Migraine

Hello Everyone-

I have been reading and researching on this site and wanted to introduce myself. I have been suffering with migraines since my early twenties...now in my mid forties. I have status migraines...lasting weeks at a time. I take amitriptilene, naproxen, maxalt for abortive and vicodin or oxycodone for rescue. I am interested in learning more about topamax and plan on asking my GP this week about my options for preventatives. I do not go a week without a headache, I have tried acupuncture, massage, etc. The acupuncture seemed to offer some relief for a short time, but now I have been in a 5 week cycle that does not seem to be ending. I have classic auras with many of my migraines, so that at least gives me some clue. I am fortunate in that I do not get terrible nausea, just slight upset stomach, very sensitive to sound and very painful headache, mostly over my eyes and around my ears. I also get a stuffed up nose and sometimes a tightness in my throat.

I do not know what my triggers are. This most recent headache came when I had just switched my diet (I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic) to eliminate sugars, and lower my carbs.....so it could have been that. I do not know for sure.

I appreciate reading everything posted here, so I will continue to research the site and read before posting too many questions that may have already been answered.

Looking forward to learning and getting better!

K

Hi, Kathryn, and welcome to the forum!

I see you've been researching and reading on the site, so you've probably read the various trigger articles. If you haven't, they're all grouped together. If you look in the orange box labeled "Manage", you'll find a link labeled "Migraine Triggers" that will take you to all the trigger-related links.

Just settle in, get comfy, and happy reading. If there's something specific you're looking for, just ask away and we'll do our best to help you find the info you need.

Welcome Kathryn.

You have a lot of options open to you as far as preventives. This link should be helpful: http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/understanding-mig...7_9-145.html?ic=4031

I also wanted to tell you my experience with cutting down on carbs; my husband and I tried the Atkins diet a few years ago and I had a constant migraine until I stopped. Low blood sugar could be a trigger, do you have a way to monitor your blood sugar at home?

Good luck.

Hi Kathryn,

quote:

Originally posted by kathryn:

I appreciate reading everything posted here, so I will continue to research the site and read before posting too many questions that may have already been answered.

Looking forward to learning and getting better!

K

Nah- feel free to ask the question. I promise we won't mind... and can answer things possibly a lot quicker than you may be able to find stuff on the site! Besides- that's what we're here for!

Add a welcome from me! Glad you found us!

Hi! Welcome!!! I have to say I'm wondering why your doctors had never suggested a daily preventative before (Topamax) seeing as you get at least one migraine a week. I have been on it for almost a year now and take it from someone who had a migraine every single day - this drug saved me! I know everyone is different - but definatly check out your options with your doctor - it may decrease your migraines majorly.

On another note - if you do the low carb/atkin type diet - they advise you not to on Topamax. I'm not sure about other meds. I just know I read it about the Topamax because I take it. They say with the Topamax, since it could cause kidney stones - it's better not to do the low carb deal. I know it may be harder with being diabetic - but that again would be something to ask your doctor about.

Welcome again - and as Jamie said - Ask away!! - We all pretty much ask anything and everything around here!! LOL

Eileen

Thanks everyone for your replies..I have a call in to my GP to discuss preventative options. Had migraine today...that is 4 out of the last 4 days. Maxalt every day, naproxen and amitriptilene. How many days in a week can you safely take Maxalt? Any ideas? I am hoping to get a referral to a good neurologist...I have a good reference from a friend who suffers from migraine as well. As to my blood sugar..I do not do a regular monitor but I will also ask that question as it is an excellent point. Thanks for the suggestions and support. I will, as I said, keep researching and reading your good ideas. Thanks!

-Kathryn

Hi Kathryn,
Welcome to MyMigraineConnection. We are so glad you found us, so let's see what we can do to start helping you feel better.

Status Migrainous is a debilitating Migraine attack that can last from 4 to 72 hours. If you experience severe Migraine pain for more than 72 hours without a four-hour pain free break while awake, you need to seek medical attention immediately, like the ER or Urgent Care. Status Migrainous - The Basics


First off, if you take Maxalt more than 2 to 3 times in a one week period you could be experiencing Medication Overuse Headache, formerly called rebound. This happens when we take certain prescription and OTC medications too often. If you have MOH, and do not break it, there is not a preventive medication in the world that will help reduce your pain. In order to stop MOH, you need to stop the offending drug, Maxalt, or naproxen, cold turkey. Not pleasant but can be done. I did it last summer when I tapered off oxycontin. It took about 2 weeks before I started feeling better, meaning, no more rebound headache. Then I was able to deal with my chronic head pain in a different manner. Medication Overuse Headache - When the Remedy Backfires

Something you may want to consider is keeping a Migraine diary to see if food and/or non food triggers play a role in your Migraine attacks. This is a very helpful tool for both you and your doctor. These links are great:Migraine Triggers

Headache Specialist? Go for it. It is always a good idea to have an expert working with us. Our Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists is a great place to start looking for one. There is a specialist in Baltimore at the U of Maryland Hospital.

