Monday, January 18, 2010 Sunny30 asks

Q: Any advice?

I have been seeing an increase in both frequency and intensity of my migraines as Ive gotten older (Im 30 now). Currently I take 50mg of Topamax twice daily as well as Imitrex when need be (roughly 3-5 migraines per month on average). I also started seeing a chiropractor based on a friends advice but havent seen much of an improvement. I was wondering if others have had this increase in frequency and/or intensity as they age? Or is there hope that it will reach a peak now and go downhill from here? :)

Im hesitant to increase the Topamax dose as I have been experiencing a lot of the same symptoms that others have mentioned in previous posts. I have been doing some informal research on other "treatments", but wanted others advice on what has worked for them? Im really trying to stay positive here, thanks : )

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Answers (5)

Nancy Harris Bonk

1/20/10 9:13am

Hi Sunny30,

Anyone who has three or more Migraines a month needs to be talking with their doctor about prevention. There's growing evidence that Migraine is a progressive brain disease. A recent study showed that Migraines can cause brain damage, and that people with three or more Migraines a month are more susceptible to this damage. For more information, see Is Migraine a Progressive Brain Disease? and Yes, Migraines Can Cause Brain Damage.

It sounds like you may need to re-evaluate your preventive medication. Topamax may not be the greatest Migraine medication out there, but it is the one we hear alot about because there is so much marketing done on it. Don't give up thought, there are now over 100 medications and supplements that can be used for Migraine and headache prevention. The frustration of trying to find what works for us can make it seem as if we've tried it all, but with so many possible preventives, it's literally impossible to have tried them all. See Migraine preventive medications - too many options to give up! for more information.

And most importantly, if your doctor isn't working with you to improve your Migraines, it may be time to find a new one. 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.

I wish I could tell you if your Migraines would lessen over time, but I can't. We just don't know. Each person seems to be different. Some women do really well and have fewer Migraines after menopause, while others aren't so lucky.

Good luck

Nancy

Melanie Jane

1/20/10 12:17pm

From everything I've read, it's not uncommon for migraines to increase in frequency as one ages, often reaching a peak of activity in ones 40s or 50s. For some women the frequency and intensity abates after menopause, but as Nancy mentions in her post, this in not necessarily the case for everyone. Some even get migraines for the first time in their lives after age 50.

In my own case (I'm now 47 ) I experienced a accelerating increase in the severity, duration and intensity of my migraines all through my 40s. After trying most of the "first line" preventives and finding I could not tolerate their side effects, I started researching vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements that have been documented to have an effect on migraine pain. After discussions with my doctor, I started taking several of these and began to see significant results in several months. Feel free to take a look at my own profile on this site (just click my name in the heading of this post) for more detailed information about my own experience and current preventive regime.

Also, if you haven't yet seen them, Teri Robert has written some very informative articles on many of these supplements which you can access by following the following links and headings:

Manage>
Migraine Medications & Treatments
Herbs, Minerals & Supplements

I hope this information is helpful. Good-luck to you!

Sunny30

1/20/10 12:38pm

Thanks to you both :) I am up for trying anything and will for sure check out the Minerals & Supplements link as well as your profile. I apprecaite the answers! :)

chronic migraine sufferer

1/21/10 12:04pm

my migraines began when i was 14 and i had them on and off until about 15 years ago (i'm 48) when i started getting them regularly to the point of 3-5 per week. the last bad one lasted 3 weeks with no break. it was at that point my family made arrangements for me to go to a headache and pain relief clinic thousands of miles away because nothing was working. there i received nerve blocks, preventative medication as well as vitamins and minerals i was missing. now i only have about 1 every 1 to 2 weeks. it literally was a life saver. good luck.

CATHARINE MARTINEZ

1/21/10 2:57pm

what clinic did you go to? and what vitamins and minerals were you started on?

thanks, cathie

chronic migraine sufferer

1/25/10 1:13pm

the Headache and Pain Relief Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. they gave me nerve block treatments which stopped the pain cycle and put me on Zomig, a triptan nasal spray and noratryptaline 25 mg (antidepressant that is prescribed for headaches). blood tests showed i was low on vit D and iron. they also recomended an Omega 3 supplement. i was having 3-4 migraines/week and the last one (before treament) was 3weeks long. now i am down to 2-6/month. the nerve blockk was given in july and i am having to return for another treatment so it lasted well for 6 months.

CATHARINE MARTINEZ

1/25/10 1:18pm

was the nerve block a combination of lidocaine and steriods?

catihe

chronic migraine sufferer

1/25/10 1:42pm

i believe it was just lidocaine (sp?) no steroids.

Nana Pat

1/23/10 12:55pm

My migraines got worse and more frequent as I've gotten older. I noticed it especially after I had my younger daughter at age 35.

I've found that the supplement CoQ10 helps me better than most prescription meds. I'd read a newspaper article that recommended taking 300 mg per day, and I take that. If I run low or get completely out of it, I always start having more frequent and worse migraines; I try to keep it on hand.

It seems that the prescription drug atenolol (a beta blocker) helps me also.

I've tried most of the antiseizure meds, including Topamax, but they don't help with my migraines at all. Also, I cannot tolerate the side effects.

I've had fewer migraines in the past several months than I did previously, for which I am grateful.

Different people are helped by different substances, so do check out the big list of preventatives, and the best of luck to you! Trial and error is the only thing that seems to work in getting the right preventives for an individual.

1/31/10 7:58pm

Do you have any history of neck problems?

Sunny30

1/31/10 8:12pm

I have scoliosis, and one of the curves is in the upper cervical area. I have a lot of pain on the left side of my neck (coincidentally the same side the migraine appears on). I have noticed less neck pain, but no change in migraines.

1/31/10 9:33pm

I have tried several types of meds for my migrains. But i have found the more aggressive i got with the medications the more frequent the migrains became.

for me the less meds the better.

i have also tried all the different food triggers with no luck.

After living with migrains for abount 10 years i learned that for ME they were triggard by neck pain. i have three herniated discs in my neck that become agitated when my shoulder muscles get to tight from over use or stress ect.

For me the Key is to keep my shoulders loose and i can avoid the onset of most of my migrains.

Currently my treatment is to take Advill at onset of shoulder or neck pain followed by a hot shower and massage thearpy.

If all else fails i will take maxalt mlt only as a LAST RESORT.

Teri Robert, Health Guide

2/ 1/10 11:21am

Why is Maxalt your last resort? It's meant to be a first-line treatment, and it works best when taken early in a Migraine attack.

2/ 1/10 6:28pm

Yes, you are wright about maxalt and that is when it should be taken but rember i was talking about preventing migraings from occuring by treating the trigger or root cause before they set in. in my case shoulder tension and neck pain are a great early warning device.

Teri Robert, Health Guide

2/ 1/10 6:32pm

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. Got it! Sorry I misunderstood, and thanks for setting me straight.

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