Migraine

Hi,

I have a question I'm hoping someone here can help with. My neuro who claims to be a headache specialist, wants me to up my nortriptyline from 25mgs to 50mgs to help with the current migraine I've been experiencing since March 10th. I had relief over the weekend with the help of a Medrol 6 day dose pack. It was back by Sunday afternoon and at this point I'm frustrated. The neuro told me when he gave me the medrol if it didn't work I would most likely need to go to the hospital. I've done my research and see that nort. is a preventative and not abortive or even a rescue. Does anyone understand or have experience with using a preventative to get rid of a migraine? I'm honestly just looking for an opinion. I know this isn't medical advice I'm just hoping maybe someone else has some experience with nortriptyline. I'm not sure what to do. I think I should go see my regular dr. but I'm not sure what/if anything she can do.

The absolute only thing I can think of is that upping the dose on the Nortriptylin may help out the migraine process as far as helping you sleep?????

Understand this is just me totally guessing here - I know my migraines definatly decreased immidiatly upon adding in Amitriptylin -but to say it is an "aboritive or rescue" I think would be misspeaking.

I'm going to ask the other mods about this one.....

Hi Rachel,

Preventive medications, like nortriptyline, are used to reduce the frequency and severity of Migraine attacks, not abort them. This article Preventive, Abortive, and Rescue Medications - What's the Difference?

If your Migraine pain has lasted longer than 72 hours without a four-hour pain-free break while awake needs medical attention immediately. Status Migrainous - The Basics

Rachel,

On a side note -

Why have you not been to the ER young lady??? What about an IV treatment? Does your doctor do them? I would be all over that! Especially after being in pain for - oh geesh 21 days!!!

Honey - get yourself some help - if the steroid pack is not helping, and you are still in pain - maybe it is time for the ER.

See the link Nancy gave you on Status Migrainous please!

And maybe it's time to look for a new doctor as well....just a thought...

Let us know how you are doing, Ok??

I had some relief on Friday and Saturday. Actually I was migraine free for Friday evening and most of Saturday it was glorious! The neuro was the one that told me about the IV treatments. Generally the pain increases in the evening. If it happens again tonight I intend to go to the ER where that neuro practices. I will be getting a new doctor. Possibly as soon as tomorrow. I haven't felt like doing anything today. I came home from work early because of nausea and just wanted to sleep. I had relief for a few days before I started the medrol kit and again relief on Friday and Saturday. I would really like a complete work up at this point and I don't know that I will find a doctor to do that. There are times throughout the day when I feel like I can function and there are times when I can't. That's why I don't believe it's Status. I appreciate all the input and I'm going to call another neuro's office that I obtained from this website tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get better results.

Good for you, Rachel.

Good for you, Rachel. Sounds like you and I are on the same page - I also decided today that it's time for me to look for a new doctor. So I'll be calling a new specialist tomorrow to see if I can get an appointment.

Good luck to you.