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Q: Depression and Migraine?
I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and migraines. So, in addition to the Zoloft, Welbutrin and Buspar, my psychiatrist also has prescribed Lamictal, which is a mood stabilizer and also helps with migraines. I still get them sometimes, particularly premenstral but they are much more bearable so that often times a cocktail of Excedrin Migraine and Ibuprofen does the trick.
I have also found that not getting enough B vitamins makes me more suseptible to migraines. Not sure why but it seems to help when I make sure I'm eating enough, spinach, broccoli, peanut butter and other foods high in B vitamins.
Yes, I have clinical depression. At times, the symptoms can be severe and other times they are bearable. I was recently started on Effexor XR which seems to be working better than any previous meds I had tried. I have the usual symptoms such as sadness, fatigue, loss of intrest, excessive worrying. I don't think there was anything that was too out of the ordinary for depression.
I am currently under treatment for depression. I take Wellbutrin XL 300 mg qd and Trazodi=one 150 mg at bedtime. I have been told that I am unable to take the usual abortive therapies for migraines due to possible drug interactions. What can one do if unable to take the triptans and the other class (can't remember its name?)
I am in the unenviable position of having severe depression (the first time I was suicidal was due to the severity of my migraines). I work closely with my neurologist and psychiatrist to keep both at bay -- at a time when menopausal issues may be affecting both! I take cymbalta for the depression and ellavil (20 mg as a migraine prophylactic). I also take fish oil, magnesium, a B complex supplement and citracal with vitamin D. I also pray alot! :)
Depression runs in my family. My mother had Bipolar Disorder and suffered from migraines. Myself and one of my brothers have migraines; a different brother has bipolar disorder and all four of us take antidpressants. I have noticed a change in mood that accompanies my headaches-whether it is from the pain/dread or serotonin changes I don't know. I have seen some of the articles about dangers of mixing SSRI's and Triptans, but my doctors have never said anything and both meds are needed.
I have been under treatment for depression for the last 30 years. The dr. calls my condition disthymia, or chronic depression, which means it is never going away. I have been anorexic for about the same number of years. About 15 years ago I started getting migraines. I take Effexor for the depression and Zomig for the migraines. My dr.'s would like to blame everything on the eating disorder, but if that were the case why didn't I have the headaches right from the start? For a two year period I tried Dr.Bucholtz's 123 Migraine treatment. My headaches went down to about 1 a month,but my weight also went down. I am confused,discouraged and depressed about my situation. I have no clue what to do.
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Do you have a nuerologist? My first one did not want me too take them either (I'm taking Effexor XR 150mg) but he didn't seem to really listen to my issues. so I got a second opinion and have now switched doctors. Not only did my new doc listen to me but took me off birth control and gave me Maxalt. He said the side effects of serotonin syndrome were rare. I'm so glad he gave them to me nothing, else was working. I also take Verapamil to decrease the frequency of my migraines.