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Welcome to the Migraine Medication Relief Forum

Hi. I’m a 44 year old woman who has suffered with migraines since about age 5. For years they were terrible. I missed so much work and school. I would have to take shots of Demerol/Nubain/and Phenergan together and be knocked out for a couple of days. When the new migraine drugs came out (Imitrex, etc) they tried me on them. However, due to having Mitral Valve Prolapse they discovered after nearly killing me in the ER with Imitrex that I should not take it. So, I suffer…….constantly. They have started getting bad again the last couple of years. I now live north of ATL, GA and these drs here (family dr nor Neurologist) will give me shots. All they will give me his Hydrocodone pills and Phenergan pills. Well, when I’m so sick from one, I can’t keep them down. There are times when I beg my husband to drive me to my hometown in AL so that I can see my old dr. Any ideas on any meds that I could take? I’m desperate…….but so tired of the drs here not understanding and thinking just because I ask for a shot that I’m a druggie. I’ve never touched a drug before w/o it being prescribed. My mother and grandmother had them (as well as members of my dad’s family) and sadly I have passed them down to my oldest son and my youngest daughter. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Deborah, first I’d like to point you in the direction of a blog post I wrote a while back that discussed what some of your options might be when you can’t keep your medications down due to vomiting or they won’t work due to stasis. http://bit.ly/eZI8sq You have options!

As to your question of what meds you can take, my first question to you would be – has anyone ever offered you a preventive? That would be a good place to start. Of course you need more than that because even a great preventative takes weeks or months to take effect.

You say you tried Imitrex. I have MVP as well, and Imitrex was very bad for me as well. Not all triptans are created equally however. If it weren’t for Raynaud’s and my autoimmunity I would be taking triptans now. I tried others and they didn’t have nearly the same effect as the sumatriptan. Of course, that’s a decision only you and your doctor can make.

There is also DHE which works very well. Magnesium IV, steroids, Depakane IV all can be given. Here the standard Migraine ER treatment is magnesium and toradol, sometimes with a chaser of steroids. Things work better in combination sometimes too.

The point is, there are many different things you can try. Do you have a written list of the things you have already tried so you can give that to your doctor before your next attack hits? Having a plan before an attack is very helpful, both to you and to your doctor and the ER staff if you end up there.

Don’t forget to try to figure out your triggers and eliminate as many as possible. This will hopefully help you too.

This is a good place to begin anyway…

Hi! I went to my neurologist today and he suggested that I try Cambia for acute migraine relief. Has anyone tried Cambia?

Hi,

I’m 29 years old and have been suffering from migraines for close to 20 years. My doctors have tried various treatments over the years and after many failed attempts with prescription and OTC therapies, in recent years I found that my best relief was by full rest and/or an NSAID, preferably Excedrin Migraine or Ibuprofen (if rest was not an option). However, very recently I was diagnosed with peptic ulcers and my doctor has cautioned me against using NSAIDs going forward.

Now, my question is what are some other OTC options (not NSAIDs) that will help treat my migraines when they occur (about three times per month) and NOT irritate my peptic ulcers?

Thank you for “listening.”

NISHAKSQUARED, There is no one answer to give you, as each of us responds to different treatments differently. Sometimes not at all. Here are a couple links that might be helpful to you though: Natural remedies http://bit.ly/pZLZi3 OTC meds http://bit.ly/nJL8MH Please remember, that just because something is over the counter or considered a ‘natural’ remedy doesn’t mean it can’t hurt you. All of these should be treated as the powerful drugs that they are. Be sure and check with your doctor and/or pharmacist before trying anything new, okay?

I’m new to this blog, so I’m not sure where to post this. I’ve had migraines for about 40 years (I’m 52). After trying everything, my neurologist started me on Baclofen (10mg every night at bedtime). He also gave me Relpax to use as needed. After a month, I realized my migraines were slowly going away. I used to get 8 to 12 a month. No 2 1/2 years later I’m migraine free. Has anyone else tried this?

