RE: migraines

[Guest guest]

Are you taking something like Cimetidine (Tagamet) to prevent stomach

problems from the Tylenol or Excedrin?

Carol

[Guest guest]

Hi... why not something like vicodin? think it is hydrocodone plus acemetaphin..

sorry bout spelling. at least it might help to take the edge off the migraines.

Always,

cloud

Hi everyone,

Thank you all of your e-mails . I am having a

problem with migraines. I take tylenol#3 for severe

pain in my back and legs. I get terrible migraines. I

have had them since I was 12. I have been taking

aspirin specifically excedrins. Because I have lost

1/3 of my stomach from surgery due to ulcers created

by the aspirin I am risking that again but the

tylenol#3 alone and with regular tylenol won,t take it

away. Someone mentioned 600 mg of tylenol with pain

medication. Please let me know some of your ideas. I

have been put on migraine medicine but I can,t take it

with the ty#3 because it knocks me out and I have to

take the pain med because of the pain in my back and

legs. I have been having alot of problems with muscle

spasms in my legs lately. I take b-12 injections but

lately that doesn,t seem to help with my legs and

energy. Thank you so much.

Annie

[Guest guest]

i just remember too... isn't there some new kinda medicine specifically for

migraines that is sprayed into the nose and is suppose to offer instant relief

and no irritation to the stomach because is absorbed through the nasal

membranes. Does anyone know what it is called? I do not remember.

Always,

cloud

[Guest guest]

I recall that some form of lidocaine was being tried for migraines and it

was a nasal spray; at one time they also had lidocaine eye drops my Dr. was

trying with me for Trigeminal Neuralgia. It helped a little.

I am sure there is something newer as this was four years ago.

Kay

M. Kay

kayfrank3@...

Re: migraines

i just remember too... isn't there some new kinda medicine specifically for

migraines that is sprayed into the nose and is suppose to offer instant

relief and no irritation to the stomach because is absorbed through the

nasal membranes. Does anyone know what it is called? I do not remember.

Always,

cloud

[Guest guest]

Imetrex, Zomig, Amerge, or Maxalt are all fantastic med.s for true

migraines. They come in different forms such as nose spray, orally

disintegrating tablets, shots, regular tablets. Many times with migraine

there is nausea, there for no sense in taking an EXPENSIVE pill you may

just vomit back up. Plus, you can take Oxycontin, or any other opiate

that doesn't contain another harsh med. on your stomach. The side

effects of the " triptans " (mentioned above) are some what unusual in

that your throat may tighten for a while, and there are precautions for

people with heart problems, but other than that I have found them to be

MUCH better than the migraine itself! Of course you must read the

precautions in the package insert...Yes, the shot hurts too! However

it's a walk in the park in comparison! You can take up to 3 of these

migraine preparations in a 24 hour period. Three of only 1 type of

Triptan.Sometimes I've done this round the clock, for a few months at a

time.I have trigeminal nerve damage which causes the migraines. I am

under the care of a neurologist who is the director of the hospitals

headache department. I've had to use these med.s in conjunction with

several others to control my pain...he hasn't killed me yet

lol!.....Good Luck

GBA

lynnzee

[Guest guest]

I wish those meds did anything for my migraines..

the most any of them do is the imitrex.. and all

it does.. is i guess what you called the

tightening of the neck.. but it feels like the

migraine is actually in the neck.. give it a few

hrs.. and it goes back to being in the head..

really really weird..

Serena

=====

Believe more deeply. Hold your face up to the light, even though

for the moment you do not see. Bill W

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

To lynnzee,

I have tried the maxalt but I either have to take

the migraine med alone because of how tired it makes

me. The pain I have in my spine requires me to take

the tylenol 3. Can you tell me more about oxycontin? I

just get so tired of dealing with the back pain and

then I get hit with the migraines. For awhile the

tylenol was taking care of both but now it helps but

when the migraines are bad I end up taking more meds.

Thank you for your info. I really appreciate it.

