Migraine

Hi there! My name is Alex! I just started topamax recently (at 75mg). So far it is going well. Unfortunetly, I started it in the middle of a migraine that my previous nuero was unable to stop so I'm still in pain. I"m supposed to get IV therapy this week with my new migraine specialist (to break the cycle since I've had a migraine for almost 2.5 weeks) - does anybody have any experience with this?? I have none and would like to hear what it's like! Does it really help? What are the side effects etc?? Thanks!!

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

I don't have any personal experience with IV treatments for migraines, although a number of our members do. I've been fortunate enough not to have a migraine I couldn't break with my oral meds. But here is an article to give you more info:

IV Treatment of Refractory Migraines

In any event, it's important to do whatever you have to do to get this migraine broken quickly. A migraine that lasts that long increases your risk of stroke. See this article:

Status Migrainous - The Basics

Keep us posted. We're glad to have you on the forum.

Hi Alex and welcome to the forum family!

I have been treated through IV therapy with Magnesium and it was absolutely fantastic. The first time I received treatment in my specialist's office and not only did it knock the migraine level down it also got rid of pain in my tailbone (from a fall).

The second time I received treatment was just recently. I had a migraine that wasn't responding to my abortives and finally decided to go to the ER and they also gave me Mag. It brought a level 8 or 9 down to a level 3 and by the time I got home it was a level 2.

For me the process took about 45 minutes of the IV drip and I had a warm sensation move throughout my body. It felt like my muscles were relaxing. The best part was that after treatment, I was able to walk out without that feeling of beeing all "loopy".

It worked out great for me; I hope it does for you too!! Please keep us posted and be sure to check out the link Nut gave you

Yeah, my specialist said I have to get three days of iv therapy to make sure it's gone b/c its a stubborn one (kind of like me maybe??)- this migraine makes me just want to burst into tears in a moments notice!! I just want it to go away!! It's wose than child birth!! ok, i'm done venting, sorry!

Hi Alex, just wanted to add my welcome! Glad that you found us!

No need to apologize for venting on this forum. We understand, believe me. I always feel like crying when I have a migraine, even if it's not that severe or long-lasting.

Take care of yourself.

I've had IV therapy multiple times, first with DHE (Dihydroergotamine) and once with Depakote. It usually has been quite successful, and when you're in status, you have to break the headache. Not to do anything is dangerous!!!

Tracie

Hi, Alex! I've never had any IV infusions for migraine. I've never ended up in the ER for migraine, either, but I do know that if I ever do end up there, I'm asking first off to try IV magnesium sulfate.

That said, I really popped in to say hello and give you welcome smooshes.

thanks for all the support out there! its so nice to know its out there!! It's especially hard right now because I have a 6 week old (no sleep) and my hormones are crazy b/c I just gave birth!! So the migraine just adds to it all......

I just started topamax and have noticed that my muscles tighten all of the sudden-(possible side effect) wouldn't that make one more likely to get a migraine??Just curious...

I had my first IV treatment a few weeks ago myself. I can't say it was pleasant for me, as I had a reaction to the magnesium and vomited.

However, it did break the migraine. As soon as the Toradol hit me I felt a lot better, and the DHE was like a miracle drug. It's not something I hope to ever have to do again.

I wish you the best of luck, and may it give you some pain free days!

Quite a few of us have had tension headaches morph into migraine. Following my thyroidectomy, I had severe shoulder spasms related to trying to talk around a deadened vocal cord. They'd lead to severe tension headaches, which then segued into migraines/tension combos.

So it is possible, if you tend to have migraines trigger from tension headaches, and the tightened muscles from the Topamax or whatever reason lead to tension headaches.

quote:

Originally posted by litlalex:
I just started topamax and have noticed that my muscles tighten all of the sudden-(possible side effect) wouldn't that make one more likely to get a migraine??Just curious...

quote:

Originally posted by litlalex:
thanks for all the support out there! its so nice to know its out there!! It's especially hard right now because I have a 6 week old (no sleep) and my hormones are crazy b/c I just gave birth!! So the migraine just adds to it all......

Goodness gracious, Alex, a 6 week old baby AND a migraine that won't quit??!! You poor thing, vent away. I've been in tears from a migraine just this week in fact. But today I'm feeling much better even tho my migraine came back tonight. So you see, it's up and down, and no matter how far down you are, there's always an up coming, so hold on! Welcome!

Well, I just got my first iv infusion of keppra so I hope that does the trick ( 2 more days to go to make sure) to kick this status migraine. Anybody else had any luck with keppra??

Welcome Alex!

My daughter has had IV infusions three times. The first one was just DHE and he upped the amount each time which made her quite nauseous but it broke the headache. The second was Depakote and it brought the headache way down but the headache came back the next day. This last time included Magnesium, Depakote, DHE and Decadron. Although it helped the headache did not break and it came back. We are set for treatment next week by a new neuro so hope this will do it for us.

We have done Topomax but Sarah had problems with her memory so that didn't work.

Good luck and we are praying for you. I cannot imagine a newborn and a migraine.

lovemykids411