[DestroyMe_Slowly]

Hi everyone & good morning!
Today I will be visiting my dr about starting a new treatment plan.
1. Controlling, preventing & abortive Migraine medications.
2. Controlling my Bipolar.

Is anyone currently on medications to prevent/control both of these conditions?
I was on Seroquel, Effexor XR & Wellbutrin for a year (about 4 years ago) but this was only to treat Bipolar. I do not remember my migraines being "better" or "worse" while on these medications as they were not as often as they are now. I have migraines daily with a few days of tunnel vision & "hangover" type feeling & then migraine will continue. This lasts....forever now. I have a few days inbetween extreme pain & that's about it. I've gotten more depressed lately because it seems I can never enjoy myself or my family since I'm always in pain.

I've read online recently that some of the meds I used to take & other bipolar & anti-depressant meds can be used to treat migraines. I'm just wondering before I see my doc today if taking 1 or 2 of these or anti-psychotic/anti-depressant combo will "kill 2 birds with 1 stone" or if I'll need to start a crazy-pill-popping regimen that I don't want to be apart of. ??

Any thoughts, advise or if you've gone through similar issue...completely appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Gus1234U]

Dear Slowly,, i only know about bipolar, but i can't tolerate any of the meds,, i have talked to others here who share your troubles,, and i'm sure they would be very interested to hear how it goes, what works for you,,, what doesn't. So please keep posting on your experiences.. Gus

[lotusflames]

the only bp med i knwo used to treat migraines is topiramate / topamax

[DestroyMe_Slowly]

Originally Posted by lotusflames

the only bp med i knwo used to treat migraines is topiramate / topamax

I have also heard about topamax as a preventive med for migraines. I will definitely ask my dr about it. Thank you!

[ariatboot]

I too suffer from migraines and have bipolar. One of the meds I am taking that helps control both is trazodone. I am also on a blood pressure/heart medicine that helps migraines which is metoprolol. I hope you are able to find a med that helps you, good luck!

[DestroyMe_Slowly]

Originally Posted by ariatboot

I too suffer from migraines and have bipolar. One of the meds I am taking that helps control both is trazodone. I am also on a blood pressure/heart medicine that helps migraines which is metoprolol. I hope you are able to find a med that helps you, good luck!

Does Trazodone seem to work for you? Also one on my list so I'll have to ask about that one too. Thank you so much!

[owllover99]

I am on bipolar meds. I go to a nerologist and he gives me topomax. It is not part of my bipolar meds. Topomax is for migraine prevention. If I do get a migraine, my nerologist is so nice he gives me a lot of samples of Relpax. It's the only migraine med that works on me. But if I take my topomax at bedtime, I do not wake up with a migraine. I've read it's used for both, but not on me. Good luck.

[laur88]

I get migraines too - in the past, before I was on bipolar meds, I would get them once or twice a month on average. They were very debilitating and I would basically have to stop everything for the day when I got one. Now that I'm on meds (lamictal), I've only had a full-blown mirgaine once or twice in the past 5 months. My doctor never mentioned anything about bipolar meds being used to kill migraines but perhaps it was because I don't think I've ever mentioned getting migraines to him... I'll ask next time and see what he says!

-L

[DestroyMe_Slowly]

Thank you! I'm curious as to what your dr would say if you mentioned it. Please let me know if you do. I will let everyone know what my dr says to me today! I'm glad to know I'm not the only person suffering from both. Too nervous but I'm keeping my phone at a distance so I don't get tempted to cancel my appointment. Ugh.....I could have had a better day without anxiety on my back.

Oh, DestroyMe Slowly!!! I have BP and migraines too, but I've had them much less frequently than when I was younger, and very glad for it. I thought the ones I had (3 days being out of commission) were bad, but daily???!!! You poor thing! Can't even imagine it. They are truly horrid things. Best wishes for finding something that works (can't give much info on that as I take an old school thing for the migraines, unrelated to BP. I've been taking Lamictal for very nearly a year now, and haven't had any to speak of, but can't say if there is a correlation as I'd been having them less frequently before the Lamictal.)

