Migraines in Adults?

[binny]

DH has been having Migraines about 5 years now lately though he seems a lot more frequently. He has Imitrex but that doesnt seem to do enough for him and it takes a long time before it kicks in. They seem to come at least 2 a week right now. He gets the full blown, stomach, head pain, light sensitivity.

Does anyone have any tips on how we can make these go away? Anything that has helped anyone else get through these?

 

[disneymama73]

I have had them since I was 10 or 11 and so far the only thing that has helped is Topomax. I used to have at least 4 migraines per week, and I've only had 3 since July. I still get headaches (mostly sinus-related), but they don't turn into migraines.

Has your DH seen a neurologist?

 

[luvwinnie]

There are many other "triptan" drugs out there now. I used to take Amerge, now Relpax. Also, I suggest taking a supplement called CoEnzyme Q10...really cut down the frequency of my migraines.

 

[Princess89]

Has it been like that for 5 years? Or just something recently? Because I get bouts where for a month or so it gets really bad and I get a migraine that will never end. The only thing my doctor told me were stress factors. As strange as it may seem when I am over stressed, they are more frequent. And trust me it can be the most minor thing, that sets it over the edge, as small as DD not sitting properly at the table. She's 3, it happens.

Another thing I try to do is, the minute I feel anything, I try to catch it right away, it doesn't always work that way, because it can sneak up and bite you in the rear, but it helps sometimes. The minute I feel the slightest head pain and anyone with migraines can tell, it immediately to the medicine cabinet!

for the most part if they are coming frequently, I really, just let it all go! I can't control the world (although don't tell my inner self that lol) and sometimes need to just let it go. Not sure how your DH is but sometimes its easy to hold all the stress inside, and voila constant headaches/migraines. Take it easy for a few days, and try to allow things to roll off his back for a few days. Good Luck, I feel his pain, and your's as well! Hope it starts to subside!

 

[binny]

No he hasnt been to a Neurologist, I told him this morning that is the next step and Im making an appointment for him.

He is out of town which only makes it worse. I cant do much from this far away. He called at 6 this morning and I could tell as soon as I picked up what was going on. He is in a world of pain and I cant do anything


I hate this. He has those "headache sticks" like Head on I guess but they are homeopathic. Those seem to make a difference. Also something cold on his neck seems to help.

I have written down the ideas so far and I really appreciate them. I will use anything that will help him at this point.

 

[binny]

Princess, no they have not been like this all along, they seem to be getting progressively worse.

He is under a lot of stress right now due to a job realignment as well as other things I try to get him to channel that a little better but he has to want it himself KWIM?

 

[lovethattink]

I've been getting migraines since I was in 9th grade. I'm currently taking Keppra because Topamax gave me too many side effects. It's a medicine to prevent migraines from happening. When I do get a migraine I take a Zomig (similar to Imitrex, but causes less rebound headaches.)

I've heard good things about the coenzyme Q10 and migraine, but never tried it. There are some drugs that can interact with that and some preparations contain sugar or alcohold in them. http://www.medicinenet.com/coenzyme_q10_ubiquinone_ubidecarenone-oral/article.htm

 

[cheshirekitty]

2 per week is a lot...get him a neurologist appointment and I suggest finding a recommended neurologist. I'm on my 3rd one now and he specializes in headaches. None of the triptans ever worked for me. Fioricet is good if you can catch it pretty fast but can cause rebounding if you take too much of it.

Here is a message board where you can get some good advice: www.migrainepage.com
They have helped me out a lot.

Mandy

 

[Tigger&Belle]

There's been several threads recently about migraines and the various preventative medications that some of us are on or have tried.

I have chronic migraines which have really affected my daily life. I'm on preventative, but it's not doing a lot to help the headaches. I know a lot of my triggers, but I have so many that it's hard to avoid everything that causes the headaches.

The first thing he should do would be to see the neuro dr and have an MRI to rule out something more serious. I have a book about headaches that was very helpful. I can look up the title if you would be interested in reading it.

 

[lovinwdw]

Maxalt, Maxalt, Maxalt! it's wonderful! I've suffered from migraines since I was a little girl. The Imitrex never worked for me, only made me sick and feel disconnected the following day. Maxalt is a tablet that you melt under your tongue. It takes about 20-30 minutes to work, and believe me, it does! This is the absolute only thing that works for me! Good luck to you and DH. I know how horrible these headaches can be!!!

 

[kaysmommie]

I got my first Migraine over the summer and it got sooo bad I had to go to the hospital and get a shot in my hip because I thought I was a brain anerysm (spelled wrong?). Now I get them at least once a month or more if I'm stressed it seems. I can sure sympathize, it is so painful. Imitrex makes me feel even worse, almost like my throat is closing and half my body is numb so I can't take that anymore. The only thing that helps so far is Fioricet tablets. It does make me very drowsy though. I want to try a new med but am scared after taking Imitrex. Your DH sounds very stressed with his job and that is probably triggering the migraines. IMO and MRI is a good idea. I have never tried Maxalt but will be asking my Dr. about it to try.

 

[AprilShowers]

Relpax is what works for me. Relpax is a miracle. I suffered for 15 years. And with Relpax, my headache is gone in 20 minutes. No side effects, no drowsiness, nothing!

I was still getting them 2-3 times a week, and although the Relpax was taking care of them, my insurance wasn't covering the Relpax, and it was very expensive. The Dr. put me on Topomax. It is a preventative. There have been several threads here recently on the side effects of Topomax.

