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Lulubel	Dec-06-00, 09:24 PM (CMT)
"What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
Hi All... Another question. I have been on tons of pain meds, abortives and preventatives. None with any amount of sucess. Some with very bad side effects, some with minor success, some without any change. So, I will give a list of what I have took over the years and what the results were. Midrin...Ok for tension headaches and if you can catch a migraine in the very beginning. Fironal/Firocet/Esgic Plus....Ok for tension headaches and it did relax my neck somewhat and stop the spasms. OK for actual migraines if you can catch it early enough. My Neuro will not prescribe it for some reason. Vicodin ES or HP...what I am taking now. Takes the edge off chronic pain, but if I am in a pounder, I have to take more than the recommended dosage. It does help me have somewhat a normal lifestyle and I am able to do more. Oxycodone...Long lasting hydrocodone. Didn't work for me. I had too much break thru pain and it didn't last the 8-12 hours they said it would. Flexeril....Yuck! No change Baclofen...Yuck! Made my stomach hurt. Soma....Works well to calm the neck spasms that can cause chronic daily headaches. I take it at night too, to help with spasms during the night and I am able to wake up "most" of the time without hurting unless I am in a "spasm cycle" Imitrix Injection...didn't work and gave me severe spasms in my neck and made my chest and shoulders tight and painful. Zomig...did the same. I don't like the feeling. I don't get much relief from either Zomig or Imitrex as the majority of my headaches are not migraines. I never seem to have any samples or RX around when I do have a full blown migraine. Inderal...didn't work to reduce the headaches and I was leary of the side effects since it is a beta blocker and messes with the heart. Elavil...Knocked my socks off, and I have a handicapped step daughter, not to mention 2 other kids, who need me during the night. So, I couldn't take it. Topamax...Worked somewhat, but caused eye and arm twitches once I got to the max dosage. I lost alot of weight too. A nice side effect, but it was because I physically couldn't eat. Unfortunatly I gained it back within a month of weaning myself off it. Prozac...Works GREAT for dealing with chronic pain and the depression it can cause. But I gained some weight from it after initially losing ALOT of weight when I first started it. Probably due to dealing with depression and not being able to eat, then coming out of the funk and being happy and active I continued to lose weight, then I hit 40 and became "fluffy" Deseryl...Put me to sleep and made me stupid. Botox Injections...Disaster for me! I am the only one around who had a severe allergic reaction. Trigger Point and Nerve Block Injections...work ony a short time for me, but they do break up the current cycle of spasms. There is probably more, but this is all I can remember now. I will probably remember more once I read your posts. Basically I am interested in the different types of meds (RX coctails)you have tried and whether I have tried it or need to. Maybe I am not taking the right combo to work. And there HAS to be something out there that will help me. Thanks again for any and all input you can give me. Your Friend! Lynda
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RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., Migraine_Girl, Dec-07-00, (1) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., Lulubel, Dec-07-00, (2) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., LTAYLOR, Dec-07-00, (3) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., LTAYLOR, Dec-07-00, (4) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., Gindar, Dec-08-00, (5) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., Wendybjammin, Dec-08-00, (7) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., llklumb, Jan-18-01, (33) Other Preventatives, Hallie, Dec-08-00, (6) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., Stardust, Dec-13-00, (8) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., RickB, Dec-14-00, (9) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., Lulubel, Dec-16-00, (14) For Lulubel, Hallie, Dec-17-00, (16) Please don't scream - study recomme..., gospelmidi, Dec-15-00, (10) RE: Please don't scream - study rec..., Lulubel, Dec-15-00, (11) Chiropractor?, Bahman, Dec-15-00, (12) RE: Chiropractor?, Lulubel, Dec-16-00, (13) RE: Chiropractor?, lindab, Dec-17-00, (15) RE: Great news about the nerve bloc..., Hallie, Dec-17-00, (17) RE: Great news about the nerve bloc..., Lulubel, Dec-20-00, (22) RE: Great news about the nerve bloc..., Hallie, Dec-22-00, (23) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., shart, Dec-18-00, (18) propranolol, penicaud, Dec-19-00, (19) RE: propranolol, shart, Dec-19-00, (20) RE: propranolol, gincal, Dec-19-00, (21) RE: propranolol, cathiejenkins, Dec-25-00, (24) Anyone else for a Pity Party????, Lulubel, Dec-27-00, (25) RE: Anyone else for a Pity Party???..., Hallie, Dec-29-00, (26) RE: Anyone else for a Pity Party???..., petey, Dec-31-00, (27) RE: Anyone else for a Pity Party???..., Lulubel, Jan-01-01, (28) RE: Anyone else for a Pity Party???..., Lulubel, Jan-01-01, (29) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., Lou888, Jan-02-01, (30) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., Lulubel, Jan-02-01, (31) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., Lulubel, Jan-18-01, (32) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., dixie, Jan-19-01, (35) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., MICHELLE, Jan-19-01, (34) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., micagain, Jan-19-01, (36) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., RickB, Jan-24-01, (37) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., Lulubel, Jan-24-01, (38) RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do T..., Lulubel, Jan-24-01, (39)