Annie

--- lynnzee@... wrote:

> Imetrex, Zomig, Amerge, or Maxalt are all fantastic

> med.s for true

> migraines. They come in different forms such as nose

> spray, orally

> disintegrating tablets, shots, regular tablets. Many

> times with migraine

> there is nausea, there for no sense in taking an

> EXPENSIVE pill you may

> just vomit back up. Plus, you can take Oxycontin, or

> any other opiate

> that doesn't contain another harsh med. on your

> stomach. The side

> effects of the " triptans " (mentioned above) are some

> what unusual in

> that your throat may tighten for a while, and there

> are precautions for

> people with heart problems, but other than that I

> have found them to be

> MUCH better than the migraine itself! Of course you

> must read the

> precautions in the package insert...Yes, the shot

> hurts too! However

> it's a walk in the park in comparison! You can take

> up to 3 of these

> migraine preparations in a 24 hour period. Three of

> only 1 type of

> Triptan.Sometimes I've done this round the clock,

> for a few months at a

> time.I have trigeminal nerve damage which causes the

> migraines. I am

> under the care of a neurologist who is the director

> of the hospitals

> headache department. I've had to use these med.s in

> conjunction with

> several others to control my pain...he hasn't killed

> me yet

> lol!.....Good Luck

> GBA

> lynnzee

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I've been using Imitrex for several years. As far as I'm concerned

it is a miracle medicine. I've used the tablets, injections, and

nasal sprays. All work with varying amounts of time before the

migraine subsides. I find the nasal spray works best for me, and

usually within 10-15 minutes.

Our health insurance will only provide a few pills monthly, less

for nasals and injections. If needed I could wage a war with the

approval department and get more authorized. When the headache is

bad enough I'll just pay out of my pocket, especially if I've

already used up my monthly amount.

I've also been using accu-pressure which can also relieve the

migraines for me. Accu-pressure means applying pressure with a

finger on any painful spots on your head, temples, upper neck

region, etc. I press very firmly on these " trigger points " and

massage slowly. When the point stops hurting I move to another

point.

I have not found that any pain-relief medication nor any narcotic

will help with the migraine pain. I can also tell the difference

easily between a migraine and a sinus infection headache, though I

do understand how the two can be confused. For me the symptoms are

very different, especially in terms of where the pain is located.

As others have noted, there are other forms of " triptans "

available. I've tried some of them but always come back to

Imitrex. Others may find that a different medication works best

for you. Each of us will respond differently to these various

medications.

Ray

[Guest guest]

Ditto on the Imitrex. I remember the ³old days² when you got caffeine and a

thorazine derivative in the ER. LOL.

I¹ve also had many migraines lately, triggered from spinal fusion,

especially in my neck. My pain mgmt docs put me on Zanaflex, which has

helped more than anything else at preventing them. Once occurring, Imitrex

usually will intervene, but then there are the ones that just have to be

ridden out, painful as it can be to do so.

Ice packs help too, and Tiger Balm on my temples, when I get no relief from

meds.

I have to concur with Ray, in that no pain meds will touch mine, once

full-blown.

---

Robbie in Mass ­ RS (ReA), AS, 17 years+

feralelf@...

[Guest guest]

i think it is callled Stadol; have heard from many on a

migraine group that the taste is just awful, however, many

swear by it, too.

--- the cloud wrote:

> i just remember too... isn't there some new kinda

> medicine specifically for migraines that is sprayed into

> the nose and is suppose to offer instant relief and no

> irritation to the stomach because is absorbed through the

> nasal membranes. Does anyone know what it is called? I

> do not remember.

> Always,

> cloud

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

note; imitrex is NOT a nasal spray, at least in the United

States....it is an injectable or a pill form...

--- " Joe D. " wrote:

> Imitrex, but it is only for occasional migraines, and

> isn't for people who have any kind of heart problems. It

can cause a cardiac arrest in those people, from what a

friend told me.

> I was having what are called " sinus migraines " every day.

> I was on a barbiturate, but all it did was make me sleep

all the time, and when I woke up I would have another

headache.

>

> I keep telling my friend about Neurontin for migraines,

> but he insists on continuing to take propanalol (a beta

blocker) which he is having side effect with. He said he

keeps having a rushing sound or sensation.

> Some people don't know how to talk to their doctors. The

> best thing to do is to ask about a drug that you are

interested in. Often the doctor will tell you about it,

and if he/she thinks it's right for you, will ask you if

> you want to try it. People who just take whatever the

> doctor orders are bad patients.

>

=====

" It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most

intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. " - Darwin

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Are you sure these area migraines?? since zanaflex is a

muscle relaxer, i would be more likely to say the headache

was muscle tension, with maybe a migraine resulting from

that;many people have both.

i have had migraines for 15 yrs; zanafleX SETS THEM OFF.

SINCE I switched TO SOMA FOR MUSCLE spasms, the migraines

have been less severe, although not less frequent.

there are several triptan meds now available; Imitrex is

one, Maxalt, and A.... nuts!!! starts with an A.... sorry

can't think of it; came on the market just before

maxalt....

and a new one just hit the market this summer. try a

search on triptans... one of them may help you.

only demeral will stop mine if severe enough that maxalt

and fiorinal don't help.

