What do you take for your Migraines?

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I have had migraine headaches since I was a teen and have been thru quite a few different meds to treat the symptoms. It seems that after awhile the medication will stop helping so I have to switch to something else.

In the past I have tried all of the OTC meds (advil, tylenol, excedrin), Imitrex and Fiorcet. Most recently I have had success if I catch it early with 2 Excedrin Migraine and a regular Pepsi (for the extra caffeine) but that isn't working for me anymore so I guess it is time to ask the Doctor for a new prescription medicine.

My last migraine landed me in the ER and in the following week I had 3 more bad migraines. I had a CT scan in the ER so I know it isn't anything more serious.

So tell me about your migraines - What treatment works for you?

Are there any meds out there that don't knock you out? I have a DS1 so as much as I would love to sleep a migraine off, that just isn't realistic.

 

[tmarquez]

I've had migraines ever since I could remember but never took anything (except over the counter stuff which never worked even the slightest) until DD (5) was born. I needed to do something because I couldn't just crawl into a ball and try to sleep it away with a new baby.

I now take Relpax and Frova. They both work great for me...even if I don't take them right at the onset. They don't knock me out at all, which is saying alot because just about every medication turns me into a drooling blob.

I'm sooo mad at myself for not trying these migraine meds before. I lost so much time to migraines that I didn't have to.

Good luck with yours!

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

DH suffers from serious migraines and when he feels one starting to come on, he takes ibuprofen. If that doesn't help, he takes Excedrin Migraine. If that doesn't help, he's got Imitrex as well as an Imitrex emergency injection pen he carries in his car all the time.

 

[KPeveler]

I am on propanolol daily (as my headaches were 2-3 times a week, with no aura/warning), which is a beta blocker. I am allergic to the -triptan drugs, like Imitrex, and I am not allowed to take NSAIDs (motrin, advil, etc) for any length of time, as i was on them for too long before... the drugs are GREAT, NO breakthrough migraines for 4 months!

 

[Cindyluwho]

Botox, right between the eyes! Then all I need is Exedrin Migraine. If I don't have the botox then I'm down for 3 days, even with Immitrix. Frova did work for me but my insurance didn't cover it and at $80 a pill, Botox is cheaper. And I look fabulous!!

 

[pyrxtc]

Normally I chase two excedrin Migraines extra-strength wiht some Mt Dew, but for days when that doesn't work, my DR. prescribed Maxalt. It melts on my tongue and doesn't knock me out. I have only used it once and it worked awesome! Debating using today tho....

Hoping some straight caffeine will help.

 

[taheenee]

I usually just take fioricet. At times I'll try excedrine migraine or Imitrex but more often than not, I will take one of them, try to wait as long as possible for it to work, which they don't usually, then take fioricet.

 

[Ronda93]

I took Zomig for 5-6 years. Eventually it stopped working and I switched to Relpax. It lasted for 2-3 years and while it still got rid of the headache, the nausea side effect grew worse. I'm now taking Maxalt and while it makes me a bit drowsy an hour or so after I take it (it's the MLT dissolving tablet) it works great.

Imitrex is due to come off patent, I think, next year. It works for me, but I'm waiting to start using it until it's cheap. Want to get the most mileage out of its low price.

 

[lowie]

hugs for all fellow migraine sufferers. if i catch mine very early 2 motrin will kill it within about 10-15 minutes. if i don't catch it then i resort to an imitrex. luckily i don't get them very often and i'm very good at noticing the signs.
my poor dd started getting them at 9 years old, she like me though and only gets them every now and then.
i don't know why, but when i'm in full migraine mode, i throw up and then start to feel better. i used to try to stop myself from getting sick, thinking my head would literally explode, now i just let it happen.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Maxalt (dissolving tablets-10 mg). If I really have a bad one or need relief fast I use the Imitrex Stat (injections). I also use Excedrin Migraine. Sometimes if I take the Excedrin at the very beginning I don't need the prescription meds.

