Concerned about trying beta blockers and topamax

By Rachael Friday, January 25, 2008

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This is my first post here. I've suffered from migraines for about 3 years now. They are brought on by barometric pressure changes-- i.e. every time a weather front moves through, I get a migraine. They are a bit atypical in that one side of my body gets tingly and numb, and sluggish. I also at times lose vision in one eye, or it becomes very blurry. Usually the numbness and loss of sight occur with the worst of the migraines, and are accompanied by excruciating pain/nausea/vomiting.

I have tried the triptans, with no luck. Imitrex not only did not help my migraine at all, it made my throat close up to the point where I had to use my epi-pen. My fingers were turning blue. I have not used the triptans since.

I have tried nortriptaline, amitryptaline (sp?) and verapamil. The first two just didn't do anything for the migraines, I was on each for about 6 months. The verapamil I only took for a bit over a week, as I couldn't handle the side effects. I was so dizzy that it was difficult to even stand up or walk. Upon standing up, everything would go black, and my heart would race. I have low blood pressure normally (97/62 is normal for me), and the verapamil made it even lower-- to the point where I couldn't function.

My neurologist was very unhappy that I stopped the verapamil before the 3 months were up, but I couldn't even safely drive on it, and I work full time (I spend 3 hours a day on the road).

He now wants to try beta blockers (inderal) or topamax. I'm afraid of the side effects of both, especially after the verapamil incident, and also how my asthma will react to them. I am currently having a lot of trouble controlling my asthma, and am on inhaled corticosteroids (budesonide),as well as singulair, and 20 mg/day of prednisone (and Xopenex nebs as a rescue). Even so,I've had several attacks resulting in ER visits this fall/winter. At this point, at the age of 32, I am taking 14 different prescriptions each day. Many for the asthma, many for the side effects of the prednisone. I'm afraid to add another one into the mix, though I desperately want to control my migraines. I just don't know what to do at this point.

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Nancy Harris Bonk, Health Guide

1/25/08 12:02pm

Hello, and welcome to MyMigraineConnection.com!

Migraine is a genetic neurologic disease, that has quite a few different types of Migraines. Seeing a Migraine specialist, an expert in Migraine and headaches disorders, is vital in getting the proper diagnosis. Your treatment plan often depends on what type of Migraine you have. For instance; is it Migraine with aura, or maybe Basilar-Type Migraine (click on the blue links for information.) Only a doctor can determine what is going on, and a specialist is best. Neurologists are good doctors, but aren't experts in any one area because they treat so many different conditions. Click HERE for our list of patient recommended specialists.

Weather can certainly play a role in Migraine. Unfortunately we can't avoid weather, but this article will give you information on it.

I can understand your concern about taking new medications when many don't seem to work. But it is really important to give medications a fair trail, about 3 months. But if the side effects are too troublesome, then we have to weigh the benefits of the drug (side effects are only potenial.) Topamax, an antiseizure medication, is one drug we hear a lot about because it is heavily marketed to patients and doctors. It may not be the best drug available but it works wonders for some. There are over 100 medications to use for Migraine prevention, so don't lose hope. Click HERE for that information.

Thank you for creating a SharePost. SharePosts are a form of blogging, and there are many things you can do with them. You can share an experience, suggest something that's helped you, use SharePosts as a Migraine and headache journal, and many other things.

We also have a discussion forum that you may want to check out. Especially if you have questions or are looking for information, you may find the interaction on the forum to be quite helpful. We hope to see you there. To get to the forum, just look for the orange box marked "Manage" and click on the Migraine Forums link. Because our forums are maintained by a third party, you'll need to register for the forum. You can use the same information you used to create your community log-in if you like. If you want to go directly to the forum, you can click HERE.

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Welcome again,

Nancy Bonk
MyMigraineConnection.com Expert

PS: If you receive this message from more than one of us, please excuse the overlap. Thanks!

GWP

1/25/08 1:58pm

I'm so sorry you're having so many problems, especially with the verapimil and the Imitrex. I've tried verapimil twice. I don't remember what happened the first time, I think it was just ineffective. The second time, fairly recently, it made my headaches worse and made me extremely constipated.

Beta blockers have been used a migraine preventives for years and years with success. But, with your blood pressure, I can understand why you'd be reluctant to try them. Topamax lists a ton of potential side effects, but lots and lots of people have used it with great success and little or no side effect problems.

It sounds like your neurologist is very methodical and conservative about trying out preventives. So is mine, and it can get very irritating, can't it!

I don't take nearly as many meds as you do, but I take a handful morning and night, plus Fosamax D weekly (I'm 50 and post-menopause). But, like you, I'm ready to get my migraines (and chronic daily headache) under control. I'm currently taking Lamictal, an anticonvulsant. I suffer from Major Depression, and I take Wellbutrin for that. I'm currently switching from Effexor to Cymbalta, and I've started Lyrica. I'm seeing some improvement. I've never tried beta blockers, because they can worsen depression.

Like you said, it's not my choice to take handfuls of pills every day, but I'd rather get my head under control and get back to living my life.

Come over to the forum. You'll find others with lots of the same issues you're facing, along with warm support.

Gretchen in Mississippi

jessica zendt

1/26/08 9:43am

I too have tried many meds. to no avail and my migraines are also triggered by the barometric pressure(as well as hormones,sinuses and skeletal issues). I tried inderal and my neurologist kept upping the dose even though it never helped!! Keep trying,I'm convinced we'll find a cure for every migraine trigger!

ginny

2/10/09 1:50pm

I'm 63, and have had migraines since I was 28. They stopped 5 years ago and I haven't had one since. For many years, my neurologist tried me on every beta blocker and anti-depressant that was available. Most tries were about 2 months long and I had many side effects. I tried food elimination and every other possible way to prevent them from appearing. I became very aware that low barometric pressure was the main culprit, but I couldn't control that. They controlled my life! I had two or so a week, which took up most of my time, including the getting back to normal functioning period. So, at most, I had 2-3 normal days per week, often less.

Then, 5 years ago, an amazing thing happened. I developed high blood pressure and my doctor put me on 50 mg of atenolol. I have not had another migraine since! The years when I was experimenting with beta blockers was when I was in my 40s, and had normal blood pressure. Atenolol wasn't available then. I do not believe that my migraines had anything to do with blood pressure, but being put on the right drug affected whatever was causing my migraines. They stopped within 2 days. . . the only inkling of one occurred twice in the last five years when I forgot to take my pill. I took 1 and a half immediately, and within two hours the "beginning feeling" was gone!

My sister has also had migraines since she was in grade school. Her days were also mostly migraines for over 40 years. When I had my success, she started working with a neurologist, trying beta blockers and antidepressants. She tried atenolol, but it didn't work for her. After many experiments, she was put on elavil, and it totally took away all of her headaches. Her life has dramatically changed, too. (For the record, I had tried elavil with no success.)

My point. . . somewhere out there, there's an answer for everyone. But, as each body responds differently to differently medications (or natural therapies), each individual must research and keep trying. Don't give up!! ONE OF THEM WILL WORK!!!

mercgirl1963

2/22/08 12:58pm

I also have asthma and migraines. I have had asthma since childhood and migraines for the last 20 years, I am now 39 and get about 3 low level migraines a week. I am taking topamax (2nd month on it) imatrex injections (it only works if I use it immediately and sometimes I miss the window), naproxen (aleve), compazine (for nausea) and vicodin (when all else fails.) I had to make a dreaded trip to the urgent care clinic a few weekends ago as I was on day 4 of a level 4 migraine and had used up all of my home care measures. I had a message in to my PCP and there was nothing I could do but go in for a shot. I was just too tired to fight it anymore.

I have had some trouble with my asthma with some of the prevenatives my doctors have tried ( I am sorry I cannot tell you which ones, I have a bad memory) and have also had blood pressure drops and like you have low blood pressure by nature.

So far the topomax is not doing too much good or bad.

I hope they find a good combo for you soon. Just know you are not a freak.

Concerned about trying beta blockers and topamax

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