--- Robbie Peddycoart wrote:

> Ditto on the Imitrex. I remember the ³old days² when you

> got caffeine and a thorazine derivative in the ER. LOL.

>

> I¹ve also had many migraines lately, triggered from

> spinal fusion, especially in my neck. My pain mgmt docs

put me on Zanaflex, which has helped more than anything

else at preventing them. Once occurring, Imitrex

> usually will intervene, but then there are the ones that

> just have to be ridden out, painful as it can be to do

so.

>

> Ice packs help too, and Tiger Balm on my temples, when I

> get no relief from meds.

>

> I have to concur with Ray, in that no pain meds will

> touch mine, once full-blown.

> ---

> Robbie in Mass ­ RS (ReA), AS, 17 years+

>

=====

" It is not the strongest of the species that survive,

nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. " -

Darwin

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

ah yes!! here is the list of triptans!!! also, i stand

corrected; i haven't used the Imitrex nasal spray and

wasn't aware that it had been approved in the usa; the

shots an dpills gave me terrible (emergency room) migraines

about 4 hrs after taking it. Dr finally admitted these were

rebound migraines; i was in a study on its effectiveness

just before it was approved for use here.

another point; oxycontin doesn't touch many peoples'

migraines, although it has worked for a few. most drs

won't give it out for them.

basicallly, migraines are difficult to treat; every person

is different and it is usual for a person to go thru

several meds before finding an effective one. it is also

not unusual for a med to quit on you, making another med a

necessity to treat the pain.

i have been thru 37 different meds trying to control

migraines the past 15 yrs; my current neurologist now just

gives me fiorinal and maxalt to treat the pain; i am way

past trying to prevent the damned things in the first

place.....

--- lynnzee@... wrote:

> Imetrex, Zomig, Amerge, or Maxalt are all fantastic med.s

> for true migraines. They come in different forms such as

nose spray, orally disintegrating tablets, shots, regular

tablets. Many times with migraine there is nausea, there

for no sense in taking an EXPENSIVE pill you may just vomit

back up.

Plus, you can take Oxycontin, or any other opiate

> that doesn't contain another harsh med. on your stomach.

> The side effects of the " triptans " (mentioned above) are

some what unusual in that your throat may tighten for a

while, and there are

> precautions for

> people with heart problems, but other than that I have

> found them to be

> MUCH better than the migraine itself! Of course you must

> read the

> precautions in the package insert...Yes, the shot hurts

> too! However

> it's a walk in the park in comparison! You can take up to

> 3 of these

> migraine preparations in a 24 hour period. Three of only

> 1 type of

> Triptan.Sometimes I've done this round the clock, for a

> few months at a

> time.I have trigeminal nerve damage which causes the

> migraines. I am

> under the care of a neurologist who is the director of

> the hospitals

> headache department. I've had to use these med.s in

> conjunction with

> several others to control my pain...he hasn't killed me

> yet

> lol!.....Good Luck

> GBA

> lynnzee

=====

" It is not the strongest of the species that survive,

nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. " -

Darwin

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

hi annie,

you may want to try another type of triptan for your migraines. one that

won't cause you the fatigue. since i have trigeminal nerve damage, i TOO

require another pain reliever for that, as you with your back. i am in

agreement that most opiates do not relieve migraine, perhaps only

taking the severe edge off, but thats about all. also contrary to

popular belief, all bad headaches are not migraines, which may be why

the " triptans " don't work for all people.( of course there again, the

triptans don't work on each and every migraine,) but are proven to be

the best of the migraine med.s out nowadays.... i used oxycontin for at

least 5 years and was happy with the relief it gave me for the

NON-migraine pain i have. i also feel methadone is a very good pain

reliever that doesn't bother my stomach. most people like oxycontin due

to it's few side effects, i feel methadone can cause some fatigue......

you may like Imetrex better than Maxalt by the way, as far as less

fatigue. i've had to switch off with a few of them, and presently i'm

happy with maxalt... if you are taking tylenol 3, you may ask to switch

to straight codeine for you tummy. these are all things your doc can

fill you in on. tylenol 3 is not nearly as strong or controlled as

oxycontin, methadone, fentanyl etc. that's why i feel if it's working

for your back pain,rather than getting on a stronger drug, maybe just

take the tylenol out.....hope i made some sense. feel free to write me

personally as well if you wish....

good luck

GBA!

lynn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/13/01 2:08:38 AM Eastern Standard Time,

chronic_pain writes:

> I've been using Imitrex for several years. As far as I'm concerned it is a

> miracle medicine. I've used the tablets, injections, and nasal sprays.

