---Michele <Mickstoy@aol.com>
USA -

THIS IS CONT. # 3 FROM A.M.A. WEB SITE AT http://www.ama-assn.org/aps/migraine/mig6.htm (this address gets you directly to their Medication Glossary section where the following info has been copied from --------------------------------------------- DRUGS TAKEN TO TREAT MODERATE TO SEVERE MIGRAINES ------------------- #1... Serotonin agonists - - Ergot alkaloids....Tablets dissolved under the tongue... (Ergotamine)--- Ergomar, Ergostat.....Tablets taken orally... (Ergotamine with caffeine) -- Cafergot, Ercaf, and Wigraine ...... Suppositories..... (Ergotamine with caffeine) -- Cafergot, Cafetrate, Ergo-caff, Migergot, and Wigraine............. Injections.... (Dihydroergotamine) -- D.H.E 45 ------------------- Dihydroergotamine is used in the emergency treatment of migraine, and is injected into a vein or muscle. ------------------------ #2 ... Serotonin agonist - - sumatriptan - - - Oral & Injectable preparation... (Sumatriptan) - - - Imitrex . . . Sumatriptan has been developed especially to relieve the pain and symptoms of migraine and cluster headache. Sumatriptan takes about 1 to 2 hours to become effective in the tablet form and about 30 minutes in the injectable form. It is best to take the medication as soon as the pain begins to ensure that it is most effective. If you feel relief initially but the pain comes back, you can repeat the dose of the tablet form in about 2 hours; if you use the injectable form, you can repeat the dose in 1 hour. However, do not take a second dose if the symptoms do not improve after the first dose. Sumatriptan may fail to relieve one migraine headache but relieve others. ---------------------------------- # 3 . . . Analgesic combined with a sedative and isometheptene - - - (Acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, isometheptene) - - - Midrin, Mitride, Midchor, Iso-Acetazone, I.D.A., Duradin - - - - - - - - - - Why are these drugs combined? All these components play a role in relieving the symptoms of a headache: dichloralphenazone has a relaxing effect, isometheptene narrows inflamed blood vessels in the head, and acetaminophen relieves pain. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Emergency Department Medications That Are Taken When Headaches Do Not Respond to Therapy- - - - - - (Dihydroergotamine) ---- D.H.E. 45 - - - - (Opioids [narcotics]) - - - Meperidine (brand name Demerol); Butorphanol (brand name Stadol as an injection or nasal spray); ---- (Neuroleptics) ---- These drugs are also called phenothiazines. Prochlorperazine (brand name Compazine) and chlorpromazine (brand names Thorazine and Ormazine) relieve headache pain especially when injected...... (Corticosteroids)... such as methylprednisolone and prednisolone are effective in emergency treatment of headaches, especially in the injection form. Brand names that methylprednisolone is sold under include A-methaPred, A-methaPred ADD-Vantage, and Solu-Medrol. Prednisolone is sold under the brand names Hydeltrasol, Key-Pred SP, Nor Pred-S, and Pedate S. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRUGS TAKEN DAILY TO P-R-E-V-E-N-T MIGRAINES WILL BE GIVEN AS CONT. #4 WHENEVER I FEEL GOOD ENOUGH TO CONTINUE THE LIST.

---Michele <Mickstoy@aol.com>
USA -

THIS IS CONTINUATION #2 FROM THE A.M.A. WEB SITE AT: http://www.ama-assn.org/aps/migraine/migraine/htm ANALGESIC COMBINED WITH A SEDATIVE... (Aspirin and butalbital) Axotal; (Aspirin, butalbital, & caffeine) Butalbital Compound, Fiorinal, Fortabs, Idenal, Isollyl Improved ; (Aspirin & meprobamate) Equagesic, Micrainin ; (Acetaminophen & butalbital) Phrenilin, Axocet, Bucet, Phrenilin Forte ; (Acetaminophen, butalbital, & caffeine) Fioricet, Esgic, Esgic Plus, Isocet, Endolor, Femcet, Two-Dyne ------------------------ Why are these drugs combined? When combined, the drugs are more effective than the separate components. Butalbital has a relaxing effect, aspirin relieves the headache, and caffeine is thought to speed absorption of the aspirin and butalbital by the body. SEE CONT. #3 FOR SEROTONIN AGONISTS

