What do you take for migraines?
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Iāve tried everything. Right now trying Topamax
Vicki...do you know which type of migraine?
The only one I knew of, experienced.. was migraine aura...the bright flashes in my eyes... I took noting more than lying down/closing my eyes...
I know there are numerous other migraines ... but do not know them, their terminology...
Expect many others will respond...
It just surrounds my eye then the knocking pains near my scar then around the back of my head. Those pains stop, then my head feels like itās in a vice. Have to spend all day or two in a dark room. No light. No sounds.
Vicki...I have heard so much from so many...but I do not know what they relate to...i.e. the parts (structures) of the brain that relate...
I seldom ever have the bright flashes/streaks...tho, lots initially post a f/u angio...
Under the 'resources' category I put in the strokeSTOP Module 3...Madere added the web-address...
I am a slow reader/learner...and, I am yet working on that 10 page module...so, off my memory status, I can not tell you if it describes migraine areas (structures?)...
Some of us have been working on subjects....under the category of 'resources'...and, I don't think anyone has pursued migraine data...hopefully that will come forward...
I can tell you (share?) that I had the migraine aura....and, nothing more about it than it flashed/streaked and hit my "coordination/balance"...and, some of us think more than that needs to be provided...
Was any of the potential of migraines explained to you by any doctor(s) at any time? And, of recovery?
And, please forgive me if I repeat anything...that does happen!!!
Prayers more will respond / share data on migraines...
First, my prayers and wishes to you for a speedy recovery. I suggest you work hand in hand eith a good headache focused neurologist to bring ypur psin fown and manage your migraines. Unfortunately, Iāve tried a host of medications provided by doctors. Most have not worked for me or the side effects outweighed the benefits. I get migraines on top of an ongoing chronic headpain and also ice pick headaches (shooting pains). The preventive that worked best was petadolex/ maxalt was best abortive for me. I have rescue drugs too - I think indomethacin, ibuprofen and another drug that I cant remember. Also when things get really bad I can go in for a drip medication that is an emergency drug to try to ābreakā the migraines gripā¦hope you get to the best treatments for you soon. Good luck
I had a constant and sometimes severe headache - all the symptoms you described - for 4 years after my brain assaults. A year ago I started seeing a neurologist strictly for this issue. She put me on amitriptyline (starting with 10mg/day, ramping up weekly by an additional 10 mg), which worked wonders for me in about a month. I now take 50mg about an hour before bed, each night. She also gave me percocet (325mg), of which I take 1 or 2 for break-through headaches, roughly every 10-14 days. When I went for my first follow-up visit, she was concerned that I'd gained 15 pounds, and switched me to nortriptyline. My original headache pattern returned, so I went back to amitriptyline, thank god! Side effects are tolerable for me. It can cause heartburn, so taking it an hour before bed is important. It also makes me sleep like a rock (9-10 hours per night), and I am only semi-conscious for the first hour when I wake. So it's a time-consuming medication, but if your life can accommodate that, I find it a fine trade-off for the pain.
Before I had taken any action on this, I was unaware how debilitating and exhausting a constant headache is. You should be prepared to try medications on for size, and don't be discouraged if they don't work; keep trying. Find a doctor who takes a very thorough medical history, and switch doctors if you don't feel you're being listened to. Finally, consider trying marijuana; it's helped me a lot, too.
I had the same, 4 years post-op, and still have a couple of bouts per year. The only thing that works for me is a mix of codeine and paracetamol on prescription. I work full time so I can't afford to be on anything that makes me groggy or drowsy as I teach. With this I have no side effects.
Thank you Joy! I will be working with my neurologist! Iām also on amitriptyline at 75 mg for lower back pain.
Any weight gain for you, Vicki? What are your sleep patterns as a result of 75mg? How long does it take you to get fully conscious when you wake?
Vicki said:
Thank you Joy! I will be working with my neurologist! I'm also on amitriptyline at 75 mg for lower back pain.
