kat721

Posted>>Originally posted by nova3:
They have enabled me to finish highschool, as well as persue any type of career.<<

Given the nature of the migraines described it was my assumption that communication might have been a bit fuzzy due to the migraines condition and the original post was refering to the problem of the migraines interfering with the normal process of life and function.
Would that be correct?
In a basilar migraine headache, there's an abnormal dilation of blood vessels in the brain, followed by a spasm of the blood vessel with a transient decrease in blood flow. That's the reason for the Basilar artery migraine. The basilar artery is located in the back of the head. It is connected to the part of the brain that includes the visual center and the cerebellum.
The source of these things are becoming better understood so I personally am looking forward to better treatments.
Having had some pretty bad migraines with the aura myself, it is beyond doubt that Migraines do indeed interfere with life in a big way.
It would be helpful to look backwards at each specific therapy or medication and go by reasonable deduction as to what does not work, while trying to figure out what might work.
The whole problem of migraines is so complex that
it is widely uncertain as to why the class of meds in the triptan category have so many variations that work on some people and not on others.Beyond the classification of migraine there are other complicated factors that seem to be individual. I think it's taking the pattern of the individual migraine into consideration that can be helpful in determining the right kind of relief. For me, the key came down to timing more than substance, although substance does play an important role too.
Here are some questions to ask about the possible medications.
Does one need a medication that affects the smooth muscles of the arteries in the brain, esophagus and coronary arteries? Or do they need a substance that works more on the brain and less on the coronary arteries. Or, what about the migraine patient that requires a longer lasting medication that can outlast the long slow profile of certain kinds of migraines.
Frovatriptan lasts for 26 hours. That's the longest acting one that I know of these days.
Is the need for an abortive migraine plan or a preventitive migraine plan.
I am currently being tried on one med with 3 different ways of administering dose and finally this current method seems to hold most promise. But it's been trial and error. I don't know if there's any other answer but to keep attacking the problem with opinions, new doctors and perserverance in the new medical breakthroughs of migraine therapy.
I think of all migraines that the basilar migraine is considered more a risk for strokes due to the nature of the decrease in the blood flow.
In addition to the triptans, blood pressure meds and blood thinners are sometimes given for preventative therapy. Sometimes there is a need to be a couple of different control meds.
I really hope you find some good answers soon. I know it is terribly frustrating.
Take care,
kat






[This message has been edited by kat721 (edited 03-15-2003).]