---Michele <Mickstoy@aol.com>
USA -

THIS IS CONTINUATION #2 FROM THE A.M.A. WEB SITE AT http://www.ama-assn.org/aps/migraine/migraine/htm ANALGESIC COMBINED WITH A SEDATIVE... (Aspirin and butalbital) Axotal; (Aspirin, butalbital, & caffeine) Butalbital Compound, Fiorinal, Fortabs, Idenal, Isollyl Improved ; (Aspirin & meprobamate) Equagesic, Micrainin ; (Acetaminophen & butalbital) Phrenilin, Axocet, Bucet, Phrenilin Forte ; (Acetaminophen, butalbital, & caffeine) Fioricet, Esgic, Esgic Plus, Isocet, Endolor, Femcet, Two-Dyne ------------------------ Why are these drugs combined? When combined, the drugs are more effective than the separate components. Butalbital has a relaxing effect, aspirin relieves the headache, and caffeine is thought to speed absorption of the aspirin and butalbital by the body. SEE CONT. #3 FOR SEROTONIN AGONISTS

---Michele <Mickstoy@aol.com>
USA -

THIS IS FOR MARY from Iowa City and all the other migraineurs who have wanted the same information. FROM THE A.M.A. WEB SIT ON TREATMENTS FOR MIGRAINES: Various drugs are used in the treatment of migraine, and the effectiveness of each depends on the individual. Because of this, it is important that you work together with your doctor to create a drug treatment plan that works best for you. There are basically two different types of drugs used to treat migraine: medications that relieve symptoms of a migraine headache and medications that help prevent the headaches from occurring. Drugs used to treat a migraine when it occurs should be taken as soon as the headache begins. You should never take these medications in higher doses or more often than recommended by your doctor, even if the pain is worse than usual.... Some drugs used to treat migraine are also used in treating other disorders such as high blood pressure and depression, but the dosage levels used for migraine are different from those used to treat other conditions. ... GENERIC NAMES are in ( ) followed by the BRAND NAMES. CATEGORY OF ANALGESIC COMBINATIONS: Narcotic analgesics with aspirin and acetaminophen... (Propoxyphene, aspirin, and caffeine) Darvon Compound-65, PS-PCAP, Propoxyphene Compound 65 ; (Propoxyphene and acetaminophen) Darvocet-N 50, Darvocet-N 100, E-Lor, Wygesic ; (Oxycodone and aspirin) Percodan, Percodan-Demi, Roxiprin ; (Oxycodone and acetaminophen) Percocet, Endocet, Roxicet, Roxicet 5/500, Caplets, Roxilox, Tylox, Oxycodone Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen Capsules ; (Aspirin and codeine) Empirin with Codeine 30 mg No. 3, Empirin with Codeine 60 mg No. 4 ; (Acetaminophen and codeine) Phenaphen with Codeine No. 3, Phenaphen with Codeine No. 4, Tylenol with Codeine Elixir, Capital Codeine, Tylenol with Codeine No. 2-No. 4. ----------------------- Why are these drugs combined? Combining narcotic analgesics and aspirin can provide better relief for headache pain than either drug can offer on its own, and relief is sometimes achieved using a lower dose of the drugs. However, these drugs can diminish brain function, impair coordination and thinking, and be habit-forming if taken in large doses or for an extended time. In addition, other side effects can be caused by aspirin and acetaminophen when they are overused. See next entry for a continuation of the v-e-r-y long list of other medications.... O R ..... please access the AMA's web site at: http://www.ama-assn.org/aps/migraine/migraine.htm

