Running out of options
I have tried countless numbers of "fast acting" medications and now, naratriptan, which was the ONLY one that occasionally worked for me, has stopped working. I have to pay about $60 out of pocked for a 9-pill blister pack, and the last 3 didn't work for me. I am feeling frustrated because I don't feel like I should keep wasting my money on this medication that more often doesn't work than does. I am also on 25 mg amitriptyline, a daily preventative to to try to help from getting the migraines in the first place. I am beginning to wondering whether I will ever find a good fast acting medication for me again.
I have actually been thinking of going the medicinal marijuana route. Since I now live in a state I can obtain a prescription, and have had documented migraines since I was about 6 years old, I wouldn't have any problems with the process. I have found that especially when nothing else works, marijuana is the ONLY thing to take the edge off. Have any other fellow migraine sufferers out there gone this route? If so, with the prescription, do you still use a fast acting medication? I want to look into all my options and talk to others in similar situations. I'd rather pay the $200 JUST to get an appointment with the doctor to give you the license for what I know works for me, than to continue throwing money down the train on something that is a placebo to me at this point.... HELP
I don't know anything about marijuana, but what I can tell you is that anytime you can't afford your meds (even if you have insurance) find out who the manufacturer of the medication is and many times they have a patient assistance program. At the very least, they will give you a copay card to give you a discount on your copay. I hope that helps you.
I replied to this on another thread, but will copy you here. I hope it is helpful:
I have no personal experience, however at a meeting got into a discussion with a famous researcher/Migraine specialist about it. In his experience, some patients do well, others don’t. Like everything else, it is different for each person. I’ve talked to some patients it helps, others it doesn’t. There are different species and different chemicals, so the different results could be based somewhat on inconsistency for those reasons?
I do know there are two basic chemicals in MMJ, and the species you want has not got high levels of THC which is what makes you high. It’s the other chemical that helps with pain. If you get Netflix, there’s an interesting documentary there that explains much about it’s use for pain and other medical purposes, as well as dispensing, etc out of California at least. It’s called (I hate this title) Weed Wars.
~Ellen
There's very little research on it. Patients I know who have tried it have been split pretty much in half -- half get relief from it, half don't (and some even feel worse with it). Some say it actually reduces or aborts a migraine, others say they get so high that they don't notice the migraine.
It could cause rebound (medication overuse) headaches and should be used sparingly. Sticking to the guidelines of opioids, you shouldn't use it more than eight times a month and only use as much as you need at one time.
Some strains are more effective for different symptoms than others. Leafly.com is a compendium of many strains, their reported efficacy for various symptoms and their negative side effects. There are many more strains than any dispensary can carry, but the staff can help you find one that's best for your symptoms.
Also, be sure to familiarize yourself with your state's laws. It's also helpful to see what local news sources have to say about how the laws are being implemented. There may be nothing to worry about, but it's better to know what you're getting into ahead of time.
Best wishes in finding a helpful treatment, marijuana or otherwise.