Iāve been on Amitriptyline since 1997. I always had a problem gaining weight. I had weight gain after the aneurysm surgery. I was at Emory for 4. Three clipped and one that didnt rupture. I also went from skinner to 30 lbs up. Iām 5ā9". I told my Dr.to check my thyroid. Yep, hypo the one that makes you gain weight. I have been on thryoid hormones for two years. I weigh 20 lbs more now. Need to get back to 150. I have nice clothes but too small. I also had my back problems BUT nothing like after surgery! Then my neck pain. Couldnāt walk. Took 3 months in bed then major pt. Pt really helped!
Waking, I never had a problem getting up until after the surgery because my back WAS really out. I walk to the bathroom at 90 degrees now. I take my back pills and within 45 minutes, I can start getting ready. There have been so may things after BUT Iām alive. I canāt blame Amitriptyline tho.
Anna, I sleep very well. When I used to drink coffee, about 15-20 minutes.
Maybe you can explore alternative therapy for your back? That really is awful, to have that as well. I can imagine you don't want to take pills all the time. Maybe acupuncture, chiropractor, or massage therapy of some kind? Good luck, I hope you get relief very soon.
Thanks Joy. My plan in two weeks is pt, massage there, walking. No I donāt want to be on pills. I was so athletic in early life. Next ride my new bike once I feel better! Then join a gym! I canāt work out like before, but smartly! Thanks !!!
Good for you! I think its bound to help. I always feel its worth trying alternative things. I HATE pills! I also tried herbal tea and aromatherapy for headaches, also yoga, it sometimes helped a bit. I always feel one less pill is still good, so if I can delay taking them and try something else then I will. I work out a couple of times a week and I love it, I also walk as much as possible. Take it slow in the beginning, you will be fine. Stress is my main cause of headaches, also sometimes lower back pain (though not really severe). Thats what I have to try and avoid, but its usually work-related!
Thanks so much. 
I take Maxalt and Tylenol. When they are more frequent due to stress (which also keeps me from sleeping well), I take Nortriptylene to help prevent them.
I have chronic migraines for the last 8 years since I suffered a brain aneurysm. I have tried Botox in my left arm which helped with my movement but not with the pain. I have had Botox on my head as well but that didnāt help either. Iām about to try canabis oil to see if that will work. Has anyone else tried it ? Karen skilli
Hey Karen,
Welcome to Benās Friends.
I too have tried Botox, unsuccessfully, and Iām presently trying medicinal cannabis. Initially I tried an oil with a 1:1 ratio of CBD:THC and although there was a benefit it took some time (1-2hrs) for the effect to take effect. For me personally I donāt have a set headache at a set time, so I canāt say with any surety that in 2 hrs Iāll need it. What I need is āNOWā, this is where I have found āFlosā aka Flower to be most beneficial.
The prescribing Dr has now prescribed me both oil, in a lower dose and flower. Iām presently trying oil as a maintenance dose and the flower for ābreakthroughā pain. Iām fairly pleased with the result.
My initial hope was to cut all the opiates out of my diet altogether and although my intake has been dramatically reduced, I am still finding a need for a single dose opiate. Is cannabis the cure all some profess it to be? No. Is there a benefit in using it? For me, personally, Yes.
Now, I do have to say here brain injuries are SO VERY individual. 2 people can have exactly the same injury but have VASTLY differing outcomes. This can be the same with differing treatments. The neurologist who treated me with Botox made out that it was the miracle cure, it was going to fix it allā¦ ā¦only it didnāt. For some people Botox has been that āmiracleā cure. Iām just not one of them. And it can be the same for cannabis. For some, WOW, the benefits can be huge but for others it can make symptoms worse. There are differing forms from flower to oil to waxes, there are differing ratios of active ingredients. Finding the right combination of what works for you, personally, can take a bit of experimentation.
Best of luck with it all.
Merl from the Moderator Support Team
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Thanks. Karen 