Bipolar & Migraine

Yes, good point by susan888 (which I was going to mention, but forgot! Thanks!). I've used it for just a few more years than that, but because my migraines were not overly frequent it wasn't a huge concern. I've got some degree of addictive personality, but not a ton (thank goodness!). Not a confessional, but there have been a very small handful of occasions where I really didn't need to take it, let's say. But literally, less than 6 times over all those years, so not a problem.
More frequent migraines or addictions problems it is DEFINITELY something to be aware of. Thanks for bringing it up, susan888!

Actually the correct term is not addicting, but dependent.....that is the term that the pain specialists call it when the body becomes dependent on a medication & the body goes through withdrawal when the med is stopped. The term addicting is only used when a person needs more & more of a medication in order to get what ever feel they are wanting to get from it other than the pain relief it's purpose is for.

I am NOT BP, but have migraines that would never stop. I tried every possible migraine med from maxsalt to imitrex & either they didn't work at all or they really messed with my heart rate. Took all the low lever pain meds with NO help. Even had a neck fusion because they thought that was the cause of the migraines that would never stop. Turned out the only relief I ever got was when I would go into the ER for a demoral shot & the relief lasted only as long as the narcotic was working in my body. They started me on the durgesic fentynal pain patch when I had my neck fusion, but the dose was too low to work....once we upped the dose to a very high level, I haven't felt the pain of a migraine since 2003. I have been on the same dose all that time, so am not addicted to the med, but I am physically dependent on it as I would definitely go through withdrawal if I were to stop it. My pain specialist has been very good about prescribing it after we built up a trust. He said that usually narcotics aren't the solution for migraines, but he has several patients that he has found it works, so for them, he will prescribe them. I went through nerve block treatments & the whole works.....nothing worked but the pain patches. I don't have to take the meds & it gives a continual dose for 72 hours. Sometimes I still get the migraine symptoms without the pain which is really strange......but it was the pain that kept me in bed for years without being able to function. In a dark, quiet, no smell room. It sure wasn't a quality life.....it's so wonderful to be able to function now.....can't imagine ever going back to having the migraines. We tried to lower the dose a few years ago & the migraine pain was right there under the lower dose, waiting to come through.....ugh.....oh well, at least I have a life now.....there are limitations but at least I feel I can now function & enjoy life

Thanks, eskielover! I did not realize they had separate definitions. Due to infreqent use, neither applies in my situation, but it's really good to understand the difference.

I wonder how common bp + migraines is.

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/bipo...le/10168/55126

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