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Migraine_Girl	Dec-07-00, 01:52 AM (CMT)
1. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
HI THERE!! Just to answer your question.. I am currently on the Topamax for prevention. I am not experiencing any side effects except the weight loss. When I DO get the headaches (USUALLY around my period) my regular doctor has me taking a Talwin and OxyContin regimen. The OxyContin doesn't work alone for me. I have to take the Talwin with it, and it usually does the trick.. MOST OF THE TIME. I have had almost EVERYTHING you have had. The anti-depressants just made me feel like a zombie all of the time, and the Desryel ADDED to the headaches, so she took me off of it right away. When I first started my period and got the migraines, I was first put on Midrin.. It worked for a couple of years, and then it stopped working. Then it was up to Tylenol 3's. Then THOSE stopped working. Then we did the antidepressants and beta blockers. All the beta blockers did was lower my blood pressure and give me bad dreams. So, at age 26 I am on the Talwin/OxyContin. I had also used Stadol for a while, then my neurologist scared the living hell out of me and told me how addictive it was and yadda yadda, so I requested to be taken off of it. The Stadol worked SOOO FAST, and took the pain away RIGHT AWAY, but I got severe nausea and vomiting if I just so as moved. So now when the OxyContin and Talwin don't work, and I have to go to the ER, I am given "NuBain" injections, which work great.. Only if I have Phenergan or Vistrol with it. I hope this helps.. The only thing I saw missing was the Stadol on your list.. Unless I overlooked it. Maybe you should try that!! Hope you are pain free!! Migraine_Girl.
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	Lulubel	Dec-07-00, 08:35 AM (CMT)
	2. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	G'Morning Migraine Girl! Thanks for your response to my post and for being candid. I was afraid this might not be an appropriate subject to discuss online. I have never tried Stadol. Yet....I am going to check with my insurance. They are a disaster when it comes to prescription coverage. I can get LARGE quantities of pain meds, etc. but I can't get the newer RX's. As for your Talwin/Oxycontin combo. Wow! That will knock your socks off, won't it? But then, isn't that what we need? Instant pain relief and some sleep when those pounders kick in. I know I do. What is the difference between Oxy"contin" and Oxy"codone"? I forgot to add Ultram too. My insurnace wouldn't cover it, but I got some samples to try. I pretty much will try anything once to see if it is a "lifesaver" It didn't work for me at the lower dosages. Well, it did a bit, took the edge off temporarily, but didn't get rid of any pain and I still had break thru pain within an hour or so. Like I do on the Vicodin/Soma/Prozac regime I take. I have heard of some bad things regarding Ultram though. But my Neuro said it was OK, just my insurance won't cover it. I have also heard Stadol will cause nausea and vomiting. I think it has to do with the nasal drainage into your stomach? Did your Dr. prescribe an anti-nausea med? I have an RX for some pill that I was supposed to take prior to trying the Migrainal inhaler. It starts with a "R", but alot of times I just take a couple Dramamine, since we always have it on hand. And it's cheaper if you get the generic brand. I have also read about an addiction quality to Stadol NS. I guess if you are using it to stop pain as opposed to getting high, there shouldn't be a problem. I believe I have read that only 1% of true pain sufferers can become addicted to pain meds. But I also think there will be some dependance, not addiction, that can build up from years of chronic pain and pain med use. Thanks again for your input. I look forwards to reading more from you and others. Lynda
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	LTAYLOR	Dec-07-00, 01:05 PM (CMT)
	3. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	I could not tolerate the inderal - I did not sleep for a week and got more migraines from lack of sleep. Demerol and Phenergan injections work for the 10+ and I have tried the pill form so I would not have to go the the E.R. but they did not work and even with anti-nausea meds I was very sick - now I use dilaudid & phenergan suppositories and it works for all except the really bad one at the end of my cycle - even the injections barely touch that. During my period when I have a constant headache I use vicoprofen (ibuprofen & vicodin) and that seems to work well. I do see a pain management doc who is wonderful and as long as I don't abuse the drugs I think this will help me through what I hope is just hormonal phases. My mom "outgrew" them. I think for your chronic pain you need to check with your doc or a pain manag
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	LTAYLOR	Dec-07-00, 01:05 PM (CMT)
	4. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	I could not tolerate the inderal - I did not sleep for a week and got more migraines from lack of sleep. Demerol and Phenergan injections work for the 10+ and I have tried the pill form so I would not have to go the the E.R. but they did not work and even with anti-nausea meds I was very sick - now I use dilaudid & phenergan suppositories and it works for all except the really bad one at the end of my cycle - even the injections barely touch that. During my period when I have a constant headache I use vicoprofen (ibuprofen & vicodin) and that seems to work well. I do see a pain management doc who is wonderful and as long as I don't abuse the drugs I think this will help me through what I hope is just hormonal phases. My mom "outgrew" them. I think for your chronic pain you need to check with your doc or a pain managment doc about some of the time release narcotics - they seem to improve the quality of life of chronic pain sufferers without keeping them dopey. You need to be pain free and alert to take care of your family.
