Hello once again! My doc has changed my preventive med from Verapamil to Elavil. I am on 25mg of Elavil at bedtime. I had to d/c the Verapamil becuz it was actually making the migraines worse. Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone could give me any info/insight on Elavil or your experience with Elavil. Also, I would like to know the dosage that you are on and how long you have been on it, as well as if it is helping prevent the migraines. I would love to hear anyone else's experience with it, as this is my first night on it. Thanks for taking the time to listen and I hope you write. Take care!
Jana <JTROUTEN@aol.com>
Atlanta, GA USA - Date: 10/03/98 (Sat)
Time: 10:03:09 PM
Hi Folks! Just an update... In the WOMAN'S WORLD, October 6 issue, there
is a small article on "PAIN-RELIEVING MIGRAINE BREAKTHROUGHS" (pg 13).
Although most of the info contained in this small summation will not be
news to MOST sufferers, some of you may not have heard of a few of the
therapies listed. It lists a NEW medication called MAXALT, which is
a waterless tablet that disolves on your tongue & claims to work in as
little as 30 mins (What a blessing THIS would be!!) It also covers Amerge,
which I haven't tried yet, and Zomig which didn't work at all for me.
I hope this brings some of you some much needed help! Take Care & Have a PAIN FREE day.
~Dianna~
Dianna <ghost@gte.net>
New Port Richey, FL USA - Date: 10/03/98 (Sat)
Time: 12:38:04 AM
I am a 41 year old female. For the past 20 years, I have had headaches most every day. The pain will range from tolerable to severe and incapacitating, lasting from several hours to several days. Usually the pain centers behind my left eye and that side of my face will feel swollen. Sometimes my vision will be affected and I will lose some feeling on one side of my face and neck. Occasionally, the pain will switch sides. Other times my whole head feels like its going to explode. Nausea, depression and insomnia accompany the paid. Light hurts my eyes and intensifies a headache. While not the norm, sometimes there are triggers, that will initiate a migraine attack, such as weather, perfumes, etc. Heredity also seems to be a factor as several relatives suffer from frequent headaches/migraines.
Over time I have been to several general physicians, a neurologist and a headache clinic. I've had numerous scans and tests, been prescribed a vast variety of pain pills and preventatives, and tried most every drug-free remedy claiming "cure all" I heard about. Nothing provided insight or (much) relief. Approximately 2 years ago, I made significant progress in managing the pain, when I was prescribed Norgesic Forte (which worked well for the small headaches) and Imitrex (injections) for the migraines (which was a miracle drug for me). However, this past year the migraines were becoming more frequent, and Imitrex was not working as effectively - on several occasions, not at all.
More recently, I have made tremendous progress in reducing no only the severity but also the frequency of my headaches and migraine attacks. After viewing a health segment on television featuring acupuncture for migraines, I made an appointment with a local acupuncturist/chiropracter, Dr. Robert Wise of the Venturini Chiropractic Center. I became a patient there approximately 10 months ago. I don't know all of the intricacies of the acupuncture/chiropractic techniques Dr. Wise uses to treat my headaches - just that it works for me - where 20 years of specialists, tests, prescriptions, etc. failed. I no longer have the small headaches every day and the frequency of my migraine attacks (so far) has been reduced by about 75%. The occasions I have had a migraine attack (with exception of one) I have gone in for treatment and left without a trace of the pain (or nausea) remaining. Also within this time period, I have not had to go to the emergency room; where I had been averaging every couple of months.
Over time, I have spent numerous hours scanning the entries in this Migraine Journal, desperately searching for anything that had helped someone else, that might in turn help me. I've read a lot of entries from people whose lives are miserable because of migraine pain. Having given this treatment some time to prove it's worth to me, I wanted to place my entry in this journal in hopes that my progress might in turn help someone else. Please e-mail me if I can answer any question further about my treatment and/or progress or if you would like the telephone number for Dr. Wise so that you might retrieve specific information for yourself. Take Care!
Kathy <SROTHENB@ISBE.ACCESS.NET>
Springfield, IL USA - Date: 10/02/98 (Fri)
Time: 07:25:41 PM
I'm a 28 yr. old and a mother of two small children. I have been
suffering from migraine headaches since the age of 16. I used to only
get them twice a year, but this year I have been getting one about
every other month. They always start with partial loss of vision
in one eye, and a feeling of being in a fog. Then comes the mental
confusion, which is very scary when I am alone home with my girls. I
can't remember their names..or my husbands pager number. Then comes
the travelling numbness throughout my body, followed by the pounding
headache accompanied by vomiting. I have recently had a MRI which
came back normal. Last month I also experienced an episode of numb-
ness, which lasted about 2 weeks, also accompanied with a general feel
ing of unwellness. My neurologist suggested that I start taking 60mg
of Inderal daily, for three months, to see if things improve. Can any-
one tell me if they have had experience with this drug..and the side
effects they have had from it??? Thanks SO much. ~W~
Wendy <priccione@talon.net>
PA USA - Date: 10/02/98 (Fri)
Time: 07:25:27 PM
I am the mother of a child migrane sufferer. My son started having
migranes a year and a half ago after hitting his head on a swimming
pool. He is on his second neurologist and takes nortyptalene as
a preventative medicine. His migranes are brought on by motion,
jumping, playing sports where he jumps, rides at theme parks, anything
that jiggles his head. Does any one out there suffer
migranes brought on by motion? If so, please e-mail me at
benzamar@mail.usmo.com. I had my sons coach tell me he studied
migranes in a sports medicine class and athletes have jolted
their brains loose, and now suffer migranes from motion. Has
anyone ever heard of this? I feel helpless as a mother, that
I cannot relieve his pain. If there are other kid migrane sufferers
out there please e-mail my son Zac at benzamar@mail.usmo.com
Lisa Martin <benzamar@mail.usmo.com>
Lonedell, Mmo USA - Date: 10/02/98 (Fri)
Time: 06:13:43 PM
Hi everyone I just thought I would update since my last entry into this journal at the beginning of this week. Well the 5th week has now came and gone and guess what I still have this ******* migraine. I received a shot on Wed with no relief at all, this could have been because the Nurse (?) giving the shot didn't do it right. On my way out the door I noticed that my clothing was all wet in the place where the shot was given, so unless you can absorb this through your skin I doubt that this shot did any good. Now today is Friday and I am once again leaving to go to see the Dr. and get a shot, but am sure no matter how much I argue with him on the dosage he won't budge, anyway this process makes my migraine worse. Good luck to everyone out there ! Here's hoping your weekend is migraine free.
Maureen
mab <mbeers@genesys-tech.com>
Sauk City, WI USA - Date: 10/02/98 (Fri)
Time: 01:26:43 PM
I've been getting migrains since I was 14 (three years). I was taking Inderal and it seemed to be helping util recently. My doctor decided to try me on Zoloft but i am concerened about the side effects. Also, I am not depressed and i was wondering wether or not Zoloft is a common treatment specifically for migrain sufferers. Also, what are the effects of Zoloft with alcohol?
matt <greenfrogshop@hotmail.com>
USA - Date: 10/02/98 (Fri)
Time: 01:14:09 PM
