Migraine

Teri,
I know we've discussed this, but my daughter is facing a trip to Germany--a migraineur's nightmare of night flights, multiple connections, late arrival back at school, hours before classes start. I've told her my concerns, but she's determined to go. Her neurologist had no suggestions other than: take motrin, take dramamine, stay hydrated. I'm packing her some prednisone, and since she gets migraine associated vertigo, some prn ativan--prescribed by her ENT, and not used for years. She hasn't taken any triptans for a couple of years, but I'm packing imitrex as well. If she had ever tried diamox, I'd give it to her--her neurologist was unreceptive.
Yes, I'm freaked.
Any other suggestions: other than let her live her life and learn.
Judy

Not Teri, but in the meantime, some of us, including me, premedicate with Frova or Amerge because they are long acting. (especially Frova) My doctor has me set with a regimen of how often and how much to take. I would bring this up to your doctor.

Sometimes it is courage, sometimes it is stubborn, but wither way I admire that she is not giving in to the illness. Our church is going to Israel this month and because I have enough trouble and risk on shorter flights, I am bowing out of the 17 hour flight. Coud be missing the chance of a lifetime. Probably am. I have FHM and when I go down, airplanes are met by many emergency vehicles, one was nearly rerouted by the fears of a doctor on the flight. Fortunately my family stuck up for me and we met it to our destination. Now you are sticking up for her, something to be proud of, don't back down until you feel comfortable!

Thanks for the support: she's the one who says "I won't let my life be run by fear." I'm the one who's terrified.
She hasn't taken triptans for a couple of years: so she'll bring them, but won't premedicate. She mostly gets migraine associated vertigo, and some headache--so lots of motrin and dramamine and fluids.
She is coming off of a sinus infection, so I did call the ENT who said that it made no sense to stop the antibiotics and get on a long flight--just extend them through the trip.
It's hard to let go and let her figure out her own limits. She was in bad shape from February 2005 (when she was admitted with status migraine due to the flu) and for the next year. She's been doing really well since she went to college and manages things herself.( I know I have PTSD with the timing here...)
She's on nortriptyline for prophylaxis, and the neurologist was talking weaning off--at the visit where we went to discuss the stress of the trip. oops.
I need to back off and she needs to--literally--fly.
Judy

Also not Teri, but I wanted to throw in my $.02 - I also have MAV and have terrible trouble flying, so my neuro prescribed Frova for me and gave me a specific schedule to take it before flying. It really does help a lot! Definitely something for you to consider talking to your daughter's doc about.

Judy,

Dr. Krusz often suggests Frova or Diamox taken an hour or two before the flight. Frova is his choice of triptans for this purpose because of its 26-hour half-life.

Flying is a sure Migraine trigger for me, so I take Diamox preflight and keep Axert in my bag in case I do get a Migraine. The last few times I've flown, the Diamox has prevented the flight triggered Migraines.

Other than that, trying to keep good sleep and meal schedules and being sure to stay well hydrated are top suggestions.

Hope she does well!

Thanks all.
At this point, because she's never tried Frova or Diamox, she'll just try and hydrate/use motrin/dramamine/ativan. Unfortunately the sleep is an issue with a night flight, but she'll live and learn.

She'll pack imitrex and some prednisone if she gets triggered.
Hard to let them go.
I wish the neurologist had been more helpful when we met to specifically address this issue over her winter break. No suggestions from him, other than motrin pre flight (there are 3 flights to get to Germany...)

I'll be glad when she's done with the trip.
Judy

Just an update: despite a long delay due to airline issues, multiple long flights, 6 hour time changes, and jet lag, she had a great time and did well. She's appropriately not telling me tons of details, but considering how ill she's been in the past, this was a huge triumph.
She's been home a little over a week and is finally over the jet lag. From what I can tell, she took some motrin and dramamine. No imitrex or ativan were mentioned.

Thanks for your support.

Judy

Judy,
I'm glad it went well for your daughter. While my daughter does not have migraine disease. I"ve let her go 2 summers to Latin America for volunter work. I had no control and little contact with her. I had great empathy for your postings before your daughter's trip. I found out many things after the trip that happened. The good thing was she had learned to handle them and I was very proud of her for doing do so. My daughter has prepared me well for her going off to college.
Take care and again, I'm glad it went well.
Cindy

Judy,

That's great! Thanks for the update.