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Best preventive?

I'm due to see my GP shortly, and one of the things we will need to discuss is my migraines. I think the way to go is going to have to be a preventive. I've only tried one before (Atenolol) but the trial period was very brief as it kept me awake all night. Please could any one on preventives give me some ideas about what works for them and what doesn't, and what the main downsides to them are? I'm not happy about being kept awake all night (although would do so if my doctor could assure me that this period would be very short and things would improve within a week or two) and also unhappy about anything that would be likely to include weight gain.

Thanks very much in advance.

  1. Hi BlueLily,

    First let me say how sorry I am no one has answered you yet. My now you've probably already seen your doctor and I hope you were able to come up with a migraine management plan.

    It's hard to say which migraine prevention medication is the "best" because it seems no two people react the same way to medications. I can tell you which has a good record of effficacy and share this article with you; https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Alan_Rapoport_-_Migraine_Prevention_Medications.pdf.

    Something else to keep in mind is it can take up to 90 days before we see a reduction in our migraine frequency and severity when we start new medications. Also during this time potential side effects may lessen. You could also talk with your doctor about taking the medication at a different time during the day. The thing is if we don't give each medication a fair trial, we'll never know which one would have worked. Does that make sense?

    Let me know how you are making out,
    Nancy

    1. I take gabapentin as a daily preventive. usually twice a day, at 300 mg per dose. it does seem to help me keep mine in check. some days even this isn't enough. hoping you find something that works for you. I am relatively new to posting, so forgive me for not knowing about how this all works.

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