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Gindar	Dec-08-00, 09:05 AM (CMT)
5. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
Hi, I just started taking Viox (arthritus drug) and Zoloft (anxiety) 5 weeks ago. The first 4 weeks were amazing. Before I was having daily headaches and a really bad one about 2 days a week. I have not had one really bad one (an 8 or 9) since I've been taking this. I,ve had 2 med.(5 or 6) size ones. And I actually have a few days a week when I have NO headache. Only side affects are: not much of an appetite (I am usually ALWAYS eating) and if I lay around I get tired, but if I keep busy, I don't notice it. This past week I had more daily headaches, but that's probably from missing my BC pill for 3 days and we had a young co-worker pass away unexpectedly. Everyone's different, so I don't know if this will work for you, but Good Luck!
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	Wendybjammin	Dec-08-00, 09:30 PM (CMT)
	7. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	Lulubel, sorry to hear that zomig doesn't work for you, your right it will only work on specific type headache(classic migraine) I would encourage you to give it another try if you're having a definite migraine and you know that's what it is I've taken it so long(1 year) the tightness side effect has disappeared however for the past 2 weeks I get awaken every morning at 2am with a headache of some type and the only thing that works on it is the zomig so it might even be a rebound effect. I am finding this sight very helpful in gathering information for my doctor's appt. next week with a new doc I have never met,I will share anything good that comes out of it(hopefully good)thanks for being there and take care
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	llklumb	Jan-18-01, 10:14 AM (CMT)
	33. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	Sounds like you have the same reaction to the Triptans that I do. Do you have a history of heart disease in your family or do you have high blood pressure. I had reactions to Imitrex and Maxalt and was told not to try again. Please be careful with the triptans and advise your doctor of your reactions. I ended up in the emergency with chest pains after taking each of the triptans. Thought I was having a heart attack, very scary. Proceed with caution.
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Hallie	Dec-08-00, 09:19 PM (CMT)
6. "Other Preventatives"
Hi Lynda, I don't see Verapamil on your list. This is supposed to be a good preventative. Have you tried this one? Or Zoloft? Another good one. Hallie
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Stardust	Dec-13-00, 06:50 PM (CMT)
8. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
I have tried Fiorinal, Percocet, oxycodone, hydrocodone, Inderal, Imitrex, Tylenol with codiene, Maxalt, Prozac, Demerol. I am now taking the Tylenol 3 and Imitrex and it works well but not always. But the other narcotics didn't always help. Sometimes I feel like when the pain is really bad there is nothing on this earth that helps. I gave up on trips to ER because the Demerol didn't help. I've had a bad mig taking Percocet. I don't know if there is anything that knocks out all the pain all the time for all people. That would be a nice Christmas present for the world.
