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I started experiencing migraines 2 years ago. My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin (off label) for me for suspected ADD post-hysterectomy. A side effect was migraines, which started about a month after I started the medication. I had NEVER had a migraine headache in my life before I took Wellbutrin. I stopped the medication after 6 months, but the migraines continued. I really have no idea what my triggers are, except that the Wellbutrin flipped some switch in my brain.

I first started getting them about twice a month, always on a Friday or Saturday. Most of the time I would wake up in the middle of the night with pain in my neck and back of my head. For the last six months, the frequency has increased to almost one headache per week, sometimes the headache lasts for 2-3 days. My doctor prescribed Treximet, which works great at aborting the headache. My concern is that I am having rebound headaches.

I started seeing a chiropractor 6 weeks ago. The migraines INCREASED in frequency!! I stopped seeing him last week. I was not going to risk a rising increase in headaches not knowing what the outcome of treatment might be.

I saw a new neurologist last week who recommended neurofeedback. I am trying to find a provider that will take my insurance (it is covered).

Has anyone had a similar experience with Wellbutrin causing migraines?

Has anyone had any success with neurofeedback?

  1. Hi amKeith,

    First let me say I'm so sorry it's taken me a while to respond, my apologies. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, let me see what I can do to help.

    Migraine is thought to be a genetic neuro-biological disease that can impact our entire body and includes attacks or flares. Trigger identification and management may help reduce our migraine attack frequency and severity. If you haven't kept a detailed migraine diary, I would encourage you to do so for a few months. You can use "old fashion" pen and paper or an app - lots of options. When I kept one with (for) my son when he was nine years old, we were able to identify dehydration, skipping meals, too many nitrates, dark chocolate and irregular sleeping patterns to be his major triggers. Let me share this information with you on triggers that may help; https://migraine.com/blog/keeping-migraine-diary-basics/.

    Many of the migraine experts I've worked with are not fans of using chiropractors for our neck, lower back is fine, but not so much the neck. You may want to check into PT for migraine, some people have good results with that.

    I use a combination of medications including Botox, Cefaly (a device to help prevent and/or abort migraine attacks,) yoga, meditation, and cannabis to help with my pain. I've tried biofeedback, and many other things without great results, but that doesn't mean it won't work for you. When you get a minute, take a look at this information; https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/natural-remedies/biofeedback/.

    I'll stop now so I don't totally overwhelm you. Let me know what you think!
    Nancy

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