MyMigraineConnection.com

See all our sites for your special health needs at www.HealthCentral.com

Migraine

Make a connection, ask a question, share a concern, give advice or just chat. Our message boards connect you with a community of people who understand where you’re coming from and what you’re going through.

    Migraine Community  Hop To Forum Categories  MyMigraineConnection  Hop To Forums  New Info on MyMigraineConnection    Namenda for Migraine and Chronic Headache Prevention
Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
Reply
  
  Login/Join 
Supreme Guru
Picture of Teri Robert
Posted
There are no medications available that were developed for the purpose of Migraine and headache prevention. However, there are over 100 medications that are now successfully being used for that purpose. We now have both anecdotal and clinical evidence that Namenda can be effective in the prevention of Migraine and headache.

Namenda (memantine HCL, Forest Pharmaceuticals) was approved for use in the United States in October, 2003, more than a decade after its use began in Europe under the brand names Ebixa and Axura. It's classified as an orally active NMDA receptor antagonist. Namenda (memantine hydrochloride) is approved for the treatment of "moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type."

Continue reading Namenda for Migraine and Chronic Headache Prevention.



Teri Robert
Lead Expert, MyMigraineConnection
terimmc@helpforheadaches.com




The generally long periods of time between my Migraines are the result of working with a Migraine specialist to refine my preventive regimen. You can see my current regimen HERE.

 
Posts: 3037 | Location: West Virginia | Registered: 01-11-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Master
Picture of mrscolt
Posted Hide Post
Thanks Teri.... That was an interesting read. I'lll be looking forward to learning more on it.
bim
Heart


Migraine is a potentially debilitating genetic neurological disease that affects 36 million Americans. Migraine is underdiagnosed and undertreated. There is no known cure. The American Headache Society supports research and education. Please help us? Please specify that donations be made to headache on the hill
http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?badgeId=102755

 
Posts: 495 | Location: Quebec, Canada | Registered: 04-10-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Maven
Picture of Migraineur
Posted Hide Post
I was really excited when my doctor let me try Namenda because of an article I read here. It sounded like it might really be something that could help me given the nature of my migraines/headaches. It didn't work out though. I had to stop the med early due to side effects. I was so bummed. I tried to convince my doctor to let me try again at an even slower titration schedule, but he felt it would probably happen again. Too bad, it sounds like a good medSmiler.
 
Posts: 507 | Location: Milwaukee, WI | Registered: 03-15-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Master
Picture of Hoopsky
Posted Hide Post
I just got back from the doctor. My migraines have gotten really bad again and the side effects from the topamax, relpax, and frova have overwhelmed me. He was wonderful. I explained how difficult teaching has become for me. He totally agreed and put me on leave for the rest of the school year.

Then he listened to the many side effects I was having and agreed that the topamax was a goner! After talking about the patterns my migraines were taking he decided he wanted to give Namenda a try. He wants me to email him every two weeks to let him know how things are going and to come back and see him in six weeks.

What was amazing was that I talked to him about long term disability. He said he is not for long term disability and that initially gave me a scare. I explained that my income on my short term disability insurance runs out at the end of summer and that I was concerned that we may not have this worked out or under control by then. I further explained that I would need to be on long term disability after that to have a continued income of some sort. He listened and he understood. I explained that I needed to start the paperwork now to have it approved by fall (I'm on the teacher's retirement system, not social security) and that if we did have my migraines under control by chance I could still pull the papers. I also explained that if they approve my long term disability it would probably be on a year by year basis as was explained to me by the disability advisor. He said he would help me with that even though he is not in favor of long term disability. I was very relieved. It is my hope that I don't need it but I want to have that option available in case things continue as they have been for the last few years.

I am not trying to take advantage of anything but I have had a horrendous time these last few years. He agreed that there is no way I can work while my migraines are as bad as they are. I have never used my disability insurance even though I have paid into it for 20 years. Having a supportive doctor is soooooo important. Now if I could just find something that would help the migraines! Namenda is yet another ray of Hope!
 
Posts: 278 | Location: Riverside, CA | Registered: 09-10-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Wizard
Picture of MaxJerz
Posted Hide Post
Hoopsky, sounds like you had a great visit with your doc. Hopefully Fingers Crossed the Namenda works for you - keep us updated, ok?


-MJ

my blog: http://rhymeswithmigraine.blogspot.com/

"What will you do, if it does not turn out how you expect?"
"I do not know. Nor shall I worry about it until it happens. I still have an action left to take; until I have exhausted it, I shall not despair." - Robin Hobb, Assassin's Quest



 
Posts: 1971 | Location: western WA | Registered: 06-01-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Supreme Guru
Picture of Teri Robert
Posted Hide Post
Valid point. Small studies such as this one must be done before larger studies are funded. If the results of the small studies aren't good, the larger studies aren't done. This was one of the first studies of Namenda for Migraine prevention.

Anecdotally, I know a few people it works quite well for. One advantage to it is that it has a low potential side effects profile.

Oh, and welcome to the forum, Millsy!


quote:
Originally posted by millsy:
What concerns me is that the study sample is so small. I am not an expert on statistics but I am not sure statistically valid conclusions can be based on a sample of 20 patients. Comments?



Teri Robert
Lead Expert, MyMigraineConnection
terimmc@helpforheadaches.com




The generally long periods of time between my Migraines are the result of working with a Migraine specialist to refine my preventive regimen. You can see my current regimen HERE.

