Expert Answer: Narcotic analgesics for migraine

By dr-green

April 8, 2011

Question: Do you recommend narcotic pain meds for someone who cannot take meds like Imitrex or Maxalt

There are various reasons why individuals cannot take triptans.Narcotics are sometimes used in this setting. However, narcotics are generally only modestly effective in the treatment of migraine, so they are not often used. Best to consult your doctor to find out if there are other classes of medications you can take other than narcotics which might be more effective.

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not found
April 8, 2011
I have to take narcotics...I cannot take triptans because of severe palpatations...nothing else works....I've tried everything else know to man. But nobody wants to prescribe narcotics!
1. not found
 April 8, 2011
 Emergency rooms are more likely to give it if you have a pain contract with your doctor and bring records of you migraine history with you. Mainly they are trying to avoid druggies. Most will try to help you if they have verification that you are an actual pain patient. 
2. not found
 April 8, 2011
 I always bring my neurologists card with me and I have his cell # for when he's not in the office...so I tell them to call him. I always get something now...and you can see the migraine because one of my eyes always droops. But...the first thing they always want to give me is Torradol or Reglan and neither does anything for me. I get 2mg of Dilaudid in the ER.
not found
April 8, 2011
I take Imitrex and it works for me.
not found
April 8, 2011
I'm on day 3 of a migraine..using imitrex and just had my dr increase it to 100mg today with no relief..any suggestions?
not found
April 8, 2011
I do have percocet but really don't want to take it...but at this point I may have no choice..
1. not found
 April 8, 2011
 Take it. You need the relief!!!!! There is really no reason for you to suffer through a Migrain Kia and If you have the Percocet TAKE IT! Get some relief. 😀 Hope you feel better soon.
2. not found
 April 13, 2011
 Kia, if the perocet has helped you in the past then there's no harm in taking it AS PRESCRIBED. Just be mindful not to OVER MEDICATE. Please don't suffer through that pain if you don't have too. Try to lie down in a cool quite room, and try an ice pack, the ice pack brought me some relief. I hope you feel better soon.
not found
April 8, 2011
I have taken Imitrex in the past. it has stopped working for me. then I have taken beta blockers. and they have stopped working. now my doc gave me effexor xr. second day on it. and still woke up at 1 am with a headache, and severe neck pain.
1. not found
 April 10, 2011
 Actually if you read closely, one of the side effects of effexor is headaches, so keep that in mind as you are taking that.
2. not found
 April 14, 2011
 I've had migraines for many many years. It took me coming to Norway to find out that I have many food triggers. Everyone can be different but gluten, milk, barley, rye, things with tannins in them can trigger migraines in me. I can control much better how often they occur and how severe by watching what I eat.
not found
April 8, 2011
I've taken firocet for 20 years and I have a heart condition that won't allow me to take tritons... they also since the heart attack have me on neuontin twice a day so I don't get as many migraines anymore.
1. not found
 April 13, 2011
 alexis, I also have been on fiorcet for years, and then one day it didn't help anymore, and i think thats cause my migraines changed it was something i never felt before, I had never had a migraine this long before, it lasted six weeks. so i hope you continue to get relief.
not found
April 8, 2011
I need an occasional injection of demerol when my triptans don't work. But it's only twice a month...I feel I would get rebound if I took narcotics more often.
not found
April 8, 2011
I had brain surgery to get rid of seizures, I now have MIGRAINES instead of daily seizures..Ive taken every med they offer with No results..Now I have to try FLUNARIZINE..which is only sold outa CANADA(and has a side effect of major weight gain) which makes me not wana take it, and I have to do another DHE treatment, I hope to get LONGER results from the DHE this X since the first treatment only lasted 3 weeks.I hope it works this time, I didn't have any side effects from the 1st treatment which some seem to have leg issues from it.
1. not found
 April 9, 2011
 Make that migraine your bitch, d. You're one tough lady, I know you got it in you.
2. not found
 April 9, 2011
 I do, im just sick of dealing with it..all day everyday
not found
April 8, 2011
I have transformed migraines which causes headaches everyday. Most of the time the pain is at a 3 on the pain scale so I don't take anything. On days when the pain is at a 6 or above the only thing that takes the edge off is Lortab. I can only use it 1 to 2 day max because of rebound headaches but I'm thankful for the 1 to 2 day relief.
not found
April 9, 2011
I think I suffer from migraines but as I don't have the money or insurance to go see a doctor to be diagnosed with them I take meds when I can and when I cant then I just muddle through them nothing else I can really do.
not found
April 10, 2011
I have to take Zomig nasal spray, preventives and a narcotic if all else fails. I currently am receiving botox injections every 3 months that last about 1 1/2 months. It really seems to help some but not always. I have 3-5 migraines a week and am out on disability. I wish they woud fine something that really worked well. Soft hugs to you all!
not found
March 28, 2012
I need to know ifZomig is considered a narcotic.
1. not found
 March 28, 2012
 Laura - Zomig belongs to the triptan class of medications (it is not a narcotic). You can learn more about Zomig here: <a href='http://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/zomig/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer nofollow'>http://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/zomig/</a>

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