Migraine Headaches Support Group
Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.
Months ago, my doctor put me on a new drug called mexiletine. It's an anti-arrhythmia drug, in the same class as lidocaine. I think I've been on it close to 6 months now. I'm on the very, very low end of the effective dose, and I didn't have high hopes for this drug at all.
Just the other day, out of the blue I thought that I can't remember the last time I had to take a triptan. And I can't remember the last time I had to take excedrin for a migraine (I do take it for tension headaches though). I can't remember the last time I had a really bad migraine. In fact, the worst my chronic migraine has been maybe a 6-7, when usually they are a 8-9.
I honestly thought this medicine was going to be a dud, but I'm so happy I stuck with this. I have hope that everyone in this group is going to find something that is going to help them. It has taken me years, but I did find it (I hope it continues to work). I know there is something out there for everyone.
Just the other day, out of the blue I thought that I can't remember the last time I had to take a triptan. And I can't remember the last time I had to take excedrin for a migraine (I do take it for tension headaches though). I can't remember the last time I had a really bad migraine. In fact, the worst my chronic migraine has been maybe a 6-7, when usually they are a 8-9.
I honestly thought this medicine was going to be a dud, but I'm so happy I stuck with this. I have hope that everyone in this group is going to find something that is going to help them. It has taken me years, but I did find it (I hope it continues to work). I know there is something out there for everyone.
Congratulations!
Lynn
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18793209
600 mg is by no means the end point, That is the low end of the spectrum. If you google migraines and mexilatine I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find out what the upper limits of the dosing is.
I'm not sure how your doctor prescribed it, but I got myself a small pill box that has up to 4 alarms on it. I set it for every 8 hours (so 3 times a day, 3 alarms), and I'm religious about taking it exactly every 8 hours so I always have a steady stream of it in my blood.
The neurologist has migraines too. He said he hasn't prescribed this to often because of the visit to the cardiologist. Most people won't go to the other doctor and get cleared before starting the meds.
The Botox helped a little. My neck isn't as frozen as it was a year ago. Still looking for a miracle.
congratulations!!!!!!!!!! I know you have tried almost everything. I am thrilled for you!
Be well,
Nipper