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.

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PhotoMama 02/27/2012

I am trying to get an idea of what meds are out there and what people are taking that is working for them? I figured if I started a thread it would be easier to see everyone's replies!

So what are you on now? Is it working for you? What have you taken in the past that hasn't worked?

I'm currently on Verapamil 80 mg, two tabs twice a day for 'prevention' and Frova tablets for 'treatment'. I put quotes around the words because right now nothing seems to work :( If anything the migraines seem to be getting worse, and I am getting all sorts of new symptoms...numbness in my forehead area, muscle twitching, a feeling like my head has been stuffed full of cotton or something, and the worst part is that a speech stutter (that has been very mild my entire life) has gotten so bad that most of the time I can't even speak without major facial ticks and word loss :(

I am hoping that I can get a referral to a neurologist...I had a family doctor but he up and moved to Africa so now I am seeing a doctor that knows nothing about me.

OK, rambling I know but I am at the end of my rope.

DivineSilence 02/27/2012

I am not on a preventative right now. I have tried Topamax which worked great but had side effects that were bad, What has worked for me is changing my diet. I used to get 2 or 3 migraines a week but now only get maybe one a month.... I took everything processed or artificial out of my diet..... basically all I eat is produce, meat, rice, beans, dairy. I do have organic ketchup, pickle relish, mustard, salad dressings and the like to spice it up a bit. I also try to eat organic when I can afford it but that doesn't seem to make as much of a difference as just getting all the chemicals out of my diet.

SonicSue 02/27/2012

have been taking Propranolol 20mg a day as a preventative...i have not noticed ANY improvement. but its been less than 2 wks. when i get a bad migraine i take relpax. they are bloody expensive...

deleted_user 02/27/2012

I'm on verapamil 240 once a day. Imitrex or relpax and orphenadrine/Asa/caf tab 50/770/60mg for treatment.

Last week one started and the imitrex and orphenadrine tabs pretty much stopped it in a couple hours. It didn't get to full blown mode.

Good luck. I hope you find something that works for you. My nephew get migraines and used biofeedback, I've never tried that.
Take care

HungryAngryLonelyTired 02/27/2012

I take Fioricet. and it does help but theres a rebound when it wears off. Its one of those med that not suppose to be taken more than 3 times a week. Um I have tininitis real bad and my ears hurt- "the one day I go to the ENT they are clear. no fluid behind the ear drum grrrrr. Nose stuffy sudo doesn't help.. My clortrimitron doesn't help with stuffy head.
I really think I have an inner ear infection but the only thing the ENT wanted to talk about is hearing aids. So I've made another appt. I have Fibromyalgia and take muscle relaxers. So my treatment for migrains --I have to consider what I already took that day...
is regular day aleeve. muscle pain norontin /migraine Fioricet. If I take all of them Im in bed -no driving.

deleted_user 02/28/2012

Do what DivineSil recommends. The best approach is NO meds and a strict migraine diet, plus establishing your own profile of triggers. The meds seem to have lots of side effects and long term damage to the brain cells. I've been reading lots of horror stories on these forums regarding all the meds people are taking. Go the natural route if you can. No processed foods. No tannins, nitrates, sulfites, tyramine.

deleted_user 02/29/2012

I take Topamax, and Fiorcet, and if my face hurts it's tramadol.

angee7 02/29/2012

Well, I am on a lot of medication.

These are my daily drugs: Topamax (400mg), Amrix (a muscle relaxer), and Pristiq (an anti-depressant).

If a migraine dares to show itself then I take: Fioricet, Maxalt, and lastly Imitrex injection.

I also get BOTOX injections every 3 months in my forehead, scalp and the back of the neck.

It took 3 years for my Doctors to figure out this cocktail of meds.

If I don't get enough sleep, that's a trigger, and too much stress is a trigger.

Abotsd 03/14/2012

I take opioids, but the biggest help has been Xyrem, which gives me deep and restorative sleep. Get a sleep specialist, a sleep study or two, I also take many meds for so much pain.

Beaumont 03/14/2012

I take Imitrex. About 90% of the time just one pill works, and about 10% of the time I have to take a second pill to relieve the pain. My neurologist tells me that based on the frequency of my migraines - 1 or 2 a week - taking Imitrex as needed should be fine and he says I don't need a preventative medication (one that is taken daily whether a person has a migraine or not).

deleted_user 03/15/2012

I try not to take any medication until I absolutely have to. I was searching the interest for a all natural pain reliever and I found this website at www.myreliever.com. they have a so much science on this. I would tell anyone to check it out if they are interested in this. its a great source. thoughts?

PhotoMama 03/15/2012

I was actually thinking about one of those pain reliever devices...I know about the pressure points and I know where they are but I can only press them for so long...I do know that those points can give me some amount of relief so I think I am going to check into it.

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