Hi I have just joined the site. I visited my neurologist today and he suggested the use of flunarazine to help prevent chronic migraine.

[chrissiem]

Has anyone had any success with this drug as I have tried just about everything out there including botox?

[Hannawy]

Hi chrissiem,

I have been on flunarizine for two and a half years and it has completely changed my life. I've gone from pain all the time and 4 migraines a week to just pain a couple of times a week, and a full-blown migraine every six weeks or so. I have no noticeable side effects now, though it did make me a bit sleepy at first.

[chrissiem in reply to Hannawy]

Hi Hannawy Thanks for your reply. Can I ask about the 4 migraines a week you had prior to the flunarizine. Did they last a couple ofdays a week? How painful were they as my migraines take a few days to reach peak and more days to ease off. You cannot have had any life at all. I was also hoping that if I took the drug it would prevent the chronic headache and migraine attacks.

I was also worried about the side effects as it states weight gain, depression and tremors are possible.Would you agree with this?

Kind regards Christine

[Hannawy in reply to chrissiem]

Hi Christine, my migraines used to last 36-48 hours, so not as bad as yours. They were very painful but are much better now, though I do get a lot of aura. The chronic pain is gone, thank god.

I've been lucky with the side effects - while I have gained some weight I think it's more likely down to my boyfriend's cooking. No tremors whatsoever, and depression wise it has also been good. I was nervous at first as I have suffered from depression for years, but I did not experience any worsening at all. My neurologist says I have responded very well to this medication and I agree - I had terrible experiences on sodium valproate and topiramate but the flunarizine is like a dream. I do hope it works for you as well.

[chrissiem in reply to Hannawy]

Thanks for your reply hanna. It is so kind of you to do that.

I was just the same as you whilst taking sodium valproate and topiramate. I am so hoping the flunarizine helps me. My neurologist has also suggested taking maxamelt at the onset of a migraine so here goes!!

I have only had one try with the botox but it appears on this site that it may take 2 or 3 attempts to work. So I might try to get this again bon the nhs, although some neurologists in Leeds will not agree to it. I would just like to find a way of dealing with them without taking drugs as I already take duloxetine and pregablin because of a spinal fusion and migraines.

Once again thanks for replying to me.

Kind regards

Christine

[wcaroljaneuk]

My son (aged 30) has tried Topiremate, Pregabalin, Sodium valproate, Botox, vagus stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, occipital nerve injections, and Cefaly - none of which made any difference to his NDPH of the chronic migraine variety which he has had since age 22.

He has been taking Flunarizine for 18 months and this is the first medication which has made any difference - his average daily pain score has reduced from 6 in January 2014 to 1.4 in December 2014 - this has made a HUGE difference to his life and he is gradually becoming more like the son I knew!

3 months ago he was started on Candesartan 4mg daily as well, this seems to have further improved the pain scores, as prior to this the average was 2.5.

I hope the Flunarizine also helps you - I know it was stories like this that helped my son to persevere, as the Flunarizine did not immediately make much difference, just a VERY gradual reduction in pain score averages month by month until the 1 year mark when it was down to average of 2.5.