Migraine

I'm new to this forum and I've been working on a treatment plan with my neurologist since I was diagnosed with migraines in January.

My migraines are so frequent and severe that I've lost my job and I'm currently waiting approval for long term disability through my company.

Because I throw up medications, Zomig nasal has been the most effective abortive for me. If you can call working 25% of the time effective. Actually, Axert works much better but I'm rarely able to keep it down. I've tried every other triptan on the market without success. I also have phenergan which helps if I take it in time but that's not very often. It's gotten to the point of asking for suppositories of that one. God help me.

I've not had any success with preventives yet (so far I've tried pamelor, topamax, lyrica & elavil). Now I'm on zonegran.

My question is specifically for rescue meds. What other options are there as far as meds that are available in other forms? My neurologist originally gave me oral demerol (which I hate) but since I throw it up most of the time it's not very effective in treating the pain when I can't take any more Zomig. What else can I do when the pain is excruciating and I just can't take it anymore? Vicoden is no better at relieving pain than aspirin. When I am able to keep that stuff down, it upsets my stomach even worse.

Last week my doctor's assistant made the mistake of suggesting I try 600mg of ibuprofen, but to make sure I "take it with food". I asked her if she's lost her mind?? If ibuprofen worked would I be seeing a neurologist? NO. If she had the sense to look at my chart she would know a big part of my problem is I can't hold down oral meds. If she had listened to my message she would know I was vomiting horribly. She wound up suggesting I go to the E.R. and so I did This woman is new in his office and I already hate her. I wouldn't wish a migraine on my worst enemy. But for that moment, just for a second, I wanted her to experience my symptoms and try her own suggestion. After vomiting 600mg of ibuprofen I guarantee she would have a different perspective on how to handle a patient with a pain level of 9 that had peaked after two days of misery.

To avoid another E.R. visit, I'd like to find out what other options there are. I can't see myself using anything IM (I'm terrified of needles) but with the kind of pain I was in last week I think I probably could have done it to avoid a trip to the E.R. Other than self-injecting IM - is there anything else?

Thanks for allowing me to vent. I appreciate any other suggestions you may have for me?

p.s. I have an appointment with a new neurologist who is a migraine specialist on Tuesday (recommended on this site) and I've waited three long months for it. I like my doctor but I don't feel I've made any progress in the frequency or severity of these attacks despite everything we've tried.

Sounds like you have good start going finding a specialisht. I am actually at a inpatient headache clinic. Will tell you more when I come out next week :-)

Thanks for your reply. I look forward to hearing about your inpatient clinic visit. I hope you are feeling well today.

I thought of another question for anyone who reads this and takes phenergan on a regular basis...does anyone know if med can cause rebound/MOH?

When I was taking Topamax I was so nauseous on week three (75mg) that I couldn't eat a thing and even short car trips made me queasy. I asked my doctor if I should take phenergan for that - or only for migraine attacks? Is it something that is okay to take several times a week or more? Is it habit forming like pain killers? I just realized he never answered my question...he took me off the topamax and started something else. But I'm wondering if I should be concerned about how often I take it.

I will definitely ask the new doc about this Tuesday but welcome any input you may have in the meantime.