[Amazonmom]

I have a friend that takes depakote to prevent migraines.

[karmabites]

Abilify cured my migraines! It might just be a rare happening, but it certainly helped me.

[ariatboot]

Originally Posted by DestroyMe_Slowly

Does Trazodone seem to work for you? Also one on my list so I'll have to ask about that one too. Thank you so much!

Trazodone does seem to lessen my migraine, I used to get them at least twice a week but now I only get about one every month. For those ones my doc provides samples of Relpax which is the only thing that seems to knock my migraines out.

[sugahorse1]

sodium valporate is a mood stabiliser and can also be used to teat migraines I believe.
I've only started battling with frequent migraines while on BP meds.
I'm quite interested in learning more about Trazodone for migraines.. I was given thme to sleep and for anxiety, but my pdoc told me to stop. Still have some left, so it would be interesting to try it for migraines

[DestroyMe_Slowly]

Update: (hehe) Yesterday I was prescribed Topamax & Fioricet. None are related to BP, but I have scheduled to see my pdoc next week. I'm sure there are a few meds I won't be able to take because of the Topamax & Fioricet. Read the craziest possible side effects for those online last night but my dr has never steered me wrong. *Knock on wood*
**Karmabites** I want to ask my pdoc about Abilify or Cymbalta. I don't want to be on a bunch of meds & don't really want to be on anything strong. So I'll have to ask about it. Thanks so much!!

Originally Posted by DestroyMe_Slowly

Update: (hehe) Yesterday I was prescribed Topamax & Fioricet. None are related to BP, but I have scheduled to see my pdoc next week. I'm sure there are a few meds I won't be able to take because of the Topamax & Fioricet. Read the craziest possible side effects for those online last night but my dr has never steered me wrong. *Knock on wood*

Fioricet! Yeah, that's the one (couldn't remember the name). When I was first prescribed it, it was called Fiorinal, am quite sure that's the same thing in reading the info on it. I actually get a generic, butalbitol, now. I've found it most effective in the prodromal phase (which are usually quite recognizable after so many years). You probably already know, but be sure to take it with some food. Or oooooh, the burning... ugh. They also go "off" more readily than anything else I've ever taken (and smell vinegary when this happens). To prevent this from happening so much, I asked to have the prescription written for fewer. You have the migraines much more frequently though, so this may not come into play for you! (I have always found it interesting that it is indicated for tension headaches. Like you, I was prescribed it for migraines -- definitely migraines, not tension going on). But I've found it quite effective, especially as mentioned above, taken in the prodromal phase (so I always have some with me just in case). If I don't catch it then, it takes longer to knock out and more dosages.
Good luck with that, and let us know how it all goes!

[Yoda]

I tried Topamax for my migraines but didn't like the side effects. Now I take verapamil and it is working well.

[bridgie]

this is very interesting. how many bipolars actually get migrains? i do also i know that. i wonder how many studies have been done on the corelation of migrains and bipolar. very curious.

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by bridgie

this is very interesting. how many bipolars actually get migrains? i do also i know that. i wonder how many studies have been done on the corelation of migrains and bipolar. very curious.

I got the following from the internet:

"What causes migraines? Some people who suffer from migraines can clearly identify triggers or factors that cause the headaches, but many cannot. Potential migraine triggers include":

1. Allergies and allergic reactions
2. Bright lights, loud noises, and certain odors or perfumes
3. Physical or emotional stress
4. Changes in sleep patterns or irregular sleep
5. Smoking or exposure to smoke
6. Skipping meals or fasting
7. Alcohol
8. Menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills, hormone fluctuations during menopause onset
9. Tension headaches
10. Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), monosodium glutamate (MSG), or nitrates (like bacon, hot dogs, and salami)
11. Other foods such as chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products, and fermented or pickled foods.

