Migraine

Hey guys,

I was wondering what you all could tell me about IV infusions. I think I have read that some of you get them regularly. How do you go about this and how much does this help you? Most of you know that I have been hospitalized 3 time now. Everytime I go in, I can usually get some relief with the IV meds but once I am out and in my usual routine, I always hit this downward turn. I have been home about 2 weeks since my last stay. It took a lot to break my pain and wasn't even successful until the end. I have consistantly had a migraine for 8 days now, not constant, just consistant.

When I do this, I just get stuck in a pattern that I can't break. My thought was that maybe if I started to get regular IV meds, maybe I could do a little better, since that seems to be the only thing to help break up my pain. Any thoughts, advice or input? What meds do you use when you get these infusions? As you can imagine, I really really don't want to go back to the hospital in whatever matter of time. I just don't want to even fathom returning, so any other options i may have available would be wonderful!

Well, I don't know if this will be of much help but, my specialist recommended that I get either weekly or bi-weekly IV magnesium treatments done. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone in the area that is set up to do them yet. I am hopeful though because a new Migraine doctor just opened an office in my area and I'm going to see if he'll be equipped to do them. I know that Tracie, who pops into the Tea Room from time to time, gets her weekly IV mag done.

Whenever I go into the ER (like today) I get my IV mag and steriods and that usually breaks up the Migraine fairly well. So, I think if I were able to find someone in my area to do the mag weekly, I'd see great results.

Again, not sure if that helps, but I thought I'd share my expereince with you.

Take care and good luck!

Laura, Who's the new migraine person ? I think you said you live in the Hampton Roads area? I'm curious. I think magnesium iv's on a reg basis would do wonders for me. The couple I've had in the ER made me feel amazing good for about a week.

Hi Amy,

Yep, you and I are in the same area. Unfortunately, because of forum policies, I can't recommend the doctor to you because he's not on our list as of yet. My local neuro mentioned him to me because he just opened up his clinic over the summer but I forgot to write his name down. That's what I get for having a Migraine at my appointment but I plan on asking him again at my appointment in October.

If my insurance will cover him, and he seems like a good specialist, I'll be sure to let Teri know and see if she'll add him to the list. Hopefully, it will work out! I'll keep you posted!

Here's the policy in case you wanted to take a look at it:

Recommending Doctors Policy

Oh. I'm so confused. I have read all these posts where people say I went to this Dr. X and Dr. Y and so forth. And people make commentary about that they love certain ones. Or are frustrated with others. And specific names have been listed.

Laura- I think that is actually what I heard about was the magnesium infusions. I am not really sure how well magnesium works for me, but I am willing to find out! Thanks. I hope that you can find out about the new specialist, good luck dear

Amy- I know that Laura is right, we aren't supposed to metion docs that are not on the list. But i have also noticed that some of us do/have (including me ) I, along with a few others, have mentioned my doc on here although he isn't on the list yet. I don't think that they really filter much if we do put it on here. I understand that they don't want us to recommend an aweful "specialist". But like I mentioned, I don't think it is filtered if we talk about our docs. SInce I saw that policy, I try to mention him as doc or just Dr. N.

Do you guys happen to know, is magnesuim the only infusion done this way? Or are there other options than that?

Hospitals er always tell me it's migraine meds inside the IV.

Dutchess

I have had iv infusions in the past. I just finished one last week. My iv infusions include benadry, toradol, and something for naseau. It usually works. This last time it did work however 24 hours later I got another migraine (last night). One big trigger for me is barometric pressure changes. When summer is here we have lots of summer storms so its hard on me and my migraines. If I get another migraine today/tonight I am going to call the doctor to see if there is anything else that can be done.

Lori

I believe they do some steroid treatments through IV infusion, too. I know anti-emetics are sometimes done this way, too, if you're already having an IV.

Hey there,

There are a few different medications that can be given through an IV infusion.

IV Treatment of Refractory Migraines and

IV Lidocaine - Effective Treatment for Refractory Migraines in the Clinic have good information you may find useful. Is this what you are looking for?

Nancy- That is perfect info! I do have a question tho. Are these treatments an emergency type of treatment or do people get them regularly? I have used several of these meds being in the hospital, either not responding or only having a very very short time of relief. Would these be an option for regular use to help in my treatment. My migraines just seem so refractory that I don't respond well to anything yet, or even give me more than a days relief!

Droolie- Really, steroids? I don't think that I have heard of this. Do you know if they are pretty effective. The anti-emetics are nausea meds right? I take zofran and have had that in IV form too. I love them, lol.

Lori- I don't believe we have met Hello! Toradol and Benadryl is a good combo. I have IM injections of both meds that I take, IV form is more effective though. But you are right, the relief doesn't seem to last. I have found though, that when a med stops being effective, it is time to call the doc. I hope you can also find some meds that will be effective for you!

Dutchess- I hope those migraine meds work for you!

Thanks a ton guys!
Alaura

Thank you, its so nice to meet you too!

Lori

I have an Rx for at-home toradol injections, because it's cheaper than paying the hospital ER copay. 10 doses lasts me quite a few months.

I had the infusion once but both the mag and the phenergan made me very ill. I was vomiting and leaving other pieces of myself in their office. So, I do not take mag with any of my treatments.

The only thing different they give me at the ER is benadryl. But I refuse to take it anymore because instead of making me drowsy it makes me hyper-excitable and nervous.

I save the injections for the times when nothing will break my migraine. Typically this occurs right around my period, when the migraines last, are more severe, and harder to break.

I've been on plenty of steroids myself to break a bad cycle. It's nature's most potent anti-inflammatory. Too bad we cannot take it all the time without paying the price! I've had kenalog shots in the past that eased my pain for quite a few weeks, and just last week I was on decadron to break a bad cycle. Unfortunately it only gave me a day of relief. Steroids are always an option if you are in a bad cycle, just sometimes they come with bad side effects when you are weaning off of them. Decadron makes my skin, joints, and muscles hurt severely when I stop it. Since it's temporary, though, I'd rather deal with that than the migraines.

Everytime I go to the hospital.... they check me for everything then....
I pull out my paper for
excuse the spelling right now:
toredol
reglan
ativan
I have to request it because they have never seen a hemi...migraine.
I get paralysis and can not talk....
My right eye has severe sensitivity.
I have to go to shopping, restaurants, etc. with proper dark glasses and hat.

I have had a cognitive test and somewhere during this past year...
A med has conflicted and has caused brain problems.
Now, I have more money to spend, and biofeedback, acupunture, etc at a pain clinic.
I think I have to move to get the proper help....
Or
If you are from Georgia and know a doctor please let me know.
Presently, I was at HCA of Atlanta but I got worst.
Right now, I am scared....about all the errors that have been made.
deb