Unfortunately, I had to stop taking the Pamelor. I was having some side effects I could not tolerate...constipation, difficulty urinating, and I have already gained 5 pounds (and I SWEAR I have not eaten more than usual). I think it does something to your metabolism.

Anyhow, I have been researching the use of magnesium for migraines. Has anyone had any success with this? If so, how much? How does one know if they have a "magnesium deficiency"?

Jane

Jane
I take magnesium on a daily basis. Doesn't seem to make any difference on the migraines. But, it doesn't hurt either :)
R

Are you the one who told me that you take serzone for migraine prevention?

I used to take serzone, but now on Lipitor for high cholesterol and Dr. won't let me take both since they each can damage the liver. It worked great for me and I wish I could go back on it. Just found a new PCP and he is willing to try some other things like Depekote, but I'm not sure how I feel about that.
Hows the weather been treating you. I feel like a dishrag from all the snow bands and falling temps. :(
Later-R

The reason I ask is because I had to go off Pamelor and have noticed my daily headaches creeping back. I have to admit that serzone sounds better because it doesn't make you gain weight and doesn't effect your sex drive. All the tricyclics do (at least they do for me). I used to take Zoloft (I had post partum depression after the births of both of my children) and it really helped the depression, but I don't remember it helping my headaches much. I was also considering Wellbutrin. Do you know if that helps headaches at all??

The weather here hasn't been affecting me too much because the pamelor was kicking my headache's butt. It really worked. But the side effects could not be tolerated. I just quit it last night and sure enough, a headache today. We're supposed to get snow tomorrow.

Jane

Hi I am BiPolor and have been on most of the drugs that you mentioned and I have never found any to help with my headaches. I get alot of headaches but some I contribute to side affects from the drugs. But then again when I stop the meds I still seem to get headaches. Asprin and caffeine helps me the most. Fiorinal works great for headaches but can be addicting so I can't take them but they are for headaches and do work. It is an RX if you want to mention it to your dr.
Good luck to all headache sufferers!

I preferred serzone to anything I've been on before. Was on pamalor for years and gained lots of weight. Did not have very good luck with other antidepressants, they made me feel sick and some made me break out in hives. If your not on any other type med that messes with your liver ask Dr. or Nero. to try serzone, it seems to work for me, they may not want to try it due to the warning about liver damage.

I know we are getting snow in the next 24 hours. My head is driving me nuts. :( Doesn't hurt to much yet but can feel the pressure building behind eye.

R

There have been studies that show that women with migraines (men, too?) seem to be deficient in magnesium, and the dose is 400mg daily. The dose info I found out from another person on this board...and she heard (from a doc) that in combination with vitamin B2 (400mg), is supposed to help migraines, but takes about 6 months to work. This is what I heard from her post.

If you do an internet search you can find info on vitamin B deficiencies and magnesium deficiencies also. It can't really hurt to try this for migraines!

I take Vit. B6, magnesium, calcium, and Vit E daily. Still get headaches.