Migraine

I had my first visit with my new specialist (Dr E.) last Friday but have been too busy to post until now...

I am sooo impressed with both Dr E. and with Virginia Mason in general so far.

He wasted no time in making some changes. Doesn't want to keep on with the Botox, as for me it has triggered horrible attacks the 2 times I have had it and he does not want to go for 3 out of 3. Took me off of 2 preventatives, cut the 3rd in half for now, hoping to cut it out completely at follow up in 5 weeks. At the same time as I am tapering these, he put me on a 10 day course of steroids to try to break this cycle (a year now!) that I have been on. When I finish tapering and complete the steroids I will try a new preventative.

He is also having me try the one triptan that ever worked for me again and a rescue med since I have not been using anything at all for the last 6 weeks or so. Basically nothing had been working because I wasn't having any days when I wasn't in pain. I think he is hoping the steroids will break the cycle and the triptans and/or rescue when needed will be more effective again. I sure hope so too.

I have felt better the last couple days. Pain level is way down, not completely gone but better than I can remember in ages. Energy level is up (probably due to the steroids, but I will take what I can get!).

I certainly feel more hopeful than I have in months and am glad that I made the switch. Thank you MJ and Shulo for confirming that I should listen to my instincts on this one.

I see him again on July 7th so we'll see how it goes until then.

sounds like a Great visit!

Much as I hate steroid tapers, sometimes, it just has to be done. I'm glad it's a long taper- if you've been walking around with this cycle for that long, it's going to not want to vacate your body. Hopefully by the end of the 10 days, the Migraine cycle will realize that it's not wanted!

Definitely no need to go for 3 out of 3 on the Botox. Besides being expensive, if you have had horrible reactions to it and it didn't work, then, essentially you'd be paying the money to suffer. Doesn't sound like a good plan in my book!

Glad you're trying the triptan again. Which one is it, may I ask? Have you tried Migranal or Midrin? They're other abortives- in case the triptan doesn't work- don't lose hope for finding something to abort the Migraines at home. I'm a strong believer in rescue meds. Gives us more control over our lives, and can help prevent MOH, since there's something that'll take away the pain without overusing the triptans!
Also,just getting out of pain is a wonderful thing

It sounds like you made a great switch to a wonderful new doctor! Can't wait to hear about your next visit... and before then, I can't wait to hear that the Migraine cycle was broken!

I'm so happy to hear you're making progress and that you like the new doc. That's most excellent news.

Here's to continued improvement!

Thanks Guys!

Jamie - Maxalt has been about the only triptan that ever worked for me but after about the first 5 months of this cycle it just stopped working. I have tried Migranal which also didn't work and have not tried Midrin yet.

Had some aura last night but it was bedtime anyway so went to bed hoping the pain that was starting would go away. This morning it is still okay. NOTHING like it has been.

Starting to taper today so still feeling hopeful. Gosh I think this past 5 days has been the closest thing to pain free (okay, not quite free) that I have been in the last year.

Dina

Dina, I'm so glad to hear your first visit with Dr E went so well! I've been seeing him for a year now, and have made a good amount of progress with him. Like you, I've been extremely impressed with Virginia Mason in general - I've been through their labs for blood work and anesthesiology for a blood patch, and have been treated compassionately and courteously by everyone there.

Here's to improvement with a great doc!

Dina,

I'm so happy for you! There's nothing quite like the feeling you get when you realize that you and your doctor make a great team!

I used Maxalt for the longest time and I loved it! It would abort my Migraines quickly and without the nasty side effects some of the other triptans gave me. But, after a couple of years it fizzled out on me and I haven't found one that works quite as well as Maxalt did. I may try it again since it's been over a year since I last used it.

Here's to continued success

Hooray Dina! I'm so glad it went well with Dr. E, and I'm even happier to hear that you've had some improvement in your pain. I hope your progress continues.