I have given you loads of info. Read through it when you feel up to it and let us know how we can help you further. We look forward to hearing more from you.

Hi,
I'm new here too, and trying to learn to navigate this site.
I've had migraines for years and have recently been put on Topomax. This past week I just had a 5 day attack. I called the Dr. yesterday and was told to come in for an IV infusion. Not even sure what was in teh IV, but it did seemm to break the headache cycle which is what the Dr. wanted. Have I mentioned I hate this?, lol
I'm on a low dose of Topomax - 50 mg. and thought he'd be increaasing it, but he said to wait.

Hi MaurChclt! Welcome! I too am on the low dose of Topamax of just 50 mg a day - and yes, I too go for days at a time with a migraine (Last week!! EEEKKK!! ) But, it does not seem to happen to me that often.

I'm sure you will like it here! Look around - get a feel for the place! Everyone is super nice and welcoming - feel free to ask any questions - all the Mod's here have so much knowledge I'm sure you'll be hearing from them as well! Take care!


Eileen

thanks for the welcome Eileen. I just feel so lost right now, but I'm sure I'll get more comfortable with time. So far no meds today, but still wearing sunglasses - and it's a dreary day here, sigh.

Welcome! Sorry you need to be here, but I'm glad you found us.

It's great that you have a doctor who does the IV infusions in his office. That's so very helpful.

How long have you been taking Topamax at that dosage? Some Migraineurs in the clinical trial were successful at 50 mg. Hopefully, it will kick in successfully for you too.

Welcome again!

quote:

Originally posted by MaurChclt:
Hi,
I'm new here too, and trying to learn to navigate this site.
I've had migraines for years and have recently been put on Topomax. This past week I just had a 5 day attack. I called the Dr. yesterday and was told to come in for an IV infusion. Not even sure what was in teh IV, but it did seemm to break the headache cycle which is what the Dr. wanted. Have I mentioned I hate this?, lol
I'm on a low dose of Topomax - 50 mg. and thought he'd be increaasing it, but he said to wait.

thanks for the welcome Teri. I've been on 50 mg of Topomax since May- June. Not sure of the exact date. You seem to know so much, what was in the IV infusion I got? Are they all the same?

Thanks again to everyone for the information. I am still a little confused by the rebound headache information..how can you tell if it is a rebound headache? I seem to have a series of migraines that will last a few days in a row...I take maxalt, get relief for a few hours and then take some naproxyn and amitriptilene and start the whole cycle again the next day. My migraines are often times accompanied by very classic auras which I think make it very easy to identify migraine versus rebound. I have been known to take maxalt three times in a week...usually I switch to something else, relpax or frova if it does not get rid of it completely. I am going to talk to my GP tomorrow about Topomax, but what about rebound headaches with that? I am already worried about getting another migraine..now I am going to fret over the rebound headaches!!! Gosh, this is very complicated....

-Kathryn

Just wanted to say "Welcome" to Kathryn and MaurChclt! I hope you find this place as helpful as I have!

I look forward to talking with you both in the future!!

jenny

Welcome home, Kathryn and Maurchclt!

I, too, am on Topamax. I started out on 50 mg, split in 2 doses (25 mg am & pm), & tapered up to 150 mg over 3 months. Then, about 4 months later, my neuro bumped me up to 200 mg.

At 200 mg, my migraines are down to around 4/month, on average. These I abort with Migranal and phenergan.

I ran into problems with Medication Overuse Headaches when I was taking Aleve too frequently - 3 days in a row. I had an "all over" headache that wouldn't go away, no matter what I did. And, yes, I also had a migraine during this time. But, I avoided Migranal, phenergan and Aleve for 2 days, then have stayed off Aleve and other NSAIDS since (about 3 weeks ago.) I have arthritis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome too, so pain relief for those would be nice.

I did stay on my Topamax throughout all this, as well as my Effexor XR.

Do talk with y'all's doctors, and DO find neurologists/headache specialists to work with y'all on this. They can literally save y'all's lives. My neuro is a migraineur himself, so he really understands what's going on.

He put me in the hospital June of 2006 for IV therapy with DHE (dihydroergotamine) and a very powerful steriod and a powerful anti-nausea medicine. I had the medicines every 6 hours for 36 hours. In-between, I slept or read or just "chilled out." That broke a TEN-WEEK migraine.

Rebecca