The ones I bolded (2,3,4 and 6) may be why a person diagnosed is more likely to have migraines.

#2 definitely affects me. I have sensitive hearing; sense of smell normally, but when I'm hypo I have "bionic" senses.

#3 definitely affects me and depending what phase I'm in situations that normally wouldn't stress me do.

#4 is part of the illness for many that are diagnosed.

#6 doesn't affect me. I eat whether I'm depressed, hypo etc., but I know some people do have a decrease in appetite during certain phases.

[moonlightsonata]

Originally Posted by bridgie

this is very interesting. how many bipolars actually get migrains? i do also i know that. i wonder how many studies have been done on the corelation of migrains and bipolar. very curious.

I would be interested in knowing if there was some connection between the two. I am bi-polar and also suffer from migraine headaches. If I miss my meds I get them or when my doctor has tried to take me off my Topamax I will get them. It seems to work for me in preventing them.

[bridgie]

Yes there could be correlation between the two. Something in our brain chemistry causing both. Don't know how much it would help but could give more clues about treatment perhaps. So how many bipolars here do get migrains?

[DestroyMe_Slowly]

Originally Posted by geenaroses

I would be interested in knowing if there was some connection between the two. I am bi-polar and also suffer from migraine headaches. If I miss my meds I get them or when my doctor has tried to take me off my Topamax I will get them. It seems to work for me in preventing them.

I have actually found stuff online talking about trying to find a connection between the two but never actually getting there. It would be very interesting if there was a connection found. I've noticed that during a migraine, my moods are completely unpredictable....despite what I might have been feeling just before hit with a migraine.

So I had a migraine that started Sunday, hit me hard Tues & that's why I went to see my dr. Worst one yet & still hasn't completely gone away. I started Topamax on Friday. Now I'm wondering if I should have started it since I had a migraine & Topamax is just prevention med NOT abortive. So I haven't experienced any side effects of it, yet I know it's not "doing it's job". Fioricet....I am supposed to take every 4 hours. Though I feel I need it every 3 1/2 hours. I have tried waiting every 5 hours though....just in case since I'm too paranoid when it comes to meds (which is why I quit my BP meds cold turkey back in 2005). It's made me feel groggy & dizzy BUT today around 3pm I was extremely dizzy & fuzzy feeling. I took one at 10am, then another at 2:50pm....10 mins later I was tumbling over. I am hoping its just because I forgot to eat & took it on an empty stomach. (& Yeah, I literally forget to eat....I have a very very bad short term memory & my stomach usually doesn't growl....I eat like a pig though so don't worry, I'm 5'3 120lbs...LOL!)

I wonder how many others here have BP & suffer migraines.....it would be interesting to know. It's a whole new support group in itself if you ask me.

[ringtailcat]

Topamax totally brought both my migraines and bp under control..... took a little while to fine tune the dosage, but the few times I've had to go off it, migraines return with a vengance & bp goes haywire...

[susan888]

I don't think I am bipolar but I do suffer from migraines. I have been on Fioricet for about 15 years and it helped me function (maxsalt for the really bad ones where I can't keep the meds down). Please, please know that this medicine containes a barbituate that is very, very physically addicting (generic name is butabutal). I did not know that and thought I was taking a "safe" medication all of these years. Just recently I have been looking into this medication (and suffering withdraws from stopping it). Be careful with this med...

[Black Moon]

I am BP and suffer from severe migraines. I get at least 3 - 4 a month and they last about 2 days in general. I did not know before reading this that there was a connection. Mine is usually triggered by coffee or driving past a pallisade fence and glancing at the lines as I go by. I do get them sometimes for no apparent reason though.

My doctor prescribed something called Inverol (I think - I have no short term memory from all the meds I have taken) for the migraines and said can help BP but it just made me irritable.