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RickB	Dec-14-00, 09:44 AM (CMT)
9. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
I am trying to also make a list of medications that work and don't work. From what I can tell so far you have listed... fironal, firocet, esgic, vicdoin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, flexeril, baclofen, imitrex, zomig, inderal, elavil, topamax, botox, tylenol 3 & 4, talwin, oxycotin, nubain, stadol, demoral, phenergan, percocet, maxalt, comazine iv, toradol, thorazine iv, morphine This is some list if I have missed any please add to the list with any comments you might have. Thanks. Stay pain free Rick
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	Lulubel	Dec-16-00, 08:53 AM (CMT)
	14. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	Hi Rick, There are alot in your list I haven't tried. My insurance is the pits when it comes to the newer more expensive drugs. I have been denied RX's like Ultram because of dollar amount. But I can get massive amounts of hydrocodone, Somas, etc. every months. Seems like they rather treat the symptoms and add to the dependance, than try to find something that just might work. I also didn't mention that I suffer from severe insomnia that of course adds to the headaches. I don't think there is anything that will get rid of exhaustion headaches. So, finally my Neuro gave me the "scary" Klonopin. It didn't work the first night and I only got about 5 hours of "broken" sleep. But last night I slept 8 hours with only waking up once. Almost unheard of for me. I felt great this morning, with only a dull headache and stiff neck. I think I slept too hard, but I wasn't groggy and only had took half the dose recommended. I've done some research on Klonopin, and while it is highly addictive, I think if I use it only when I have insomnia and try to keep it at the minimum dosage, I will be ok and shouldn't have a problem. I don't know if anyone else suffers from insomnia and had tried it for the sedative purposes. It's a sedative for epilepsy. But I would welcome any stories or info on this drug. Thanks everyone for adding to this post. I get so much info from your messages. I also hope it helps others too. Merry Christmas! Lynda
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	Hallie	Dec-17-00, 10:47 PM (CMT)
	16. "For Lulubel"
	About your insomnia--5-htp is also recommended for that problem (as well as the weight loss and chronic pain stuff). Just wanted to pass that along to you. Hallie
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gospelmidi	Dec-15-00, 09:41 AM (CMT)
10. "Please don't scream - study recommends Tylenol for mild migraines"
http://www.healthscout.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Af?ap=55&id=106434 Of course, these "medical studies" are often sponsored by the med manufacturer. There may be other unreported studies that found the opposite result.
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	Lulubel	Dec-15-00, 10:43 PM (CMT)
	11. "RE: Please don't scream - study recommends Tylenol for mild migraines"
	Yikes! I AM Screaming!!!! Tylenol doesn't do a thing for me. Never really did. Once Advil came out, that worked for awhile. Especially with injuries. Or soft tissue damage...sprains, etc. I still add Advil when my neck is messed up for the anti inflammatory benefits. Unfortunatly, I do have nerve damage in my neck that causes alot of my headaches. Tylenol doesn't touch that pain. Wish it was as easy as popping 1000mgs of Tylenol. But I passed that level 20 years ago. Thanks anyway for passing on the web page (I did read it) Hopefully it might benefit someone else who has just started suffering from migraines. Lynda
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	Bahman	Dec-15-00, 10:58 PM (CMT)
	12. "Chiropractor?"
	Now that you mention neck problems, have you seen a chiropractor? It may be helpful.
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	Lulubel	Dec-16-00, 08:45 AM (CMT)
	13. "RE: Chiropractor?"
	Yeppers! I have had numerous "pops" over the years. I am beginning to wonder if it didn't cause more problems. It felt wonderful after it was done and released alot of tension in my neck and back, but never lasted. The P.T. guy said when you have an adjustment, it stretches out your muscles abruptly and in turn can cause spasms. I don't know. It's pretty much trial and error for me. I did have nerve blocks and trigger point injections on Thursday in my temples and in the corner of my eyebrow towards my eye sockets. I have never had such burning pain!!!!!!!! :p BUT....It worked! It's finally the one thing I have tried that worked. I have only the minimum soreness and bruising (can cover with makeup) but the brutal stabbing, burning pain I have had for 2 weeks is basically gone. I still have a dull headache, but not too bad and I am able to "exist" somewhat normally again. I managed to go 7 hours yesterday without pain meds and do some major Christmas shopping, compared to being in bed most of the last 2 weeks and barely doing the minimum around the house and caring for the kids. Something I haven't been able to do in literally a year. I am very thrilled with this. If I continue to have success with this, my next step it to freeze/burn the nerves in my neck, forehead and temples. Sounds painful and gross, but after over a year of constant brutal pain and massive meds, I'm willing to try anything once. Best of Luck and Merry Christmas! Lynda
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	lindab	Dec-17-00, 09:34 PM (CMT)
	15. "RE: Chiropractor?"
	Regarding the list of meds...I am currently on Colonodine daily and Wellbutrin, fiorional or vicodin for breakthru - and daily (yep daily) amerge. I want to stop the amerge because it - like everything else works for a while - then stops - and it is massively expensive. I have been on: Pamelor (+ 30 lbs - no help), inderal - no help; sansert, permanent nerve damage in fingers and toes; imitrex - probably the best for quick abortive - but usually works 50%of the time, and lasts about 4 hours; maxalt - immediate rebound; zomig - no help; amerge - the best of the class for me - but bad rebounds; prozac, so so; zoloft, so so; all with negative libido stuff; stadol - took me to planet X - came down about 5 hours later - can't do that with a small child! oxycontin - short and long acting - might as well take asprin; injectable DHE - worked for a couple of weeks - stopped working and horrible to get off - wellbutrin, no help - hard to stop; the best med ever for me was depakote - which worked for two years - almost a normal person - then stopped after the birth of my daughter...which reminds me - I tried hormones - holy cow! that was a roller coster that did not work - and gave me awful hormone migraines. Tried accupuncture, chiro., massage, bio-feedback, braces, glasses, divorce, non of which helped. I also had two surgeries 'spheno palantine ganglinoectomy" which worked like magic for two of my friends - and had no effect on me. Demarol does not work....hummmm I am sure there are more.... Linda
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	Hallie	Dec-17-00, 10:50 PM (CMT)
	17. "RE: Great news about the nerve blocks!"
