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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bookgurl99 on June 30, 2003, at 18:14:01
As summer has gone on, the severity and frequency of my complicated migraines has increased.
I'm noticing that I now have them almost the whole week up to my period. I even left work early today because of one.
Also, I gain weight quite easily, and weight gain is a 'common' side effect of the verapamil (80 mg x 3) I currently take for migraine prevention.
Does anyone have a suggestion for another med? I'm not interested in topamax, due to the cog. side effects. Should I suggest trying out a beta blocker? And, if I decide to give strattera another shot, would that increase or decrease migraines?
Posted by zeugma on June 30, 2003, at 20:38:54
In reply to a med for menstrual migraines?, posted by bookgurl99 on June 30, 2003, at 18:14:01
> As summer has gone on, the severity and frequency of my complicated migraines has increased.
>
> I'm noticing that I now have them almost the whole week up to my period. I even left work early today because of one.
>
> Also, I gain weight quite easily, and weight gain is a 'common' side effect of the verapamil (80 mg x 3) I currently take for migraine prevention.
>
> Does anyone have a suggestion for another med? I'm not interested in topamax, due to the cog. side effects. Should I suggest trying out a beta blocker? And, if I decide to give strattera another shot, would that increase or decrease migraines?Strattera might help with migraines, given its pharmacological similarity to tricyclic antidepressants, whose efficacy in migraines are well documented.
Posted by maryhelen on June 30, 2003, at 21:25:18
In reply to a med for menstrual migraines?, posted by bookgurl99 on June 30, 2003, at 18:14:01
I suffered with migraines starting when I was 13 years old. When I think back now, I do believe, for me, that they were hormone related, because that is when I started my period.
Migraines are hell. Migraines and depression are more than hell.
I suffered with them until I was 36 when someone told me to treat them with a drug called Fironal.
There is no words to say what it was like to finally get relief from them. However, over the years I became addicted to them and had to stop taking it.To make a long story short, the real miracle drug for me was when Glaxo came out with Imitrex. It works only and specifically for migraines. There is no narcotics in it.
I had tried many medications to prevent the migraines and none of them worked.
So, with the Imitrex, I treated the migraines as they came. For me, it works in about 20 minutes. Otherwise, they could go on for days, and like you, they were often menstrual related.
Maybe you would like to talk to your doctor about treating the migraines when they come. Other meds have been an offshoot of Imitrex, like Zomig. These drugs are very expensive, so it would be dependent on your situation with insurance coverage.
I sure can empathize with you and hope that somehow you get some relief from them.
I do not get the migraines anymore. I do not know if this is from the Parnate I took or having gone through menopause. A lot of my mom's friends would say they used to get migraines and when I asked them how they got rid of them they didn't know. I began to suspect it was because they had gone through menopause and it was all to with fluctuating hormones.
I have had a fairly early menopause at 51 and I have heard about some research that says some women who have been treated with antidepressants over the years can have early onset menopause.
Good luck!
maryhelen
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on July 1, 2003, at 5:59:52
In reply to a med for menstrual migraines?, posted by bookgurl99 on June 30, 2003, at 18:14:01
Taking a contraceptive pill for perhaps 3 months without a break (omitting dummy pills) should reduce your attacks but it may make them worse.Depo-provera,a progesterone contraceptive injection is another option (but it does add to weight) as is the Mirena intra-uterine contraceptive coil which will usually put an end to your periods after you are on it about three months.
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 6, 2003, at 2:49:14
In reply to Re: a med for menstrual migraines?, posted by Ed O`Flaherty on July 1, 2003, at 5:59:52
>the Mirena intra-uterine contraceptive coil which will usually put an end to your periods after you are on it about three months.
Ed, the idea is to have a solution for severe migrain, not make myself infertile!
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on July 6, 2003, at 13:21:07
In reply to Re: a med for menstrual migraines?, posted by bookgurl99 on July 6, 2003, at 2:49:14
> >the Mirena intra-uterine contraceptive coil which will usually put an end to your periods after you are on it about three months.
>
> Ed, the idea is to have a solution for severe migrain, not make myself infertile!
>
The coil is taken out when you want it out and in any case after 5 years.Fertility returns to normal within a short time.It is a popular contraceptive in much of the world,mainly but not entirely for women who have children.It is also popular with women who get heavy periods and wish to reduce them to a low level or to avoid a hysterectomy.Possible side effects include acne,breast tenderness and even weight gain but most women seem to be happy with them and have no side effects.
>
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 7, 2003, at 8:48:43
In reply to Re: a med for menstrual migraines?, posted by Ed O`Flaherty on July 6, 2003, at 13:21:07
This is the end of the thread.
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