The main side effects for me are tingling in the hands and feet. (minor) Short term memory loss. This is kind of a pain for me. Most of the time it's trying to remember someone's name, or recall a word that I should know.
BUT to be almost completely rid of the migraines makes it all worthwhile.

When I do get a migraine, it's almost like a regular headache now, and the Relpax takes care of it and I can go about my day.

You can PM me if you have any other questions about Relpax or Topomax.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

Yeah. I went thru Maxalt, nothing. Relpax, nothing. Daily drugs, nothing.

I went to the allergist, tested positive for a large number of allergies, and got rid of the headaches.

So here's my advice: Don't treat the symptoms. Look for the cause. If there is pain from a muscular source, deal with it extensively. If it's a pinched nerve or neck problem, deal with it thru a neurologist or physical therapist. Consider what is happening when the migrane comes on.

My thoughts about migrane medicines: if one does work, you're loopy the rest of the day and have rebound effects afterwards. And the medicine is horribly expensive. I'd rather spend money on tests to stop the headaches from happening.

 

[39CINDERELLA]

I was on Inderal LA for three years till I had my Neurologist take me off.
I was still getting headaches(some sent me to the ER) and I also gained a lot of weight on it.
I did not want to be on a preventive and still get the headaches I was getting.
I just manage my pain now with Fioricet and 2 Advil when I feel a bad one coming on.

P.S. My doctor insisted the weight gain was not from the Inderal...I lost 30 pounds within a couple of months after I stopped taking it.

for you and your DH

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I agree with previous people, he needs to be re-evaluated by a specialist. I too am a migraine sufferer and actually am off ALL meds after regularly visiting a chiropractor. I know it may not work for everyone but it has worked wonders for me. I also know someone who was taking Imitrex as well but she has to take the injected form as the pill form takes too long to work on her and does not work as well as injected. She takes a shot upon onset and it helps her alot more - so it may be the form he is taking not the type of meds that need to be adjusted.

Good luck!

 

[binny]

Thank you all! Youve given me some great ideas and Im taking notes for him to take his Doctor.

 

[klmall]

Wow! You are getting barraged with information and opinions. First of all, you and DH have my sympathy. I know exactly what he is going through! My migraines started in my mid-thirties and with a brief respite this year are still happening 20 years later.

The same advice as for a new migraine person but maybe his "triggers" have changed or he's slipping in preventing them:

#1 - Get him to his neurologist (or even see a new one if necessary).
#2 - Review the trigger events (lack of sleep, certain foods)
#3 - Keep his daily schedule as regular as possible (meals, # of hours of sleep, amount of caffeine. Odd foods such as wine and aged cheese should be eliminated or limited at least temporarily.)
#4 - If he hasn't seen a dentist in a while, have a dental checkup. Some headaches are caused by abcesses deep in jaw etc.

Maybe it's time for preventative meds. I went through every mode of preventative treatment (blood pressure meds like Inderal) and ended up on Topomax which I still take and has reduced my migraines to a manageable once every two weeks.

My neurology group is associated with NIH so I went through every trial for palliative meds like Imitrex, Relpax etc. All these take the surface pain away and leave me a little groggy with a horrible rebound headache the next day so I now take good old Tylenol 3s for the pain.

Migraines as often as his are definitely too often. I went through a spell like that. He may be in a cycle that needs to be broken by a heavy duty painkiller; that worked for me since my body was primed to be in pain and didn't know any other way to react until the cycle was interrupted by the shot my doctor gave me.

Good luck and let us know what happens!

 

[binny]

Thanks again

I called the Doctors and while she isnt in today her partners nurse called back and I told her what was going, she just happens to be a migraine sufferer as well so she was very sympathetic. She said she would talk to our Doctor tomorrow and that she would get him a new script by tomorrow.
He just called and is feeling much better pain wise but has that hang over feeling. Poor guy.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I've been getting migraines since age 21. Mostly stress/hormonal related. Some people on these boards, specifically Disneymama , told me about Topamax and I've been on it about two months or so. I can't say enough good about it. Very few headaches. Had a few here lately just due to stress of my DS9 going through some extensive tests for headaches the past two weeks and with that I've also had very little sleep, also another trigger. But I can't imagine the shape I'd be in w/o the Topamax!

Good luck to your DH. It definitely sounds like your heading in the right direction!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I agree with previous people, he needs to be re-evaluated by a specialist. I too am a migraine sufferer and actually am off ALL meds after regularly visiting a chiropractor. I know it may not work for everyone but it has worked wonders for me. I also know someone who was taking Imitrex as well but she has to take the injected form as the pill form takes too long to work on her and does not work as well as injected. She takes a shot upon onset and it helps her alot more - so it may be the form he is taking not the type of meds that need to be adjusted.

Good luck!

I completely agree about the chiropratic evaluation. I had migraines since age 14. Only about two years ago, I realized the trigger was pressure on my neck and shoulder (I think the right side only), either by twisting my head in a certain way, or maybe having a heavy backpack on my shoulder, things like that. Now that I am very careful about posture and I make sure I don't twist my neck too much, I don't get migraines! I guess I am very unusual, since my migraines were caused by a specific physical cause, but life has been so much better now that I don't live in fear of that aura and headache anymore.

I agree with previous posters to see if any cause can be found, if there is a reason for the blood flow to the brain to be interupted, since that is the base cause of migraines. Good luck!