---Michele <Mickstoy@aol.com>
USA -

RAY YEAGER...if that headache center can successfully get you off your medications and ALSO stop your daily migraine headaches, please share that experience on this journal page for all of us to read, okay? My neuro. says that some of my daily migraines MIGHT be rebound headaches, but as long as 2 Fioricet daily help eliminate or curb the pain and symptoms, he's not concerned about it. He would schedule me for another evaluation if I was taking more Fioricet daily... or if the pills weren't working. // P.S...I also inhale 100% pure oxygen 15-30 minutes from a non-rebreather mask anytime the Fioricet doesn't work, especially during seasonal weather changes when fast moving Low Pressure storms are moving into the area and the Barometric Pressure changes RAPIDLY. THOSE migraines are some of the most stubborn to deal with.

---Michele <Mickstoy@aol.com>
USA -

Ocular migraines are considered to be a visual zigzag line or circle (usually multi-colored and flashing, lasting 20-60 minutes). After this "migraine aura" disappears there is no headache at all, even though the "aura" might appear many times a day or just once a month. No headache actually follows; whereas, typically, the "migraine aura" is a warning of an oncoming migraine. I have had both occular migraines and migraines which were preceeded by the "migraine aura." These auras last anywhere from 20-60 minutes (thereabouts). They are bright orange, yellow and blue-green...form a small zigzag circle in center field of vision...expand larger and larger until it is eventually in the peripheral field of vision before finally disappearing. From start to finish these zigzags are flickering in intensity... med. intensity then high intensity (or brightness) is what I mean by flickering. At the same time the whole circle turns clockwise while all the flickering of these three-colored bands of zigzags are going around and expanding. Remember, these only last 20-60 minutes. Does anyone else have similar symptoms? I also have what the dr. calls "visual phenomenon." I see these "things" non-stop, EXCEPT while I'm seeing the migraine auras. These visual disturbances are squiggly lines of one solid color, usually fluorescent white. I also see various shapes of solid color "clouds" and can see many "clouds" at the same time and each "cloud" is a different solid color. "Lines" and "squiggly lines" are MUCH brighter than the "clouds." I usually see a wide bar of orange at the bottom of my field of vision. While my eyes are open I can tell that these visual disturbances are moving in my field of vision, but can only see the actual "forms" and colors when I close my eyes. (The darker the room, the more vividly noticeable the disturbances.) REMEMBER...these are non-stop BUT do not occur at the same time as the migraine auras. I've lived with them so long (I'm now 45) that I guess this is why I haven't gone off my "rocker." haha I also hear pitches, "hums" like machinery and "buzzing" in both ears. Each ear can often hear something different than the other one. Sometimes it's only in one ear and often one ear has a descending "pitch" before it sounds like I've gone deaf in that ear. At this point I'll often snap my fingers by that ear to make sure I haven't gone deaf...that's how real this feels. I often smell things like dung or strong chemicals or smoke (cigarette or fire) or food cooking, or "fresh air" (like a sheet that has just been taken off the clothes line) ..and no one else around me smells these things. Does any of you migraineurs ever experience these weird neurological symptoms? My neurologist says this is all very possible with migraine sufferers, but I haven't come across anyone like this. I read that brain tumors can cause similar symptoms, but my MRI and CT scans are all normal. I feel like a neurological mess, even though I've tested higher than above average on intellectual & psychological tNTER>

I started getting migraines in my late teens and early 20's. Miraculously they stoped or went into remission for about 20 years. Then,they returned with a vengenance. My most recent attack was two days ago and i still don't feel completely normal. I think that my migraines are caused by stress, insomnia, rather than diet. Each new headache is getting worse. I am currently taking imitrex and darvocet and I am allergic to codeine. The darvocet has proved useless and the imitrex is helpful but I need something for pain. Has anyone tried Lidocaine? If anyone has suggestions on medications that have worked please send me the information. I will be seeing my doctor next thursday and want to be armed with information and suggestions for better treatment. This forum has given me confidence to demand better treatment. As you know, the pain is unbearable and I would not wish it on my worst enemy. However, if doctors and pharmacists were to have a migraine attack, I bet all of our treatment(s) would improve. Thanks for the journel. Now, I don't feel like such a wimp and know you will understand if I assault my nuerologist.

