Migraine Headaches

**mikandmari** · 09-14-2007, 01:21 PM

I'm sitting inside on this beautiful day (my day off from work

). I left work early yesterday because the florescent lights where killing my eyes, and at dinnertime every little sound seemed amplified. I'm nauseated and miserable.

I've always thought these headaches were sinus related, but today I went to the doctor and she says I'm suffering from migraines. Ugh. She prescribed Topamax. Has anyone dealt with these awful headaches before? Or taken Topamax? I hate taking new drugs, but I'll try anything to get rid of this miserable pain. It feels like this --->

Thanks for listening!

**accountantbyday** · 09-14-2007, 02:00 PM

I've suffered from migraines for 20 years.

Topamax is a very aggressive treatment for something that has a wide variety of causes, the most notable being blood pressure. Most patients respond so well to blood pressure medications (even if they have low blood pressure--medications stabilize it and keep it from fluctuating, not necessarily keep it low) that that is usually the best course of treatment. By keeping the BP stable, the migraines are eliminated, so patients are prescribed the meds as a preventative rather than a treatment. Mine worked for the migraines, but affected me negatively in other ways. With the wide variety of serious side affects Topamax has, I'd try this route first, but I'm only saying this because I have tried this route first.

That said. I'm on Topamax as a last resort. I just started it, my doctor said it's a drug that you ease into--I'm to take it at a prescribed increase over 4 weeks, then go back and see him and make sure that my body is handling it ok (through a blood test).

**Critsy** · 09-14-2007, 02:42 PM

I too have suffered from migraines since I was a kid. Mine don't come on a regular basis, so I haven't been treated for it. As I get older, especially in the last 2 years, I've been getting them more frequently, now, atleast once a month. I haven't been to the doctor because I really don't like taking prescription medicines. I have found an OTC Wal-mart generic brand, equal to Extra Strength Excedrin for headaches. I had one on Tuesday that about put me down for the evening and I was at work. I took 2 of those tablets after I ate, closed my eyes and put my head down for about 30 minutes and by the time I went back to work, it was down to a dull throb, and almost gone 4 hours later.

I've had these last for 3 days at a time before and been sick and throwing up. As long as the OTC works for me, I'll stick with this until these no longer work and then try something new.

**quiltingmommy** · 09-14-2007, 02:43 PM

Hi Mikandmari, I too have had migraines for about 25+ years. I have not used Topomax, but have used Phuirinal and fiourocet (sp?). Both have worked for me.
If you are getting them often, keep a headache diary and see if there are any triggers. Decaf products, any artificial sweeteners and my cycle are my triggers. Other people have them after eating dark chocolate or wine. If they continue, you may want to see a neurologist. They will be able to figure out just which medicine will work best for your migraines. BTW: I hate taking any pills, but for migraines, you have to as soon as they come on.

Good luck, darken your room and take a nap.

**JustJoy** · 09-14-2007, 06:03 PM

I feel for you..... I've had migraines since about the age of 8 and they got worse when I hit puberty. For years the only thing that helped even slightly was Fiorinol w/codeine. When Imitrex came out I was the first in line to give it a try. This was back when it was only in shot form. I've been taking it for years and it usually works for me about 90% of the time.

**FrugalMomof3** · 09-14-2007, 06:06 PM

I get mirgraines all the time, just never been diagnosed with them, so I just take tylenol or something like that since I dont have health insurance.

**PB&J** · 09-14-2007, 08:42 PM

I use Imitrex. I have had migraines for many years and mine are definitely hormone related. I get them the week after AF and sometimes I will have one every day that week! I had one every day this week except for today.

My insurance allows me 9 Imitrex per month. I get 50mg pills, cut them in half and usually half of one gets rid of my migraine within 30 minutes.

**pita1213** · 09-14-2007, 09:08 PM

i have had migraines since i was in high school. i've been on antidepressants for them, a beta blocker, and heck if i can remember what else. elavil, the antidepressant, gave me insomnia and even after being on it for almost a year and upping teh dose every few months, it did nothing for me. the beta block, i think it was inderal, gave me the fun side effect of vivid dreams. doesn't sound so bad, but they were so vivid that i couldn't remember what was teh memory of a dream and what was a real memory. pretty freaky for a 16 year old.
i have been given different pain killers for them as well, but nothing has worked for me as well as 2 excedrine and a pepsi. i don't drink an entire can of pepsi, just a couple of ounces. for some ppl though the extra caffiene can make it worse. back when excedrine migraine first came out it was at least a dollar more thant he regular one. so i compared the labels and they had hte same amounts of active ingredients so i just use the regular excedrine. i do buy the name brand though as teh target brand as inactive ingredients that i react badly to.
imitrex was evil to me. made my migraine worse and it felt like there was a weight on my chest. only took it once.
i am now on a calcium channel blocker for another issue and even though it is also another medication that can me used for migraines, it is giving me headaches instead of helping them. :/
but i have always had odd and strong reactions to medications.

**mikandmari** · 09-14-2007, 10:02 PM

Thanks everyone for this feedback, it's so comforting to know I'm not alone here. These headaches are disabling!

I'm also very sensitive to drugs. So tonight I took the Topamax like prescribed, just a very small dosage. It said to take it at bedtime so I thought "good, I'll sleep". Well, I took it early evening, and I seem a bit wired up instead.

But, I think it may be just the anxiety of taking a new medication. I'm paranoid about meds! I have to admit, though, the headache has eased up this evening.

**watchingpennies** · 09-26-2007, 09:53 PM

Marianne- I suffer from migraines when in flourescent lights only when I am wearing my contacts - I have no idea why. If I wear my glasses I don't get the migraine.....just a thought!

**baxjul** · 09-27-2007, 06:58 AM

I get them when I'm around time for my period. I have one today. I know how horrible they are! I throw up, and throw up.

**mikandmari** · 09-27-2007, 07:09 AM

Watchingpennies, that is interesting... I've started wearing my glasses to work, and it seems to have helped a bit. Anyway, my contact lenses will last longer this way. Thanks

**ravenmaniac** · 09-27-2007, 07:34 PM

I've suffered migraines since I was a child. Mine are atypical. I get them from foods, hormones, sinuses, alleregies, exercise, it all depends. I do take Topomax and for me it works like a charm. My migraines are reduced greatly. I still sometimes get my cluster migraines but for me it is worth taking the Topomax. It's all what is best for you.

**larabelle** · 10-05-2007, 06:44 PM

I have had migraines for the past 30 years. I have taken everything from antidepressants to sinus medications to high blood pressure medicine to narcotics. They used to be so bad until I would have to take 6 days off of work per month with them. I would be nauseated and vomitting and unable to get out of bed. My teeth began corroding due to the vomitting. My stomach lining began eroding and my kidneys were showing damage due to the medications.
I have found a couple things which have really helped. First, I lowered my stress level as I took a job out of management and dropped my boyfriend. Second I changed my diet cutting down on junk food, elimnating all dairy products and reducing wheat products. Third I began doing a periodic colon cleanse.
All of these steps really helped reduce my migraines so that now I just have regular headaches which are usually around my menstraul cycle and I just take one extra strength excedrin and I am fine in about 20 minutes. No more missed days from work. God is soooo Good to me!!!!

**mom2three** · 10-21-2007, 09:28 PM

I used to get horrible migraines when I was on the pill, but do not get them anymore. Similar to Larabelle, I am wheat free and mostly dairy free (I tolerate plain yoghurt only i.e. milk and bacteria). I beleive they are yeats related and are worse when estrogen is high (more common in women).