I currently get migraines every now and it seems like they are increasing. I was finding reasons why I would get them, but now some of them I can't prevent. My mom and a few other people in the family get them too. I'm a college student and end up getting migraines on the worst days possible when I have a lot to do and can't function and end up laying on the ground for hours doing nothing. My over the counter medicines aren't working anymore.. they usually help a little bit at least. Last night I couldn't sleep and was throwing up from my migraine and had 2 tests today... really wish I could have stayed home to try to rest! Luckily it's gotten better after throwing up.. but I still feel horrible.

I was going to ask if any of you have any migraine medications you recommend.. I don't think I need something to take regularly, but something that will help them go away if I do get one. I get a migraine on the first day of my period EVERY month now and then random ones. I know my mom takes a medication so I'll have to ask her about that.. but I just wanted to get some opinions! Thanks!

I posted this on another thread titled migranes and extreame vomiting:

I get migranes quite frequently and unfortunatly the only thing that helps me (the medication doesnt even help me) I have to sleep. I have to put myself in a dark room, and if it is not dark enough I cover my eyes. I also get a cold cloth and put on my forhead or back of the neck or i fill a bag with ice and put it on the part of my head that hurts the worse. The cold seems to help with the pain. Sometimes I might even take a small amount of sleep aid to make sure that I stay asleep cause if I even wake up in the slightest I am running to the restroom to vomit and then the pain hits again and it is hard to fall back asleep. Sometimes 2-3 hours sleep with cure it...and sometimes after an 8 hour night I wake up and I still ache but it is not as intense and I can take an over the counter med and that helps get me through the rest of the day. Either way, I remain queezy long after the migraine is gone.

I hope that this helps!






I also am a full time student and I have noticed that just like you they always come durring the worst time...midterms and such like that. I think that even though you cant always pin point what causes it...stress plays a major role as I am sure you know. I sometimes clench my jaw and dont even realize I am doing so, and next thing you know I have a migraine.
Good luck!

I get them bad too. OTCs never work. Most perscriptions dont either.
Ask your doctor for Phenegren for the vomiting it may help you, if you can keep it down. I am lucky & don't get sick with mine.

Hi, you should definitely ask your doctor about sumaptriptan. In Australia, the brand name is Imigran, but it might be different OS. Check it out on the web for a more comprehensive description of what it does, but basically, I take 50mg or 100mg (depending on severity) and the pain goes within two hours.

When i first started taking it, it would knock me out for an hour or so and i would wake up groggy but pain free. Now, my body is used to taking it and i can continue studying or working with only feeling a little drowsy before the pain just seems to evaporate. It's fantastic.

Be very careful of taking it too often. If you take more than a certian amount within a few days you will get reverse effects (ie. more headaches). Also, the stuff is really expense here.

Another thing, it comes in a tablet form or a nasal spray form for people who vomit. If you get really severe you can be injected with it in hospital.

Finally, I really recommend getting to a migraine/headache specialist and taking some preventative (ie. nightly) medication such as a beta-blocker - ask your doctor if you dont know what this is. If they are increasing, tackle it NOW before they get any worse - break the cycle.

All the best.

Unfortunately I just found out that with Cymbalta (which I take for anxiety and depression) can NOT be taken with migraine medications. What a bummer!! If they do get worse or anything I'll consider going off the Cymbalta though.. it's just really helped me out with my moods a lot. A few people have told me to give Exedrin Migraine a try since the medication is different than other brands such as Advil.. I'll try it and even if it helps a LITTLE bit, it's worth it to me. The vomiting was new to me.. usually I get nauseous but don't actually get sick.

Mrs. Wilson.. I might have to try the sleep aid idea. I know I definitely start to feel better with plenty of sleep, but I can't sleep at all with a migraine until it begins to feel better a little bit. It will just hurt too bad to even sleep! With a regular headache or a small migraine, I can always sleep though! I might have to try the sleep aid and see if it works for me.

You've probably considered and ruled out this, but just in case you haven't... do you know that a main side effect anti-depressants can be headaches?? Even if you had headaches before you started the Cymbalta there is a chance it has made them worse. Speak to your doctor about trialing a lower dose or weaning off them to try a different type... you never know, could be worth a shot. Whatever you do, dont go off the Cymbalta quickly, speak to your doctor.

You've probably considered and ruled out this, but just in case you haven't... do you know that a main side effect anti-depressants can be headaches?? Even if you had headaches before you started the Cymbalta there is a chance it has made them worse. Speak to your doctor about trialing a lower dose or weaning off them to try a different type... you never know, could be worth a shot. Whatever you do, dont go off the Cymbalta quickly, speak to your doctor.

I have also thought about it. I've only been on Cymbalta for about 2 months so it is a new thing for me but I've been getting migraines for years. I don't think they have gotten any worse.. but I was thinking about lowering my dosage on Cymbalta anyway.. so who knows.. maybe it'll help! Seems like my migraines are mostly sleep related or with my female cycle.

MI is a big part of my life. I am also, unfortunately, familiar with many of the main antidepressants. I have been taking Cymbalta for more than 6 months and have very positive results. It does take between 1 and 2 mo to find what kind of benifits or not that you will feel. Cymbalta has generally been contraindicated for MI patients because of potential overload of seratonin. Please search the web for "seratonin syndrome" and be familiar with the symtoms when taking antidepressants with MI medications.

More documented history seems to be in place for Topomax and Depakote to reduce the severity and frequency of MI.

TTFN

Do you get an aura first? I do, and if I take this combo during the period of time when I have blind spots, or a few minutes later during the aura, I can prevent the worst of the symptoms. This is what I take. If you need to be more alert, I would take the Dimetapp because though it does tend to cause drowsiness, it is not as marked as it is with Benadryl.

Take three Motrin, Aleve or Advil
Take two tablespoons of Dimetapp or one Benadryl
Take it all with a Coke, or something else with caffeine

It is like a miracle. I still get a headache, but it is bearable and I do not get the other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, etc. As I said though, I have to take it before the aura is over. If I miss that, its too late.

Good luck!

Nancy

I wouldn't recommend taking sleeping aids while you have a migraine. I have found that most sleep aids give me a headache the day after.

Cymbalta has a side effect of headaches. Perhaps you might want to try something else. See if there is anything you can take with a migraine rx too. I do not know much about antidepressants, so I will leave that one where it's at.

You say that you get the migraine with your period. Imitrex is more targeted to women who have that problem. Talk to your doctor about it and make sure you can take it with the medications you are already taking. If you dr is like mine, he gave me free samples until we found something that worked.

The one that has worked best for me is Maxalt mlt 10mg. It is a little tablet that dissolves under your tounge for quick absorbtion. Frova has worked well too, but I get slight visual hallucinations (trailing hands in light, something out of the corner of my eye) and VERY strange dreams.

One of the best things you can do is to figure out what exactly is triggering your migraine. It sounds like yours might be from your period. It is a long process but when you know it is much easier to manage the headaches.

:wave: