New medication, better results
I have suffered from migraines for my entire life. As a child and teen they went undiagnosed and was told it was growing pains. When I went into the service I was finally diagnosed with migraines with aura. I just dealt with it with OTC for years. Over the years the frequency increased to the point where I needed something more then over the OTC remedies. About 10 years ago my Dr put me on Rizatriptan for the onset of a migraine and it worked well to calm the migraines. In the last 6 months the migraines have increased dramatically where I would have stretches of 10 straight days of migraines. The Rizatriptan became less effective and rebound migraines were brutal. 3 weeks ago I had my anual appointment with my Dr and had a good discussion about my migraines. I first asked him for a muscle relaxer which was recommend by my Chiropractor, and he agreed. I asked him about a referral to the Migraine clinic. He said ok but first let try a preventative medication. He put me on Topiramate 50mg before bed. What a difference! I've had 1 medium Migraine in 3 weeks, and that Migraine was remedied with Rizatriptan in a hour. Im hoping this lasts. Its better then then having migraines 21 days out of the month. Has anybody had the same results with this med?
- Thank you for sharing some of your migraine journey with us. Sounds like quite a long and challenging road. Glad you had some success with the triptan but awful that its efficacy began to slide with time. Topiramate (otherwise known as Topamax) is a well-known migraine preventative. Originally created to help with epilepsy it was found to help with migraine. I personally have taken it for decades. It, along with a few other medications, helps to quiet the severity of my attacks but doesn't slow the frequency. Everyone is different. Topamax has a bit of a bad reputation with some users as a drug that slows cognition and has been called "dope-amax" for that reason. I'm not sure if you've noticed that side effect. I did when I first was titrating up on the drug but it faded once I was on an established dose. We have a lot of resources re: this med including community members who have shared their experiences with it. You might be interested in taking a look at those here: https://migraine.com/search?s=topamax. We wish you the absolute best as you continue on your journey seeking relief. We are here for you! Warmly - Holly (team member) Holly, thanks for the link. Ive have read alot of it. Thankfully I've had minimal side effects. The only noticeable one is tingling in both my hands and feet. I can deal with that easy compared to where I was a month ago. I can almost celebrate coming off a string of 10 consecutive days of migraines one day of peace and a return with a vengeance. I'm on a low dose compared to most 50mg at bedtime. Since starting it I've had only two medium migraines that my Rizatriptan have calmed pretty well and Im truly greatful for that. Everything is going to be tested well with my stress level rising due to my wifes health issues. She has her 2nd infection in her knee replacement and is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning to remove the replacement for the second time and go on a rigid antibiotic treatment being hospitalized for a couple of weeks. Having no family support it gets very stressfull. I have identified several triggers to aviod but stress is the toughest. I just have to keep a positive mind set and trust our Drs and keep moving forward. Thank God I found this fourm! And folks like you.
It seems you've turned a corner in your treatment. I am so glad to hear that topiramate is making a huge difference in the pain you've been suffering for many years. Having 10 consecutive days of migraines during a single episode is defeating and monstrously distressing. Do keep your physician in the loop. If it seems to be helping less and less, discuss this with them - they may recommend a higher dose or another medication. I certainly hope that your wife has a successful procedure and that the infection is quelled. That in and of itself is quite stressful. I'm sorry you've got no family support during this rough time. Remember to keep yourself managed so you can be of assistance to your wife. Sounds like your mindset is pretty positive currently, though. As migraines are unpredictable, do have an action plan to assist you. And, do keep moving forward. We are here to support you. Log on - someone is always available to help you through the difficult times. Wishing you and yours the best of health and well-being. Rebecca (team member)
Rebecca, thank you!
I guess I have family support here after all! Thanks
