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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on June 8, 2006, at 12:26:51
A bunch in a row. They happen that way sometimes. Stress this time, I guess.
And this is the month the pharmacy only gave me six instead of the twelve described by my doctor, a neurologist specializing in headaches. She knew that sometimes I get them in groups and if I didn't have many per month, I'd hoard them and not take them when I needed them.
My insurance company said that they only authorized six per month (despite the fact I've had this prescription for two-three years) and that if I wanted more, the doctor would have to write permission.
Hello? Isn't that called a prescription?
My husband called them and fussed and got the full amount. :(
They also told the pharmacist I really should be on Imitrex instead of Frova.
Sheesh.
Posted by MidnightBlue on June 8, 2006, at 17:56:07
In reply to Migraines, posted by Dinah on June 8, 2006, at 12:26:51
Dinah,
I feel your pain...... I've been waking up with headaches this whole last week. I have a long, long history of severe migraines. They are much better now, but every now and then they rear their ugly head.
My insurance is pretty bad about limiting drugs, too. I don't have the energy to fight them.
Right now I'm trying to wean myself off tramadol (which was helping so much with my back and other arthritic pain--I was only taking one a day), because it was giving me severe hot flashes. So now I'm hurting, and flashing, and throbbing, and pouting because I'm not sleeping well.
Oh yeah, and I can't quit eating either. I've gained 3 pounds!
I'm not familiar with the migraine med you are on. I did injections of DHE-45 and Imitrex until I developed an allergy to them.
Now that you are really staying maybe you will feel better.
MidnightBlue
Posted by clearskies on June 9, 2006, at 7:51:29
In reply to Migraines, posted by Dinah on June 8, 2006, at 12:26:51
I've had the same experience with my insurance coverage and the amount of medication (Maxalt, similar to Imitrex) they'll authorize dispensing at a time.
When I get a bunch'o'headaches in a row, I try to fend them off with Feverfew. It's hit or miss. Sometimes they'll stop the migraine in its tracks, and other times it does nothing at all. At least there is *something* that helps that is not a prescription.I hope you're feeling better. The headaches might be a boomerang effect from all the stress about moving/not moving you've been through lately. When I was working I used to get Saturday migraines, something about the stress ending seemed to allow my body to react as an afterthought to the insult to my body...
Just supposing, you understand.
CS
Posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2006, at 22:37:04
In reply to Re: Migraines » Dinah, posted by clearskies on June 9, 2006, at 7:51:29
Clear Skies what did you do for your lamictal headaches? I have one constantly even at 25mg. Love Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on June 10, 2006, at 8:35:33
In reply to Re: Migraines » Dinah, posted by clearskies on June 9, 2006, at 7:51:29
I'll look into Feverfew. Thanks for the suggestion.
I was glad my husband was able to get them to give me the extra six this month. But I wonder what on earth makes them think that there is a standard number of headaches per month?
I think the stress played by far the biggest part in it. But I also found out to my surprise that I was premenstrual. Which lately has caused headaches. I suppose the combination overcame the migraine prophylaxis.
Posted by Dinah on June 10, 2006, at 8:40:14
In reply to Re: Migraines » Dinah, posted by MidnightBlue on June 8, 2006, at 17:56:07
That sounds like a nightmare! Having to give up a medication that was working for pain, and suffering hot flashes besides.
Do you find this stage of life has affected your moods? I've been living in terror of it, since postpartum was so unbelievably awful for me, and so was puberty.
I think stress will go down significantly now. Although my husband seems to be in a rotten mood, which doesn't help. Hopefully it's not a result of our decision, because that's a cause that can't go away for a while. :(
Dinah
Posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2006, at 12:14:19
In reply to Re: Migraines » MidnightBlue, posted by Dinah on June 10, 2006, at 8:40:14
Dinah when I was perimenopausal I had a three day headache each month until I went throught menopause. Then they stopped. Ibuphrobren did nothing. Love Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on June 10, 2006, at 14:41:23
In reply to Re: Migraines » clearskies, posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2006, at 22:37:04
Nothing, nothing, nothing helped my Lamictal headaches except time and patience. It was rotten.
Posted by MidnightBlue on June 11, 2006, at 21:31:31
In reply to Re: Migraines » MidnightBlue, posted by Dinah on June 10, 2006, at 8:40:14
Dinah,
Well, it hasn't been fun! I'm doing much better now that I'm on the other side of menopause. I had more physical problems than emotional ones.
