Migraine

Hi yall. I know you cant give out medical advice, but I have some questions anyway,and just want some imput.

I emailed my neuro about the fact that my migraines are getting worse again, and that I needed something else besides Midrin for an abortive. I usually cant take Midrin as I have kids that need to be picked up and dropped off etc. Anyone who takes Midrin knows its NOT good to try to drive on it!(well at least for me anyway!) So by the time I can take it, Im pretty bad off, and its more of a rescue just to knock me out and sleep off the migraine which dont usually work great.

Here is her answer word for word:
"I would increase the Namenda to 20mg twice a day. Let me know if the dizziness icnrease, but I don't think it will. And the only treatment options are the Midrin, butabutal, over-the-counter agents, or lastly small doses of narcotics. That's really all that's availble, so we do need to focus as much as we can on the prevention, so try increasing the namenda."

Now I had voiced concerns that being on 20 mg of namenda had contributed some to the constant spacy dizzy feelings I have been having. Now she wants me to double the dose. im already also at 1000 mg daily of Depakote.

My other concern is that the over the counter and the narcotics are rescue NOT abortive arent they? and I dont know what butabutal is. I know that OTC dont work for me at ALL, and that Narcotics have tripled the pain and aura intensity in my migraines in the past. Morphine being one of the WORST. Does my neuro know the difference between abort and rescue?

Anyway, Is there ANYTHING I can bring to her as an option for an abortive? Keep in mind I cant have triptans. Also, What else can I do when the preventatives arent helping as much as they were? Do I just keep increasing them as she wants until I'm just a blabbering space cadet? Too late! tee heee!

No seriously, im pretty spacy today so Im not sure if I conveyed my concerns and questions ok.

Thanks
Tawsha

Hey girl!

To my knowledge, the only thing HM sufferers can take to abort is Midrin.

Because of the way the migraine process is for HM sufferers, abortives may have an unfavorable affect on some people.


It's discussed Here in Elizabeths thread that she started about Basilar Migraine.

Sorry I could not be of more help for you my dear.

Butalbital is a barbituate. It is an ingredient in Fiorinal, which is my rescue med, and in Fioricet; I don't know what else it may be in. It has to be used carefully because the butalbital compounds are common villains in MOH.

Here's some info about Fiorinal. Fioricet is similar except it has acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead of aspirin.

Good luck!Fiorinal Oral

Hi,

Verapamil, diamox and lamictal are used as preventive medications for Hemiplegic Migraine. If you're having too many Migraines, it may be time to re-evaluate your preventive.

Any chance you can see a Migraine specialist?

TY Eileen, Nutcracker and Nancy!

Nutcracker, that pretty much confirms to me that my neuro is thinking rescue not abort. Ty for that info! I had no idea what it was. In my case, its no better than the Midrin, would still cause the drowsiness.

Nancy, I have tried the Varapamil and had to wean back off of it. It was causing my BP to drop dangerously low, even with the lower doses. I was even having seizures. My body cant handle doses high enough to be effective. We have not tried diamox or lamictal.

I have been on Varapamil, Topamax, Nortriptaline, amnitriptoline, and something else, cant remember what now. It was a while ago. I am currently on namenda and depakote.

My insurance wont cover any outside migraine specialests. The Dr. I am seeing is considered a "migraine specialest" under my insurance group. I have tried and appealed to get an appt. with a migraine specialest of my choice. They only gave me an outside consult with one of their "contracted outside providers" They allowed 1 consult appt. The Dr couldnt treat or diagnose. It was a complete waste of my time.

Other than that I just dont have any money to pay for it out of pocket. I have contacted the Oregon Headache Clinic from the list on this site. (Though I live in Washington, the Oregon clinic is much closer to me) They are wonderful there and I would LOVE to go see them, but it costs way too much. Even broke into payments, we just dont have it right now.

Tawsha, there is an OTC abortive that may be an option for you. I'm not sure if it's been used for HM but it may be worth talking to your doc about (even though we both know how useful she is). It's called GelStat Migraine (I think) - it's one of Teri's abortives since she can't take the triptans.

I'll link you to the article on Teri's site. I'm not sure if we have anything here (I searched but didn't find anything). GelStat Migraine, the First OTC Migraine Abortive

Just remember that my offer of a frying pan is still good if you need me to come down there.

MJ,
OHH ty for that link! I have got to try that. It shouldnt make me drowsy, and its deffinatly worth a shot! All other OTC meds have been a joke, but I'm willing to try it!

And for that fryin pan offer! one of these days maybe I should take ya up on that! If nothin else to at least meet a fellow migraneur!


Tawsha

Glad I could help, Tawsha! Let us know if it works for you.