Purple
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Midwest
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For all the Migraine/Bad Headache sufferes out there, what do you take: med name; strength and what helps? I am going thru a bad period right now and need some input. Will go into more detail later, I typed a big post regarding this and then did and spell check and then I lost the post! Ugghhhh... Thanks for your replies. Debbie
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me1969
Newbie
Reged: 11/15/02
Posts: 41
Loc: upper midwest
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Hi Purple, sorry to hear you are feeling so miserable. I can truly relate. When my migraines are bad, I take phenergan 25 mgs,for nausea. Then I take Amerge 2.5 mgs. Wait an hour and if the 1st amerge hasn't helped, I take another along with about 15 mgs of hydro. That usually knocks me (and the headache out). Good luck. Me1969
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Purple
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Midwest
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What about during the day when I am at work? The Neuro gave me Stadol NS and there is no way I can do do that during the working day and be able to function, at home, that's a differnt story. I take Topamax 2x a day along with Naprosyn but that does nothing for the pain to function during the day. I don't want to get banned from the board so I edited the post. I am at the point that I can't function on a daily basis !!! HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Edited by Purple (10/20/03 07:30 PM)
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Dysfunction
Journeyman
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 77
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i have severe chronic headaches from TMJ and stress, not always migraines. i take hydro 10mg, and it's the only med i've tried that helps besides oxy & few other opiates. i would like to find something non-narcotic, but i'm not able to see a new doctor until i get new insurance.
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hooru
Stranger
Reged: 01/04/02
Posts: 22
Loc: Texas
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My Doctor put me on Topomax and Wellbutrin, as the combination has been shown to decrease the number and severity of migraines. He also prescribed Maxalt for when I do get a migraine. Since being on the topomax and Wellbutrin my migraines occur about 40% as often as they used to. It has been a Godsend.
Sherrie
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Box_of_Rain
Banned=more than one account
Reged: 09/28/03
Posts: 111
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Yea, I'd say if you can take one of the "triptans" (Maxalt, Zomig, Imitrex, etc) that would be your best bet. I wish I could take them.
There is also Midrin but it tends to make people very drowsy. How about Fioricet, or Fioricet with Codeine? That might be a good solution for you at work. There is always the good old Hydrocodone or Oxycodone (percocet)
What I commonly do - for nausea I take Zofran ODT (disolves under your tongue) and wait for it to work... otherwise I just puke up whatever else I take. Then I take Hydrocodone 10-15 mg and I am all better.
A little tip, while I am waiting for my zofran and or hydro to kick in, I sit on the floor of the shower letting the hot water run over my head, it's a real relief and gets you past the 30 min time frame for all your meds to work.
HTH
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papyrus
Stranger
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 13
Loc: So Cal
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I'm sorry to hear you're going thru a rough time. My Dr. has me on Topomax 4x50mg, Wellbutrin 100mg, Catapres patch 1/week. I cannot take triptans so during the day when my migraines start up, I take Excedrin migraine and Ultram 2-3x50mg then hydro/apap 10/500 when I get home. This has been my regimen for about a couple years now. I've been thru a battery of meds - none has really helped. Unfortunately I'm in-between PMD's right now so I have to stay with this as my PCP won't touch me with a ten foot pole. Luckily he continues where PM left off.
You'll get through this this tough period...be strong 
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If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will!
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singlesu
Member
Reged: 06/07/03
Posts: 143
Loc: kentucky
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Purple, I'm gonna throw this out here, just as "food for thought". I used to suffer from awful migraines from the age of 18 to 45. I now suffer from ocular migraines which are totally unrelated to the "garden variety" of migraines.
I would only get these migraines once a month, and they would last for about 3 days. I had done a lot of research on these headaches and had been to the doctor many times for them.
It was finally determined by a very good doctor, that my migraines were being caused by the hormone changes in my body every month. When I started going thru menopause at the very young age of 42 and finally had finished menapause at 45, the migraines disappeared. I'm just wondering if this might be part of your problem?
There are a lot of new "herbal" remedies out there right now for women, one in particular called Black Kohosh, and I have several friends who are taking it and raving about it. It helps with the hot flashes, night sweats and some of the mood swings.
I may be way off base here, but I just thought I would throw it out here. Sometimes, if we can find the "cause" it makes it easier to treat.