 
Posts: 3037 | Location: West Virginia | Registered: 01-11-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Novice
Picture of Miriam36
Posted Hide Post
What are your migraines like? And how often do you get them? I feel like I can't function anymore. I always hated taking new drugs, but now I am alost willing to try anything to get my life back!

quote:
Originally posted by Hoopsky:
I just got back from the doctor. My migraines have gotten really bad again and the side effects from the topamax, relpax, and frova have overwhelmed me. He was wonderful. I explained how difficult teaching has become for me. He totally agreed and put me on leave for the rest of the school year.

Then he listened to the many side effects I was having and agreed that the topamax was a goner! After talking about the patterns my migraines were taking he decided he wanted to give Namenda a try. He wants me to email him every two weeks to let him know how things are going and to come back and see him in six weeks.

What was amazing was that I talked to him about long term disability. He said he is not for long term disability and that initially gave me a scare. I explained that my income on my short term disability insurance runs out at the end of summer and that I was concerned that we may not have this worked out or under control by then. I further explained that I would need to be on long term disability after that to have a continued income of some sort. He listened and he understood. I explained that I needed to start the paperwork now to have it approved by fall (I'm on the teacher's retirement system, not social security) and that if we did have my migraines under control by chance I could still pull the papers. I also explained that if they approve my long term disability it would probably be on a year by year basis as was explained to me by the disability advisor. He said he would help me with that even though he is not in favor of long term disability. I was very relieved. It is my hope that I don't need it but I want to have that option available in case things continue as they have been for the last few years.

I am not trying to take advantage of anything but I have had a horrendous time these last few years. He agreed that there is no way I can work while my migraines are as bad as they are. I have never used my disability insurance even though I have paid into it for 20 years. Having a supportive doctor is soooooo important. Now if I could just find something that would help the migraines! Namenda is yet another ray of Hope!
 
Posts: 96 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: 02-11-2008Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Maven
Picture of Migraineur
Posted Hide Post
I've always been told that the minimum sample size per treatment group is 20, but that's if you're doing a highly controlled internal validity study. The less control you have, the more subjects you need in order to see effects that are really there.
 
Posts: 507 | Location: Milwaukee, WI | Registered: 03-15-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
gwp
Sage
Posted Hide Post
Teri ---

Who would fund a double-blind study of Namenda for migraine/TTH prevention? The manufacturer?

I know that the NIH gets very little funding for headache/migraine research. Is a double-blind trial of a potentially effective headache/migraine preventive the kind of trial NIH would fund if it had the money?

Big plug for the Headache on the Hill project!

Gretchen in Mississippi
 
Posts: 1185 | Location: Mississippi | Registered: 03-25-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Master
Picture of Hoopsky
Posted Hide Post
Miriam, My migraines are almost daily right now. I'm having horrible side effects from the topamax, relpax, and frova I'm on too. I don't know if that's why my doctor is having me try namenda or not but I'm giving it a try nonetheless. I'll keep you posted. Teri
 
Posts: 278 | Location: Riverside, CA | Registered: 09-10-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Supreme Guru
Picture of Teri Robert
Posted Hide Post
Gretchen,

Yes, it's the manufacturers who generally fund this type of study.

Yes, we need more NIH funding, but even then, it will probably still be the pharma companies that fund this type of study. NIH funding is almost always for more basic research that must be done before specific drug research can even begin.

quote:
Originally posted by gwp:
Teri ---

Who would fund a double-blind study of Namenda for migraine/TTH prevention? The manufacturer?

I know that the NIH gets very little funding for headache/migraine research. Is a double-blind trial of a potentially effective headache/migraine preventive the kind of trial NIH would fund if it had the money?

Big plug for the Headache on the Hill project!

Gretchen in Mississippi



Teri Robert
Lead Expert, MyMigraineConnection
terimmc@helpforheadaches.com




The generally long periods of time between my Migraines are the result of working with a Migraine specialist to refine my preventive regimen. You can see my current regimen HERE.

 
Posts: 3037 | Location: West Virginia | Registered: 01-11-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Abi
Grasshopper
Posted Hide Post
Namenda has been a big help for my migraines. I've been taking it for a couple of years now.


Abi
 
Posts: 43 | Location: DC Area | Registered: 09-03-2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Grand Wizard
Picture of Eileen Gray
Posted Hide Post
Good to hear that the Namenda is working for you Abi!! Thumbs Up Big Grin


Eileen Gray
Community Moderator
eileen@helpforheadaches.com




"The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to over come, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater then our suffering." - Ben Okri
Please donate!!! Click below to donate to the AHDA - THANK YOU!!!
http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?badgeId=102755
my blog: http://fireinmybrain.blogspot.com
 
Posts: 1799 | Location: Hopatcong, NJ | Registered: 09-08-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Master
Picture of Hoopsky
Posted Hide Post
Yes, Abi, it's nice to hear that someone is having long term success with namenda. There isn't many people out there who have used it long term or who have had success with it. It makes me hopeful. Thanks.
 
Posts: 278 | Location: Riverside, CA | Registered: 09-10-2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
 Previous Topic | Next Topic powered by eve community  
 

    Migraine Community  Hop To Forum Categories  MyMigraineConnection  Hop To Forums  New Info on MyMigraineConnection    Namenda for Migraine and Chronic Headache Prevention

We're New and Improved! LEARN MORE
Get our Free Newsletter