	I just read your post about the success you had with the new treatment. I am so happy for you to be getting some relief from that brutal pain. Hallelujah!!!! Hallie
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	Lulubel	Dec-20-00, 06:51 AM (CMT)
	22. "RE: Great news about the nerve blocks!"
	Hi Hallie, Knock on wood....I finally found something that might work. Painful though it is. In the week since I had the forehead and temple injections, I have only had ONE bad day that I had to spend in bed. Threw a wrench into the Christmas shopping, but then who needs to be at the mall on a Sunday On a daily basis....I still have pain in the temple areas and behind my eyes, but it's not the ripping, hot poker variety. I am going to get some "booster" injections Thursday afternoon to carry me thru the beginning of the new year. My DR will be out of town. I am absoultly thrilled to have been able to have had a somewhat normal (for me) week to where I was able to do what needed to be done. Now if only the "house fairies" would show up and give me a hand Merry Christmas! Lynda
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	Hallie	Dec-22-00, 01:17 PM (CMT)
	23. "RE: Great news about the nerve blocks!"
	HI Lynda, I was soo happy to read your post. This is just the best news. If God can do this for you, I pray he will do it for me. We must each just keep trying everything to find out what will work for us. Blessed Christmas to you and everyone on this list. Hallie
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shart	Dec-18-00, 03:36 PM (CMT)
18. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-00 AT 03:41 PM (CMT) I can sympathize with you. I feel like there are no meds left that I haven't taken, with pretty lame results. It's very interesting to read other lists and see meds that I have taken and how differently they affect others. So far: Imitrex: No. 1 on my list because it is my only lifesaver so far. No discernable side effects except a small bit of drowsiness after the headche is gone. Doesn't work with sinus or neck pain migraines. Hydrocodone: Also has been a lifesaver. Sometimes takes the edge off, sometimes just makes me stupid (and still in pain, not a great combo!) Little concerned about how much I need to take. Soma: helps with neck pain sometimes relaxes the muscels enough so that a migraine won't form. sometimes not. prozac: ok didn't really feel anything, not great for the sex life inderal: worked for a while, then really messed with my mood fiorinal: can't remember ( must not have been that great) depakote: horrible, weight gain didn't work, hated it elavil: also horrible, weight gain, made me feel like crap all the time, didn't help the headaches, really hated it celexa: didn't really work, also bad for the sex life can't think of any more at the moment, still looking for my wonder drug! Suzanne Just thought of: migrainal(nasal spray): didn't work, tastes horrible Imitrex nasal spray: not as good as pills, tastes bad Zomig: didn't work at all Imitrex injections: works great for the killer ones i have to bee very still for it to work (?) some chest tightness that's kind of scary but doesn't last too long
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penicaud	Dec-19-00, 06:44 PM (CMT)
19. "propranolol"
Hi everyone, It's been a while. Hope everyone's doing okay (as well as can be expected anyhow) Noone has metioned propranolol and zoloft as a combo preventative yet. I take them both as well as mircette (step-up birth control pills) and have had pretty good results so far. Has anyone tried propranolol? I am taking low doses and have had a little chest tightening but nothing much. My sex drive is at an all time low though. Could this be the zoloft? I'd love to hear anyones thoughts *Sharron*
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	shart	Dec-19-00, 07:25 PM (CMT)
	20. "RE: propranolol"
	i've tried propranolol, it's been so long and there have been so many, i can't really remember the specifics, but i think it was ok. definitely no major side effects. i never tried zoloft. my doc gave me mircette to try for menstrual migraines, but i was scared to try birth control pils in case they hurt more than they helped. do you take them for migraine prevention? how do they work? any side effects? i'm really curious about it. i still have them but i'm too chicken to start them. Suzanne
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	gincal	Dec-19-00, 07:28 PM (CMT)
	21. "RE: propranolol"
	I am taking both propranolol and Zoloft. The funny thing is I am not taking either for migraine prevention.... the propranolol is for my high blood pressure and the zoloft is for depression, both prescribed by my family doctor, not my neurologist. So far, knock on wood, it has been over 3 weeks since I've had to go to the ER and get a shot! That is great for me as I had been going at least weekly! We'll see if this continues. Hopefully it will... I have no side effects so far from either med. I am leary of starting any other preventative since I had such bad luck with topamax.
