Migraine

I know that on my other page when asking about migralepsy, one person mrscolt wrote that her doctor has her on calcium channel blockers. What are those? and How are others treated and what with when they go to the ER when concerning a migraine?

hi believe --

i'll let mrs. colt answer about her calcium channel blockers. i've tried one or two without any success (as a migraine preventative).

when i go to the ER for a stubborn migraine/nausea, i often get reglan or zofran for the nausea (am allergic to phernergan, but many ppl. use that). i also often get a shot of toradol or another painkiller. usually by the time i get home i'm ready to finish sleeping it off. i know others have different things that work for them. but for me, these have been working pretty well so far.
emily

Calcium channel blockers were originally developed to treat heart conditions and high blood pressure, then found to be good Migraine preventives for some people. They're especially good for hemiplegic Migraine.

As with any other class of drug, if one doesn't work, another one might. Time-release verapamil helps a lot with my Migraine prevention.

I generally don't have a problem on occasions when I have to go to the ER. Usually, they give me an IV injection of Demerol and Phenergan. One doctor gave me an IV injection of Compazine, and it actually aborted the Migraine.

I'm also on a calcium channel blocker (norvasc)
in addition to amitriptyline and a goodie bag of stuff for depression...

norvasc didn't lower my blood pressure anymore than it already was (which is GOOD!!-- as I can't afford it to go any lower!)

It's now time to tweak something, but I'm doin' a lot better than before the Norvasc.

I'm sorry! did not realize this was adressed to me! From what I understand, calcium chanel blockers were used for heart troubles and I guess accidently found to be useful for migraine prevention, especially hemiplegic migraines(like I have). Right at the moment*after nearly 2 months) they are just starting to work a bit *i think* since my migs seem a little easier to abort these days and also once in a while, I get a pain free day *which I didnt used to*. As for the ER question....how am I treated? hmmm.... Lets see... doctors and nurses in the ERs in Canada don't like migraineurs it seems. They are grossly uninformed on the condition *Nurses in triage frequently mark me as "headache". When the Docs listen to me, I can usually get magnesium sulphate and benadryl in an IV drip, if they do it their way, I get toradol*NSAID* + gravol and reglan/maxeran as it is called in canada, + benadryl to combat the jumpiness.

Hope that helped
love and hugs bim*mrscolt*

Thank you all so much for the info. I didn't know there were other ways to treat migraines, (don't mean to sound stupid) but my doctor hasn't ever told me other ways (probably doesn't know any)! I've never been treated bad in the ER, but some friends of mine have. I know the triage nurses usually don't care if the light is killing me or are irritated by the fact that i can't open my eyes, apparently never have had a migraine before, and when put in a room, the ER doctor usually cuts the light off if my husband hasn't yet. My neuro. actually told me to try and go to urgent care facilities instead of the ER that they treat u better. I'm so glad i found this site. You guys are so informative. God Bless, and of course thoughts and prayers as always.