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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Interested on March 20, 2005, at 22:43:06
I've had severe migraines (2-4 per week) for years, and I've tried lots of preventatives. None have helped except Nortriptyline, but it causes weight gain. What has helped you with little side effects?
I take Relpax or Amerge for pain relief.
Thanks.
Posted by Dinah on March 23, 2005, at 5:28:24
In reply to What preventatives help migraine?, posted by Interested on March 20, 2005, at 22:43:06
My neurologist saved my sanity and ability to work with Frova.
But she's still not happy with the frequency of my migraines, or the fact that I can use my head as a barometer pretty accurately, so she's upping my depakote to 500 mg. I haven't actually noticed that depakote has decreased the frequency of the migraines at all.
Just that Frova decreases the length and severity of them, if taken promptly. If I wait too long, I'm out of luck.
And I consider myself fortunate because I don't get the intense kind that send me to the hospital. Well, maybe twice in my entire life - and those didn't last long enough to go to the hospital.
Do you have a specialist treating you? My internist prescribed all the wrong things.
Posted by Interested on March 24, 2005, at 8:20:45
In reply to Re: What preventatives help migraine? » Interested, posted by Dinah on March 23, 2005, at 5:28:24
Dinah, thanks for the information. Yes, I go to a neurologist who specializes in headaches. I've never heard of Frova. What is it? Is is a triptan? I take Amerge when I start getting a migraine, and like you, if I take it soon enough it will usually abort a headache.
What does Depakote do for you? At one time, I tried it, but it made me feel drugged and nauseated. Do you have side effects? Did you get over them in time?
I'd appreciate your feedback. Thanks. Barbara
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 31, 2005, at 14:50:58
In reply to What preventatives help migraine?, posted by Interested on March 20, 2005, at 22:43:06
I don't get migraines, but my best friend does. I recently told her about a study I read about (first reported in Neurology magazine, I think) that says 3mg melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime reduced headache frequency by up to 50 percent. Here's a link to one related article
http://preventdisease.com/news/articles/melatonin_may_prevent_migraines.shtml
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 31, 2005, at 15:17:14
In reply to Re: What preventatives help migraine?, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 31, 2005, at 14:50:58
Just realized I already suggested melatonin before.
Posted by Interested on April 1, 2005, at 6:45:33
In reply to Re: What preventatives help migraine?, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 31, 2005, at 14:50:58
Minnie, thank you. Yes, I take 9 mg. of melatonin every night, per my nuerologist. It doesn't cure them, but I'm hoping that it helps. I'm not sure, because I still have headaches quite frequently.
Thanks for the article.
Posted by Dinah on April 1, 2005, at 13:57:27
In reply to What preventatives help migraine?, posted by Interested on March 20, 2005, at 22:43:06
At 500 mg. As an added benefit, once I fall asleep I'm dead to the world. Not at all like my usual light sleeping with panicky bursts awake.
Of course, since those panicky bursts are partly caused by central sleep apnea, I sort of wonder what's going on with that. :)
Posted by Interested on April 2, 2005, at 12:29:22
In reply to Depakote seems to be working, posted by Dinah on April 1, 2005, at 13:57:27
Dinah, does Depakote cause weight gain? Or nausea? I tried it once, and I had a bit of trouble adjusting. Does it just take some time?
Thanks, Interested.
Posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:12:45
In reply to Re: Depakote seems to be working » Dinah, posted by Interested on April 2, 2005, at 12:29:22
From everything I've read, Depakote weight gain seems to be associatd with dosage amounts.
I took it for a few weeks but only at a low dose (250 mg's). I never really gave it enough time to help me but am considering trying it again becuase I suspect this Lamictal is making my anxiety worse.
Posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:15:39
In reply to Re: Depakote seems to be working, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:12:45
I wanted to caution you guys who are using Melatonin on a daily basis. I have read some reports that it's not exactly "safe" to use except short term basis. It's a hormone (and a potent one) and our bodies usually only give out around .5 mg's of melatonin so when we are taking upwards 1-3 mg's, sometimes it is not good in the long run.
My husband was taking it for a while and he started snoring and waking up gasping for air. His doctor told him it was related to the melatonin. He stopped taking it and sure enough, that stopped happening.
Just a little advice to be cautious.
Posted by Sarah T. on April 2, 2005, at 15:20:05
In reply to be careful with Melatonin, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:15:39
Hi Spriggy. That's very interesting and worrisome. I'm glad your husband got better when he stopped the melatonin. Can you tell me how much he was taking when he had that reaction?
Posted by Dinah on April 2, 2005, at 15:59:29
In reply to Re: Depakote seems to be working » Dinah, posted by Interested on April 2, 2005, at 12:29:22
Hard to say. I gained fifty pounds on Luvox, and haven't budged since then. Well, if I work really hard I can go down ten pounds or so, but then it's back to my new set point.
If I weren't already enormous from the Luvox, Depakote might have an effect.
I do notice I'm really groggy. It didn't happen right away, it took about a week or so. But I'm definitely groggy. Hopefully it will go away.
Groggy and headaches both interfere with productivity. I'd have to measure how much for each.
Posted by Interested on April 3, 2005, at 16:06:10
In reply to be careful with Melatonin, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:15:39
Spriggy, thanks for the input on melatonin. I've been taking 9 mgs every night for almost 4 months, and I don't see any bad side effects. Maybe one person's body needs more than another's. My neurologist recommended 9 mgs.
This is the end of the thread.
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