---Jim Shea <J.Sheeah @ aol.com.>
buffalo , ny USA -

After finding this site, I thought I should add my experiences with migraines and headaches to possibly help someone else and see if help can be found for me. I have had 2 distinctly different types of migraines/headaches. The first was hormone related and the second is related to barometric pressure changes. I started having migraines during my first pregnancy (when I was 19). They continued after the pregnancy and I began to see doctors and have all the tests (CAT scans, EEG's etc.) done. I was seeing a neurologist for a few years, (he prescribed beta blockers, calcium blockers, propranolol, all manner of pain medications, even water pills - I can't remember the name of those, they were supposed to be selective, working mostly in the brain, and these helped more than anything else, reducing my migraines by half). When my neurologist moved out of the city, I dreaded starting all over again with a new doctor. I had not gotten many answers from this neurologist but had learned something important about the "pattern" of my migraines. The doctor had me keep a log of when I had my headaches, their severity, etc. It didn't take long to establish that my migraines started 2 - 3 days before my periods and stayed until about 2 - 3 days afterwards. This made for between 10 to 13 days of migraines in each month. (Also, we established that caffeine and MSG both made my migraines MUCH more severe) When I discussed this pattern with my mother she told me that my grandmother (my dad’s mom) had had severe migraines most of her life which finally went away when she went through menopause. This was pretty scary as I had alot of years before being close to menopause. I decided that since my migraines seemed to be hormone related I would go to see my OB/GYN about them. He was at a loss, asked some stupid questions about stress, etc. and basically seemed to be the type that thought migraines don't actually exist. He told me that since I had regular monthly periods I didn't have any hormone imbalances and there wasn't anything he could do for me. At this point I broke down and started crying in his office and was insistent that something had to be wrong because the two (my migraines and my periods) were so obviously inter-related. He told me that he would try something but it probably would make no difference (he didn't know how else to get rid of me). He said that since I “supposedly” experienced these migraines with my periods, he would give me depo-Provera shots that would make me stop having periods at all. I wasn’t too hopeful since he seemed to be giving me what he thought was a placebo, but I found that my migraines TOTALLY went away. And so long as I stayed on the Provera (progesterin) my headaches stayed away. I later found an OB/GYN who was familiar with the syndrome, she did some additional research and put me on Provera and Estrogen pills. (The progesterin by itself had put me into an early, fake menopause and I had to take estrogen concurrently with the Provera). I’m now 38. After years of taking the hormones, about five years ago my hormone balance seemed to change and I no longer had to take them and the migraines did not come back. (I still get “normal person” headaches when I have caffeine or MSG – it’s unbelievable how many products like packaged stuffing, flavored crackers, canned soup, packaged rice w/ seasonings, etc. contain MSG.) My other headaches are the ones that still trouble me. I get mild to horrendous sinus type headaches with changes in barometric pressure. These headaches include pain and pressure behind my eyes and cheeks, pain in the lower back of my head, sore teeth (pressure on the roots), sore shoulders, neck and upper back. The muscles tighten into knots and are awful. Taking pain medications alone does not touch this pain and the only relief I’ve found is taking cold medicines such as Alka-Seltzer Cold Relief Formula (and generic knock-offs with the same ingredients). These seem to open up whatever passages in me that have a problem equalizing the pressure and sometimes give me total relief but sometimes help only a little. I don’t like having to live on these medications all the time and I don’t like their side effects. My husband thinks I need sinus surgery but first I need a good explanation of why and how these sub-standard passages of mine work. Any first-hand information and/or knowledge would be appreciated!

---Lisa <klbrcook@prodigy.net>
CA USA -