Saturday, September 12, 2009 amanda asks

Q: i take relpax for my migraines, please see the additional info

i take relpax as a rescue med but sometimes it doesn't help all the way when i take the max and i have to take another pain med but when i do take it relpax it kinda makes me sick well more stomach related.and it is sick enough not to want to do anything i can't so i am trading one issue for another. i have done the immitrex with no help as it gives me chest pains terrible... i don't know what to do at this point. i have been on daily preventives with tons of side effects ex topamax, elivel, the heart med they use for high blood pressure. amiltriplin, cyproheptadine. i dont' know i am afaid my doctor thinks i am a druggy but i cannot return to work until i get this under control. help!!!!

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Answers (3)

Teri Robert, Health Guide

9/17/09 6:15pm

Amanda,

-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-•*Welcome to MyMigraineConnection!*•-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-

First, let's clear up something. Relpax isn't a rescue medication. It's a first-line abortive medication meant to work in the brain to stop the Migrainous process and its associated symptoms. Please take a few minutes to read our article Preventive, Abortive, and Rescue Medications - What's the Difference? It will help you understand the different types of medicatons, and that will come in handy as you work with your doctor toward better Migraine management.

There are seven medications in the triptan family-- Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, Amerge, Relpax, Axert, and Frova -- as well as Treximet, which is a combination of Imitrex and Naproxen Sodium. Each of the triptans binds to different combinations of serotonin receptors, which is why our bodies may respond differently to each of them. It's well worth discussing the ones you haven't tried with your doctor.

If none of the triptans work well for you, you can also ask him about Migranal Nasal Spray or DHE injections that you can give yourself at home.

As for preventives, I know how easy it is to feel as if you've tried everything out there. Been there, done that, BURNED the tee shirt. But there are so many medications that can be used for Migraine and headache prevention that it's literally impossible. You can find a list of potential Migraine and headache preventives in Migraine preventive medications - too many options to give up!

If your doctor isn't able to help you, it may well be time to consult a Migraine and headache specialist. It's important to note that neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine and headache specialists. Take a look at the article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special? If you need help finding a Migraine specialist, check our listing of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.

You're bound to be going through a rough time. If you'd like some additional support, come join our discussion forum. You'll need to register again once there because it's a separate membership database, but you can use the same member name, email address, and password that you used here. You can find our forum at http://forums.healthcentral.com/discussion/migraine/forums.

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time, Amanda. Please keep in touch, and let me know how you're doing?

Welcome again,

Teri

amanda

9/17/09 7:43pm

teri, my doctor calls it a rescue med so i assumed since he said it was a rescue med which means it will help in the further progression of the headache, i just figured he was right. sorry. i have to believe what he says as he is a doctor. i know the difference in the preventives as i have been on tons of them. i don't go to a neurologist i go to my reg md.... i have been to several also that say the same. the one in va, the one in petal ms, and the one where i am now so i have to believe what i am told...really is that what i was asking that doesn't help at all to be honest and it is off the question. thanks anyway...

amanda

9/17/09 8:10pm

teri i owe you an apology sorry i read the differences but i swear to you he calls it that in my medical records so when i got down here they did to. i didn't know about the 3 catagories .i thought it was preventives and rescue meds. are you kidding no doctor around here gives you a abortive so it probably isn't in there dialect!!! well i take that back sometimes they offer you a shot of toradol, please you know if you have had enough of that it doesn't work that good if at all. now at the er they will but not at my little doctors clinic.. so anyway i apologize...

tweety

9/17/09 7:12pm

I've dealt with many migraine preventitive and abortive meds. Nothing worked. I am finally taking Cymbalta. It actually works better for my migraine. Talk to your doctor about it. There are no side effects, except makes you a bit sleepy, so I take it at night. Hope that helps.

amanda

9/17/09 7:54pm

see last time i was dealt depakote, but all these different preventives have made me gain weight already and my son was on depakote and he gained like 40lbs so i have been extremely hesitant for that. so now i just don't take anything and have about the same amount of headaches.so i use my relpax.i have about 1 a week or 1 every 8days. so i am hesitant to try anything for i get tired of getting it in my system and being tired and seeing if it works. it is so irritating. so i just have given up and went with the relpax however it is so expensive i have no insurance it is about 25.00 a pill so it is so extremely expensive i just wonder if i can work something else...i get so tired of talking about mind altering drugs and side effects it is really expensive and tireing. i wonder if all this worry about the price of the meds and all the meds i have taken hasn't worsened them from the utter stress. i have had physical therpy and all for long periods of time with little help. i did hear of the chiropractior say or someone said that alot of people have a problem with there neck which is somewhat part of mine that there is a muscle or nerve or something like that that causes problems and that the chiropractior can help with that. so i am thinking about that next...

chrissygal

9/17/09 7:27pm

i completely understand....most meds don't work for me...the only one that works on the pain is Treximet...but it does cause stomach pain as well make me very dizzy and causes leg pain....interesting how we have to suffer anyway you look at it...:)

amanda

9/17/09 8:04pm

You know when you go to your doctor and are in utter pain and need a shot and are sick to death, i mean you can't sit in the waiting room without running to the bathroom from the vomiting, i read my chart on the doctor in va. i read my notes as when i moved i needed them for my next doctor, it had said patient presented with a headache nothing different almost like it wasn't a big deal that i couldn't walk into the clinic. it really told me that they just don't care really that much. you need a doctor that can really sympatize with you, those of you that have that are lucky. i have one now that really cares or seems to he is a young doctor and i really do like him. you can't go to the er without waiting forever. ok ladies a little bit of info on the ER. my sister is a nurse in the ER and she said if you come in with a headache with all the classic symptoms vomiting etc you are last on the list of people to get seen. i have noticed that alot. i know she is right to. i think that sucks that they will let someone who is as sick as i get or anyone of us that has these things go for hours without meds... or help for that matter.i don't know how i got off on that subject it is just it gets frustrating to have these and not be able to do what you want to do when you need to. my newest issue was my sister just had surgery well she wanted me to be there well guess what, headache one of the worst ever. it is just tiresome waiting trying, paying for all the high price meds. when will this ever end... i just pray to god for strength to get through these... you ladies i do hope you will get some meds to help and eventually hopefully me to..

Q: i take relpax for my migraines, please see the additional info

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