adelbert
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Post by adelbert on Mar 16, 2018 12:24:40 GMT -6
Update:
I've been on a daily small dosage of a beta blocker since my appt and the difference is like night and day. I was getting migraines constantly and it felt like everything (weather, alcohol, water intake, hormones, etc) was triggering them. Since the beta blockers I've only had about 1-2 migraines a month which have gone away with my meds. So if anyone else is considering a preventative definitely talk to your doctor about it, I can't believe I waited so long!
Do you take a daily preventative? If yes, what?
Currently I take rizatriptan (maltax) with naproxen (Aleve) when a migraine starts which is unfortunately relatively often, about 15 times a month. I'd like to talk to my neurologist about taking something daily to hopefully get that number down a bit since I feel pretty out of it for the first 1-2 hrs after taking the medication (although better then I felt on a Sumatriptan).
If there is any medication you liked or hated I would love to know to bring up at my doctor's appt next week. Thanks!
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Post by CestLaVie on Mar 16, 2018 12:30:19 GMT -6
I took amitriptyline and it worked amazingly. It is an anti-depressant with the migraine prevention as an off label use. I didn't notice any side effects from it.
I ended up getting a breast reduction and that cured my migraines immediately and I get 1 every few months now with no meds. I was getting them 3x a week easily before the preventative.
ETA I did notice if I forgot a pill, the headache would start to build but if I took it immediately, it would go away again
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Mar 16, 2018 12:32:13 GMT -6
I take 400 mg of magnesium daily as a preventative. My DS1 gets migraines, and he takes 500 mg daily (he started at a higher dose because of his health history).
It's working shockingly well. I still have sumatriptan for breakthrough migraines, but I haven't had to take one since getting the mag established. I thought maybe it was the placebo effect, but when DS1 had to stop taking his for a couple of weeks, the migraines came back with a vengeance.
DS1's neurologist said that some studies are showing that a daily mag supplement is as effective as amitriptyline, the normal "starter" daily med.
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Post by CestLaVie on Mar 16, 2018 12:35:38 GMT -6
hawkward , yes! a naturopath put me on Magnesium too and I forgot about that. Taking a high dose at the very beginning of a migraine can head it off for me too. I also thought it was a placebo but was fine with it either way lol.
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joy
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Post by joy on Mar 16, 2018 12:58:03 GMT -6
Sigh.
I used to take nadalol (beta blocker) as a preventative and it was dreamy. It stopped working after I had my daughter.
I now take zonisamide (anti-seizure) as a preventative. It suppresses my appetite and makes me a little nuts. I think some wild things. It’s just unpleasant and I’m unconvinced how well it helps.
With that many migraines, please try a preventative. I take Imitrex about twice a week as is and my neurologist is very unhappy with that. He doesn’t want me to stop responding or start getting rebound headaches.
There’s a new preventative drug coming this summer in the US with big promise. My neurologist is very excited.
I do take Migravent (magnesium, etc) daily, as well. Meh.[
EDIT - you are in Germany, yes? Companies often file in Europe simultaneously so I imagine the approval will follow soon there.
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Post by fosterlove on Mar 16, 2018 13:31:41 GMT -6
I also take rizatriptan once a migraine starts and have recently added Fioricet which seems more effective. I have a friend that takes Topamax daily for prevention and Rizatriptan once one begins.
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Mar 16, 2018 13:35:18 GMT -6
I also take rizatriptan once a migraine starts and have recently added Fioricet which seems more effective. I have a friend that takes Topamax daily for prevention and Rizatriptan once one begins. I took fioricet for migraines when I was pregnant, and it knocked me on my ass so bad. I was worthless the last week of pregnancy because I either was mid-migraine or asleep. |
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teraiin
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Post by teraiin on Mar 16, 2018 13:43:47 GMT -6
I took amitryptaline (sp?) daily for prevention. It worked super well and I never noticed any side effects (except migraines if I missed some days but I
Mean that’s what I was taking it for? Lol)
My migraines are stress related mostly so once I got a better handle on that I weaned off without issues. I’ve noticed I’ve recently started getting migraines for the first time in years so I’m likely going to start back on it.
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adelbert
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Post by adelbert on Mar 16, 2018 14:08:54 GMT -6
hawkward I do already take 500mg magnesium so far unfortunately it hasn't helped.
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Post by unicornofthesea on Mar 16, 2018 14:40:06 GMT -6
Not for prevention, I only get them every few months, but i take Butal-acet-caff pills when one comes on. They work within a couple of hours and i haven't had any side effects.
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Post by daometjing on Mar 16, 2018 14:54:47 GMT -6
I took amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker for several years. I had no side effects, and was really happy with it.
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addymac
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Post by addymac on Mar 16, 2018 15:11:04 GMT -6
I was on topamax and it great. I went for having a migraine for 4-5 days (longest lasted 10days straight) every 2-3weeks to NOTHING. i had one flare up and took fiorecet and within half an hour it was gone.
Side effects I had with topamax: carbonated beverages were disgusting to me. I had to stop drinking soda and beer. That made me sad. And some random food like ketchup tasted like asshole - I LOVE ketchup on burgers, fries, etc.
It was totally worth it to me. I was on a daily 25mg dosage.
Good luck!
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addymac
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Post by addymac on Mar 16, 2018 15:12:40 GMT -6
Not for prevention, I only get them every few months, but i take Butal-acet-caff pills when one comes on. They work within a couple of hours and i haven't had any side effects. Yep. I’m on nothing for prevention bc I weaned off before my pregnancies but have these on standby and still use them when I get a migraine every couple of months- AMAZING! Within half an hour to an hour I feel normal and usually better than my normal, haha. |
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RedLine
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Post by RedLine on Mar 16, 2018 18:20:17 GMT -6
adelbert I used to suffer from debilitating chronic migraines. I got them AT LEAST 5x a week, sometimes every single day. I took sublingual Maxalt for spot treatment and Topamax as a daily preventative. Topamax did offer some relief but I wasn't able to tolerate the side effects. My dreams would be an exact replay of my day which made me constantly think I was dreaming, I had a couple hallucinations, I became withdrawn, I was so jumpy at every single noise, I couldn't taste carbonation at all (Wtf), undesirable weight loss, and I experienced what felt like electric shocks in my limbs. It was unfortunate that I had all those side effects bc although it didn't totally eliminate my migraines, there was a noticeable difference. After my first pregnancy my migraines went away almost completely. I still get them once in a while and take the Maxalt which helps somewhay but it's very short lived. Once in a while I'll get a full "relapse" of sorts and get a migraine everyday for a week or 2 and then they'll fade away again. Unsolicited anecdote- standing in the shower with my head tilted forward so that the water only runs over my head and hair, not my body, I'll turn the water as hot as I can physically stand. Let it run for about 3 minutes, then abrubtly turn it as cold as I can possibly take it. I repeat that for about 15 minutes or longer if I can and it helps so, so much. For me it feels like it almost "resets" my head or something. But the water has to very quickly change temps. It cannot gradually increase or decrease in temperature.
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jessila
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Post by jessila on Mar 16, 2018 18:59:39 GMT -6
My doctor tried many different things for me. I was on topamax and was constantly dizzy and disoriented. So that was no good. I also went on a BP med but that seriously dropped my BP to high 90s/50s. It was the most chill I've ever felt but again not good. I also gained 10 pounds in a month.
Maxalt was my treatment med that worked best. My doctor also had me take Excedrin and Advil together at the beginning of any headache which did help.
When I went off birth control to get pregnant I figured out that was my main trigger. I also cut out red wine and any fake sugars because they were also triggers. I was up to 10-15 migraine days per month. I am so sorry you're going through that because it's awful.
We'll see what happens after this pregnancy and bfing round since I don't plan to get pregnant again but enjoy birth control taming my cramps.
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jorkzy
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Post by jorkzy on Mar 16, 2018 19:41:13 GMT -6
I used to take Elavil (I think that's amitryptaline?) daily as a preventative but went off it when I got pg with my daughter, so almost 8 years ago. My migraines are way better than they were in my early 20s but I still get them several times a month. I need to go back to my doc for prevention again, I think. Advil and gravol doesn't cut it anymore.
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adelbert
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Post by adelbert on Mar 17, 2018 1:03:30 GMT -6
This has all been really helpful, thank you. I never got migraines until having my first child and they've only gotten worse after the following pregnancies.
I used to only get them directly before and during my period but now I get them all the time for so many different reasons. I've tried doing the spiral, pill, and no birth control to see if any of it helps but the spiral made them worse and I don't seem to see a difference between being on and off the pill.
I'm hopeful we can figure out a better treatment plan so that I don't spend so much time feeling awful.
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Lormor
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Post by Lormor on Mar 17, 2018 1:47:25 GMT -6
This has all been really helpful, thank you. I never got migraines until having my first child and they've only gotten worse after the following pregnancies. I used to only get them directly before and during my period but now I get them all the time for so many different reasons. I've tried doing the spiral, pill, and no birth control to see if any of it helps but the spiral made them worse and I don't seem to see a difference between being on and off the pill. I'm hopeful we can figure out a better treatment plan so that I don't spend so much time feeling awful. I am on the pill continuously (missing the placebo week) and that has helped with my hormonal migraines, because I miss the dip? spike? in estrogen. Any migraines I get now (much rarer) I hit hard with muscle relaxant-painkiller. It works very quickly. I didn't want to be on the pill forever, but actually, it helps so much, so why not. |
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adelbert
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Post by adelbert on Mar 17, 2018 3:18:15 GMT -6
This has all been really helpful, thank you. I never got migraines until having my first child and they've only gotten worse after the following pregnancies. I used to only get them directly before and during my period but now I get them all the time for so many different reasons. I've tried doing the spiral, pill, and no birth control to see if any of it helps but the spiral made them worse and I don't seem to see a difference between being on and off the pill. I'm hopeful we can figure out a better treatment plan so that I don't spend so much time feeling awful. I am on the pill continuously (missing the placebo week) and that has helped with my hormonal migraines, because I miss the dip? spike? in estrogen. Any migraines I get now (much rarer) I hit hard with muscle relaxant-painkiller. It works very quickly. I didn't want to be on the pill forever, but actually, it helps so much, so why not. Yeah I did exactly this for almost a year and it didn't work. I don't know if a stronger pill would help but my gyno is not very willing to try different pills unless something is seriously wrong. I'm bummed because it helped after my 2nd kid. |
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Post by karabear on Mar 17, 2018 5:16:57 GMT -6
I have tried amitryptaline and propranolol unsuccessfully for preventatives. The only thing that has worked for me is topomax. However, I had to get through a period of unpleasant side effects. It took about a month of brain fog, tingling in my head, numbness in my arms and hands and caffeinated drinks tasted gross.
Once I acclimated to the dose, it's been a lifesaver though! I went from 20+ migraines a month to 5-7. I currently take 50mg twice a day. I did have to work up to that dose, and every time I increased the dose, the side effects came back for about a week. I did have the bonus (for me) of some weight loss when I started it though.
I also take maxalt for my rescue medications. I also have imitrex and fiorcet, but maxalt seems to work the best and fastest for me.
If topomax didn't work, I was going to get a referral from my neurologist to a headache specialist who does Botox. He said you have to fail amitryptaline, propranolol and topomax before insurance will cover it. I was really hoping for insurance covered Botox...but here we are. At least my migraines are getting better!
Good luck! Please see somebody asap. Nobody should suffer that many days!
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NamasteBirches
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Post by NamasteBirches on Mar 17, 2018 19:09:40 GMT -6
I'm on topomax. I had all the weird side effects when I first started but once my body adjusted, it got better.
The main side effect that I felt did stay was forgetfulness & kind of feeling loopy at times so my doc put me on an extended release version of it called trokendi. It has helped a ton & made me feel the most normal while keeping the migraines at bay.
GL! I've suffered since being a kid & it's really been astonishing to finally have relief. I only started seeing my neuro maybe over a year ago, if that.
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Post by meggriffin on Mar 17, 2018 21:10:17 GMT -6
I also use Topomax, although I can’t take it while pregnant so I am currently off of it.
I agree with those that said upping doses brought back some if the side affects for a week, once I was up to my full dose and on it for about a week it was life changing for me. I am currently dreading the upcoming change of seasons I don’t know how I am going to make it through it with out my meds.
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kmkd
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Post by kmkd on Mar 18, 2018 14:36:51 GMT -6
I was on Topamax for prevention. It made me feel space and a little dumb so I stopped it but that is a rare side effect. I take Topamax daily. My sister had the same side effect as jboogie and stopped. I have the same thing when I first start it, but I do adjust and it gets better. Maybe a week or two? It’s a game changer for me. It took me a while to get back on after DS2 was born last February, and I was getting so. many. headaches. I started it up again and it was a huge relief. I love you Topamax. Don’t ever leave me. |
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kmkd
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Post by kmkd on Mar 18, 2018 14:39:07 GMT -6
I also use Topomax, although I can’t take it while pregnant so I am currently off of it. I agree with those that said upping doses brought back some if the side affects for a week, once I was up to my full dose and on it for about a week it was life changing for me. I am currently dreading the upcoming change of seasons I don’t know how I am going to make it through it with out my meds. With both pregnancies I missed it so badly. The only thing that really gave me any relief was ice packs. Fuck Tylenol. |
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Post by lostinfaith225 on Mar 19, 2018 9:54:56 GMT -6
My current preventive is pristiq and migravent. I take treximet and zofran for rescue.
I’ve tried celexa/topamax. Side effects ffects were awful.
When I first tried a preventative, I did nadalol. I gained weight and it didn’t help.
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joy
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Post by joy on Mar 19, 2018 10:47:21 GMT -6
My current preventive is pristiq and migravent. I take treximet and zofran for rescue. I’ve tried celexa/topamax. Side effects ffects were awful. When I first tried a preventative, I did nadalol. I gained weight and it didn’t help. How many times a day are you taking migravent? |
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Post by falconcrest on Mar 19, 2018 11:43:33 GMT -6
I take magnesium supplements every evening before bed. I also will drink some pickle juice if I am in the aura phase of a migraine and that will usually keep it from progressing to a full blown migraine.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2018 12:01:06 GMT -6
My mom has had much success with fioricet. Before she started taking it, she had the chronic migraine thing- the one where it is more than 15 days a month. It has been life changing for her.
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Post by lostinfaith225 on Mar 20, 2018 4:57:47 GMT -6
My current preventive is pristiq and migravent. I take treximet and zofran for rescue. I’ve tried celexa/topamax. Side effects ffects were awful. When I first tried a preventative, I did nadalol. I gained weight and it didn’t help. How many times a day are you taking migravent? I’m taking it just once a day. I am having about 1 migraine a month....maybe 2. |
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joy
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Post by joy on Mar 20, 2018 5:52:54 GMT -6
How many times a day are you taking migravent? I’m taking it just once a day. I am having about 1 migraine a month....maybe 2. Blah. I’m going on my ninth migraine this month. Bottle says to take it 2-3x a day. I currently do once, as well, but I need to change something. My preventative isn’t helping right now, either. 🙁 |
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