Migraine

I am new to this site and I am hoping there is someone out there that can help me! I have had chronic daily headaches and migraines for over 3yrs now. I have tried all preventative and abortative medication out there that I was able to take. I know you have heard that before but I have researched and I am not afraid to try new things. Now I am on a steady regimen of gabapentin, effexor, dextroamphitomin, nortrityline,tizidine and clonipin. For severe attacks I take oxycodone and now that is not helping. Does any one have any ideas?
Please help I am desparate!
Thanks,
Deb

Welcome, Deb!

Please bear with me here, Deb. I'm sure you've tried all the preventives and abortives you know of, but since we don't know each other yet, I don't know how much you've studied Migraine disease and how much information you've accumulated. Fair enough?

On the preventive side, there are now over 100 medications and supplements that can be used for prevention. You can find a list in our article Migraine preventive medications: too many options to give up!

On the abortive side, there are:

• Seven triptans -- Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, Amerge, Relpax, Axert, and Frova.
  
• Ergotamines - DHE injections that you can use at home and Migranal nasal spray
  
• Midrin. Some pharmacists are saying it's discontinued, but it's not. There were some generics that had gotten on the market somehow without FDA approval. They've all been pulled, but the brand name is still being made.

How many days a week do you use oxycodone? If you're using it or other pain meds more than two or three days a week, that could be making things worse by causing headaches called medication overuse headaches or rebound. Has anyone told you about that? (More info in Medication Overuse Headache: When the Remedy Backfires)

With no progress after three years, it sounds like it's time for you to see a headache and Migraine specialist. We have a directory of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.

Please let us know more about yourself and how we can help? We have a lot of information here to share.

Welcome again!

Hey!

Since Teri already gave you all those great links - I'll just say "hello!" and welcome to the family!

We look forward to getting to know you!

Welcome aboard!

Hi Deb, it looks like Teri has given you a wealth of information to start with, so I'll just add my hello! Welcome to our forum family!

Thank you so much for responding and I read over the list of meds you sent me to and I have tried at least one or two drugs in each catogory except for any adhd and leukotriene blockers (that I know of)some of the drugs listed where contrainicated for one reason or another. I forgot to mention that I do receive botox injections every 3 months all through out my head, neck, shoulder and back (about 40 shots each time). I have received 17 occipital nerve blocks, spinal injections and just yesterday facet joint injections, all with no relief. I only take oxycodone when my headache is severe and it could be a couple days in a row but if its more my doctor admits me. My doctor is a headache specialist and she is working very hard but I would like to have at least one day of being pain free. I am not sure I know what thats like anymore
Thanks again,
Deb

Hi Deb, I just wanted to say welcome to the site

Hi Deb!

I'm sorry you are having such a tough time right now! We are all here for you!

I know you've tried a lot of medicines already, but you may find that one of the ones that you haven't tried yet will be effective! The moderators here always remind us that we have to give each of the medicines in a category a shot--it the last one on the list might work beautifully for you!!

Please--don't give up!! You have lots of friends here with TONS of information and experience to share!!

Welcome to the forum!!

jenny

I'm so sorry for what you've gone through.

Just because one or two drugs of a category doesn't work for you doesn't mean one of the remaining ones won't. You really have to try each drug. I know it's frustrating and takes a lot of patience--and who has much patience when they're in pain?

But please don't give up. Someday, you will be glad you didn't.

Take care of yourself, and welcome. While you are on this difficult journey to health, we will be here to support you. We truly understand migraine pain.

I use the turtle on my ticker to remind myself that "slow and steady wins the race." I reset the ticker far more often than I'd like to, but I know I've already made a lot of progress.

Thanks for all your kind words and I printed up the list that Teri led me to and I am going to bring it to my next doctor's visit and we will go through each and every one. Has anyone heard of spinal cord stimulation used for the treatment of migraines? I am should be hearing from a specialist that does a trial of this. Let me know if any of you have tried it.

Deb

HI, Deb! Please add a droolie welcome hug to the pile!

Hi Deb, from another Deb.

Welcome to the family, Deb!

You did exactly what I did. I felt like I had tried EVERYTHING; but after going over the list, I realized I had made a dent but the dent could be a lot bigger. So, I printed it off, took along my handy dandy migraine diary and off to my neuro I went.

I ended up on Keppra....I have about 2.5 months to go before I see "real" results but something new is better than nothing at all.

Again, welcome!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Deb in pain:
Thanks for all your kind words and I printed up the list that Teri led me to and I am going to bring it to my next doctor's visit and we will go through each and every one. Has anyone heard of spinal cord stimulation used for the treatment of migraines? I am should be hearing from a specialist that does a trial of this. Let me know if any of you have tried it.

Deb

hi deb! im new here as well but i know exactly how you feel. i have not been pain free for over a year. i too wish to just have day without pain... its as if i have forgotten how it feels haha. well good luck in your search for the answer to your problem!

Hi Deb,

I just wanted to say welcome to our forum family. Sounds like it has been a long road for you. But you've come to the right place for support!
Welcome home!

Kelly

Welcome Deb,

Let us know how we can help you further.