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	cathiejenkins	Dec-25-00, 03:18 PM (CMT)
	24. "RE: propranolol"
	Ive found exactly the same thing withp propranolol plus Zoloft nether prescrbed for migraine. Amazing luck! NB problem is you can't take Imigran (is that Imitrex in US?) or any of the other triptan drugs if you're on an SSRI anti-depressant, which s a shame as I found that often worked for me. Happy Christmas!
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	Lulubel	Dec-27-00, 01:52 PM (CMT)
	25. "Anyone else for a Pity Party????"
	Well, guys, I am having such a pity party today, it's not even funny anymore. I don't know if it's the let down of Christmas or the dreaded hormonal thingy. I'm not pregnant,(husband had the big "V") but I'm very late. I feel like I am in perpetual PMS and will never climb out. I have cried, begged the on call doctor for something for hormonal headaches, eaten a ton of chocolate, (probably caused addition headache pain, but I couldn't help myself ), ditched the kids at some friends house, my kitchen is a disaster and I just found the turkey pan sitting in the garage all gunked up...i don't have a clue as to who put it there??? Cried all over my friends shoulder who is just had a baby and is still in the baby blues herself. Doctor finally called in some Fironal since I haven't been on it in a year or so, and the Vicodin just wasn't working today. I guess a nap is in order. I just can't think of anything else worth doing. I hate PMS!!!! I usually have my annual the beginning of the year...along with the dreaded mamogram, so....has anyone tried hormone therapy for headaches? The last couple days have got to be hormonanl headaches as nothing will touch it. Even massive amounts of Vicodin. I'm only, almost,41 so I believe I'm in perimenopausal. I jsut can't imagine 10+ years of this. I think I might go crazy instead. Any info on Hormonal Therapy would be appreciated. Along with a swift kick upside the head just for general purposes???!!! Hope all is well with everyone else! Lynda
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	Hallie	Dec-29-00, 08:56 AM (CMT)
	26. "RE: Anyone else for a Pity Party????"
	Hi Lynda, So sorry to read your post and see how you are suffering with a dreaded menstrual migraine. They are truly the worst! But, I have found that making a few dietary changes really made my "less worse". First, cut out or cut down caffeine intake. I can handle one cup a day--and maybe some green tea but no more. And then, sad to say, NO CHOCOLATE. Most of us crave it at that time of the month, but it just exacerbates the migs big time. You might try the 5-htp. It helps with depression and really reduces cravings for carbs and sweets. Just a thought....Hope you feel better today. (Although I am not sure if you can combine it with prozac)..your doctor should know. Hallie
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	petey	Dec-31-00, 10:31 AM (CMT)
	27. "RE: Anyone else for a Pity Party????"
	I feel the need to join the "pity party" today. I am turning 40 next month and suffer horrible hormonal migraines. Imitrex usually takes the edge off the pain but for only a few hours. Then the rebound kicks in. And when the average killer migraine lasts for three days, I go through Imitrex quite quickly. I have been on other meds in the past. I use to take Inderol(prescribed by a neurologist) as a preventive and it really helped me. But my regular doctor pulled me off it because I have asthma. Inderol apparently can't be taken by asthmatics. I found that fioricet works on the minor headaches but not on the major ones. Any time I wake up with a migraine on the left side of my head, I am doomed to suffer for 72 hours. Last night, I sat up, writhing in pain. The imitrex didn't even touch it. I have never felt so sorry for myself. There was no way out. I'm doing better today but now I just feel beaten down. I dread menapause. My headaches get worse with age and I'm feeling pretty hopeless. My family can't relate to my pain and I am pretty tired of me with my pain too. Anyone else out there experience this sense of hopelessness? Sometimes I feel so cheated out of a quality life because of this.
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	Lulubel	Jan-01-01, 07:51 AM (CMT)
	28. "RE: Anyone else for a Pity Party????"
