Migraine

Most of you already know I haven't had the best luck with neurologists/HA specialists. I had my first appointment with my newest doc yesterday, and he's a keeper. Even though he's not a HA specialist, he is a great neurologist and well educated in treatment options for migraine disease.

My appointment yesterday with the new neurologist went GREAT! DH is doing a little "I told you so" dance, and he has every right to. This doc has been DH's neuro for years, and when my PCP initially wanted to send me to a neuro, DH said I should just see his doc, but I didn't listen. He went over everything (I had 4 pages of notes for him, with history, previous meds and all that fun stuff) and really paid attention to what I said. He also is supportive of my filing for disability. Again with the happy dance! As far as meds go, he gave me a sample of Zofran and a prescription for Maxalt. I took a Zofran yesterday and didn't have any chest pain.

As far as preventives go, he's going to keep me on the Verapamil and we're going to try topamax again. He's going to titrate it slowly, and back off if I start getting the weird parasthesias again. (My whole right side was numb the last time I was on it, and the neuro I was seeing didn't make the connection, so kept me on the high (300mg) dose.) We'll see how that goes. Since I'm not working right now, I'm not too worried about cognitive side effects. I made a lot of mistakes at work when I was on topamax the last time. The good news is that it will help me lose weight, which I desperately need.

He is going to see me again in eight weeks. He told me to call with any issues. I felt so much better after my appointment yesterday. He really listened, and really seems interested in helping me feel better.

I'm so happy you had such a wonderful visit!

Zofran has become my new BFF as of late. It doesn't make me tired like Tigan did - and I can take it at work! It's my new wonder drug!

The only thing I guess you can say about having gone through neuro after neuro - is now we really appriciate a good one when we find them!

What great news Melissa. Please keep us posted, you always do.

Hooray for you!

You know, the topamax (dopamax) must be kicking in already. He gave me a sample of Zomig, not Zofran. It must have been wishful thinking. It worked well the first time, when I took a nap after I took it, but it made me really sick the second time I took it. Ugh.

Zomig used to be my triptan too. It was the first one I tried and it worked! I did have some side effects with it (throat felt like there was a lump in it and it made me very tired) but it did work!

What kind did you try? I used the ones that dissolved in your mouth, and later on, also the pill ones. I never did the nasal spray though.

Eileen,

They were the 5mg pills. He actually wanted to give me samples of Maxalt melts, but didn't have any. I didn't know there were different versions of Zomig.

Yes! I found the dissolvable ones (they taste like childrens asprin) to be good for when you are nauseaus and can't even think about sipping water. I know a few who use the nasel spray for the same reason.

I used it for quite some time then finally had to switch on to a different triptan since the side effects were so strong for me, I could not take them at work since they would knock me out.

I tried Imitrex and Axert - neither of which did anything for me. Frova has been the only other triptan to work for me besides Zomig, but I've only tried those four.

It's so strange to me how some medications work one way and help and others it's like eating a tic tac. I have found that I get zip from the Imitrex, Axert and also Darvicet. Just goes to show you that whats good for one person may not be good for someone else!

Mel:

I'm doing a great big happy dance for you! I'm so glad your neuro is well educated and supports your disability claim.

As for triptans, I like Maxalt melts. That is the best triptan for me I have used thus far. It is rare I get a mig over 12 hours now. When I was using Relpax and Treximet, I would get them for 48-72 hours all the time.

I'm glad the follow up will be so soon too!