Migraine sufferers - I have a question...

[December99]

More like an inquiry - if you know what triggers your migraines, can you take medication at the time that what triggers it is happening so that you get "ahead" of the migraine or does that defeat some purpose?

 

[Teejay32]

I can. Can't speak for anyone else though.

 

[browneyes]

Sometimes.

 

[doxdogy]

When I use to suffer from migraines, the doctor prescribed Cafergot (spelling?) for me to take. I knew when the migraines were starting. I think I took two when the migraine started and then one every twenty minutes. I wasn't suppose to take more than 4 or 6 total. The medication worked wonders for my migraines. I did have to carry the pills in my purse with me at all times.

 

[Kitty 34]

We're still trying to figure out what causes my son's migraines.

Sometimes when he feels one just beginning we can quick control it before he gets too sick!


Good luck, Chris.

 

[Tuffcookie]

There are medicines you can take to prevent migraines from coming on at all or there are those you take once a migraine starts. After getting migraines more and more frequently my doctor finally has me on Toprol XL 25mg. I only take 1/2 of a tablet daily (because it lowers my blood pressure). I have been taking it since the end of January and guess what? NO MORE MIGRAINES!!! I am thrilled. I have suffered with migraines since I was about 25 and this is nothing short of a miracle!

TC

 

[December99]

Thanks. It isn't me that is getting them but it was a curiosity question. I know this person that knows what triggers them migraines and she won't take the medication and she is "sick" alot!!! Since last April, she has missed about 250 hours of work - alot of due to these migraines and in the past month she's been off 3 days due to the weather (and she has told me that it's due to the weather). It's just an odd situation and I just needed some info.

It was my assumption that if you know what is triggering them, wouldn't you take something to try and head them off???? So these answers helped and I have only had a migraine once and I feel for all of you that get them....

 

[Tuffcookie]

I can relate to your friend's problem. Weather is one of the big things that sets my migraines off! Nitrates is another (bacon) and anyone with perfume. Add to the problem the high cost of prescription migraine medicine. If I did not have insurance that covered this I would get another migraine worrying about how to pay for it. Be glad if you have never had a migraine. It is pure agony!

TC

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by December99
can you take medication at the time that what triggers it is happening so that you get "ahead" of the migraine or does that defeat some purpose?

I've done this both ways. Back when diagnosed, I took daily meds and, meds when they happened, like doxdogy stated. I couldn't stand ALL the meds so, I stopped.

Now, when I feel one coming on, I can help reduce the pain but, not eliminate it entirely.

And, jmho, but the day AFTER a migraine can be WORSE than the migraine. I call it migraine 'hangover'.

If this co-worker is missing that much work though, she should see someone. Is she some kinda martyr or something?

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

I don't know what actually triggers my migraines however, I do know just prior to it becoming a full blown migraine.

I had one today in fact. I begin to see these zig zags in front of my eyes and they slowly grow and undulate until I can't see.
I wasn't able to see the computer screen at one point and didn't fully realize it was that early migraine symptom.

If I catch it while I'm still just having vision disturbances, I can, 99.99 % of the time, knock it out with a nice double dose or two of Advil and a caffeine drink (it's believed the caffeine helps the Advil to work faster and it seems to work very well for me).

It works quite quickly and usually within 30 minutes it will be obvious that I'm not having the blind spots in my vision anymore and it never develops beyond that point.

If I don't catch it while in that early stage, the game is over and I'm out for about 24 hours with the usual severe head pain and vomiting.

Good luck to your friend. Perhaps he/she isn't really believing that the meds can help. ??? I can't imagine not trying because they are SO miserable.

 

[believe]

I have 'let down' migraines from stress, I get the migraine after the stress is over....like Friday as I leave work If I take something as soon as it starts to come on then I can keep it from totally taking over.

 

[luvwinnie]

I take an abortive medication (Amerge) so it never gets to the disabling point. Has you friend talked to a dr?

 

[Denine]

My DH takes Verelan PM to prevent the migraines and imitrex when he feels one coming on. The winter has taken a toll on him this year. He is also affected by alcohol, laying in bed too long and sunlight.