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"I know I'm crazy cause I've got papers to prove it"
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Purple
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Midwest
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Stella,
I can't take the triptan's you mentioned because I do have high blood pressure that I take meds for so the Neuro has me on Topomax 2xday, Wellbutrin XL 1x (its a new one that you only have to take once a day yeah!) He also has me on Naprosyn. I do order from OP, Lortab 10/500, that is the only thing that knocks the headache out but I have grown a high tolerance to them and recently cut down my dosage because I was getting worried about my liver (that was another post). Anyway, Neuro won't script narcotics right now because he wants to give these other meds a chance to work. I just want to get off the opiates for good and just take the other stuff and not have to take opiates for the rest of my life and the cost of the meds from the OP'S are high and I am just trying to use my Neuro so I can use my insurance w/my $9 co-pay instead of paying $90 for the Lortab etc. That's why I threw this question out there to all the other headache sufferes to find out what they are using. At least I feel better knowing that I am not the only one out there that only gets relief from opiates for the headaches. I am always second guessing myself.
I thank you and everyone else for their responses!! 
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ghost
Member
Reged: 06/29/02
Posts: 143
Loc: Southern/midwest, US
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I empathize with anyone who suffers from severe headaches, espcially since many docs do not seem to take them seriously. I generally take Fioricet for my headaches, when it doesn't work I add some Nurofen+ (intl. pharms only). Hydro will often make my headaches worse so I stopped taking it. Can't take triptans either because of BP issues and cost. I also take rather massive doses of Motrin all day long, which I know is not good, but don't know what else to do. I've had two ulcers from asprin use so Excedrin bothers me (Motrin doesn't bother my stomach for some reason). One thing I did try during a nasty headache which wouldn't respond to any normal painkillers was to take a Soma, which remarkably helped a lot. So I'd say tension is definitely making the headaches worse.
Headaches are tough for sure. Different people respond to different things, and you just have to experiment. But anyone (especially docs) who say headaches are not debilitating at times has never had a really bad one where you just want to shoot yourself to get out of the misery. I feel deeply for anyone with chronic headaches, no matter what the cause.
ghost
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Box_of_Rain
Banned=more than one account
Reged: 09/28/03
Posts: 111
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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good luck to you, I know the pain you feel with regard to this, it sucks!  If you don't want opiates and can't take triptans I'd guess the easiest and possibly next best thing is the Fioricet or Fiorinol. It's Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine. And with the Fiorinol it has Asprin instead of Acetaminophen. Butalbital is actually a barbiturate but it's often used to treat tension headaches and helps with migraines as well for some people.
HTH
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Sweetz
Diamond Mind
Reged: 05/11/02
Posts: 765
Loc: Texas!
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I've had them chronically since 1995. The only thing that helped me long term is Effexor SR. My new neuro has yanked me off all pain meds (fiorinal w/codeine, Stadol NS) and has recently tried me on Topomax (I couldn't make it past 25 mg.) and zonegran (that didn't work either). I finally squeezed a few midrin out of him. They used to knock me out, but don't any more. I can't take the triptans either, blood pressure and they just don't work.
I hope you find something to help with your migraines. I'm in limbo right now and considering going back to ordering what works from OPs. I go to the ER too much these days.
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"If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice."
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digitalone
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 181
Loc: USA
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Purple-
I've always used Midrin which contains: Isometheptene Mucate 65 mg, Dichioraiphenazone 100 mg and Acetaminophen 325 mg. IMO, they are sedating and help quite a bit for my migraines. Best regards..
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sj1105
Newbie
Reged: 09/05/03
Posts: 26
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Dear Purple...I too have migraines and tension H/A since I was 16. I also have had high blood pressure for the last 13 years. And believe me I have tried it all. Bellergal is the best I have found for preventitive maintainance. It is a combination of ergotomine, phenobarb, and caffiene. You take it once daily and it really prevents the daily cyclic H/A. Now here's the best remedy ever! One norco 10/325 and one of any of the triptans(zomig,replex,frova-doesn't matter). If my shoulders and neck are in knots I also take a muscle relaxant like flexeril or soma. That's it you will be pain FREE for the rest of the day. And the combination of the narcotic and the triptan work because the norco cancels the pain and the triptan does too and the triptan somehow stops all of those narcotic side effects, so you can work and have a normal day. And in taking the 2 together the Norco keeps your blood pressure down. I hope this helps feel free to email me if this is too confusing. Good luck!
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Purple
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Midwest
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Thanks for all your posts, they have really helped me and knowing that I am not the only one out there who is suffering from this...I am glad I found this board to post to. I go to the Neuro on Friday and wrote everything down.
I have tried just about everything out there and it's just getting crazy. I started a new post about first day w/no hydro, talk to you later
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ringmaruf
Stranger
Reged: 10/10/03
Posts: 7
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I've suffered from bad migraines since I was about 13, and I've tried a bunch of different stuff. What I take now is Imitrex 20 mg nasal spray, Vioxx 50 mg, and Compazine 10 mg. That combo works for about 80% of my migraines.
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amackenzie25
Stranger
Reged: 10/27/03
Posts: 1
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I have suffered horrible headaches for the past 10 years and I am only 23. I have been pushed away by so many dr's its not even funny. I have now turned to the internet for help. I have found a clinic in Chicago that is world-wide recognized for the success rates. It was actually featured on Dateline. They don't have a long waiting list and it sounds really promising. I am sick of going through medication after medication and not getting to the root of the problem. I have even had a spinal cord stimulator implanted to help relieve the pain, and it has done nothing but cause me trouble. It is unfortunate that so many HA sufferers have to turn to a variety of medications including pain medications. With pain medication comes horrible stereotypes and dr's accusing you of being drug seekers. So, I suggest for those of you who are interested in pursuing other options and sick of being pushed away by numerous dr's because they can't find the cause and only want to mask the pain. Go to the diamond headache clinic in chicago, IL. The phone # is, 1-800-432-3224. If anything, they can at least send you info on their programs and how they go about treating patients that differs from normal neuros and pain management clinics. Their website is diamondheadache.com. If you call, ask them to send you their videotape of the dateline special on them and their miracles in dealing with dibilitating headaches. Good luck former headache suffers, and remember you are the only one that can be the best self-advocate for your health and well-being.
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537
Threadhead
Reged: 12/08/01
Posts: 766
Loc: west coast CA
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I'll never forget my first migraine. I was 13 years old and my parents took me to see Cats, up in Toronto. I was so excited, because it was my first musical, and then all of a sudden, my head just went crazy and I thought I was going to throw up. I didn't tell my parents, though, because I wanted so badly to see the show. From then on, I got at least 1 migraine a month, lately more like three.
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Purple
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Midwest
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Thanks for posting this, I am in Chicago and I knew there was a headache clinic somewhere but couldn't remember the name! I am going to check them out. Thanks !!
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Sweetz
Diamond Mind
Reged: 05/11/02
Posts: 765
Loc: Texas!
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My first one that I couldn't talk during was when I was 13. I didn't know it until much much later that's what it was. I also didn't know I had a few before that too! My mom wouldn't take us to the doctor unless our hand was cut off or something, so I never persued it. Well, on that fateful day, I was sleeping one off and she called me. I literally couldn't talk on the phone. Just gibberish came out. Great pain, sensitivity to light, nausea, all the good stuff was there too! It was absolutely horrible. She did take me to the doctor after that and they did all kinds of tests, but it was never diagnosed as a migraine back then. Knowing what I know now, I look back and know it and other of my "really bad headaches" were too. Weird how you remember something so vividly from years and years ago?? That was like 20+ years for me and I still remember it like it was yesterday. Oh, wait, that was yesterday's headache.. just kidding. But, I still get them and sometimes cannot talk.
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"If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice."
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Purple
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Midwest
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Migraines are the worst! I have problems with my back from time to time and I used to think that pain was the worst but to have your head hurting 24/7 it really stinks, you can't talk, think or do anything. Yeah, the back pain is bad (when I throw the back out) but right now I'd rather have the back pain than this pain from the head. And my Neuro is useless at this point...
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Purple- I completely identiify with you and the others here who share this horrific problem.
I posted about this on another thread (maybe even one of yours from awhile back) but it's such a problem for people that I believe this information is great to have on here again.
I started getting migraines at 14. They were exclusively treated with Demerol (75-225mgs per IM injection), sometimes Demerol/Vistaril cocktails until I was in my early 20's. The frequency was anywhere between once a week to 6 times a month. These headaches were (and still are) true vascular migraines diagnosed by a neurologist, etc. (for the record, for what it's worth)... The Demerol was very effective, but my headaches almost always outlasted the narcotic. I also started developing muscle damage at the Demerol injection sites (always hips/butt) and had a growing tolerance (possibly even started developing physical dependence.) My doctor moved and the new one was a "no narcotics" doctor. From that point, I received Midrin (somewhat effective IF taken at aura and not effective at all if pain had started befor etaking it), Inderal and other cardiac medications (these, without exception, left me feeling somnolent and depressed.) I can't even recall whether they were effective as the side effects were so terrible. Imitrex was brand new back then and only available in the self-injectable form, the first time I tried it I had severe muscle rigidity and other problems requiring emergency treatment. I also tried ergotamine/caffeine (somewhat effective), Fiorinal (not very effective), Thioridazine (not effective), Amitriptaline (helped get me to sleep, but had no measurable effect on the headaches), and many others not worth mentioning.
Hydrocodone and Oxycodone-containing products were worthless for my migraines. Perhaps I was "ruined" by my demerol doctor, I don't know. But narcotic pain meds in oral form were simply lousy for migraines. And that still remains the case today.
I do not suffer from migraines anywhere near as often as I used to, but I am almost 32 now. I had a complete hysterectomy at 27, and I believe the estrogens were complicating my headaches. However, I began taking MSContin in 1993 for chronic pain, then high dose methadone in 1995, so it is possible I may have had some relief from migraines from those chronic medications.