	LAST EDITED ON Jan-01-01 AT 08:03 AM (CMT) Hi Petey! Happy 2001 to you and your family. I am sorry to hear you had a "pity party" too. It's such the pits!! And it makes your feel rotten! I am usually pretty good about not feeling sorry for myself (Prozac) but for some reason this one broke thru. What a miserble day!! But...it did go away, as I know yours will too. Now I am looking at a new year, and plan on working on myself and my life. I am tired of the "old" me. It's time to get a grip on my life and my pain. I have an appointment with the Neuro tomorrow (Tuesday) and plan on requesting tests to get answers. This is getting old real fast. Not to mention the OBGYN to find out if I am having a hormonal imbalance. I really do think perimenepause is kicking in early. I have gone over a year now with pain meds, injections, Physical Therapy (which I hate!)etc., blah, blah, yadda, yadda. And only feel worse instead of better. To make things worse, I had a DATE with my husband on Thursday (ditched the kids, locked up the dog and guess what happened???????? I tripped over some cushions the kids left on the floor and busted my pootie. I'm lucky I didn't bust my teeth out. Now my neck and shoulders are messed up really bad, along with my lower back. I sprained both my wrists, (but not too bad as long as i don't pick anything up) and felt every muscle I "never" use or thought I had, until this morning. The muscle soreness is finally starting to go away even though the rest of me is still painful. Sometimes I think I have this little black cloud hanging over my head. HA! Don't we all feel like that sometimes ? Email me sometime....Lulubel2@aol.com Also, for those people who I reguarly chatted with..I crashed my computer a few days ago and lost everything including my address book. Please email me so I can get your email address again. Hope YOU and everyone else has a wonderful 2001!! I plan on trying to...... Your Friend! Lynda "I FOUND IT" YEAH!!!!
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	Lulubel	Jan-01-01, 07:59 AM (CMT)
	29. "RE: Anyone else for a Pity Party????"
	Petey! I had a longg message for you, but lost it. I crashed my computer and don't know why it didn't accept my post? It might be here floating around somewhere... I hope you are doing better. Email me...Lulubel2@aol.com Happy 2001 to YOU!!!!! Your Friend! Lynda
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Lou888	Jan-02-01, 01:00 AM (CMT)
30. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
I might suggest trying Maxalt. I've had a form of migraines for about a dozen years now and this medication really did the trick for me. Still get a bad migraine once in a while, but it helps knowing I can get rid of it.
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	Lulubel	Jan-02-01, 08:44 AM (CMT)
	31. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	G'Morning Lou, I have tried Maxalt. I know many who have had sucess with it. But the majority of my "bad" headaches are headaches/pain due to nerve damage and neck injuries. My "true" migraines are the just here and there kind. But I suffer from untreated whiplash that has damaged the nerves in my neck, shoulders and head. I seem to get the most relief when I get nerve blocks. Which is why I am considering they cryo-something or the radio-somthing this year. It's a procedure to deaden the nerves in my neck and head so I don't feel pain, just numbness. Which is basically what the Nerve Blocks do, but they only for a short time. I can exist with numbness instead of a constant stabbing pain in my temples and eyes which is where the pain has located itself in the last several weeks. My neck is also a disaster, but I had deep nerve blocks a couple weeks ago and they seem to help my neck. I also have started P.T. (which I hate) So, I have migraine "intensity" headaches all the time. But not true migraines but once or twice a month. There I am the lucky one here, that my true migraines are sporatic. I can tell the difference, since my migraines for the last year, are in between my eyes on the bridge of my nose. The rest of my pain is always located in my temples and behind my eyes and behind my head where your neck and skull meet up. I have tried the triptans several times over the years but I get only the minimum of relief along with an increase of chest, neck and shoulder tightness and a difficultly in breathing. So, I usually stay away from them. That is why the usual preventatives and abortives don't work for me. Only something like injections to break the current headache/pain cycle. When I do have a true migraine...A dark, quiet room, and a double dose of meds usually get me thru the worst of it. Then I have several days of the bruised brain syndrome. That is what really is the pits. Feels like I have banged my head up against a brick wall for days. Well, as usual I have rambled on and on. I usually am online in the AM with a couple cups of coffee. Methinks the caffiene has kicked in I wish you a painfree 2001, Lou. Your Friend, Lynda
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	Lulubel	Jan-18-01, 09:29 AM (CMT)
	32. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	Hi Again, I'm bumping this up to the front. It has gotten lost on page 3 I just wanted to see if anyone else had anymore input on meds. I have an appt. today. I have had 3 10's in the past week. And am working on one now. I finally broke down (i wanted to see the Neruo while i was having a pounder) and took a bunch of stuff. I couldn't take it anymore. I feel a bit better, but still am in the 8 range. Enough to where I am pretty miserable. Anyway, I am hopeing to get some more info before I go to my appt today. Please post, if you have something worth trying. I have already made a list of the meds I haven't tried yet. Another question....what do you take for breakthru pain? I can take a Vicodin or two and lay down. If I nap, I almost will always wake up with another headache, even though I will have only slept less than an hour. Then I am forced to take more. This has caused my tolerance to really build up over the last year or so. I am never without pain..... Your tired and in pain friend, Lynda
