"Pre"-Treating Migraines

I am wondering if anyone else medicates themselves before they get a migraine.

My neurologist has told me to take all my abortive meds any time that I know the barometric pressure is changing (my trigger) and now, any time that I work at night (the only other trigger we can identify), he wants me to pre-medicate before going to bed.  So far - so good.  I haven't had a migraine yet when following this treatment plan.

I worked Saturday night and decided that I wouldn't take my meds before going to bed.  Why?  I feel like I take so much medicine and I wondered if it was really working or if it had been a coincidence.  I haven't had to go to the ER since I started doing this "pre-medication" bit.  Well.......yesterday, I woke up with a headache.   I fought it all day, took all my meds (but didn't keep any down as I was vomiting) and by 6:00 last night, was begging my husband to take me to the ER. 

Let me just say that since starting the pre-medicating after working, I have not taken my Dilaudid.  I decided that I shouldn't be taking Dilaudid that often so I use Relpax, Prednisone and Lortab.  I actually feel that the Lortab does just as good of a job, if not better, than the Dilaudid.

I guess I am just wondering what you all think about taking that much medicine?  It sort of bothered me until I got this past headache when I didn't take it and now, I am not sure it bothers me much anymore.  The ER had to give me a total of 8mg Dilaudid, plus steroids, plus Zofran, plus Toradol before I even got where I could tolerate the pain and come home.  Then, when I left, I still had a headache, so I ended up taking all my abortive meds anyway before I went to sleep.  Today, I am fine.

I truly believe that all my preventatives are working pretty good except for the trigger issues.  Before I had the preventatives, I seemed to have a migraine every day so in the respect, my migraines have decreased significantly.  I also am so pleased with how the abortives work - I am 100% convinced they are doing their job when I take them.

Any thoughts?

Hey Baseballmomof3,

Left you answer to duplicate question in migraine forum.

Leigh Ann

well actually, Just Imitrex Inj, and stadoll Ns (one bottle a month, no moer than once a week). I do something called energy medicine and Psych-k that has really helped me. I was on A LOT of meds, and they did nothing so why take them? I think they actually made things worse.
So I use the above, and for a really bad kicker, I see if my PCP will give me a shot. I try to stay out of hospitals/clinic's for migraine b/c they are such big pains in the rear about treating it.
I have found that my diet, and activity had a huge impact on my mirgraines. I try to eat for live, RAW (don't cook the nutrients out)fruits and veggies. NO artificial sweetners, limit high fructose corn syrup (found in everything), and just use common sense when eating carbs/sweets and stuff. This has help tremendously. I also drink A LOT of water. Energy flows through hydration.
Best to you,
Ang

I have used the INJ Imitrex for about 2 years. It works a lot better than oral meds for me. Now, I've never had much luck with any triptans, but the Inj. does work some.
It doesn't make me sleepy, or feel lousy. Just some chest tightness, jaw pain, and heaviness(it goes away after a little bit). I usually have to take one, then in 1hr take the second dose.
I use my upper arm and the side of my quad. Find fatty, tisse, not direct muscle and it does hurt too bad. Be sure not to pull it out to fast!! I usally count to 10 slowly before I remove the needle. The first few times, i got really nervous with the button thing, the spring action scared me. Just make sure the blue(or yell0w) bottom part is all the way down, press it, and keep it in for several seconds. It burns a little. Also, make sure you press over the Inj site (don't message, just press) for a few seconds b.c you'll see some of the med come out. This was a bigger problem when I didn't hold it in as long. and you kow what, I've never had to pay for my imitrex inj. they always have samples. I also got 2 kits, and keep one with me at all times and one at home (that means 2 pens/case/cartraige.
I hope it works well for you. And I'm glad they treat you well at the hospital. Do you take a BP med??? Maybe the migraines are BP not related, not the other way around...
and I wonder if its the meds that lower your BP, not just pain relief. Pain meds make your BP lower. You should really keep a check of that. I bet if you could prevent your BP from getting up, it could prevent the headpain. I would really really look into that more, not just see it as a side-effect.
Best to you,
Ang

Hey Leigh Ann and Ang:  First, thanks for the input about the Immitrex injections.  I felt so stupid - I was looking at the samples that the doctor gave me just so I could figure it out before I got a headache.  I couldn't figure out how to even open the container.  So, I took it to the pharmacist that I use and told her I felt stupid having to ask but I couldn't figure out how to use it.  She laughed - the doctor had given me two boxes of the injector pens but none with the med in it so the instructions didn't make a bit of sense.  HA!  At least I didn't feel quite so stupid.  I will go to his office MOnday and get what I need. 

While at the doctor  yesterday, I told him that even though it was 103 degrees outside and not a cloud in the sky, I truly thought it would rain last night.  We haven't had rain in weeks!  He rolled his eyes at me (I think he was wondering if I had gotten crazy on him) and asked why I thought that.  I told him I felt a headache coming on.  Well, I am not sure he really wanted me to jump and take my meds (even though he always says to take them if I know it is going to storm or if I feel even the beginning of a headache) but he said if I really felt one coming on, to take my meds.  Well, I did sort of feel crazy so didn't take my meds.  Guess what?  At 6:00 last night, it stormed like crazy for 20 minutes with downpours.  I laughed so hard!  If the office had been opened, I would have called the doctor right then and said "I told you so"!  Anyway, still didn't take my meds (Stupid!) and woke up with a horrible migraine during the night.  Was wishing I had the Immitrex to try.  But, got up this a.m. and took the Relpax, Dilaudid (2mg), Decadron and Zofran.  Much better now!  It worked!!!!!

Also, as far as the increased BP.  My BP is always good until I have a headache.  Yes, it is true the meds will decrease the BP, but every doctor seems to think that it is the pain that increases it and as soon as the pain is gone, it decreases.  Who knows?   I guess it is the age old question of what came first - the chicken or the egg?  It is interesting about the Verapamil, though.  Now, my headaches started long before I started the Verapamil but I think I will mention it to the doctor and see if there is another alternative.  Also, tell me a little more about the Stadol NS?  I wonder if that would be better than the Dilaudid and the Lortab???  Does it burn?  Make you horribly sleepy?  What I truly like about the Lortab or Dilaudid is that I can truly still function - neither makes me sleepy or drugged out feeling.  Now, the Relpax tends to make me sleepy for a couple of hours but then I am usually over that.  Anything you can add would be so very appreciated.   I appreciate all of y'all advice!

Just thought I would give you both a good laugh.  I think I will find me a job as a weather predictor!!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend.