Migraine

Hey everyone!
A little about me: Im 23 years old and ive had migraines since i can remember. I didnt take any steps to understand or deal with it until i finally got insurance and began seeing a doctor for it about two months ago because it was getting increasingly worse as i got older. I dont know anyone else personally that has frequent migraines, although my mom told me that my grandfather had them very badly throughout his life.

The first time i took medicine to relieve a migraine attack, it was incredibly emotional because i thought i would have to lay in a dark room and let the world pass me by for the rest of my life. I felt the same way when i decided to google migraine websites tonight and found this forum, because i now feel like i can connect with people who understand what i go through and take more control over something that i have felt powerless against for a long time. So i just wanted to say hi and thank you to everyone who shares their experiences and advice on here...ive only been on here for an hour and already ive learned so much!

Unfortunately, i just changed jobs and will be without medical insurance for about 2 months so i have a bit of anxiety about how i will go that long without any medicine...now that i know what its like to live without constant pain, its hard to go back to that...and its more than 200 dollars for 9 pills without insurance (i have approx. 8-10 migraines a month). So please wish me luck and if anyone has any advice as to how to get cheaper medication (i currently take Imitrex when i get one), please let me know! Thanks so much!

Welcome to the forum family Stephanie! I'm so glad you've found us. I broke up your post into easier to read paragraphs for those members who may have a migraine while reading it.

Let me get you started with some great articles and links:

Migraines-Where to Start

Prescription assistance to find out if they can help you with your prescription costs. Also, you should ask your doctor for free samples when you see him/her again.

There are over 100 medications that can be used as preventative medications for migraines.

Another valuable tool is a migraine diary that can be used to track triggers, the effectiveness of medications and any patterns to your migraines.

And finally, please let me recommend a great book for you to read:

"Living Well with Migraine Disease and Headaches"

Again, a warm welcome! I look forward to seeing you around the forum and if you have any questions, just ask

Stephanie,
Welcome and I'm so glad you found this site too. No one should have to face migraine disease alone. Laura has linked you into excellent information. I look forward to see you in the forums.

Cindy

Stephanie,

Welcome to the forum! I can relate to how you feel about finding others that understand what you are going through. I hope that you find some assistance so that you don't have to go without medication.

Good luck!

Welcome, Stephanie

I'm stoked, too. I'm glad you found us and I'm glad I found us.

Laura really hooked you up good, there. (Say Laura, how do you post those links within your message without having to type in an actual website?)

I know how it feels to be afraid that I wouldn't have my Imitrex whenever I got a migraine. Just that fear, in and of itself, was SO hard on me. When I got into that predicament (even WITH insurance), I decided I'd better start trying to do more to either decrease or get rid of migriane triggers. It took some hard work and time, but it's been the best thing I've done for myself in a very long time. And even though my medication problem has since worked itself out, I actually have less migraines now (I was having 5-6 per week). I guess you could say... that's my success story, or one of more to come.

Blessings,

Sandi

Welcome, Stephanie. We're glad that you found us, too. Looks like Laura got you started with some great information, so let us know how else we can help you.

Welcome to MyMigraineConnection.

We are very happy you've found us too!

Although this is not a permanent solution, until you get your health insurance in place, maybe you could ask your doctor for some samples to get you over the "hump."

Keep us posted on how you are feeling, and let us know how we can help you further, ok?

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

I'm so glad you found us! Believe me, this forum makes migraine disease a lot easier to handle. It is a great place for questions, advice, venting and support!

Welcome to the forum!!!

Welcome! My head started to get out of control when I was 23, so I know how you feel.

Some of the preventives are generic, so they're not nearly as expensive as something like Topamax.

Have you kept a migraine diary to see any patterns? There's a good one you can download. And you can find a link to a list of common triggers in the orange "Manage" box on the home page. They don't take a lot of time or effort, but they're very effective.

I started seeing a new specialist in November. She really studies my headache calendar. She's pointed out some trends that I hadn't noticed.

Triptans are SO expensive! Imitrex is coming off-patent in the next year or two (I keep forgetting when). Then generics should be available at a much cheaper price.

Have you tried Midrin? I don't know how expensive it is, but it's another option.

I'm looking forward to seeing you around.

Gretchen in Mississippi

Hello, welcome to the forum. We're glad you found us.