longtime migraineur, 33yr TypeI diabetic, need new med NOW!

By kymygraine Monday, December 31, 2007

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Hi all. I've been getting severe migraines for at least 3 yrs now. Probably had them, though, most all my life. They were always attributed to sinus problems.

I took Topamax successfully for about a year. Only a few majorly hideous migraines while on it. But then... eye problems.

Being an "old" diabetic, w/eye problems (glaucoma!) a big concern, I can no longer take that. Tried Axert, but w/no warning before a severe migraine, it was of no use. Also tried Inderol, but no luck there either.

I've had an almost-constant migraine for the past four days with the only relief being sleep. My doc's been out for the past 3 days, so?? I'm living for every 6 hours and that next Lortab. *sigh* Sad

My migraines tend to be more vascular and tension/stress sometimes can bring them on, but since I have like chronic muscle tension (ask my chiro!) it's more accurate to say the more my head hurts, the more the tension is felt.

I get "common" migraines (Lord, I HOPE they're not COMMON!!!) just above my left(hand) temple and when it's at its worst, you can feel the throbbing of several veins with your fingers. Each throb is a stab in my brain.

Given the info here, can anyone tell me what might work the best as far as prescription meds? OR ANYTHING!! I just need some input before going to the doc. (hopefully in the next day or two)

I appreciate any help you might give.

Blessings,

geannie

ky-my-graine

saw my GP today...

Comments (8) | Add comment

nutcracker1

12/31/07 10:21pm

I can't begin to tell you what medication will work best, or at all. But I can link you to this list of preventive medications on this site. There are over 100 preventives to choose from. Unfortunately, for all of us, trial and error is a large part of finding a medication that works. You can print the list and take it with you to the doctor.

Now to a very serious matter, which is your long-lasting migraine. Please read the article on status migrainous Here. When a migraine lasts more than 72 hours, without at least a four hour break in the pain while awake, it is time to contact your doctor on an emergency basis, or head to the emergency room. Please don't take chances on this matter.

I hope you will join us on the discussion forum for additional information and support. To get there, click on Migraine Forums under the orange Manage bar. Registration for the forums is separate from registration for this page, but of course, you can use the same information to register. We would love to have you. Hearing about other people's experiences in managing their migraines is informative as well as encouraging.

Teri Robert, Health Guide

1/ 1/08 1:42pm

Hello, Geannie,

I'm sorry you're in such a tough spot. Been there myself.

On the Lortab -- you need to stop taking it for several days. Pain meds, triptans, whatever med we take for Migraines when we get them, need to be limited to two or thee days per week for each class of meds. Taking them more frequently often compounds the problem by causeing other headaches called Medication Overuse Headache (MOH) or rebound. Take a look at Medication Overuse Headache: When the Remedy Backfires for more information on this problem.

On the Axert, it's true that taking triptans as early in a Migraine as possible is best, but it's also true that some of them may work for you even when you don't get a warning. There are seven triptans. Each of them binds to different combinations of receptors, so it's worth trying them all to find one that does work for you. Your doctor should have samples so you can try them before filling a prescription.

From what you said about "vascular" and "common" Migraine, it seems that at least some of what you've been told about Migraine disease is rather "old school." You might benefit from reading some of the articles here including Migraine Without Aura - the Basics and Anatomy of a Migraine.

I hope some of this helps!

Welcome to MyMigraineConnection. Big Grin

Teri

kymygraine

1/ 1/08 3:23pm

I've benefitted much from the advice/articles suggested so far, and again, thank you!

I will try to get around to reading them all, but *sigh* y'know... reading makes my head hurt. Woot! duh!

On the Lortab, etc.. I haven't taken one in about 1.5 days just b/c they weren't helping except to make me drowsy. *bleh* Axert, I have tried even after a migraine had already started and I just think it doesn't work for me. I have been gathering all the Rx info I can find, though, so I can take it to the doc with me tomorrow.

