Migraine

Well, here is the low down on my new Neurologist. I had my appointment yesterday at 2:15. He spent a little over an hour with me. We went over all of the medications I have already tried since 1992.

I really feel extremely comfortable with him and I like the fact that he allows time for you to explain all of your symptoms and ideas.

He is starting out by weaning me off the preventive, 50MG Imipramine that I've been taking for years..... he gave me a prescription for 10MG Imipramine.... and I will start by taking 4 every day for 1 week, then 3 every day for 1 week, then 2 every day for 1 week, and then just 1 for 1 week.

Then the substitute will be 300MG Lithium Carbonate, 1 tablet at bedtime. (I can't start taking this until he gets the results of my blood work that I just did early this morning. They have to make sure your kidneys are OK. I will start the Lithium as soon as I hear back from the doctor.)

This medication is normally used for people that have bipolar disorder but they have found that it also helps migraineurs. Also, I'm taking Midrin (a mixture of Acetaminophen to help decrease the pain, Isometheptene which helps to narrow the widened blood vessels in the head, and Dichloralphenazone which helps to relax the body.) I take 2 tablets on onset of headache, even if it's just the aura and then 1 tablet every 4 hours/max 6 daily as needed.

I go back to see him in 6 weeks. If I'm not doing better with this combination then I'm going for the Botox injections. One good thing..... all I pay is my $10 co-pay and that's it. Praise God!!! But, we wanted to try this combination of drugs first. I really like this doctor because he listens to you. I had so many questions. While I was at the doctor's and he was examining my eyes with that little light.... it triggered an aura. So for 45 mins I couldn't see anything. I had to wait to drive to the drugstore.

I got all 3 meds filled and as soon as I got home I took 2 of the midrins.... then before bed I had to take another one. The weird thing..... I slept from 11 to 4 and woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. I guess it is the new medicine. I hope that doesn't continue.... I really need more than 5 hours sleep.

Just pray that this works for me. The next step will be the Botox injections. I'm willing to try most anything.

Thanks for listening, and all of your prayers.

I'm glad you had a successful apooinment. It sounds like you have a plan in place.

I'm glad you feel comfortable with your doctor and he took the time to listen to you- hope your body adjusts to your new meds okay. Keep us up to date on what is going on!

Valerie

Isn't it nice to find a doctor who acts like you actually know something? I am so glad he listened to you and I hope this plan works for you. We will be anxious to hear how it is going.

Melanie
lovemykids411

Glad to hear your appointment went well. Keep us updated, ok? We're rooting for you.

dj-what a great visit! Sounds like your neuro is a keeper!

Well, today is my follow-up visit with my new Neurologist. Since the first visit the medicine Midrin didn't work for me. In fact it started making my headaches worse. The Neurologist took me off of that but kept me on the Axert as needed and the Lithium at bedtime. I have improved somewhat... not the amount of migraines but the severity of the pain. I still have to cut my Axert's in half because I can only get 9 per month. I now have 1 left.... so that means I have had 16 migraine events.... which comes out to about 4 per week. Still way to many. My new Neurologist is not in favor of Botox injections because he hasn't had good success with them. So it's on to plan B today. Not sure where we will be going. He has a list of all the medicines I've taken since 1992. Just remember me in your prayers today that God will intervene and help the doctor to find the right medicine for me. I am so tired of this horrible disease. It will be 97 degress here in MD today.... plus high humidity. One of my big triggers. I just pray I get to the doctor and back without any problems. Take care everyone and God Bless you! Dianna to everyone!

I hope all goes well for you today. Let us know the outcome of your appointment. I'm always a bit anxious before one too. Just never know what's going to happen!!

Take care.

Cindy

good luck today at the doctor!!! And extra good luck dodging the beastie to and from!

Good luck today!

Just got back from the doctor visit and filling new prescriptions at the drug store. It is in the 90s... will reach 97 today... yuck! These are his instructions: Stop the Lithium and substitute 100 mg of Zonegran at bedtime. Plus, I was having some problems sleeping before and he had me on 5 MG of Diazepam at bedtime which has been substituted with 0.5 MG of Klonopin. I'm to take 1 or 2 tablets at bedtime for sleep. I just sent him an email asking him again whether I should or should not take any Axert if I have a migraine headache. I believe he said I would have to wait 24 hours after taking the Zonegran.... but I need an answer to be sure. I hate taking all these different medications.... I just want the headaches to stop. I had a horrible one yesterday... the pain went away after taking the Axert but I felt so miserable the whole day. I just hope and pray this new preventative will work for me.

DJ,
I hope the medication change works for you. I really do. When I was started on Zonegran the dose she had me go to was 200 mg, but it took me a couple of weeks to get there. I started with 100 mg every other night for a few days, than 100 mg every night for a week and than I got to 200 mg every night. Seemed to take forever!! I've seen other people post they have to tritrate up like that too.

Maybe if 100 mg is the top dose it's not as much of an issue. The other's I've seen post have gone on up to 300 mg.

Take care and again, I do hope it works for you.

Cindy

I forgot to add... besides taking one 100 MG Zonegran tablet at bedtime and one or two Klonopin at bedtime (one didn't help me sleep I will take two tonight) I also am supposed to take three 500 MG tablets of magnesium per day. My Neurologist said there has been a good success with this combination. Just say a prayer that this is the right combination for me. Lord knows I've suffered for SO long. May God Bless each one of you!