OT - Drugs for Migraines (Starlette)

[Starlette]

POST: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=76161&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... ines+drugs

I'm referring to this thread and have read it in its entirety. Due to the Transient Global Amnesia back in May 2012, one of the doctors I had to see was a neurologist who referred me for an EEG which they did find abnormal brain activity in the left frontal lobe, which I've been prescribed Lamictal XR 100 for seizures. I'm to keep a headache journal for each scheduled appointments. We've talked about headaches/migraines. Now I see that I've had migraines for a very long time. I was told that when I have these migraines to take Cambia. I haven't for every single one, just those that I can no long bear the pain which try to last more than two days. This would do a better job than taking aspirin. Supposedly, taking aspirin takes a very long time to start working whereas the Cambia will work within 4 hours, which is the truth. I was given 3 trial packets to which I have used two, second one was tonight, I have one more packet left. QUESTION: Has anyone else used Cambia for migraines? If so, has it worked for you?

Starlette

[joly1584]

I have not tried Cambria for my migraines.

My only suggestion - There are many triggers for migraines and it can help to find your triggers.

My triggers in order and what I do to help prevent migraines:

1) hormones - I use progesterone cream to prevent monthly migraines
2) food - there is a long list of foods that can trigger migraines in people - it has been by trial and error that I have learned mine. You can look online for the list of most common foods that can trigger migraines.
3) stress - can't always control it
4) changes in weather - especially low barometric pressure - usually just have to wait for the weather system to pass.

I have also had seizures. I only have seizures when I have a migraine, but I do not have seizures every time I have a migraine.

[Suzjohnson]

I take Sumatriptan Succinate the instant I realize a migraine is on the way and it's usually under control within 30 minutes. Occasionally need to take a second tablet, but rarely. For most of the migraines I have, there doesn't appear to be anything that correlates to on-set but when there is, it's stress. Migraines are no fun and I wouldn't wait until the pain becomes unbearable to swallow that medication. Get rid of the darn headache before it gets a death grip on your noggin.

Suzanne

[SleepyToo2]

My migraines have become less frequent and less severe since I started using cpap. If I were you I would want to check out the adverse events/boxed warning for Cambia, and make sure that it is really going to help me before I took it on a regular basis. The triptans are something that is worth talking to your doc about, although I found they made my skin hypersensitive so I stopped taking them after a while. However, they really are good at arresting the development of a migraine for most people.

In addition to the multiple possible triggers that you need to try and identify for your particular migraine, there are some more natural remedies: magnesium levels are often low - make sure that you get a version that is absorbed and doesn't cause stomach upsets - I use a long-acting version that does not cause any problems (bananas are also a source, and there are other foods as well); vitamin B2 (at the recommendation of a holistic medicine doctor, I take 200 mg/day; ginger is a good thing to take as a tea when you sense a migraine coming on - it calms the stomach as well as being an anti-inflammatory. The additional fluid intake is not a bad thing either - you need to make sure you are well hydrated to reduce the risk/severity, although I find that I get bloated before/during an event.

Acupuncture may also be something that works to lessen the severity of a migraine - I have not tried it myself, but my grandmother said that it did help her.

Finally, make sure that your sinuses are kept clear - inflammation there can trigger a migraine for some people.

Good luck - migraines are not nice things to have, but are often misdiagnosed by physicians, and misunderstood as "headaches' by patients.

[Starlette]

Thank you very much for responding. I'll post an update from today tomorrow. Just finishing paying my bills, then having my parents over for dinner.

Starlette

[BlackSpinner]

One needs to take migraine meds as soon as you even suspect one is starting. Part of the migraine is that it shuts down your digestive system so if you wait too long to take them, they take forever to kick in.

For over the counter meds I have found Ibuprofen works better the aspirin or Tylenol.

For me Ginger root tea taken very strong and early helped sometimes. At worst it help with the stomach issues.

[jencat824]

I take Zomig 4mg melts in mouth so you can take anywhere. Must be taken as soon as the migraine starts to be any help at all. After I start feeling pain, its too late. I get auras before the start of a migraine, and that's when I take my Zomig. I've even pulled off the expressway recently, in order to fish in my purse to get the Zomig. I get severe migraines that last for days. Only thing that helps mine after they have started is a dark room. I've identified my triggers, and mostly it is flashing lights. I also avoid all food containg MSG & sulfites, and of course I avoid stress. I've learned that NO pain releiver helps me, unfortunately, but some people I know are most helped by NSAIDS, such as Ibuprofin.

