Migraine

I am on Topamax for preventative, Zomig for abortive,and now my Neurologist prescribed Hydrocodoneand also Prochlorperazine(nausea) for a rescue med. I told him that I did not want to come into emergency if I could have something that could help me at home when my Zomig did not work. (I have only come in 2 times in 13 years, I usually just suffer) I also do not want to take Zomig so often. After so many years, I have times when I get chest pains if I take my full RX of Zomig for the month. Summer is terrible for me.
I had to reduce my Topamax to 25 mg. a day except the week of my period then I take 50mg. I was having leg cramps on 50 mg.when I took it daily. I have taken it for 4 months. It does help the vice grip feeling but I don't think my migraines have been reduced. I think the Hydrocodone gave me a migraine the morning after I took it. (just once so far)
Has anyone else had any experience with these drugs?
I am not a pill taker, I have tried preventatives but usually end up just using nothing with Zomig to abort an attack.I was getting desperate for relief.
Thanks,
Trish

There are 7 triptans. Have you tried any of the other ones? Imitrex (the one I use), Maxalt, Amerge, Relpax, Frova, and Axert? Sometimes a different triptan will work when another one fails.

Don't give up on preventives. There are more than 100 of them, and the combinations are endless.

Are you taking the Zomig more than 2 or 3 times a week? If so, you might be in a Medication Overuse Headache (rebound) cycle.

You could be rebounding from the hydrocodone from a single dose. I rebound after a single dose of Stadol.

It might be time to see a migraine specialist. There's a list on this site. I started seeing a specialist 6 weeks ago, and I'm seeing good improvement. General neurologists, even if they have a special interest in headaches, treat other conditions like stroke, epilepsy, Alzheimer's. A specialist sees only headache/migraine patients and keeps up with the latest research. Mine does research into how triptans perform in different populations. She presents at conferences and also takes the classes offered.

Gret

So you are only on 25mgs Topamax as preventive med? Is that doing anything for you?

You sound like me! I had calf cramping on topamax once I went up to 100mgs, but I'm good at 75mgs.

Maybe the Hydrocodone isn't the right rescue for you. But to me, I would suggest looking into adjusting preventives, or talking with your doctor about something different.

If you seem to be more effected by migraine during the summer, maybe there is something your doctor can adjust or add to help you out with that, be it adjusting your preventives, adding an allergy med...something along those lines.

If you notice the same effect the next time you try the hydrocodone, then it's probably quite logical to assume that the hydrocodone isn't the thing for you. You can ask your doctor if it was likely the hydrocodone triggered you, or if perhaps you rebounded off of one dose. Remember, too, that hydrocodone doesn't abort a migraine. It's also possible that the hydrocodone "toned down" other sensations, which made you able to zone in and focus on the migraine which was still going on in the background, kind of like when you tone down background noise, you hear nearby things more clearly. Just a droolie thought, there.

I have tried relplax, Imitrex and also Maxalt. The Imitrex made me feel like I was having a major heart attack, the Relplax did not help the migraine, and the Maxalt did not help much either. I was left with Zomig which does work for me and I can still function, but after a few weeks and doses I get chest pain. I have gone completely off everthing for weeks at a time (even a month). I asked for a recue med to use instead of Zomig because of the history of heart attack and stroke in my family. My GP referred me to a headache specialist about two hours from here,(she thought my Neurologist was not helping my migraines enough) but when my records were sent they would not refer me because they said the treatment would be the same. That was about 4 years ago. My insurance changed in Jan. so I think I will try again. I have been on about 10 different preventatives also.
The Topamax helps with the daily pressure feeling but I think I am about ready to go back to nothing with just Zomig as an abortive as a last resort.
I mainly wanted to know if anyone out there has found a rescue med they can take to help the migraine pain enough to not throw up continuously and get through it without an abortive like Zomig. I am worried about the constriction of my blood vessels.
I don't want to be a whiner but I am getting very tired of trying so many drugs!
Thanks to all
Trish

Do you have an anti nausea med scripted?

If not, something to think about at your next appointment. I never thought of asking, but I'm so glad I did!

Also, MJ here on the forum turned me onto Ginger Altoids for when I get nausea with migraine. Yeah, it's not medicine, but when you are at work and can't take your nausea med that knocks you out, it does the trick.

What about asking your doctors to try other triptans? I didn't see Frova on you list of ones you've tried, or Amerge and Axert. As our Nancy said, don't give up - the last one you try may be the best one for you!

Ginger altoids sound good. I was given Prochlorperazine a few weeks ago but the info from the pharmacy said not to take with antiseizure meds(Topamax) which I am on. I have not tried Frova or Amerge.
I think I am looking for the wonder drug.
With the high humidity and storms in my state this spring,also the lack of sleep I have been under, it seems like one long migraine for the past month. I am very drained.
Thanks for your help though, I am off to the DR. on Wed.
Trish

Hi Trish,

You sound a lot like I did before I started seeing a migraine specialist. My worst triggers are lack of sleep, weather, not eating and certain smells. My specialist prescribed Zanaflex to help me sleep and Diamox to help with weather triggered migraines. I'm seeing marked improvement in my migraine pattern.

Hang in there! There is hope and once you find the right preventative combo for you, it will be worth the trial and error you had to go through to get there.

Hi Laura,
Thank you for the information. I think it would be worth a try again to see if I can see a migraine specialist in my area. My neurologist is okay, but it has been seven or eight years and I feel I am at about the same as where I began with him. He tells me when I go through menopause my migraines will get better. That could be another eight or nine years!
I would love to register my birthday! Any excuse to celebrate is appreciated What a great idea!
Thanks
Trish

Aw, Trish, Any doctor who can tell you for certain that menopause, pregnancy, hystorectomy, looking at the moon at a 30 degree angle while hopping on one foot, is just guessing.

There are women who go through menopause and their migraines get better, sometimes, they get worse. To say for certain that a persons will improve at that point in time is inaccurate and just guess work.

If you have been with the same doctor for seven or eight years, and you have not seen any difference in your treatment - I would say it is time to move on. See this quiz: Is your doctor right for you? See how your doctor scores.

Dear Eileen,
Thanks for the reply, I think you may be right. My neurologist is nice and acts concerned, but does not seem to be helping my migraine problem. I think until about 2 years ago I did not stress how bad I really feel. Since on the outside I look okay, and try not to whine too much, he did not understand how desperate I was. I think the fact he prescribed potassium for me without a blood test,( I am on Topamax and had leg cramps) which my pharmacist questioned, made me realize he is not the best.
I am going to shop around.
Thanks Again,

Trish

That's what we are here for!

If you just show one person how bad this disease is for you, please let that person be your doctor so he/she can help you accourdingly. I too tend to say "I'm O.K." more times then I am, but when it comes to the doctor I am like "listen up, here comes the list".

That's the only way we are going to be able to effectivly help ourselves, is being honest with our healthcare team.

quote:

Originally posted by trish:
Dear Eileen,
Thanks for the reply, I think you may be right. My neurologist is nice and acts concerned, but does not seem to be helping my migraine problem. I think until about 2 years ago I did not stress how bad I really feel. Since on the outside I look okay, and try not to whine too much, he did not understand how desperate I was. I think the fact he prescribed potassium for me without a blood test,( I am on Topamax and had leg cramps) which my pharmacist questioned, made me realize he is not the best.
I am going to shop around.
Thanks Again,

Trish