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.
So I have been with headache specialists for 20 years now. I've been on just about every medicine under the sun. My migraines became unrelenting in 2007 after I finished chemotherapy for my lymphoma. Nothing has worked. My doctor was pretty sure botox was the answer, but it did nothing.
My doctor has put me on a drug called Mexiletine. it is an anti-arraythmia drug which can work as a migraine preventative. The only problem is that at the effective dose, the side effects can be bad enough that's it's not worth taking.
Side effects:
dizziness
nausea, vomitting
tremor
confusion
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18793209
I am crossing my fingers, because I need something to work. My doctor is running out of options. This is the last medicine he can give me before we start discussing long term steroid treatment (which i'm completely opposed to).
My doctor has put me on a drug called Mexiletine. it is an anti-arraythmia drug which can work as a migraine preventative. The only problem is that at the effective dose, the side effects can be bad enough that's it's not worth taking.
Side effects:
dizziness
nausea, vomitting
tremor
confusion
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18793209
I am crossing my fingers, because I need something to work. My doctor is running out of options. This is the last medicine he can give me before we start discussing long term steroid treatment (which i'm completely opposed to).
If you do start a daily steroid dose you do run a really high risk of developing Addison's disease. The steroid takes over slowly for your adrenal gland until your adrenals shut down. Then you have to take the steroids or you will die in 3-5 days. So it's a life long drug after getting the illness. I've had Addison's now for 18 years. It's a terrible disease to have. Really try and avoid the steroids.
Good luck Yvette. I hope this works for you. Fingers crossed.
As for the steroids, I'm completely against it. It's also something my doctor doesn't want to have to do. I would have to have an endocrinologist before I would even start steroids, if I do start. A lot of things would have to happen before I would even agree to it, so I don't see that in my future any time soon.
Be well,
Nipper
I hope this med helps you.
Thinking of you.
Carol :)