Migranes and medication?

Question

I'm 17 years old and I've had migranes since I was 14. I've been prescribed imitrex for years and now the effect of it is slowly starting to decrease. The doctor ups the mgs on it but I don't like having to take the pills everytime I get a headache I'd hate to see my liver from all the damage the med has done.....anyway about a month ago he gave me Inderal, I take it three times a day and it's supposed to control my migranes down. So far, it's worked fairly well but I'm not sure I like the effect it has on my body. I feel weak, tired, a bit more depressed that I already was(i've been on lexapro for a while now) and anxious a lot. Has anyone else had this medicine before?

Answer 1

Do you see a neurologist? You may want to get it further checked out. My neurologist has me on topamax and sometime they start diamox to help daily, also pain medicine like butalbital and if you can afford relapax is replacing imitrex my doctor said.
I have incrancial hypertension also known as pseudotumor cerebri meaning the migraines are caused by producing too much spinal fluid.Also try to sleep with you head elevated if possible. I never been on lexapro but they also have me on effexor xr and seraquell to help sleep and depression since migraines are causing me to loss vision. Just she what you can do since doctors really don't have a cure for migraines yet and take care.

Answer 2

Yes, I use Inderal to help manage my migraines. I use one - 40mg tablet each day as a preventative measure. Inderal was first developed to treat high blood pressure but has been successful in managing these headaches. Inderal is a Bat-blocker meaning if works by slowing down the heart to lower blood pressure. So, for a while you may feel tired. It is called exercise tolerance. It it me too but do go away after a month.

I tried imetrex and others with out success. So my doctor put me back on the one medication that aborted my migraines in the past. It is a drug called Fiorinal with Codeine (a little stronger than Tylenol #3).

I can't speak to lexapro...never had use for it.

Keep working with your doctor and don't stop seeking help until you find the right medication or combination. But Indra is a proven prophylactic med.

Good luck

Answer 3

I've suffered from migraine since I was a small kid and I'm now in my forties. One thing that has helped a great deal is taking up yoga. When I do have a migraine, the pain is unbearable and it stops me from doing anything at all. Something I've found really helpful is dipping a cotton pad in cold water, squeezing most of the water out and then putting 2 drops of Olbas Oil onto the pad and rubbing it on my forehead, temples, behind the ears and at the hairline at the back of my neck. You have to be really careful that this stuff doesn't get in or near your eyes as it's really strong. I keep on rubbing this stuff on till the painkillers I've taken kick in. Another thing that helps is to very carefully do the neck rolls I've learnt in Yoga as this seems to release tension in the neck - I wouldn't recommend doing this without Yoga lessons first as the neck is really delicate and you could make things worse instead of better. Also, meditative breathing seems to help to take the focus off the pain.