

I worked with an internists, a pain management doctor, and 2 nuerologists for a year, and pushed for every test and treatment possible to get where I'm at.

I am lucky, because I'm a teacher with good medical insurance (PPO).

My point is: Don't ever give up!!

I almost did twice. Once my family intervined, and helped me make appointments, and drive me to appointments.
The other time: I decided to take pain pills (Norco), the more I took, the more I needed. Then I got horrible rebound headaches, and addicted to pain pills. This was a 2 month cycle that I decided to quit cold turkey.

Sorry so long, but we need each other on DS, and we need to remind each other "never give".

Take charge of your health!!

Happy New Year.

Everybody is so different.. I started having migraines in 2002.. was having about 3 a week.. been on so many things.. they would work well at first.. then stop.. I couldn't take Topamax I had really bad side effects.. neuro took me off of it.. I have had 2 nerve blocks done on the left side of my head.. that is where my migraines are... the first one .. I went 3 months without having one.. the last one.. within a week.. I had another one.. got to where I was only having one about every 2 months.. but the last month.. I have had 4.. seeing Dr. next week.. started taking different meds for Fibro . don't know what could be causing so many. I wish you the best.. alot of people have tried alot of things.. some works wonders for some.. God Bless you! Lori

I have had migrain-headaches since age 12.They are still debilitating for me at times. Left arm always losses feeling first; then the eyes go..almost blinded..leaving 'the migrain' pain in its aftermath.How long do yours usually last?
A preventative med is what I need. I too take Maxalt if needed.

Migraines are fickle. What works for one person might not work for the next. It really is just trail and error on finding just the right meds that are going to work just for you. You might have to try 15 or even 30 meds before you find something that will work for you. But don't give up!! There is something out there that will help you. You just have to find it. A GOOD Neuro doctor might be able to help you. But that can be a challage find one of those to. Good Luck!! And we are always here if you need us!!

Hi,
I have suffered from migraines since I was 18 years old and am now 51. They became much worse in 1993 at a time in my life when I was struggling with 2 full time jobs, night school and my Dad's cancer.
I have ended up in the ER several times with heart arrythmia due to vomiting and loss of potassium. Have even had my heart "shocked" back into rhythm. That HURT.

MRIs over the years revealed "white matter lesions" of the brain, which to me was almost a relief that Yes!, there is actually a physical sign that I DO suffer from migraines!
My family doctor has worked closely with me in trying to figure all this out and I have been a patient of his since 1990.
I faithfully tried different trials of medications which I'm sure all of you have done also, without success...Midrin, Amitriptyline, Stadol Nasal Spray (not recommended, had rebound effects for me), Clonazapam, different antidepressants.
Imitrex and related drugs cannot be used because of the side effects to my heart.
Tried the Imitrex injection when it first came out and had fast heart rate, sweating, vomiting...also tried the Maxalt pill with the same effects. I so wanted it to work!

Now I'm with a Neurologist going on 5 years who has reduced my weekly migraines to one or two every few months!
I'm taking Topamax 300mg daily, Wellbutrin 300mg and Atenolol 100mg daily.
If I do experience a migraine, I take phenergan suppositories for nausea or my family doctor administers Nubain 20mg and Visteril 50mg IM. The Nubain stops the pain almost immediately.

In all these years, I have only been to the ER several times because I know how they tend to treat other people with migraines.
"DRUG SEEKERS", they call us. I don't want to be in that situation. I did have to go to the ER a year ago and I bravely asked for the medications that I knew would work for me...Nubain and Visteril. The doctor also added Diphenhydramine 50mg(Benadryl)to the IV.
When the Benadryl went into the IV, I would almost swear it felt like I was getting morphine. I could have done without the Nubain and Visteril after that, if I could have talked.
Now, at home, when I feel a headache coming on, and if I'm not scheduled for work any time soon, I reach for a Benadryl and it usually works.
I also get a bi-montly treatment from a chiropractor to keep my spine adjusted. Seems to be quite a release of pressure when everything falls back into place.
Hope this helps.
Blessings to all of you for a very healthy New Year.

I have been suffering from daily headaches & migraines for 4 years now. I have tried so many medications, and the ones that work, have such severe cognitive side effects (usually the seizure meds). How do you choose between the awful pain of a migraine and being so sleepy/out of it you can't remember your own name? I continue to try all new ideas I hear about, thank you so much to everyone who posts their suggestions here!

Shelly,
I know exactly what you're saying. For me, anyway, with our company's new absenteeism policy being enforced, it's either suffer with the migraines and go to work vomiting or go ahead and call in and face the consequences of possibly being given 3 days off without pay. Yes, even with a doctor's excuse we are punished for being absent.
We are expected to be at work OR ELSE.
Stress does not fare well with migraines.
I do have Compazine that I can take for nausea. However, it does not work nearly as well as the Phenergan suppositories and most of the time the pill comes back up anyway because of the n/v.
The Topamax has made me quite forgetful and I find myself searching for words and having them right at the "tip of my tongue" but unable to vocalize them. I also forget people's names, even those I have worked with for many years. It's scary.
But the trade-off for me was worth it considering the amount of pain I had been enduring all those years.
I'm hoping you and your doctor will find a combination of medication that works for you, and still allow you to lead a productive life.
Best Wishes...

hey LArac...
Migraine expeirence by everyone is different from the other , it depends on you & ur physiology. But am glad that you are doing well. All i am sure of in migraine is that your whole lifesytle has to change according to ur migraine whether its relieved or not. Coz no one knows how severe the next attack would be . Avoid chocolate , cheese, wine , coffee. etc and all your triggers. Have a well planned sleep time . Sleep disturbance causes migraine. And take a good care fo your self :-)

Wish you all the best free from headaches :-)