OK, who's hoarding the good migraine drugs?

raburrell · Jun 14, 2009

Who's hoarding the good migraine drugs? (updated - found something that works!!)

So I'm currently sitting here with my third migraine this week, feeling like my face is about to slide off, and my insurance company thinks I should be paying $150/month for the privilege. I've tried Immitrex (currently) and Topomax (which was worse)

I'm curious as to whether anyone else out there has tried other things that work better. Three headaches a week is about average for me at the moment, so it's really getting annoying, to say the least. Help? Please?
(ps - yes, I will call my doctor too)
found something! See last post...

scarletpeaches · Jun 14, 2009

Bottom line? I get them at the same rate you do and until I get a GP appointment I'll rely on making myself sick so I can settle my stomach and keep over-the-counter painkillers down.

He refuses to prescribe imigran cause people get addicted to it apparently. Pfft. More like cost to the NHS.

Anyway. Try soluble painkillers. Easier to drink than to swallow, in my opinion.

Oh, and those 4head cooling strips.

Anything else, feel free to PM me. I'm proud of the fact everyone in my social circle votes me as the person who gets the worst migraines I've ever heard of!!!!11111!!!!one!!!!eleven!

dgrintalis · Jun 14, 2009

Imitrex never did anything for me. I swear by Excedrin Migraine. I take them at the first sign of sparkly lights in my left eye. I am grateful I have 'occular disturbances' to let me know one is on its way.

raburrell · Jun 14, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
He refuses to prescribe imigran cause people get addicted to it apparently. Pfft. More like cost to the NHS.
Anyway. Try soluble painkillers. Easier to drink than to swallow, in my opinion.
Oh, and those 4head cooling strips.
Anything else, feel free to PM me. I'm proud of the fact everyone in my social circle votes me as the person who gets the worst migraines I've ever heard of!!!!11111!!!!one!!!!eleven!

Heh. Congrats

I might give those cooling strips a go. Imitrex/gran can give rebound headaches, but I've never heard of it actually being addictive. I think you're probably right about him trying to save the queen a few quid.

dgrintalis said:
Imitrex never did anything for me. I swear by Excedrin Migraine. I take them at the first sign of sparkly lights in my left eye. I am grateful I have 'occular disturbances' to let me know one is on its way.

I've tried both Advil and Excedrin migraine, and they're pretty hit-or-miss for me, no matter how early I take. (Of course, the fact that I'm usually stuck in a meeting with one particular co-worker when they come on doesn't help :flag:

) I used to get the ocular variety when I was a teen, but haven't had them in years. They were kinda cool!

Thank for the advice to both of you...

raburrell · Sep 16, 2010

So after a couple of years of getting them every 2-3 days, my doctor finally sent me to a specialist, who sent me to another specialist, who surprised me by suggesting botox treatments and surprised me further by saying many insurance companies will pay for it now because the FDA has approved it as a treatment for resistant migraine.

So, one treatment session and 10 days later, I am happy to report I haven't had a headache since. I know there are some other sufferers around here, so I wanted to pass it along as something to try. The studies they're doing, they have something like an 80% success rate, even with people who haven't responded to any other therapies. Results usually last for 4-6 months. Hope it can help someone else!

Sophia · Sep 16, 2010

Blimey, really? That's amazing. Do they inject it in your forehead, or in your neck and around your head?

Fingers crossed it continues to work for you, and this is the end of it all. When I have a migraine (used to be 3-4 a week, now 2 a month, thankfully, due to an osteopath) one of the things I end up picturing is an injection of something in my forehead, removing the pain.

scarletpeaches · Sep 16, 2010

I've heard of Botox working in extreme cases too. Anyway, good for you. I'm so glad you've found something that works.

If you ever feel like PMing me, please do so. I'm always interested in new migraine treatments, especially preventative ones.

raburrell · Sep 16, 2010

ElaraSophia said:
Blimey, really? That's amazing. Do they inject it in your forehead, or in your neck and around your head?

Fingers crossed it continues to work for you, and this is the end of it all. When I have a migraine (used to be 3-4 a week, now 2 a month, thankfully, due to an osteopath) one of the things I end up picturing is an injection of something in my forehead, removing the pain.

I stopped counting somewhere in the 20s - started with one at the bridge of my nose, a whole series over each eyebrow, then my hairline, scalp, all the way into my trapezius muscle (the kite-shaped one that covers most of your back). Most of them weren't too bad. Certainly worth the results.

I had done a few research studies prior to this, one with a guy who had a whole bunch of drawings that were supposed to represent the type of pain you felt - one was a chisel to the head, another was a vise, then an explosion - the guy had theories about people who felt different types of pain.

SP, I'll PM you in a bit, once I get out from under some work stuff.

scarletpeaches · Sep 16, 2010

This has nothing to do with the topic, but I love your avatar.

backslashbaby · Sep 16, 2010

I always wanted the Botox, but even with insurance the cost was prohibitive (private insurance)

Now no insurance, so there's no way.

