Migraines

[dakcp2001]

Anyone have a prescription that works? I've always had luck with OTC Excedrine migraine, but the last few months nothing seems to help. I've tried Imitrex and Zomig. Both made me sleep, and lessened the headache but nothing makes them go away. They are getting more frequent, more severe, and lasting for days. I've given up artificial sweeteners, and before anyone suggests it, I'm not giving up gluten.

 

[msdaisy]

Topamax works really well for me. I just take 25 mg before bed, and it works like a charm. However, it didn't work at all for one of my employees. Imitrex works to get rid of hers. Topamax prevents me from ever getting migraines.

 

[Sadie22]

When I had them I could go to sleep and when I woke up the migraine was gone. Migraines have different triggers and what works for one may not work for another. Work with your doctor to determine your trigger(s) and whether it's hormonally-related. Certain drugs may be given to suppress migraines so that you might have fewer of them. Good luck!

 

[Wendy31]

Do you know what your triggers are? MSG is a major trigger for me as is red wine - even red wine vinegar dressings will give me almost an instant migraine.

I used to drink a Coke w/ my migraine meds which always helped - something about the caffeine + carbonated beverage + medicine really worked for me.

But I would save any Coke-drinking for when I had a migraine - meaning, the only time I drank a Coke was when I had a migraine. I didn't want to lose the efficacy of the combination. LOL!

Currently, though, I'm not drinking any cokes - because I've really wanted to stop drinking cokes anyway. Instead, DH read something about Gatorade & migraines. So, now, I drink a Gatorade w/ the meds, & it works even better. I think it has something to do w/ the electrolytes.

I had a special migraine prescription med when I was pregnant, but I ran out of the pills & haven't been back to the doctor. (I have a doctor/hospital phobia.)

Anyway, currently my "cure" is Exedrine Migraine + Gatorade, & it's really working.

Hot showers also help - the hot water pounding on my head. And I have to get away from sound & harsh light - but something like the steady sound of the shower or a sound machine will help.

And I haven't given up gluten, but I've noticed, when I eat "clean" & stay away from processed foods, I have WAY less headaches.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I went through a period (4-5 years) that I had migraines. Never did figure out what the trigger(s) were.

What worked for me was ibuprophen by prescription (800 mg), a dark room, wet cloth over my eyes and either the TV or radio on. Having sound seemed to help. And sipping a sugary drink.

I'm so glad I'm over that phase of my life.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I take Maxalt (10 mg, dissolvable tablets). It takes about an hour to work. In cases where I have a bad migraine, I also use the Imitrex injections. The injections work in about 20 minutes. (on the down side, they are more expensive than the pills).

TC

 

[LuvLDM]

I've tried numerous migraine meds over the years (imitrex, relpax, maxalt, midrin..to name a few), some work better than others. In my experience it takes a lot of trial & error to find the best medication for you.
Ask your Dr. for some samples as migraine meds do tend to be costly.

Treximet works very well for me. Unfortunately it costs $125 a month (after insurance, 9 pills.)
HOWEVER.......Treximet is the same thing as Imitrex but w/ naproxen sodium (over the counter Aleve) added.
So now, per my Drs. suggestion I get Imitrex (insurance covers, I pay $10) & take it w/ 2 aleve. Not as convenient as popping one treximet, but I like the reduced cost!

As other posters have suggested, knowing your triggers can be helpful. Some are avoidable, some not..
Good luck & hope this helps.

 

[minkydog]

I went through a period (4-5 years) that I had migraines. Never did figure out what the trigger(s) were.

What worked for me was ibuprophen by prescription (800 mg), a dark room, wet cloth over my eyes and either the TV or radio on. Having sound seemed to help. And sipping a sugary drink.

I'm so glad I'm over that phase of my life.

I used to have migraines every month to issue in my cycles. Ugh. Thankfully that part of my life is over and I rarely get them anymore but when I do they are just as bad as ever.

I'm allergic to Advil and I've had bad reactions to Imitrex and Maxalt. As a result, I have had to come up with a different plan: a cool, dark room;turn the ceiling fan on; ice pack on my head, covering my eyes; Extra-strength Tylenol, if I can keep it down; and utter quiet. Usually, I can't drink anything or I will throw up. If I can just fall asleep for a couple hours, it will break the migraine. If I can't get to sleep quick enough, I will vomit and that seems to also break the migraine for some reason. Once the headache diminishes I feel hung over for about 10 hours, so nothing much gets done after a migraine.