> All work with varying amounts of time before the migraine subsides. I find

> the nasal spray works best for me, and usually within 10-15 minutes.

I've had migraines since I was a teen. My current medication regime for them

is 2 fioricet [acetaminophen, caffeine, butalbitol] and 1 Soma [325 mgs] 3

times per day as needed. I use that combination to catch headaches that

threaten to become migraines. If that doesn't work, I resort to my 50 mg

Imitrex tabs [which I can take up to 4 per day - though usually one will

work]. My insurance will pay for 18 per month. Have not had to resort to

Imitrex nasal spray or IMs yet.

Annie: You might want to talk to your doc about some combination like that;

although I think you did mention that Zanaflex had worked to help alleviate

some of the pain, as well as Neurontin. BTW, some people get headaches from

taking codeine, but not from taking synthetic codeine. You might also want

to talk with your doc about that.

Carol

[Guest guest]

I take Wygraine daily to help prevent migraines. It's Ergotomine and 100mg

caffeine. Plus when I do get one I take Butalbital/caffeine. Before I started on

these I'd get 7-10 migraines a day. With them I'm down to 1-4/day. I also take

codeine sulfate, oxycodone, neurontin, robaxin and allegra for chronic pain and

allergies. One thing I've had experience with is the phenomonen of " rebound

headaches " . You might like to look this up and try some of the prevention

measures for them.

Jami

Robbie Peddycoart wrote:

>Ditto on the Imitrex. I remember the ³old days² when you got caffeine and a

thorazine derivative in the ER. LOL.

__________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Kat,

Rebound headaches are a problem with any of these medications. I

can tell that a single dose of Imitrex often does not make the

migraine go away. This is why my doctor tells me to take an

additional dose half an hour to an hour later. Sometimes the

headaches sort of lurk and " rebound " when the medication wears off.

There are days/weeks when I have to take Imitrex regularly every

day. The mystery to me is why do these headaches seem to hit me

hard for several days to a week or more, but at other times I can

go for weeks without one. I do not know what triggers most of my

migraines. I do know that intensely bright flashing lights, or

sunlight reflecting off of cars, etc., will give me an instant

migraine. Sleeping too long in the mornings also triggers

migraines.

Ray

[Guest guest]

Carol,

Your medication regimine for migraines sounds like the " shotgun "

approach...which I have used prior to Imitrex. I won't list my own

" cocktail " of medications.

Everything I read tells me that as soon as you suspect you may be

getting a migraine take the Imitrex, or whatever triptan medication

you have been prescribed. Don't wait until the headache is

full-blown before you take your medication as it will take more

meds to get rid of it than if you had taken them early on. It's

taken me a while to learn the truth of this statement...I'm

stubborn.

Ray

[Guest guest]

I find that using a flax-seed pillow (which I keep in

the fridge) placed over my eyes while lying down in a

dark room is about the only thing that works for me. I

purchased mine from http://www.stressdynamics.com . It

truly soothes the eyeballs.

--- Ray in Virginia wrote:

> I've been using Imitrex for several years. As far

> as I'm concerned

> it is a miracle medicine. I've used the tablets,

> injections, and

> nasal sprays. All work with varying amounts of time

> before the

> migraine subsides. I find the nasal spray works

> best for me, and

> usually within 10-15 minutes.

>

>

=====

Relax at http://www.StressDynamics.com -- your home for essential oils,

aromatherapy, stress reducers, relaxation tapes, CDs and more!

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Well, yes, they¹re migraines. I¹ve had migraines since I was a teen, so I

know what the difference is.

My migraines are a full-blown affair: loss of vision, vomiting, light shows;

the works.

Every person who gets migraines has individual triggers, and treatments that

work for them. For example, some people who are prone to migraines can eat

pretty much what they like. I on the other hand have to avoid any cheeses

with molds, and any foods with sulfites like the plague.

People who are also prone to tension headaches or muscle related headaches,

as well as migraines often have them turn into migraines, after a time. It¹s

just another trigger.

My neck fusion kinks my muscles up to a severe degree, often resulting in a

headache that¹ll develop into a migraine, if it persists. I have been

getting migraines as a result of chronic tension headaches. This was the

reason I¹ve been taking Zanaflex. I never said, ³Zanaflex cures migraines².

I said, rather, that for me it¹s helping to prevent them from occurring

every day, like they had been.

Every person is different.

---

Robbie in Mass ­ RS (ReA), AS, 17 years+

feralelf@...

Kat on 11/12/01 2:56 PM pontificated:

> Are you sure these area migraines?? since zanaflex is a

> muscle relaxer, i would be more likely to say the headache

> was muscle tension, with maybe a migraine resulting from

> that;many people have both.

>

> i have had migraines for 15 yrs; zanafleX SETS THEM OFF.

[Guest guest]

robbie

my migraines started only after my facial injury. the muscle spasms

,just as you described, tends to perpetuate them. my doc put me on

zanaflex as well, but i didn't do to well with the side effects.

klonopin is what i use to try and relax my muscles and it helps with

some of the nerve pain...but i must be ready to sleep after taking it.

....currently, i am trying Botox inj.s. my first series was injected in

the worst area of pain only. that way we can tell better the degree of

effectiveness. it paralyzes the muscle anywhere from 4 wk.s to 3 mth.s.

seems to have made a difference in that very specific area, but i have

to wait for my next appt. longer than the doctor wanted (he as no clue

how booked he is)...i'll keep you posted if i get substantial relief

from these migraines after my next appt.....hope you are well.

GBA

lynn

[Guest guest]

Thank you Lynn. I¹d appreciate that . : )

I¹m also interested, (if anyone else out there with AS is doing this), about

Botox being used to stop the muscle spasms & seizures...

---

Robbie in Mass ­ RS (ReA), AS, 17 years+

feralelf@...

[Guest guest]

Tylenol doesn't cause stomach problems. Also, drugs like Tagamet may not

help much if someone is taking a lot of aspirin, or other NSAIDs. Ecotrin

is an enteric coated aspirin and won't harm the stomach, as it is released

in the bowel, although I don't know if it could hurt the bowel or not.

http://www.800ld.com/337

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ride-Sharing

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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Baltimore-Fords-Club

Re: migraines

Are you taking something like Cimetidine (Tagamet) to prevent stomach

problems from the Tylenol or Excedrin?

Carol

[Guest guest]

Neurontin cured my migraines, and it's non-narcotic.

http://www.800ld.com/337

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ride-Sharing

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hams-For-Pets

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Baltimore-Fords-Club

Re: migraines

Hi... why not something like vicodin? think it is hydrocodone plus

acemetaphin.. sorry bout spelling. at least it might help to take the edge

off the migraines.

Always,

cloud

Hi everyone,

Thank you all of your e-mails . I am having a

problem with migraines. I take tylenol#3 for severe

pain in my back and legs. I get terrible migraines. I

have had them since I was 12. I have been taking

aspirin specifically excedrins. Because I have lost

1/3 of my stomach from surgery due to ulcers created

by the aspirin I am risking that again but the

tylenol#3 alone and with regular tylenol won,t take it

away. Someone mentioned 600 mg of tylenol with pain

medication. Please let me know some of your ideas. I

have been put on migraine medicine but I can,t take it

with the ty#3 because it knocks me out and I have to

take the pain med because of the pain in my back and

legs. I have been having alot of problems with muscle

spasms in my legs lately. I take b-12 injections but

lately that doesn,t seem to help with my legs and

energy. Thank you so much.

Annie

[Guest guest]

Imitrex, but it is only for occasional migraines, and isn't for people who

have any kind of heart problems. It can cause a cardiac arrest in those

people, from what a friend told me.

I was having what are called " sinus migraines " every day. I was on a

barbiturate, but all it did was make me sleep all the time, and when I woke

up I would have another headache.

I keep telling my friend about Neurontin for migraines, but he insists on

continuing to take propanalol (a beta blocker) which he is having side

effect with. He said he keeps having a rushing sound or sensation.

Some people don't know how to talk to their doctors. The best thing to do

is to ask about a drug that you are interested in. Often the doctor will

tell you about it, and if he/she thinks it's right for you, will ask you if

you want to try it. People who just take whatever the doctor orders are bad

patients.

http://www.800ld.com/337

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ride-Sharing

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hams-For-Pets

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Baltimore-Fords-Club

Re: migraines

i just remember too... isn't there some new kinda medicine specifically

for migraines that is sprayed into the nose and is suppose to offer instant

relief and no irritation to the stomach because is absorbed through the

nasal membranes. Does anyone know what it is called? I do not remember.

Always,

cloud