I do get much relief often from Feverfew at 800mg a dose. Wonderful, wonderful drug. I take a beta blocker every day and that helps tons, too.

All of the crazy-expensive meds didn't work better for me, and Imitrex had a crazy reaction in my system. Mine are a bit different than the usual. A lot of folks swear by Imitrex.

I'm having a hell of a time with a long-but-less-hideous one now that I get when my sinuses get too bad and squeeze the nerves and vessels

I've been blind in my left eye for days now. A round of steroids works wonders if y'all ever get those. I'm waiting a little longer because I hate taking steroids, and I may get the swelling down another way.

But those can last for over a month with me. Great fun.

Good luck, all

Satori1977 · Sep 16, 2010

Botox, really? That is crazy! I would have to have horrible non-stop migraines (like you apparently were having) before trying that. Hate needles, and the thought of botulism injected into me is a little scary.

I started getting migraines when I was pregnant with my 2nd child over three years ago. They were agonizing. Dr told me it was the hormones. Oh, the joys of motherhood. Since then, I get them pretty infrequently, and not as bad (except for one I had last week...hoping that was a fluke and not a sign of what is to come). I usually know when they are coming. Almost always around my period (again, hormones!) Dull ache between my eyes, then I get that foggy feeling. Eyes usually start to hurt. If I catch it in time, I am ok. Drink water, lay down in a dark room with a cool wash cloth. And I find that excedrin migraine works pretty well. If it doesn't get rid of it, it at least stalls the pain so it doesn't get worse.

Haven't had the need to use prescription drugs, so I can't comment on those. And I hope I never get to that point.

Sophia · Sep 16, 2010

raburrell said:
I stopped counting somewhere in the 20s - started with one at the bridge of my nose, a whole series over each eyebrow, then my hairline, scalp, all the way into my trapezius muscle (the kite-shaped one that covers most of your back). Most of them weren't too bad. Certainly worth the results.

This makes 'sense' to me; those areas are exactly where I rub and pinch to try to block the pain. I guess the Botox relaxes those muscles. I can totally imagine the relief you must feel!

I had done a few research studies prior to this, one with a guy who had a whole bunch of drawings that were supposed to represent the type of pain you felt - one was a chisel to the head, another was a vise, then an explosion - the guy had theories about people who felt different types of pain.

I was going to try to describe mine, but stopped myself just in time before it got bad. Thinking about headaches brings them on, pretty much instantly, unfortunately.

AlexPiper · Sep 16, 2010

I can sort of see why Botox might work, given that as ElaraSophia says, those are the places many of us try to pinch/rub/press to relieve migraine pain.

As for me, right now I'm on relpax. That seems to work, but even with insurance, the pills are stupidly expensive. (They only sell you 3 at a time for $30, and you're supposed to take 1-2 for a migraine, with another 1-2 two hours later if the migraine hasn't stopped. So one migraine can wipe out the entire prescription.)

raburrell · Sep 16, 2010

Supposedly, there's no muscular component to migraine (or so I read). The reason botox works isn't well understood. The current theory is that it blocks acetylcholine transmission (read: pain messages) to the brain. The muscle tenseness many of us get, etc is an effect rather than a cause.

I will say that the day after I had the shots, I had a weird feeling - some of the usual sensations, except pain. It was sorta like I had a migraine, but couldn't feel it. Although that went away the next day.

And yeah, Alex - I was on Relpax too, plus Verapamil as a supposed preventative. Didn't really do much.

scarletpeaches · Sep 16, 2010

Someone could tell me eating crocodile dung would cure a migraine and I'd do it.

(Luckily imigran does the trick).

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 16, 2010

I don't get headaches.

*smiles sweetly, then runs off*

AlexPiper · Sep 16, 2010

Hrm. I hear that fresh ferret blood cures migraines... :evil

Silver King · Sep 16, 2010

I'm going to close this thread with the same message I used a moment ago in another discussion:

Sorry, folks, but we're not allowed to offer medical advice or opinions on this site. Most of us aren't qualified to do so anyway and can cause you more harm than good.

As has been mentioned, please see a doctor for what ails you.

OK, who's hoarding the good migraine drugs?

raburrell

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

scarletpeaches

dgrintalis

'Tis true, she is a monstergirl

raburrell

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

raburrell

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

Sophia

scarletpeaches

raburrell

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

scarletpeaches

backslashbaby

*

Satori1977

Listening to the Voices In My Head

Sophia

AlexPiper

Wayward Wordsmith

raburrell

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

scarletpeaches

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

AlexPiper

Wayward Wordsmith

Silver King

Megalops Erectus

OK, who's hoarding the good migraine drugs?

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

'Tis true, she is a monstergirl

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

~~~~*~~~~

Listening to the Voices In My Head

Wayward Wordsmith

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

Court Jester

Wayward Wordsmith

Megalops Erectus

*