TC

 

[SnowWtch]

I was taking Topamax last year but had to stop. My blood felt like acid running through my veins and anything with acid like lemonade would burn my mouth and throat so bad that my tongue was peeling. I haven't been on anything since. I have to avoid caffeine b/c I have really bad tachycardia now which landed me in the hospital last week. Not much I can take anymore other than Tylenol and that doesn't help much.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Hi to all other migraine sufferers.

I have been getting migraines since I was 10 and have had no success with prophylactic meds at all. The Imitrex was ok but I needed it every 4 hours and since they say it looks like I had a stroke at 17 (spot on MRI) I can't take them anymore. Topomax did very little and Caffergot did zip.

I get about 15 separate migraines a month and have a ridiculous amount of triggers. All my family and friends can see it on my face and have come to tolerate my scheduling my life around the headaches and the time it takes my medicine to work. I have been taking Fioricet since I was about 20. Unfortunately, last year my Ins + pharmacist talked me into the generic...no difference they said. All of a sudden nothing was working and I started needing stronger stuff all the time... I just thought my body was changing etc. Then I ran into a friend who was pulled off her Thyroid generic because it wasn't working which got me to thinking "What if?". So I told them brand only and what do you know, they're gone in 15 minutes. Sometimes they last beyond the initial 4 hour period and I need a second dose but this isn't the norm. I thank God for that medicine because without it I would be crippled.

In a pinch I can also have a mug of Espresso with lots of sugar, sodas don't work because both the corn syrup and Splenda/Equal are triggers for me (actually any drink other than water can do it) which is a thorn in my side. Oh, and sometimes an ice pack over my eyes will work.

 

[paintnolish]

My sister gets frequent migraines and is on Topamax. She tried a variety of things before and this works best for her. I only get occasional migraines. I take Excedrin Migraine with a Diet Coke right away and try to lay down in a darkroom. If that doesn't work, it builds until I vomit. Then I feel better....why is that?

 

[princesskimberella]

Sometimes I can catch it with OTC med such as Excidrin mirgraine, with a coke, actaully I tried the target brand it worked fairly well. I ahve tries Relpax and it didnt even touch the pain . 90% of the time I have to just lock myself in a dark, quiet room and ride it out. My kids are used to them and know how to busy themselves when I am down for the count. Last week they even managed to make thier lunches ( PB&J and micro popcorn) I remember my mom always getting them she now takes Imitrex and my sister takes Topamax.

 

[Tuffcookie]

sdarwkcabemanmy wrote: DH suffers from serious migraines and when he feels one starting to come on, he takes ibuprofen. If that doesn't help, he takes Excedrin Migraine. If that doesn't help, he's got Imitrex as well as an Imitrex emergency injection pen he carries in his car all the time.

Probably not a good idea to keep migraine meds in a car. The temperatures (either too hot or too cold ) might not be good for the medication. Lord know, they are expense and when you have a migraine you really need them to work!

Now this is going to sound strange but I notice when my migraines are going away I start belching. Does anyone else do this?

TC

 

[mum4jenn]

Relpax. It did WONDERS for me.

 

[MainStMandy]

I take a beta blocker to prevent the migraines, but once I get one all I can take is Maxalt to relieve it. It works 90% of the time and I no longer get migraines on a weekly basis!

 

[MichelleVW]

Excedrin and come extra caffeine usually works for me. I've never gone and seen a doctor to see about migraine meds. Only reason I am thinking about going to the doctor is because I can't handle the nausea that comes with a migraine. One day I went from fine to puking within 15 minutes and the puking is the part I hate the most!!

I really hate the Migraine "hangover" when your head doesn't hurt anymore, but you still feel "funky".

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Maxalt is about the only med that works to get rid of my migraines. I've maxed out my Rx coverage for the year, so have to ration out the maxalt. I do take percocet/vicodin for pain relief (not just my head, but for back and neck pain that I have)--it helps the pain, but it doesn't get rid of the headache.

I've tried many preventative meds and they either don't work or the side effects are bad. We're thinking it's hormonal and once menopause hits they will decrease. I sure hope so.

 

[polineedyan]

I wouldnt say I have chronic migraines, but I have had them. Aleve, a cold washcloth, and the fan on full blast seems to help. The colder the better, and maybe a red bull..