Migraine med choices

[Italybound62]

My migraines have resurfaced after a 3 year break

I saw my neurologist today and she is giving me some medication choices as the first meds to try

Nortriptyline

Gabapentin

Zoloft

Topamax

does anyone have opinions? good or bad experience with these? I know everyone is different.

I’m already taking Propranolol

thank you

[Onthemove1971]

None of these! They were not created to treat migraines. Here are some to ask for:

CGRP antagonist:

Ajovy- I just started this medication after suffering for many..many years. As soon as I used it ( it is a small subcutaneous injection) they stopped. It has been 6 days and I have had 1 mild migraine that Imitrix stopped quickly.

Rimegepant

Ubrogepant

I tried almost all on your list and they gave me horrible side effects.

Good luck.

[Italybound62 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you! Yes. I asked for the good meds. Lol

Neurologist said that insurance won’t pay for those until 2 other meds are tried and fail. So I guess that will happen.

This gives me hope though. Thank you

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Italybound62]

Did you take medication before?

A few other things: take magnesium as a preventative.

Short acting over the counter migraine with caffeine. Then Triptans ( Imitrix) has worked best for me.

Also consider listening to "heads Up" podcast. It is run by 2 UK migraine specialist. I have really learned a lot from this.

[Italybound62 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you so much for the podcast info!

Yes I took some preventative meds (similar to those I listed) in the past but honestly nothing worked. These are different than what I tried in the past

the only type of meds that have worked so far are those which remove the headache such as OTC w caffeine (danger of rebounds) and Rizatriptan (can only take 2 per week). I take magnesium too. So same as what you mentioned ☺️. problem for me is I get daily migraines and these you cant take safely daily. Need a preventative

How much magnesium do you take? I’m taking 500mg

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Italybound62]

Curious what type of magnisium..I got daily also.

I take Magnisium Glycinate which had helped the most. Many Neurologist recommend up to 1600mg a day. I take 3x a day..

You could also consider adding Feverfew, those worked well.for me. I took 2x a day.

The reason I asked about what you took before is they were failed medication, so you would already be eligible for three new injections now.. they are really what you need since they really work on treating migraines.

I have only had 1 mild migraine in 6 days which is amazing for me.

Best to you!!

[Italybound62 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you for the info!

I take magnesium Malate right now for my muscles due to autoimmune. So not glycinate. I will look at this one. And feverfew.

Sorry I was not clear I took similar meds 4+ years ago and they did not work. My migraines suddenly went away 3 years ago with no explanation so I stopped the meds. Now I’m back seeing Neurologist. so she says I need to start all over again with trying and failing meds because of the 3 year gap. I’m okay with that

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Italybound62]

I had the same thing.. have tried 4 or 5 medication years ago and I tried biofeed back and acupuncture and that was a few years ago. I am surprised they act like it is a reset. If the medications didn't work maybe they want to try different medication.

When I listened to the Podcast they said now some countries are using the new injections as the 1st medication, which could stop them forever..they are that good.

As long as you are good with it.

I just know from research over 50% of people taking them their migraine were significantly reduce or stopped.

Best of luck!!

[Lovecake]

I’ve heard a lot of people refer to Topomax as “dopomax”. Don’t think I’d like to try that one. My hubby has Gabapentin for peripheral neuropathy. I do know that it is very addictive and to come off it can be a nightmare. Not sure whether it helps with migraines, my OH gets plenty of headaches (which are obviously not the same, but pain in the same area).

I literally started Candesartan this morning. I have to try 3 preventatives before I too can have the “proper” migraine treatment (I’m nhs UK). Will it work? No idea 🤷‍♀️ But have to dance to their tune to get any treatment. Amytriptaline did nothing for migraines and propranolol messed up my thyroid levels. I know it’s all about cost, but my goodness, we suffer enough without having to be put through more trials.

I did read somewhere that Nortriptaline can help some people. But again, I’ve not tried it so can’t say it will help. Good luck, hope you get some relief soon