I am a health care provider in solo practice so my migraines are having severe physical, emotional, and financial effect on my life. I have recently been hospitalized with a 2 week migraine and given IV toradol and DHE. It broke the headache but I reacted seriously to the meds. that is why I stayed for 8 days. I was sent home with 1000mg of depakote.I could not even function on the depakote. I've used Keppra and topimax in the past. I've used Zomig, Axert. Now my neurologist is trying topimax but I'm having to build up over a 6 week period and I'm having to use 10 imitrex injections over a 7 day period. I am getting desperate about some help. I've suffered with migraines for 11 years and it runs in my family but only over the last 6 months have they become so severe.
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Q: My Dr. is at a dead in to help me with my migraines. I suffer from severe migraines
Dear V.
Using 10 Imitrex injections over a seven-day period could actually make matters worse. Taking Migraine abortive meds such as the triptans or ergotamines or any kind of pain med more than two or three days a week can make matters worse by causing medication overuse headache (MOH), aka rebound. See Medication Overuse Headache - When the Remedy Backfires for more information on this. What's more, if you are in a medication overuse cycle, preventive medications probably won't work.
Unfortuately, preventive medications take a while to start working. The important thing is to not lose hope. 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.
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.
Good luck,
Teri
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