Hey Ben,
I re-read my post and realized I was typing "preventative" instead of "abortive". Ever since I took Topamax a few years ago, I've had permanent problems with my cognitive abilities, especially short term memory and mixing up words.
I totally understand the difference between dependence and addiction. I am dependent on narcotic pain medication to get any relief for my pain issues. I am not addicted, and I am so sick of people not knowing the difference (not aimed at you, Ben). Frankly, if taking narcotic medication on a daily basis is the only way I can live with some quality of life, then so be it. I have pursued every other avenue I could find, but I've ended up here. Statistic quoted on WebMD, "According to rough estimates, between 3%-16% of people who suffer from chronic pain and are treated with long-term opioid narcotics have a prescription drug addiction." That pretty low if you ask me.
I take Stadol Nasal Spray as my migraine abortive. This only works if I catch the migraine when it's starting. If I wake up with a migraine, the Stadol won't make it go away. I'm supposed to use the Lortab for breakthrough pain, but it's not strong enough to kill the migraine. I average 2-3 migraine episodes a week, where I have to use the Stadol, but usually one migraine a week requires a pain shot. I am not currently on any preventative because, in the last thirty years, I have tried and failed with ALL of them. I've also been through all the abortive catagories as well. I would list them all, but that's just too much typing. I'm also to the point where I don't get any reaction to muscle relaxers. I've used Flexeril, Skelaxin, Robaxin, etc... They used to work, over maybe the last twenty years, but not anymore. I wish they did.
I also suffer from a seriously messed up back. I can't sleep in a bed comfortably, and haven't in years. If I do try to sleep in my bed, I can barely walk the next day. I spent the last few years dealing with a local Pain Management center, which only had one doctor. He was strictly an epidural shot/nerve block kind of guy. These did not help, although I gave that type of treatment much more time than I should have. I've done physical therapy several times, but it's difficult for me to continue my program on a regular basis, because getting there is a major effort. I'm going to another PM Clinic at the University of Virginia Medical Center. They have me going to a chiropractor twice a week and using a TENS unit. Neither has any lasting pain relief. They insist that my primary care physician write any needed prescriptions for me. My PCP sent me to them so he would have to write the prescriptions. I've been tossed back and forth from doctor to doctor because nobody wants to be on the hook for prescribing narcotics for me, since I am that rare patient that doesn't respond to other forms of treatment. Thus, my PCP only prescribes a very low dosage of Lortab, which he will not increase. He also does not give me refills on any of my pain meds, so I have to go through the hassle of getting the prescription renewed through my pharmacy every week/month, depending on the medication.
I'm sorry if I've been redundant, but my life is pretty much hell on a daily basis. I'm stuck on SS Disability, and have had to give up my career and pretty much my entire social life. I can't even afford to have hobbies that cost money. My medical co-pays and prescription costs are mostly paid by my parents, who are using up their retirement nest-egg, because I can't work and support myself.
Basically, my life just sux, and it's everything I can do to get through the day.
I'll stop whining now. It's time to take my nightly meds and try to get some sleep.
Leigh Ann 