question on a few medications my doctor has perscribed...she perscribed Elavil and im not sure why??? From what i understand, this medication is for depression and im not sure how that's gonna help my migraines, considering i already take Welbutrin xl 150mg a day. Okay, with that out the way, she also prescribed Indomethacin for daily use as a rescue, because the Fioricet isn't doing the job. But what i don't understand about that medication is, it's an anti-inflammitory med for arthritis??? I;m really confused at this point on what these 2 new meds are suppose to do for me and my migraines. Can someone please help me understand this.
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10/21/09 10:31pm
Chris a great many of the medications used for treating Migraine were not developed for Migraine but have been found to be helpful for many people. The tricyclic anti-depressants like Elavil and Pamelor are prescribed as Migraine preventives at dosages that are way too low to act as an antidepressant. That said, I hope your doctor knows you are also on Welbutrin?
An anti-inflammatory may work as a rescue medication because it helps the pain you are experiencing during the Migraine, whether it was developed for arthritis or not. There are hundreds of different medications that can help in Migraine treatment - very few of them were actually developed for Migraine.
Regardless of what anyone may tell you, Migraine is a real neurological disease, and Migraineurs have hyper-sensitive nervous systems. Being a perfectionist or an over-acheiver doesn't cause Migraines - genetics and a particular type of nervous system does!
Good luck to you. Let us know how these medications work out for you!
- Megan
10/21/09 8:47pm
Hi Chris; I think your doctor is trying all of the things that might help though none of them ever stopped my migraines. The book When The body Says No by Gabor Mate gives the best explanation I have ever seen for migraine sufferers. It explains the connection between inflamation, emotions and pain/illness. I have been a psychotherapist for 30 years and was a nurse for 20 years before that. I had horrific spasmodic pain first in my uterus with my periods (eventually found out that I had been bleeding out the ends of my tubes which made a mess and caused infertillity), then years of spasms in my back ending twice in herniated discs, and finally severe spastic pain in my abdomen which turned out to be Crohn's and so far has caused three abdominal surgeries.
I believe all of it was caused by my being an over achiever and also a perfectionist. I was never satisfied with a little. I was full of big ideas and always had to make them happen. If I had been satisfied with a lot less I don't think I would have had this spastic body. I am now 75 and beginning to slow down though not finding it easy. I would take all three of my abdominal surgeries any day for one migraine. So far I have had the best luck with alternative medicine becasue I see that I have to treat my whole self, not just my head. Good luck
elaine
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By Chris— Last Modified: 11/02/10, First Published: 10/21/09
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