I go to the doc later this week and will ask him about the heat waves. I also have a face full of zits! I thought wrinkles should at least come acne free!
MidnightBlue
> That sounds like a nightmare! Having to give up a medication that was working for pain, and suffering hot flashes besides.
>
> Do you find this stage of life has affected your moods? I've been living in terror of it, since postpartum was so unbelievably awful for me, and so was puberty.
>
> I think stress will go down significantly now. Although my husband seems to be in a rotten mood, which doesn't help. Hopefully it's not a result of our decision, because that's a cause that can't go away for a while. :(
>
> Dinah
Posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2006, at 21:51:03
In reply to Re: Migraines, posted by MidnightBlue on June 11, 2006, at 21:31:31
Yup I've started pimples again too. What's up? Maybe our second adolescence. Love Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on June 11, 2006, at 22:43:09
In reply to Re: Migraines, posted by MidnightBlue on June 11, 2006, at 21:31:31
Pimples pop up at the oddest times!
Posted by Dinah on June 14, 2006, at 9:58:24
In reply to Re: Migraines, posted by Dinah on June 11, 2006, at 22:43:09
Surely that must be a medication side effect.
Doesn't make the migraines easier.
Actually, not ringing, more of a high pitched whine.
My father was right. I turned forty and started falling apart. He spent the first eight years of my life insisting that life ended at forty. Then he turned forty.
Posted by laura k on June 19, 2006, at 11:00:52
In reply to And now ringing ears, posted by Dinah on June 14, 2006, at 9:58:24
Be careful combining migraine meds with other serotonergic meds.. feeling hot, sweating, ringing ears... plus muscle pain, nausea, etc., can be signs of serotonin syndrome. Check with your doctor. The only meds that ever got rid of my migraines were imitrex injections and depakote. The depakote made me put on a LOT of weight, tho. I've heard Depakote ER doesn't do that.
BUT before trying any new meds.. I would do an elimination diet. Especially try to cut out wheat and dairy and see it that helps. Migraines can sometimes be a food allergy. Sure can't hurt to try it. Sometimes you will have withdrawal type symptoms when you cut a food allergen out, so give it a little time. Write everything down. I was able to pinpoint my symptoms to within 20 minutes of eating certain foods. Increased heart rate is a good sign.
I am off all meds, all packaged food, corn, tomatoes, and drink only filtered water and haven't had a headache, much less a migraine in three months. Good luck with it all.
Posted by Dinah on June 19, 2006, at 23:44:28
In reply to Re: And now ringing ears » Dinah, posted by laura k on June 19, 2006, at 11:00:52
I'm pretty sure the ringing ears is medication related. This is going to sound odd, but I haven't tracked down the exact relationship more because I haven't paid enough attention than because it's hard to figure out.
I'm on sooo much medication. It's a bit hard to believe that there wouldn't be unpleasant side effects or interactions. Not all psych meds. Also triglycerides, migraine, and diabetes meds.
I can live with it, except when my migraines are acting up. A couple of days without a migraine. I'm crossing my fingers. It just seems to happen sometimes that I get a cluster of them together. Perhaps it's a self feeding cycle. Migraine, disrupted sleep, stress, another migraine, etc.
Posted by laura k on June 20, 2006, at 16:07:03
In reply to Re: And now ringing ears » laura k, posted by Dinah on June 19, 2006, at 23:44:28
See, migraine meds are also serotonergic... it sounds like you are on an awful lot of meds... Have you discussed the meds you are on with an MD other than your pdoc? My family doctor and the emergency room doctors finally had me go off all meds to let my serotinin levels go down and to let my liver detox. I was on meds for cholesterol, blood pressure, an ulcer, migraines plus an antidepressant, anti-anxiety, antipsychotic and a mood stabilizer.. and ibuprofen, muscle relaxants and antihistamine meds as needed..
I am currently off all of it.. taking amino acids and omega 3s, vitamins, only organic foods.... my migraines, the ulcer, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, are all gone. My mood is stable.. the heart problems are gone.. my breathing is the only thing that is still affected, but that is because my diaphragm is partially paralyzed. If I have a manic or depressed episode, the doctor said we will try a mood stabilizer only. I never lost a job, was never suicidal and never had hamllucinations til I went on the meds. To me, the ill effects of the meds are much worse than the illness.
I hope that you can get better soon.. I feel for you. I really do. lk
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