[clash]

I've only started having migraines for a year now.  They've started to come more frequently in the last 6 months.  Only recently have I gone to a doctor for prescriptions to relieve it.  I'm wondering what others are taking to relieve the pain and/or nausea and vomiting.
 
My gdoc told me to take Bayer Migraine and then if I still have nausea and vomitting I take Compazine suppositories.
 
I then went to my neurologist.  She said to take the Bayer Migraine initially and if it's too late to stop the pain give myself a sumatriptan injection or zolmitriptan nasal spray (I'm using samples right now).  I would still use the Compazine suppositories because, I don't know about you, but the vomiting is terrible.
 
 
Note:  I know some people take Topamax, but I'd rather not go that route.  I have bipolar disorder and epilepsy and take 3 moodstabilizers, 2 of which are AEDs.  I'm happy with both AEDs and they don't have side effects.  I'm not sure Topamax would work as well for these 2 problems and have as few side effects.

[buttrfli42481]

I get migraines about once a month around that time of the month. Which is better than it was. I used to have a migraine almost everyday until I had injections (not botox) in my face. I was migraine free for almost a year, and now they are coming back. I am currently in the midst of one. Today marks 13 days, yes almost 2 weeks of that horrible pain and nausea. I take Imitrex at the onset and then can take another one 2 hrs later if the first one didn't knock it out. I then switch to tramadol to make the pain manageable so I can work. At night, I take toradol to help me sleep through the pain. I see my neurologist on April 3rd unless an earlier appt becomes available.
I was on topamax, but was taken off it because I lost too much weight (I am anorexic also). I was also on depakote, but became highly suicidal on it. So for right now, I am not on a preventative med and would like to be.

[clash]

thank you because that's one thing i was thinking about doing too until o takes to my doc and my t and they both agreed that i should wait

I still get the onset symptoms but I usually don't get the headache now. For what it's worth, a dentist told me that a combo of 3 ibuprofen and one tylenol was as effective as almost any prescription pain med. Seems like a lot of pain meds use acetaminophen as a catalyst. I'm sorry but I don't know what an AED is.
Do you get shooting stars or lightning flashes before the pain? Blind spots?

[clash]

trip i get the bright flashes and blind spots i am sorry that you suffer

[nicoleb2]

I get migraines, less frequently now that i am on verapamil (calcium channel blocker) as a preventative.

When I do get migraines now, I have migranal nasal spray, which is amazing! I get the aura before most migraines, so I use the migranal when the aura starts and I rarely end up with the debilitating pain anymore

[possum220]

I used to get them a lot but have managed to get it down to the odd aura and it goes no further. I saw an osteopath to get my bones checked out and cutting back with the foods that contain acid or acid additives (Check the label on what you are buying).

Think about the food that has changed in the past year clash or did you hurt your back or neck?

It could have nothing to to with the above issues, but I thought it worth mentioning just in case.

[Fresia]

Imitrex/sumatriptan is typically a first line of medication that is given to initial migraine sufferers to see if there is relief, which many do, and also is a requirement with most insurance companies for that reason that it can be so helpful. Zomig/zomitripan is a second round that can be really beneficial and especially helpful with nausea in addition to the pain and aura. It sounds like you are really good hands with your providers.

I have had migraines since I was little and have been on a lot of things over the decades. I also have BP. For some time now I have used Relpax and Zomig depending on what kind of migraine I get. I have Zofran ODT, a sublingual dissolvable anti-nausea med just in case I cannot get the meds down, which is rare these days as I notice the signs to get to the meds before it gets to that point; you will too in time. I do take Topamax daily for several years now which has helped to keep them down to a minimum (1 a month) as opposed to 1-2 a week. I had the added benefit with the Topamax for the BP of being able to come off the mood stabilizer, using the Topamax instead for that. Someone mentioned gaining weight on it and I lost weight on it; everyone's chemistry is so different. Research all meds before starting them but there is no way of knowing how we will react until they are tried, unfortunately/fortunately depending on how it turns out.

I hope you find what works for you. Best wishes for being migraine free or at least more comfortable when you do have them. Speedy recoveries!

[PurpleFlyingMonkeys]

Ugh I get them, I hate them.

I get the vomiting and the blind spots when I have them. Light and sound don't typically make them worse, but movement does. Boy does it ever!

I feel your pain I really do. I get them once every 2-6 weeks and I stay in bed all day every day (as often they last 2-5 days for me) until it goes away. I don't like medication though so I'm not on meds to help them.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by clash

*
I then went to my neurologist.* She said to take the Bayer Migraine initially and if it's too late to stop the pain give myself a sumatriptan injection or zolmitriptan nasal spray (I'm using samples right now).* I would still use the Compazine suppositories because, I don't know about you, but the vomiting is terrible.
*
*
Note:* I know some people take Topamax, but I'd rather not go that route.* I have bipolar disorder and epilepsy and take 3 moodstabilizers, 2 of which are AEDs.* I'm happy with both AEDs and they don't have side effects.* I'm not sure Topamax would work as well for these 2 problems and have as few side effects.

I have had migraines since age 3 and I have been using triptans since 2006 and I disagree with your neurologist's advice to take the Bayer Migraine initially and then wait and only then inject/inhale Imitrex. It would be too late by then. The key to using triptans effectively lies in learning to identify the onset of the attack as early as possible, erring on the side of caution as need be, and then inject or inhale Imitrex.


Topamax route trial for me for a month, lowest dose: no orgasms, no sex drive, no appetite though no weight loss, eating and even drinking tea became WORK (no enjoyment), constant dizziness, constant feeling of overall unwell and malaise.

To sum up: thanks, but no thanks.

Depakote: prevents well, but horrible weight gain and horrible hand tremor.

Again, thanks but no thanks.

Amitriptyline prevents to some extent, not 100% but still, and causes no noticeable side effects, but I am reading up on possible long term side effects/toxicity.