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	dixie	Jan-19-01, 11:59 AM (CMT)
	35. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	Lynda- For breakthrough pain, I take demerol & phenegran.For the pounders, I take 100 mg of demerol & 25 mg of phenegran & try to sleep.Every 4 hrs (okay,sometimes 3 if I can't make it 'til 4)I pop another 100 mg of demerol go back to sleep. I continue like this for the duration of the migraine.(1-4 days) I also use Imitrex to abort,with mixed results. Sometimes it nips the migraine in the bud, sometimes it's as if I took nothing. I'm not on any preventatives right now...I have been on some in the past. I see my doctor today-he'll probably want to try a new preventative. So here I go again...I'll post again after the visit....Julie
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MICHELLE	Jan-19-01, 01:01 AM (CMT)
34. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
HI LYNDA,THANKS FOR THE REPLY YOU SENT ME and i was reading your ad and i myself have been on alot of meds.myself the midrin,fironal w/codeine,firocet,vicodin, imitrex injections,zomig,elavil,deseryl many more...the deseryl i'm taking know because,of my insomnia having problems falling asleep,it makes me drowsy cause the high dos.and vicodin yes is the only thing that i can say that did help but i had to take more than what i was told and know they won't give me that.imitrex injections and pills that i took made me feel so bad like when i did it felt like my head was on fire and then still i had the migraine to it didn't stop it so i told my doc i can't take these things if it's gonna make feel like this so i stopped the doc did want me to continue but i didn't i have to say that the prozac doesn't help me at all i take that daily for my depression very high dosage but know the doc has me on a med. called amerge for the migraines which is the some what the same as imitrex i don't understand why he would do that and i have the same reaction as i do in imitrex so i don't take it i just take the fironal w/ codeine hoping for some kind of relief or i have no choice but to go to the e.r. i hate that the way they treat you.but on this month jan.24th i'm going to a new neuro.hoping for something new to happen anything so far as taking away the pain because, going thru so much of this pain i don't have a life at all i have to stay at home in bed most of the time to sick to hold down a job or anything but i do need a break thru we all do i'm happy i found this i've only been on for maybe a week and i am enjoying the support reading and writing let's me know that i'm not in this alone like i thought,i will update after i have my visit and to let you'll know what going on and how things are and yes i do live here in jacksonville,fl.and it was nice to hereing from you i thank u for it i have to say lynda sorry it's such a long message!! god bless take care and i will keep you in my pray you and your family!! keep in touch! sincerely, ~michelle~
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micagain	Jan-19-01, 12:51 PM (CMT)
36. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
About 12 years ago, when my headaches were much more violent and chronic than they are now, the anesthesiologist in the pain clinic I was seeing (and he did a much better job than any neurologist I've ever seen) prescribed the following combination: Ansaid (an anti-inflamitory) and desipramine (an anti-depresant in very small doses) I went from having a daily headache and taking 12 to 13 Midrin a day plus Tylenol or ibuprofen to having headaches once or twice a week. It knocked out that constant background headache that I had never been able to rid myself of. Headaches once or twice a week may still seem like a lot but that was a vast improvement from what they were before. And there were some weeks I would actually go without a headache. When I would see other doctors and have to list medications that I was taking (you know, just as standard doctor procedure) I would list these two medicines. Each and every doctor I saw afterwards would look at those meds and ask me what I was taking them for. I would tell them that they were to prevent migraines and they would all ask somewhat dubiously: "and that works? I've never heard of that combination before being used for migraine prevention." I gained a bit of weight with this combination but I looked at it as quite an acceptable trade-off for having my life back. I didn't go off these preventatives until I started trying to get pregnant. And wouldn't you know, when I went off birth control at the same time, my headaches improved enough not to go back on the preventatives. Although my head has been worse lately and I'm considering going back on my preventatives. I know everybody responds to meds differently, but apparently this is an odd combination not frequently used and it did work great for me. You might want to just check into it. Good luck.
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	RickB	Jan-24-01, 03:12 PM (CMT)
	37. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	I need you help. Has anyone heard of has been teated with Thorazine IM? My neuro want to try it. I don't think this is a good thing do you? Rick
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	Lulubel	Jan-24-01, 09:00 PM (CMT)
	38. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	Hi Rick, I don't like the sound of using Thorzine. From what I understand it's a heavy duty anti-psychotic drug used to treat phycosis <--sp? But I could be wrong. I would suggest checking it out first with a good search engine. Not to mention talking to another doctor and getting a 2nd opionion. Maybe a 3rd. Sounds too scary to me. You can try http://www.rxlist.com and check it out. I also use http://www.megacrawler.com as a search engine. It hits many other search engines like Altavista and Goggle. Your Friend! Lynda
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	Lulubel	Jan-24-01, 09:00 PM (CMT)
	39. "RE: What Meds Have You Tried & Do They Work?"
	LAST EDITED ON Jan-25-01 AT 06:41 AM (CMT) Sorry....double post
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