I'm currently working as a contractor and they don't offer benefits. My migraine seems to be related to the weather and lately they have increase. Can someone tell me what I can take over the counter that will give me some relief?
I had tried excedin and nothing.
Is it possible they increase because I am off my meds, was taking Topamax daily.
Please advise.
Thanks
masonrw,
-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-•*Welcome to MyMigraineConnection!*•-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-
Unfortunately, I don't know of any over-the-counter product that's very effective for relieving Migraines. There are no over-the-counter products that can actually abort a Migraine - stop the Migrainous process in the brain. All any of them can do is relieve the pain for a few hours. Some of them are helpful for some people, but whether they'd work for you can't be predicted. Excedrin Migraine is the exact same thing as Extra Strength Excedrin. Some people have reported that ibuprofen helps them, at least some.
Yes, it's entirely possible that you're seeing an increase because of stopping the Topamax. Did you stop taking it "cold turkey?" Hopefully, you stopped it slowly, under a doctor's supervision. Please take a look at Changing Dosage or Discontinuing Migraine Meds - Exercise Caution.
There is help available for people who cannot afford their medications. Check out www.pparx.org. There, you can enter the names of the medications you need, and find information on the patient assistance programs for them. You can even print out the forms for the programs, ready to take to your doctor for his or her signature.
Welcome again,
Teri
Thanks, my biggest trigger is a day or two before the weather changes and hormonal. I had tried everything possible, Topamax works but the side effect was getting to be too much plus being out of work they are expensive.
When I was on the Topamax I was only getting them maybe 8 times a yr but now they now since I being off they are getting 5-8 times a month. It's like my imitrex don't work no more, i have tried zomig and midrin but they make me feel sick. Let's not talk about nasal sprays they are too strong. So I don't know what to do know. I have try DHE twice they work good after I slept for hours.
but it so hard to deal with a migraine and balance, work, kids and school. I'm at the end of my rope and just want some relief.
Hello, when I feel a migraine coming on, if I take them fast enough, 2 Tylenol Migraine pills will sometimes settle them down so that I don't have to take the prescribed Zomig RM. If I wake up in the night with a migraine, they don't work at all - this is just if I feel it starting during the day.
I have around 10-15 migraines now a month( in 2008 had over 200 a yr.), so try to watch carefully how my head feels.
I wish I could take Tylenol, when I do it ok for a while but i find my headache coming back within hours and it hurts worst then it did before I took them.
In the past, one of my Neurologists told me that Topamax helped migraines. I did not know I was having migraines but he said you can have "painless migraines." I was skeptical but some researching told me this was truth. I have auras. I would rather have painless ones but unfortunately most aren't. Midrin has been the only thing that I found to help. I had a reaction to Topamax, and it made bee like stings all over my back at times but especially when I got excited or fearful. The Topamax could have helped your migraines. The primary reason for his putting me on Topamax was to calm down my nervous system.
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I read Terri's response and agree with her.
That said, I am unable to take ANY triptans or ergot meds because of other health issues. I cannot take Topamax, even though it works because it causes kidney stones and guess what, I have that problem as well.
So...I am very limited in choices.
Right now I take Mag ox, Vit D, Elavil and Prozac as preventives.
I also avoid my known food triggers and read labels so there are (hopefully) no hidden surprises. My biggie is MSG in all its various forms.
My other triggers are scents and chemical odors, wood & leaf smoke and I have hormonal migraines.
So what do I do? For about a year I have taken aspirin with Dramamine and an otc cramp med that contains acetaminophen, pamabrom and pyrilamine malaete (I use Lowes Food brand). If I take this combo at the first sign of a headache it helps to at least bring the pain and light sensitivities down a few notches. I still have about 6-10 really bad migraines per year. These are the ones that send me to bed for at least a day, maybe more.
Have you already identified your triggers? If not I encourage you to maintain a headache diary. This tool is valuable beyond measure and worth repeating. Once you identify your triggers, do everything you can to avoid them. I routinely ask people who are coming to my home to not wear anything with fragrances. So far I haven't had anyone refuse. I will also get up and move if I suddenly smell something. It might be a bit embarrassing but I'd rather be embarrassed than suffer through a headache.