Migraine Meds Help - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

tUrRrRa · 04-24-2007, 08:10 AM

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!

Mrs.Wilson · 04-24-2007, 03:17 PM

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!

airforcewife04 · 04-24-2007, 09:30 PM

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.

upanddown80 · 04-25-2007, 12:22 AM

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.

tUrRrRa · 04-25-2007, 12:45 PM

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.