If I have to sit in the waiting room all day, I will see a doctor!! (he's good about working me in, tho)

And to nutcracker, about going to ER, I've kinda wondered the same myself, but well... it's a long story about the rep of this hospital's ER and the attitude toward "unseeable" pain. KWIM? You can't SEE a migraine, so they tend to first think 'drug seeker' around here. And with some good reason, too. It's so prevalent.

But for those of us who are really in serious pain, it's just a reason to avoid going when we DO need help.

Messed up, huh? *sigh*

Anyhow, thanks again for your help!

God bless...

geannie

nutcracker1

1/ 2/08 1:20am

Horror stories about ER visits abound on our forum. Even at a "good" ER, no one with a migraine would relish going there--bright lights and noise!

Presumably you will be seeing your doctor very soon, so it may be moot for this particular attack. But despite the problems with your ER, status migrainous is not something to play around with. A lengthy migraine places you at high risk of stroke, and a migrainous stroke can be fatal.

If you are not willing to go to the ER--a feeling I can certainly understand--then you need to contact the doctor on the exchange when this happens.

Take care. We'll be hoping to see you over on the discussion forum, or at least here, with a good report from your trip to the doctor.

Teri Robert, Health Guide

1/ 2/08 9:51am

Geannie,

You're very welcome. I'm just sorry you're having so much trouble.

Rebound is rooted in the class or type of meds too. In other words, most doctors will say that you can take a triptan 2 or 3 days a week AND a pain med such as Lortab 2 or 3 other days in that week and be OK. When I was having nearly daily Migraines, that's how my Migraine specialist had me do things.

Hope to see you on the forum!

Teri

Nancy Harris Bonk, Health Guide

1/ 2/08 11:23am

Hello, and welcome to MyMigraineConnection.com!

We can't tell you what medications to take for Migraine disease, but can provide you with information to discuss with your doctor. How does that sound?

I use Axert to abort my Migraine attacks. I usually don't have any warning a Migraine is comin either, it just hits. As soon as the pain starts, I take an Axert, and that seems to abort the headache phase of my Migraine attack. There are six other triptans you could talk to your doctor about if Axert isn't working: Imitrex, Zomig, Amerge, Frova, Replax and Maxalt.

Have you ever kept a Migraine diary to track and manage any Migraine triggers you may have? This is a wonderful tool allowing you to identify any triggers, like chocolate, red wine or even changes in the weather. Click HERE for more information on Migraine triggers.

Migraine specialist's are experts in Migraine disease and headache disorders. It may be time to see one, especially having the added complication of diabetes. We do have a list of patient recommended specialists you can see by clicking HERE.

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. 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.

Along with your personal "My Home" page and the discussion forum, you'll find links to a great deal of helpful information on the main page of our site, MyMigraineConnection.com

If you have any questions, please feel free to post them to the forum or send me a message through my profile.

Welcome again,

Nancy Bonk
MyMigraineConnection.com Expert

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

candice thomas

1/ 2/08 12:07pm

I have suffered also, my migrains are like yours but I have been suffering for at least 6 years. I suffer from hayfever so any month is a killer for me I am taking vicodine, neurontin for pain and maxalt.

My doctors and I am working to see what different combos, is best for me. so far nothing. I even put an cool mist humdifier in my room, and wipe my wall with clorox clean-up every two weeks for the dust to see if that helps (a little). Most times I have to go in and get a toradol shot for the pain and rest. I will see the doctors in a couple of days and we will see if we will change anything. Hang in there I know its hard sometimes you feel like you cant take it anymore but you will get through it.

kymygraine

1/ 2/08 12:24pm

Ya'll are just SO friendly! I really appreciate the comments and advice more than you know.

As usual, since I made an appointment, I got up WITHOUT a migraine this morning BUT washing my hair and unstopping my nose brought one on, but it's not awful.

STILL I am taking Terri's ER forms with me and some info I've printed about various meds.

I also have an extremely arthritic/whatever right hand (mostly my 'pointer' finger) and am having the darnedest time getting insurance to okay a Celebrex script. GARGH! Furious

Anyhows... thanks again and I will be sure to update when I get back home.

~tender hugs~ Huh?

longtime migraineur, 33yr TypeI diabetic, need new med NOW!

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