Good luck with these painful, hard to live with, horrible headaches,
Jen

[bilgerat57]

I don't have migraines, but I did get frequent tension headaches that were horrendous. For those not familiar with them, tension headaches share many of the symptoms, but the pain is balanced on both sides of the head rather than predominantly one side. My doctor has me using a daily fiorinal 3 with codeine. It's not too strong, and it's a combination of aspirin, caffeine, a very mild barbiturate, and a small amount of codeine. The advantage is that taking a daily dose has been shown to prevent these headaches and the ones I do get are very much reduced in severity and duration. There is a fioricet that uses tylenol instead of aspirin. It might be worth while talking to your doctor about this med and see if it might help. Like I said, it's not too strong and the caffeine keeps it from dozing you out. Good luck!

[BlackSpinner]

I don't have migraines, but I did get frequent tension headaches that were horrendous. For those not familiar with them, tension headaches share many of the symptoms, but the pain is balanced on both sides of the head rather than predominantly one side. My doctor has me using a daily fiorinal 3 with codeine. It's not too strong, and it's a combination of aspirin, caffeine, a very mild barbiturate, and a small amount of codeine. The advantage is that taking a daily dose has been shown to prevent these headaches and the ones I do get are very much reduced in severity and duration. There is a fioricet that uses tylenol instead of aspirin. It might be worth while talking to your doctor about this med and see if it might help. Like I said, it's not too strong and the caffeine keeps it from dozing you out. Good luck!

I tried this once. It gave me the most amazing hallucinations! It didn't help with the migraines but I didn't care! I ended up flushing them down toilet because they made me want to take and have those fascinating "dreams". I flushed them because I was afraid I would dig them out of the garbage. It made me feel much more compassion for drug addicts.

[SleepyToo2]

I don't have migraines, but I did get frequent tension headaches that were horrendous. For those not familiar with them, tension headaches share many of the symptoms, but the pain is balanced on both sides of the head rather than predominantly one side. My doctor has me using a daily fiorinal 3 with codeine. It's not too strong, and it's a combination of aspirin, caffeine, a very mild barbiturate, and a small amount of codeine. The advantage is that taking a daily dose has been shown to prevent these headaches and the ones I do get are very much reduced in severity and duration. There is a fioricet that uses tylenol instead of aspirin. It might be worth while talking to your doctor about this med and see if it might help. Like I said, it's not too strong and the caffeine keeps it from dozing you out. Good luck!

Just be careful with the fiorinal - the barbiturate is a respiratory depressant - might have an effect on your sleep apnea ... if you take them in the morning it should be OK by the time you go to sleep.

I've identified my triggers, and mostly it is flashing lights.

So, no speeding down the highway for you, eh? Sorry, officer, I was trying to stop you giving me a migraine?!!!

[ems]

I don't have migraines, but I did get frequent tension headaches that were horrendous. For those not familiar with them, tension headaches share many of the symptoms, but the pain is balanced on both sides of the head rather than predominantly one side. My doctor has me using a daily fiorinal 3 with codeine. It's not too strong, and it's a combination of aspirin, caffeine, a very mild barbiturate, and a small amount of codeine. The advantage is that taking a daily dose has been shown to prevent these headaches and the ones I do get are very much reduced in severity and duration. There is a fioricet that uses tylenol instead of aspirin. It might be worth while talking to your doctor about this med and see if it might help. Like I said, it's not too strong and the caffeine keeps it from dozing you out. Good luck!

I could have easily written this post. I appreciate the fact that you did!

I have an appointment with a headache specialist next week (a neurologist) and will discuss this with him.

Very few people (and doctors) realize that tension headaches are just as debilitating as migraines can be.

(Didn't mean to hijack, Starlette - just was so "happy" to see this post from bilgerat57).

[BlackSpinner]

I have an appointment with a headache specialist next week (a neurologist) and will discuss this with him.

Very few people (and doctors) realize that tension headaches are just as debilitating as migraines can be.

.

In spite of the fact I was toooo happy on fiorinal I did have a friend who was able to take it without any side effect and it was very effective for her migraines.

[ems]

I have an appointment with a headache specialist next week (a neurologist) and will discuss this with him.

Very few people (and doctors) realize that tension headaches are just as debilitating as migraines can be.

.

In spite of the fact I was toooo happy on fiorinal I did have a friend who was able to take it without any side effect and it was very effective for her migraines.

Thanks, BlackSpinner. I think you can understand when I say I would be only too happy to be too happy. I'd rather not have side effects but would gladly take "too happy" rather than have the headaches.

[BlackSpinner]

Thanks, BlackSpinner. I think you can understand when I say I would be only too happy to be too happy. I'd rather not have side effects but would gladly take "too happy" rather than have the headaches.

I understand. It was just freaky to have long philosophical discussions with the three of me in hyper technicolour and WANT to do it again. But then my body/mind often over reacts to drugs, which is why I love love love cpap therapy!

[ems]

I hoped that CPAP would alleviate the headaches. No such luck... not even a little. I guess that's why I can't say that I love this therapy. I'm envious when people say that once they started this therapy their headaches were gone. I'm thinking that for those folks it's more of an oxygen issue.