Need other options for migraine medications - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

Delia79 · 03-19-2009, 07:34 AM

I have been suffering from migraines since the age of 12...about 15 years now. I used to take Imitrex for them until I went to pick it up one time and they told me it would be $109.00 for 9 pills. I went to my doctor and she wanted to run various blood tests and a CT scan since I had never had one. All of the tests came back normal, although she thinks that the migraines are caused by hormones. So she gave a new medicine to try. Maxalt....I went to pick that up....6 pills for $112.00. I called back AGAIN and told them I couldn't afford that either. They tried again....Treximet....9 pills $110.00. They basically told me that all of the migraine medications are going to have high copays and that there are no generics. I can't afford to pay that for how quickly I go through this medicine. I have two small children at home to feed and I just can't fit that in. Does anyone have any other ideas on medicines that may be a little less costly? I just don't know what else to do. I can't live with migraines and no medication.....

Sundancespirit · 03-20-2009, 05:24 AM

Hi Delia79, I really feel for you and completely understand where you are coming from. I live in the UK and can get my prescription drugs on the NHS which is an absolute god send although people still complain about the cost! However I lived in the US for 3 years and didn't have medicare etc. When I went to get my Imigran (Imitrex) they told me it was $80 per tablet but the cost decreased with the amount I bought so if I bought 2 each would be $70 and 3 would be $60 each etc. I could not afford this but luckily my Mum managed to get me some on a repeat prescription in the UK and mailed them out to me.

My GP has recently suggested to me a low dosage of Amitriptyline which is an anti-depressant. I am very cautious about this due to the side effects and this is the reason I am on this website to try and find out more about it. If this is cheaper then you may want to consider it but please check it out first.

There are some natural remedies - which I must admit I have not tried. I am about to try Hypericum (concentrated St John's Wort) which does have some side effects so please check these out before trying. This have been used in Germany for depression and has been very effective so I thought I would give it a go for migraines!

There is also a device called TENS which you attach to your temples, I haven't tried it but I know it can be effective. I do not think it is cheap to buy but if it works then it is a one off cost.

I hope you find something affordable soon.

WSseattle · 03-21-2009, 11:29 AM

Delia79 , boy sounds like you have a rough time and I completely understand. I have suffered my migraines but when I was 7 months pregnant with my 2nd daughter they started coming every other day. My doc said is was hormones/high blood pressure/gest.diabetes. I spent the last 2 mos of my pregnancy in the hospital getting shots of Dilaudid and having 3 NST's a week. It's been almost a year and I still get them. So back to your question. There are hundreds of options. There are tons of prevetative medications, abortive meds, lifestyle changes etc. I would first suggest that if you haven't done so already; go to a headache Specialist or a Pain Management Dr. Yes, if you bad or no insurance the Migraine meds are very expensive. I had to stop getting the Imitrex Injections because they are so pricey. I am not sure what your Doc meant by there bing no generics because there is generic Imitrex but I think you quoted the generic price up above. At my pharmacy the Brand name Imitrex is $270.00 for 9 pills and the generic is 169.00 for 9 pills. So as far as cheaper meds I am not sure but at the very least your Dr may prescribe some Pain meds (narcotics) but maybe only for really miserable migraines. I take Imitrex but if it doesn't stop the migraine I take 12 mg's of Dilaudid which is much better then a trip to the ER for thousands of dollars. Eat lots of fruit, do yoga, no smoking, etc, you know all those things. the meds I have tried are Verapamil, Axert, caffergot, Prozac (when they thought it was hormonal) etc.

jenndeann · 03-24-2009, 10:23 PM

I know your pain, literally. I have suffered from migraines since I was 9 years old. I am not sure how much this costs because I go through Kaiser and they pay for the medication, but I use Relpax (40 mg) with Motrin (800 mg) and it takes about 1/2 hour to go away. Imitrex and maxalt didn't work for me. I have tried a lot of different medications. I have also tried botox which kinda worked too, but I found the best one has been Relpax. Although I would like to just not have the migraines at all.

-jenn

dolysods · 03-25-2009, 08:59 AM

the majority of my migraines are hormonal. Are you on any type of birth control pill? they can greatly reduce hormonal migraines. Keep a daily journal of how you feel (couple times a day), weather, what day in your cycle it is, foods etc. I see a naturopathic chiropractor. My progesterone is almost always too low.. i supplement that with progon b that i get from my chiro. You can order hormone saliva test kits online or your doctor/gyno can do blood tests.

good luck...