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Posted 6/26/2007 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi...i'm new here, and like many of you, I experience daily migraine pain, which is often triggered by sunlight alone. Lately i feel like a vampire and have to spend much of my day indoors with my curtains closed. i have recently begun to see a specialist who has simply adjusted medication levels (Topamax) and mentioned shifting hormones and doesn't seem too alarmed about anything thus far, but I'm tired of years of pain behind my eyeball, pressure between my temples, muscle tension, etc.

I used to be stronger many years ago, and work for days with a massive headache, using OTC drugs (before I knew about the rebound effect). Now the tiniest inkling of one will knock me out and i have to lie down to prevent a major migraine.

I've triend Niacin, B vitamins, to no avail---if anyone has any suggestions, I am open to any type of help. thank you!
Posted 6/26/2007 5:48 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Headcase3,

First of all, welcome to the Migraine forum.  I'm sure you will find a lot of useful information here, as well as moral support.

Having a daily headache is not normal, although I always have at least a mild headache everyday myself.  Having had migraine attacks for the last 34 years (since I was 8), I've been through just about every type of migraine medication available.  Taking TOPAMAX is a risky proposition.  It works for a relatively small group of migraine sufferers, but the side effects can be horrible and can cause permanent problems.  For me, TOPAMAX was POISON.  It caused me permanent cognitive impairment and serious memory problems.  I stopped using this crap over two years ago, and the side effects have never gotten any better.  If you are taking this medication, and you are still having frequent headaches, it is not working for you as a preventative medication.  If its not working, get off of it as soon as you can!!!   There a quite a few strings regarding Topamax in this Forum, so if you have time, it would be worth your while to read as many of these posts as you can.  They should give you a pretty complete picture of all the ramifications of taking this medication.

What you didn't mention was if you take any abortive medication, some medication that you take at the first sign of a migraine attack.  There are a lot of different medications in this catagory, so you should be taking one of them.  Also, do have any pain medication to take as an emergency back-up, in case the abortive doesn't work?  If you don't have an abortive and an emergency pain medication, you need to get a prescription from your doctor for these types of medication.  In addition, you might also ask for a med that helps with nausea if you have that symptom when you get a migraine attack.

The key to not having daily headaches is usually not taking your abortive medication or OTC medications more than two days a week, or exceeding the recommended dosage on those days.  Following this rule should keep you out of the rebound cycle.  It works for most people. 

As far as suppliments go, Riboflavin (B2), Magnesium, and Feverfew are a good combo to take.  I have a suppliment called MigreLief that contains these three, but it's kind of hard to find.  I have to get it special ordered from an independant pharmacy a couple times a year.  Not really sure what if any affect it has on my migraines.  It can't hurt anyway, and it was recommended by a neurologist who has migraines himself.

I hope this has been helpful for you.  Let us know how you are doing.

Leigh Ann cool

Posted 6/26/2007 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
I take Topamax for Acephalic Migraines and Migraines with Auras. I needed to find the right dosage (125mg) and break the cycle of a serious migraine (4 months long) for Topamax to be given a chance to work correctly. I take all my 125mg at night before bedtime if I take it in the morning I find that I have a hard time concentrating but besides that I find that I do not have a problem with Topamax. It find that it takes the edge of the Acephalic Migraines and I haven't had a Migraines with Aura since we (neurolgist and I upped the medication).
This is the second time I am on Topamax. The first time I did not have a good experience. I had ever side effect in the book. and was miserable but I tried it again and this time the side effects have been very small. I wish you luck with what ever medication you choose to use and hope that you have a migraine free day.
Posted 6/29/2007 10:17 AM (GMT 0)
Just a suggestion for some migraine prevention... I started taking a supplement called Petadolex. Its a supplement similar to Migrelief. But I believe its main ingredient is something called Butterbur. You can google it and find out more about it. Only thing is that its hard to get. As far as I know you can only order it online. I found out about this through my neurologist. I was getting uncontrolable migraines every week that woul last on average 3 days. Lots of bounce back headaches too. After a couple of weeks on this Petadolex I started to notice a difference. It has cut my migraines by at least 85%. Now I don't have to take as much migraine medication or OTC products.
I hope this helps...
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