When I get migraines now, I MUST focus on getting to sleep. I take 3-4 Excedrin Migraine tablets, 2 prescription Phenergans and lay down. I have children, but when these headaches strike, I simply must care for myself.
Very rarely, I will be driving or some place where I do not have immediate access to medications when the headaches strike. These are the ones that will make me puke my guts out and eventually end up at the ER for Demerol/Vistaril. This happens maybe twice a year now.
I hope you are able to find a medication/behavioral/diet combination that helps you cope with these debilitating headaches.
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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Purple
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Midwest
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Nightshade,
Thanks for the info. I am on the Vistril & I am getting some relief, however, it knocks me out. So I take it at night before bed. I have taken it during the day a few times this week but that was only because I knew I was not leaving the house. Knocked me on my butt. Neuro is trying other meds on me since I have high BP. I know my monthly cycle has a big part of this as I have been tracking my migraines for a while now. The Neuro had me on Prednisone to knock this Migraine out but it did not work, just kept me up all that week I was on it. I take Topomax daily & Wellbutrin. Tried Alexert (sp?) yesterday and I did not feel anything different. I guess we will keep trying until we get something that works for me. For now, I am just hanging in there. I know about the narcotics & rebound headaches etc, but that is the only thing that is helping me until we find the medication that is non-narcotic that will be something I will take for the rest of my life.
My period has been delayed because of the Prednisone & I am still suffering, once it gets here I think the Migraine will be gone.
I appreciate your reply & the information, it does help me out when I am researching and have something in hand for treatments when I go back to Neuro on Tuesday.
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Purple-
I've been in the Prednisone trap, too, and recently as treatment for an acute sciatica incident. It was very effective for the sciatica, but I GOT headaches almost every day, which is very rare for me, when I was on the Pred.
Prednisone also is an immunosuppressant, and when you have school-aged kids, you get exposed to every bug going around the school. I was terrified when my daughter got chicken pox in the middle of my last month-long Prednisone course, but I did not come down with shingles--THANK GOD!
I know that the doctors look at you funny when you say that you've tried umpteen million different drugs for migraines without success or adequate relief. The doctors neglect to remember that we, as the patient suffering from these horrible headaches are even more frustrated than they are. If you are like me, the last thing I give a squeak about is getting a "euphoric" feeling from any narcotic when I am suffering from migraines! The euphoria is the end of those painful, debilitating episodes!!! And it is the worst thing when those headaches hang on for days and days!
If you take hydro for any reason, be careful with the Stadol NS as it is an agonist/antagonist and can cause problems with withdrawal.
I really sympathize with your plight! I am also very happy I found a relatively easy solution for most of my migraines with combo OTC and a single prescription for an anti-nauseant. TAKE CARE!
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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Purple
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Midwest
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night shade,
I am not currently taking the Stadol NS but can you elaborate on the statement you made about it & withdrawals. I heard this from someone else & am curious.
PM if you'd like. Thanks.
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Box_of_Rain
Banned=more than one account
Reged: 09/28/03
Posts: 111
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Quote:
night shade,
I am not currently taking the Stadol NS but can you elaborate on the statement you made about it & withdrawals. I heard this from someone else & am curious.
PM if you'd like. Thanks.
Stadol is an agonist/antagonist. The antagonist blocks those receptor sites and if you are opiate dependent, it can bring on withdrawal in some cases. I'll paste something that will explain a lot better than I can at the moment
Agonists: drugs that bind to and stimulate opiate receptors and are capable of producing a maximal response from the receptor.
Antagonists: drugs that bind to but do not stimulate opiate receptors and may reverse the effect of opioid agonist
Partial agonists: drugs that stimulate opiate receptors but have a ceiling effect, i.e. produce a submaximal response compared with an agonist
Agonist-antagonists: drugs that are agonists at one opiate receptor type and antagonists at another
---
Stadol contains both agonist and antagonist, so for some people it's not the best choice (for reasons stated above and why).
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Thanks, Stella- couldn't get DB to come up for some reason all night last night.
Purple-
Other agonist/antagonists: Nubaine, Talwin, Subutex
They basically replace the opiates in the opiate receptors and precipitate withdrawal syndrome in opiate dependent people. I always avoid these drugs and even wear a medical bracelet noting that I absolutely cannot have Narcan (or the agonist/antagonists) unless it's a suspected overdose. It's probably not life-threatening anymore as I am on a substantially lower methadone dose than I was a year ago, but it certainly could have been life threatening at 100mgs methadone that I was on for 6 years. I also have the medical alert on my drivers license.
OPIATE AGONIST/ANTAGONISTS/RECEPTOR INFO
VERY SCIENTIFIC PAPER ON THE SUBJECT
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
Edited by night_shade (11/15/03 10:28 AM)
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