I have had migraines for 43 years and they are completely intractable. I am adding to the trigger list on a daily basis – yogurt, on of my favorites, went on the list last week. That was really hard. I have taken every drug out there ( almost) to try both prophylactically, for management and for acute treatment and none seem to work for very long. Some will work once and never again, some for several times and then stop, and others I have a longer run. I don’t drink, smoke, have caffeine, chocolate, nightshade vegetables, aged cheeses, pickles, olives or most of the other things that we are warned about. I lead a dull life, and still am getting somewhere between 3-5 migraines a week. I have very little social life, and a lot of people I used to have as friends, are gone by the wayside, much too involved with their own lives to be bothered by mine. I don’t blame them. I am sick of my life too, but am trying to see the good in what I am learning about myself and others, and be compassionate for myself and others, and just keep trying to find a way out of the hole I am in. My pain doc and I are going to give the Botox another try, and so far, Zomig is working for the acute headaches, which are coming more often now that the rainy season has hit CA and the storms off the Pacific drop the barometric pressure very quickly give any migraineur a quick migraine that will last 2-3 days.

Never heard of Baclofen, but will mention it to my doc next time I talk to her. I’m trying to find out some info on the generic topirimate vs the brand Topomax because I have heard the brand is much better despite the cost. Anyone know about this?

On the topic of treatments, I have had a hard time taking oral meds bc of intense naseau. I read something about a potential skin patch technology that would deliver medication transdermally. Its is from a company called Nupathe. Does anyone know if it is available? That sounds like a great option for me bc the meds would take effect without ever entering my GI system that gets VERY sensitive during episodes.
Any information would be great. Thanks!

JBGDAD – Yes, I do know about Nupathe and the transdermal patch they are working on! I am so excited about it. However, the patch system itself is totally new technology (it’s definitely not like your grandpa’s heart patch) and the FDA has delayed approval of it – at least for a little while longer. I’ve talked with NuPathe personally about their patch and am very excited about it, but as of yet, we will have to wait a bit longer…

Ellen, thank you kindly for the response – I am new to the website but it is extremely helpful, its really great.
Thanks for your thoughts on the patch product. In the meantime, I was able to find some clinical data on the patch system (they call it Zelrix) and I was very impressed with the data (although I am not a doctor). I was concerned that the patch would cause a lot of problems for patients skin but actually the safety data showed very low incidence…and lets face it, a skin itch is no big deal relative to the he## migraines put me thru! I will eagerly await FDA approval of the product and ask my doctor about it.

Thanks again!

There is a anti nausea patch called scopalomine (sp). It lasts for up to 3 days. That might be worth a try

I am also new to this site and have had migraines now for about 15 years. I am 49 and they are getting worse as I get older. My doctor tells me they usually get better after menapause. I too would be very interested also to know if anyone else feels there is a difference between the Generic topirimate and the brand Topamax. my insurance Rx company will only fill RX’s with generic if they are available. I have found since I am now using the Topirimate my migraines are much worse and more frequent, 4-5 times weekly. It doesn’t seem to work as well. I have since stopped taking the topirimate because it doesn’t work. Not sure what to try next. My doctor has suggested just treating the headaches when i get them with Maxalt or Treximet and pain meds. Don’t really want to go that route, any suggestions?

Has anyone had any success with Migranal in the inhaled form? My doctor, Susan Hutchinson (who is a great migraine doc in So. Cal) has given me a sample. I have not yet tried it.

Please share your thoughts on Migranal nasal spray.

Shelley – Aborting the Migraine process as soon as you can is vital treatment and good management practices for the majority of patients. Usually a Triptan like Maxalt or Treximet will do the trick and additional pain medications aren’t needed. What other pain meds is your doctor asking you to take?

Is this doctor a headache specialist? I ask because of the medication suggestion coupled with the statement that usually Migraines go away with menopause, which simply is not always the case. There are many things that come into play in Migraine Disease, and getting educated here is a great start for you so you can ask your doctor questions and get good conversations going regarding your Migraine management.