MIGRAINE: What medication do you take? - Page 2

medussa · 11-09-2012, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crimsonshedemon

Magnesium glycinate to treat and prevent migraines. The cheap mag from the drugstore doesnt work since it's not absorbed well into the body. You can take it orally, use magnesium oil and/or take baths using magnesium chloride flakes. Mag is a natural relaxer and a natural calcium channel blocker. most everyone is deficient. Mag has changed my life!! I uses to take 40mg Flexeril daily and now I no longer need it. My head doesnt throb several times a week, my muscles arent agonizing...all because of mag.
Migraine headache

Magnesium Prevents Migraines

The Migraine-Magnesium Connection at DrDavidWilliams.com

Sounds promising. I'm definitely going to look into this. Thanks.

poemaXX · 11-09-2012, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurliLocks

I tried to do a search but there are too many threads to find meds in.
I just wanted to know what you all use for medication to treat your migraines. I have been using Midrin (epidrin) successfully for over 30 years, but apparently it is NLA and I have to find something else.

I tried Maxalt about 5 years ago, it didn't touch it.

The pharmacist suggested Imitrex (generic), would it be the same? I hope not. I have a call in to my Dr to see what she says and does.

So, what prescription medication do you take successfully?

I've used Imitrex (in pill form), but now use Zebutal. Both work for me, but the real trick is to take it as soon as you feel the migraine coming on.

Ugh, I hate migraines.

CurliLocks · 11-09-2012, 10:58 PM

Doc put in a rx for Imitrex, but now I'm not sure if I want to fill it. I hate to waste the money to just get chest pains! Eek! My cousin takes Fioricet, she says our aunt and cousins take it, so maybe that would work best for me. I'm going to research all the meds you have all mentioned and talk to the doc. Thank you!

PS - I'll look into the mag for prevention too. I usually don't have them that frequently, but they have been getting closer in frequency. They tend to be hormonal and I'm nearing those pre-menopausal years LOL. (49) I don't mind herbal remedies but would not want to take a rx daily since they aren't usually frequent.

CurliLocks · 11-09-2012, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunshineGrrl

I have used a lot of them. I currently take Imitrex and it seems to be okay. If it's a really bad migraine (like throwing up, your eyes move to your pulse, blurry vision...), Imitrex doesn't touch them. Otherwise, it's not so bad. But then again, I used Maxalt and really liked it.

Before my migraine headaches moved into full-blown nasty migraines, I used to take Midrin, too. And it worked better usually than the specific migraine pills. It was a lot more effective for me to take that because it had a little bit of a muscle relaxer in it. I hold all my emotions and stress in my neck, so it gets so knotted up to the point it gives me migraines. Midrin was just right, not enough to knock me flat on my butt, but enough to finally get the muscles to unknot. I was miffed when the pharmacist told me they were discontinuing it or whatever they did to it.

Speaking of Midrin, have you tried Fioricet? It's a mixture of Tylenol, Caffeine and butalbital (a barbiturate that causes sedation similar to the Midrin combo).

Sooo what my doctor did was give me a prescription for a muscle relaxer to take alongside the migraine pills. Works like a charm.

What I've taken:
Maxalt-Worked for me okay
Imitrex-Works for me okay
Treximet-Worked well when I could still take NSAID's, it combines Imitrex and Naproxen Sodium (Aleve)
Zomig-had this in a nasal spray...was the fastest my migraine had ever gone away. I might talk to my doctor and see if she can prescribe these for me.

This is me! The Midrin has usually been enough, sometimes not, but I've lived.

I carry my stress in my shoulders/neck too.

