[jbug]

I am starting to have severe migranes again. I talked to my doc about 2 weeks ago about prevention and he put me on inderal. Well its not working and last Thursday I missed school because of them. Well I saw him today for a follow-up and he took me off of it and put me on Neurontin. Have any of you taken this for migranes? I was on it for a mood stablizer but didn't have migranes then so I don't know if it will work or not. I am getting really frustrated because I'm trying to function and these migranes are making it almost impossible to do that.

Jbug

[(JD)]

Not me, (((bug))) Maybe when you were on it before it kept you from getting migraines. It's an off label use, I guess? I also have migraines... but the zomig disintegrating tablets are working for me so far...better than the imitrex did.

I hope you get relief. No, there's no doing anything with an unmanaged migraine...but lie on the edge of the bed with your face to the side (and bucket below) in the dark and quietest and coldest room you can get and just knowing that you will puke soon and when you do, your head will explode into oblivion...and you wish it would so you would be done with the migraine.

TC

[jennie]

My migraines disappeared when I started using a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. If you snore and feel sleepy all the time, then maybe it's a good idea to get checked for sleep apnea?

[jbug]

I do have sleep apnea. I wear my mask religiously. I think part of my headaches could be TMJ. I had a really bad ear ache on Monday and went to the doc because he thought it could be an ear infection but after looking in my ears and feeling around he said its TMJ. So I'm going to get a mouth thingy and try that. He thinks I am grinding my teeth at night.

Jbug

May I ask if you or anyone who gets migraines have like "bright colored flashes" in their vision just before an attack?

[ErinBear]

Hi TimeO,

Yes, I get those, and others do too (the bright colored flashes). Those are a form of aura, which can happen prior to a migraine for many people. Some folks get an aura (this is a "classic migraine") and others don't. There are other forms of aura too. You might find it interesting to read about migraines...there is a very good book about migraines written by Oliver Sacks, the same doctor made popular in the movie, "Awakenings." I believe the book is entitled "Migraines." And there is good information online as well, I'm sure.

Take care,
ErinBear

[ErinBear]

Hi Janniebug,
How often are you getting migraines? Are you seeing a neurologist who specializes in migraine treatment? If you are getting migraines quite frequently, it is worthwhile to see a neurologist who is a specialist in treating migraines... Inderal is an older treatment for migraines, and if you are getting them quite frequently, there are probably better options, although I suppose some doctors may still want to try that first. But I think most migraine specialists bypass that now. I used to have daily migraines and it was really incapacitating. I take Topamax now, which is an anti-seizure medication. It has been a huge help to me. For a lot of people, it makes their migraines reduce or go away. Instead of having migraines daily, I get maybe one a month or every other month, which is a huge improvement. When that happens, I use Maxalt MLT to treat the migraines, and it usually starts helping within about thirty minutes for me. They're developing more and more good medications for migraine treatment all the time...hopefully there is something that can help in your case. But seeing a neurologist who specializes in treating migraines is a really good step if you're not already doing so. It was what helped me find the treatment that worked for me, and I know that seeing this kind of specialist helps others who have really severe migraine problems too....

Wishing you better days ahead!

Take care,
ErinBear

Thank you Erinbear for replying to me! Your reply did reussured me.

I'm sorry Janniebug to have stolen your post!

I have never had migraines before. It was my second time today. I like colors but these flashing colors were a surprise, kind of frigged me out. I did researched more on it today and find imformations. Wow! fireworks just for me.

[jbug]

I haven't seen a neurologist for my migranes. I have to be referred and so far my GP hasn't done that. As we speak I'm on hold returning his phone call because he put me on neurotin last time I was in his office and its making my mood swings even worse...see my post in psychotherapy. I can't handle this and HATE it. I have a headache now and hope it goes away. I am going to take one of my mom's pain pills and go to sleep after I get off the phone with his nurse.

Jbug

[(JD)]

Yes, I get auras and prodromes. Prodromes can be just about anything that you find always happens before you end up with a migraine...and it can (like an aura) occur several hours prior to a migraine.

If you contact one of the migraine med companies (such as imitrex) they have free materials on how to log your migraines and maybe figure out what foods, or situations are causing/making them worse... and also info on how to treat them. There's plenty more to do than put up with them. (as if that's really possible.)

[mrb020377]

i get the flashes of lights, mine are weird though.. they starts in the corner of my left eye and then move slowlys across my left eye into the corner of my right eye and then across my right eye.. so there is a breif moment where i cant see anything.. pretty scary