Monday, May 28, 2012

Verapamil works so far.

By Lenasvn Sunday, April 27, 2008

I've had migraines since age 3. At 38 or thereafter they increasingly got worse, almost daily. I also battle Hortons during spring, summer and fall. The 6 Imitrex/ month doesn't cover much. As for menstrual migraines and migraine medicines that doesn't work during this time- I take anti- nausea medication with the Imitrex during menstruation, it helpes the body to absorb the medicine. There seem to be an issue with absorbtion during menses?

 

I was prescribed Verapamil for hypertension and my headaches (combi!). The first year I got a low dose once a day. I moved and had to seek a new doc, and after some other health issues were taken care of we worked on the migraines. I increased to 80 mg 3 times a day, and this seem to work. For the first time in a few years I have been migraine- free for a whole 3 weeks. It sure is doing it's job, and the big trial will be my period. It is just starting, and I would like to keep you updated on my progress. This stuff is really working.

 

The lightsensitivity and warmer temperatures used to end me in bed with Hortons and/ or migraines for weeks at a time, but so far I have been able to be out in the nice weather with only minor sensations that seem to fade as I go indoors to relax.

 

I wanted to share, since this battle is handicapping for many of us. I am back home in Sweden after living in the U.S. for 11 years.

 

Many thanks for listening!

Nancy Harris Bonk, Health Guide
4/28/08 7:53am

Thanks for sharing your story.

 

Some women take Frova for menstrual Migraines, and we have some information you can read HERE.

 

Axert, another triptan - used to abort Migraines- has been working for my menstrual Migraines.

 

Good luck

5/ 1/08 11:34am

Thank you Nancy!

 

I will discuss more options when I see a migraine specialist in town by the end of the month.

 

I have just passed the beautiful (not!) menses, and I had one migraine when I woke up one morning, that is a huge reduction from before. I treated with Imitrex and anti-nausea and woke up again an hour later as if I never had a migraine. This is a great relief, my children needs their mother- out of bed- since I am a single parent. I hope this 3 times/ day treatment with Verapamil will continue to work.

 

Lena

10/12/09 2:22pm

I'm so glad that the verapamil is working for you. I was on it but had to go off due to it causing a headache EVERY single day I was on it. I was using it for my heart though and not migraines & my dose was 120mg's. Finally I just couldn't take the nuisance any longer. Does anti-nausea medicine help absorb other medications better during our menstrual cycle? I get hormonal migraines and they are the worst without doubt. They are the hardest for me to get under control. I can sometimes get lucky with my oxygen tank and my bupap. I usually get the migraine the week before I start or 2-3 days into it. They are so severe in nature. My neurologist has me take one phenegren with the onset of nausea which I get one hour to 30 minutes before the migraine hits. It works like a charm for the stomach. It helps so much and it always makes me very sleepy, so that combined with my bupap is generally a good combo and will allow me to sleep if I grab an ice pack to numb the pain. I just dread getting the ones where absolutely nothing works and it's a waiting game 8-48 hours. I've noticed my hormonal migraines last longer too. Mine got worse when I turned 40.

 

I'm glad you're finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Laughing

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By Lenasvn— Last Modified: 09/04/10, First Published: 04/27/08