I have gone to the chiropractor but the last 2 times I had to pull over to vomit on the way home. If I go early enough, it works, but if it's already developing, it's too late and puts me right over the edge when he adjusts me.

crimsonshedemon · 11-09-2012, 11:39 PM

The magnesium is a mineral found in food but we dont get enough in relation the amount of calcium we consume, our stress, lack of sleep, sugar consumption, etc. Mag is involved in over 300 biochemical processes and being deficient causes more problems than we realize. http://www.cheeseslave.com/are-you-s...um-deficiency/

CurliLocks · 11-10-2012, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crimsonshedemon

The magnesium is a mineral found in food but we dont get enough in relation the amount of calcium we consume, our stress, lack of sleep, sugar consumption, etc. Mag is involved in over 300 biochemical processes and being deficient causes more problems than we realize. Are You Suffering From Magnesium Deficiency? | CHEESESLAVE

Right, that's why I wouldn't mind trying that. I meant I don't want prescription preventatives. Thank you for the info! I'll be reading that too!

I'm hypothyroid too, I think mag is supposed to help that too.

halo4angel · 11-10-2012, 06:20 AM

My poor hubby has cluster migraines and has tried everything ever since he was a child

We're going to a neurologist this month.

Sent from my ADR6350 using CurlTalk App

SunshineGrrl · 11-10-2012, 07:23 AM

And I'd just like to thank this thread for the power of suggestion. I woke up last night with a migraine and couldn't get it to go away with Tylenol (can't take NSAID's). Finally, around 3:00, I gave up the ghost and took an Imitrex.

medussa · 11-10-2012, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurliLocks

I have gone to the chiropractor but the last 2 times I had to pull over to vomit on the way home. If I go early enough, it works, but if it's already developing, it's too late and puts me right over the edge when he adjusts me.

I've always been skeptical of chiropractors. I tried to go to one and my cluster headaches got worse. I think one of the worst ones ever was right after an adjustment.

Like you, I'd rather not do any preventative meds. I don't like how sluggish the calcium channel blockers make me feel, but they do stop the cluster cycles (I get them in cycles, every few years). My neurologist will only fill up to 25 days worth of Fioricet at a time (50 pills). The problem is that I have several attacks a day, and because I'm limited to two pills a day, I have to suffer through the pain at times, so I don't run out of pain meds. In my case, due to the frequency of the attacks, it's most important to prevent the headaches, rather than treat them once I get them. In the interim, Fiorcet stops the pain pretty much immediately.

After reading that link I'm very interested in trying magnesium. It's interesting because they mention Raynaud’s Syndrome as a sign of mag deficiency, which I do have.

Who Me? · 11-10-2012, 10:00 AM

If I catch it right away, about4 Advil or slow excedrine migraine can fend it off a little. Drinking (really, chugging) about 40 ounces ow water as soon as I notice the aura starting (I get an aura well before any pain) is actually the most effective treatment I've found.

However, none of these are really all that effective, so I take a daily pill to prevent migraines. It works great for me. Propranolol, which is also sometimes prescribed for anxiety, but is most often used as a blood pressure medication.

medussa · 11-10-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Who Me?

If I catch it right away, about4 Advil or slow excedrine migraine can fend it off a little. Drinking (really, chugging) about 40 ounces ow water as soon as I notice the aura starting (I get an aura well before any pain) is actually the most effective treatment I've found.

However, none of these are really all that effective, so I take a daily pill to prevent migraines. It works great for me. Propranolol, which is also sometimes prescribed for anxiety, but is most often used as a blood pressure medication.

Inderal was one of the first prophylactics prescribed for me. It was very effective, but I didn't like it because I had a difficult time getting my heart rate up during a work out and since I was an exercise nut at the time, I switched medications.

LoloDSM · 11-10-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunshineGrrl

And I'd just like to thank this thread for the power of suggestion. I woke up last night with a migraine and couldn't get it to go away with Tylenol (can't take NSAID's). Finally, around 3:00, I gave up the ghost and took an Imitrex.

