Medication for Migraines

stn2003, RN · May 13, 2005

Imitrex didn't work for me, but then I tried Maxalt a couple years ago and it worked wonders. It is what I have been using since, but I rarely have them anymore due to some major life changes that have decreased alot of my stress lol. HTH.

My husband has many, many migraines and has tried so many medications. Nothing seems to be working. He has tried Zomig, Imitrex, and now Relpax. The relpax is beginning to not work as well as it use to. I have shared with him all of the migraine "triggers", and have tried everything to ease some of the pain when he gets an attack. He has lived with these migraines all of his life and sometimes has to go to the ER to get morphine to ease the pain because it is so severe. Does anyone have migraines like this and if so what medication is working for you? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

rach_nc_03 · May 13, 2005

My husband has many, many migraines and has tried so many medications. Nothing seems to be working. He has tried Zomig, Imitrex, and now Relpax. The relpax is beginning to not work as well as it use to. I have shared with him all of the migraine "triggers", and have tried everything to ease some of the pain when he gets an attack. He has lived with these migraines all of his life and sometimes has to go to the ER to get morphine to ease the pain because it is so severe. Does anyone have migraines like this and if so what medication is working for you? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I developed migraines last year, and went through all the triptan drugs (immitrex, frova, etc.)...nothing worked for more than a few minutes. eventually, I bit the bullet and went to a neurologist. He tried various anticonvulsants, and eventually I ended up on 200 mg/day of Lamictal...it seems to reduce the severity.

For acute symptoms (mine will go on for days), he'll do a methylprednisolone taper sometimes- but only on rare occasions. He just gave me a prescription for something called meprozine- it's a phenergan/demerol combo. it helps, as long as i take it at the first sign of a big one.

My fiancee has migraines, too- what works for him is a combo of fiorinal and caffeine. knocks him flat- but works.

hope that helps....good luck to you both. I know how miserable it can be!

Angelica · May 14, 2005

I love fiorinal. Two capsules will eliminate my migraine every time. Doesn't make me the least bit loopy.

doobiedo, RN · May 14, 2005

Is your husband on preventative medication? or just medication to treat the migraine.

My husband has a family history of migraines and has had them since puberty.

He sees a neurologist regularly and was on Periactin (antihistamine) for many years prophylactically at hs.... it did help though not totally eliminate the migraines. Otherwise he takes Phrenalin Forte at start of migraine and Firoracet w/Codiene if Phrenalin does not kick it.....He also found food such as hot dogs and ham he must stay away from as well as eating regularly, stays out of direct sun and wears sun glasses...also affected by humidity and we have to use air conditioner when it is even a little humid outside.

I am sure your husband after so many years knows what triggers his headaches but if he does not see a neurologist I would highly recommend it.....it has helped to decrease the frequency of my husbands migraines although he still gets them a few times a month but not as intense

hippienurse · May 14, 2005

I take amyitrptiline (sp) for migraine prophylaxis. After having them over 20 years, it is like a miracle drug for me. I had tried alot of others, none of which worked, but this one does. I then have a script for oxycodone if I do get one, it is the only thing that touches them.

nurseangel78 · May 14, 2005

Is your husband on preventative medication? or just medication to treat the migraine.
My husband has a family history of migraines and has had them since puberty.
He sees a neurologist regularly and was on Periactin (antihistamine) for many years prophylactically at hs.... it did help though not totally eliminate the migraines. Otherwise he takes Phrenalin Forte at start of migraine and Firoracet w/Codiene if Phrenalin does not kick it.....He also found food such as hot dogs and ham he must stay away from as well as eating regularly, stays out of direct sun and wears sun glasses...also affected by humidity and we have to use air conditioner when it is even a little humid outside.
I am sure your husband after so many years knows what triggers his headaches but if he does not see a neurologist I would highly recommend it.....it has helped to decrease the frequency of my husbands migraines although he still gets them a few times a month but not as intense

My husband is on the meds for when he gets a migraine. He really does need to go to a neurologist because our Family MD probaly is not as thourough as a neurologist would be. He did have the MRI, CT scan done just to be on the safe side. As far as the really strong pain medicine, he gets so sick and vomits when he gets the migraines, so most of the pain meds like Vicodin etc... just makes him that much more sick. I know for sure that alcohol, direct sunlight, and caffiene withdrawal (when he doesn't drink as many sodas) is triggers for his migraines to start. We haven't really noticed any foods that cause the migraines, even though I know there are many that do. Thanks for the advice and hopefully there is a way to try and conquer these terrible migraines. I have never had one, but after seeing him have them...I have a better understanding of what the pain must be like.

Emery · May 14, 2005

I started getting migranes when I was 12 or 13. The dr. put me on a generic of immitrex (duradrin), but within 15 minutes, I was so dizzy and could hardly breath. THAT didn't work. I went on "Excederine Migrane" (OTC) and it helped me so much! I only get a migrane once in a while now (after a stressful day at school), and for that I am thankful. Good luck!

Emery

TCASII, ADN · May 14, 2005

Depends so much on the severity and individual. Sumatriptan (Imitrex) was great when my migraines reappeared back around '94, but I get the classic migraines, or migraine with aura, and cannot function with them at all. OTCs and stronger opioids don't do the trick either. Just come back up later. I was getting them so often and the injections really hurt like hell unless I iced the area first for some reason, I finally had to get on a prophylactic treatment. So far, the SSRIs that worked for my depressive symptoms worked for the migraines as well. I eventually ended up on venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and clonazepam (Klonopin) 0.5 mg tid. No migraines for 4 or 5 years. I'm now taking duloxetine (Cymbalta) and alprazolam (Xanax), and they are just as effective so far, less somnolence.

My mother has the common migraine variant, and can function with them and some Excedrin or low dose Imitrex. She takes propranolol (Inderal) and citalopram (Celexa) to help prevent them, but it's not 100% for her.

You just need to find a preventative that works if they're too frequent. SSRIs, TCAs, anticonvulsants, beta-adrenergic antagonists, Ca+ channel blockers, methysergide, and a few other atypical meds often prevent or reduce the frequency/severity of the headaches. Just don't get discouraged if it takes a while to find the right med or combo.

z's playa · May 14, 2005

I take amyitrptiline (sp) for migraine prophylaxis. After having them over 20 years, it is like a miracle drug for me. I had tried alot of others, none of which worked, but this one does. I then have a script for oxycodone if I do get one, it is the only thing that touches them.

Ugh...amytriptaline made me gain weight . Never again.

Z

krob0729 · May 14, 2005

my husband has severe migraines constantly due to a spinal injury several years ago. He has tried everything. The only thing that seems to work is Esgic or Esgic plus. The only thing he doesn't like about it is that it is a barbituate, and at first he's 'high as a kite' then he's so sleepy. It knocks the headache out, but he tries not to take it too much, as it is addictive.

TCASII, ADN · May 14, 2005

Ugh...amytriptaline made me gain weight . Never again.
Z

Antihistaminergic properties. Antihistamines increase hunger. H1 antagonists that cross the BBB that is.