Good luck, OP. My sister had good response with Topamax. I never took it because my migraines were only debilitating for a couple of days a month; DSis had them daily and she got very good results.

 

[Drusilla99]

Imitrex didn't work great, so now I use topamax 50 mg twice a day, plus 2-4 excedrine migraine target brand (is the same but cheaper) a day. Good luck

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Has any one taken vitamins? I went to a neurologist when I had them several times in a week - then headaches the rest of the week. She recommended several supplements - four actually. I found a pill with three of them. I have been taking Migrelief for years now and I rarely have them that bad or that often anymore.

It has Feverfew, Magnesium and Riboflavin. The last supplement that it doesn't have that the Dr recommended was Butterbur. I hope this helps someone.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

I get very bad migraines often with an aura that reduces or eliminates my vision. I've taken pills to prevent them, they eventually wear off and I hate the side effects of them. The one thing I take now that seems to work most of the time is Cambia. It's a powder that you dissolve in an ounce or two of water and drink.

 

[mommasita]

Topamax is new to me.. About a month now.. I am up to 100mg both in the AM and PM.. Today was the 1st REAL horrible migraine I have had in a month.. I have had a few brain surgeries for Chiari malformation, so you have my full compassion, and anyone else who suffers.. Triggers do squat, because it is a space issue really, not anything else for me..

I take topamax to ward them off, but Maxalt as a PP mentioned upon onset. I have gone through about a dozen, and this does seem to help take the edge off.. Today it didn't really though, even the 2nd dose.. When nothing helps, I head to the ER room, where I am hooked up and given the IV bag..

Riboflavin is very important, and something I do take. Vitamin B12 as well.. Have you had that checked by chance? I hope you feel better, it really is rotten..

 

[nemajovc]

Topomax to prevent also per neurologist co-q10 (gummies in mango flavor) and magnesium then aspirin with caffeine at first sign- expensive migraine meds never worked but sometimes had to take RX pain pills- infrequent now - finished dealing with monthly

 

[WorldWacky]

My "go to" currently is also Excedrin Migraine. Luckily, it still works for me. I hated the prescription meds that I tried. I always felt way too shakey after taking them. The best I ever felt was when I was going to a chiropractor for my back after having twins. They knocked my hips all out of alignment. He would offer a neck alignment if the patient wanted it. For the year that I saw him, I didn't have the migraines. This might be something to consider.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

My "go to" currently is also Excedrin Migraine. Luckily, it still works for me. I hated the prescription meds that I tried. I always felt way too shakey after taking them.

Same here. Tried Imitrex, maxalt, midrin. I didn't feel functional on them, and if I can't drive/work, what's the point of taking them?

Excedrin migraine works the best with the fewest side effects, for me. As another poster mentioned, if I can take that, be in a dark, cool room right away and fall asleep, it will break it. If not, I can be stuck with it for a few days. Thankfully, I'm having just one every 4-6 months now instead of 5-10 a month.

Triggers for me are red wine, chocolate, peanut butter, and msg. When I was first diagnosed at 18, my neurologist sent me to a dietitian who helped me discover my triggers. I got rid of 50% of my migraines right off the bat with that.

 

[Poohforyou]

I took zomig for several years when I had frequent migraines and had good success with it. The trick with it is to know the early signs of a migraine and take it within 20 minutes of that.

I don't get them very often now but when I do I've had good success with Advil migraine and lots of fluids. The sun and being dehydrated are big triggers for me. Luckily I can usually control those.

 

[shortbun]

I watched a Dr. OZ yesterday that talked about new migraine solutions. They said a gel of feverfew and ginger under the tongue had been getting great results. They also discussed eating foods with magnesium and riboflavin eaten together help prevent migraines. Bananas and almonds was a combo suggested. There was another example but I don't remember it. you could look it up.

 

[Burnedout]

Getting ready to try Botox. Everything else works a little. Just tried Cambia. Yuck!! Lol but like others helped a little. Good luck finding the right med.

 

[MickeysMommy]

I used to take 100 mg. of Imitrex like it was candy. I'm on Relpax now and if I can catch it in the beginning and sleep some of it off I'm usually ok. Sometimes I get sick which actually helps ease the migraine. My doctor said I could take the Relpax in conjunction with the excedrin migraine and that could help. Everyone is different but they are horrible.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

My coworker swears by his chiropractor for relieving his migraines. He had migraines so often he had to go on FMLA so he could stay home without getting fired when he had migraines. Since he's been going to the chiropractor he says he has had no migraines, and it has been 7 years.