Ha! I had one yesterday, but it happened right after I ate a Dunkin Donut. Who knew donuts could be a trigger? What a cruel, cruel thing.

reeni · 11-10-2012, 11:54 AM

halo4angel...my husband suffered from cluster headaches also. When he had one in the doctor's office, she put him on oxygen and it went away. He carried an oxygen tank with him everywhere for a few years and used it when he felt the headache coming on. He no longer has the headaches, but if they come back he knows what to do.

CurliLocks · 11-10-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Who Me?

If I catch it right away, about4 Advil or slow excedrine migraine can fend it off a little. Drinking (really, chugging) about 40 ounces ow water as soon as I notice the aura starting (I get an aura well before any pain) is actually the most effective treatment I've found.

However, none of these are really all that effective, so I take a daily pill to prevent migraines. It works great for me. Propranolol, which is also sometimes prescribed for anxiety, but is most often used as a blood pressure medication.

I couldn't take that, my blood pressure is naturally low.

GoldenBlaze · 11-10-2012, 02:52 PM

I take Maxalt and Topomax for migraines. I also have to take a Cymbalta pill because my headaches are related to anxiety and stress.

medussa · 11-10-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoloDSM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunshineGrrl

And I'd just like to thank this thread for the power of suggestion. I woke up last night with a migraine and couldn't get it to go away with Tylenol (can't take NSAID's). Finally, around 3:00, I gave up the ghost and took an Imitrex.

Ha! I had one yesterday, but it happened right after I ate a Dunkin Donut. Who knew donuts could be a trigger? What a cruel, cruel thing.

Malted Barley Flour is most likely the culprit. See if the donut you ate has this ingredient. It's a known trigger.

Nutrition Catalog | Dunkin' Donuts

LoloDSM · 11-11-2012, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medussa

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoloDSM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunshineGrrl

And I'd just like to thank this thread for the power of suggestion. I woke up last night with a migraine and couldn't get it to go away with Tylenol (can't take NSAID's). Finally, around 3:00, I gave up the ghost and took an Imitrex.

Ha! I had one yesterday, but it happened right after I ate a Dunkin Donut. Who knew donuts could be a trigger? What a cruel, cruel thing.

Malted Barley Flour is most likely the culprit. See if the donut you ate has this ingredient. It's a known trigger.

Nutrition Catalog | Dunkin' Donuts

You were right! The maple frosted donut contains malted barley flour.

crimsonshedemon · 11-11-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halo4angel

My poor hubby has cluster migraines and has tried everything ever since he was a child

We're going to a neurologist this month.

Sent from my ADR6350 using CurlTalk App

Please read the info about magnesium.

medussa · 11-11-2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoloDSM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medussa

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoloDSM

Ha! I had one yesterday, but it happened right after I ate a Dunkin Donut. Who knew donuts could be a trigger? What a cruel, cruel thing.

Malted Barley Flour is most likely the culprit. See if the donut you ate has this ingredient. It's a known trigger.

Nutrition Catalog | Dunkin' Donuts

You were right! The maple frosted donut contains malted barley flour.

I only found out this summer that it was a trigger. Who knew?

CurliLocks · 11-11-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crimsonshedemon

Magnesium glycinate to treat and prevent migraines. The cheap mag from the drugstore doesnt work since it's not absorbed well into the body. You can take it orally, use magnesium oil and/or take baths using magnesium chloride flakes. Mag is a natural relaxer and a natural calcium channel blocker. most everyone is deficient. Mag has changed my life!! I uses to take 40mg Flexeril daily and now I no longer need it. My head doesnt throb several times a week, my muscles arent agonizing...all because of mag.
Migraine headache

Magnesium Prevents Migraines

The Migraine-Magnesium Connection at DrDavidWilliams.com

I read through the articles (thank you!) but I'm confused. I didn't see the Magnesium glycinate mentioned. I saw magnesium lactate and magnesium citrate mentioned in the articles.

I also saw Coenzyme Q10 mentioned, I bought some but never really took it.

What exactly do/did you take? Thanks!