Musings on Migraine

[Monty123]

Hi All , I have been reading through posts with interest as a regular sufferer of migraine or years .I use Maxalt for attacks with good result but probably take too many . Have tried all sorts of preventatives , the only one that worked miraculously well was Pregabalin (Lyrica ) which is an anti epileptic drug . It is also used for Generalised Anxiety Disorder interestingly . It stopped migraines completely but side effects of very poor short term memory which got me down and sexual problems . My doctor now reluctant to prescribe as its become a controlled drug . Anyone else had experience of it ? Gabapentin is a similar drug. I find it interesting to read about the over excitability of the brain in migraine as epilepsy I guess similar. I am currently at a point of wanting to try a preventative again and may try Amitryptilline . My half sister in the USA who suffers has just seen a Psychoneurologist there who said first line treatments are Amitryptiline or an antidepressant called Venlafaxine . He also suggested the usual mediation , exercise etc and Magnesium /Vitamin B2 .

I can relate to the depression this horrible problem causes , just so tired of always feeling under par and trying to get through so many things feeling half alive or worse .

Sending love out there , were not alone !

Best

Jax

[Cat00]

Hello,

I've been on Pregablin, Gabapentin at the same time and separately and amitriptyline in the past and presently. Pregablin was very effective particularly with gabapentin but it made me put on weight and they wouldn't let me stay on both. When they took the gabapentin away it wasn't as effective. I had massive anxiety problems and it helped that too and dampened my pain receptors down to manageable levels. But I had to come off everything for my first pregnancy and pregablin is so hard to come off I didn't go back on once the baby was born. I now can't sleep without amitriptyline but I don't think it has any impact on migraine. Botox seems to the only thing that does and even that is up and down. Been on too many other drugs to remember lots if beta blockers and anti convulsants!!

The USA are very pro magnesium citrate, but my neurologist don't like the evidence on here just saying it's too old and inconclusive.

Not sure what I'm bringing to the discussion just saying me too really!

[babs1234]

Hi. Every drug works for some, for me Amitryptaline stopped the headaches but I was like a zombie with dementia. After 9 months the headaches returned. I didn’t realise how bad the side effects were till I weaned myself off the drug. Like I say could work for you with no side effects. Good luck