Migraines--Zomig

[steph37822]

oops

[MightyMouse]

Steph, I used to joke that the meds are designed to make you feel like you're going to die, and therefore, even in the headache stays, you feel better because you've cheated death.

I feel the same way after migraine meds--imitrex, amerge. Both make me feel awful but help the headache pass.

Nina

[taylortotmom]

I love Zomig for migraines!!!! Okay, here is the deal. It is to be used the second you think you might be getting a migraine. It is not a preventative med or one that does any good once the migraine actually hits full force. It can cause some strange sensations but so can migraines so it can be hard to tell if it is the med making you feel weird or the migraine. I am one of the few people that Imitrex, etc. would not be appropriate for do to my torrid history. And now, I can't take Zomig anymore because I have a history of atypical (of course!) complicated migraines so I was told the Zomig was contraindicated for me. When I was able to take it, it was fabulous and I held onto those pills for dear life- they were worth their weight in gold. So, I don't know what your migraine history is but if it is safe for you to take Zomig, try taking it sooner next time. In the meantime, call your prescribing doctor and explain your current sxs. (I know you already know to do this). Ironically, I am recovering from a doozy of a migraine myself and what saved me and the only thing that could break it was my iv fluids and mega doses of sodium. Hope this helps. Take care (and stay off the computer when you have a migraine- you know this too, I'm sure!)

Carmen

[DSM3KIDZ]

I have never took zomig but I do take relpax and I know it makes my heart race and feel drunk and weak. I slur my speech and just feel awful on it but it does stop the migraine. So if I can I sleep it off and after a few hours 2 to 3 I usually start feeling myself again. I notice after I take my migraine meds -which is at least 2x a week I get depressed from it for a few days. So the side effects **** but so does the migraines. Maybe try 1/2 a pill. That's what I'm going to do next time.

Dayna

[DancingLight]

steph,

i'm sorry you are feeling so crummy on this med...i don't have any tips as i haven't taken any of those meds...but i do understand that feeling about meds making you feel like you are going to die! it is always a double edged sword...to try a new med or not! at least i feel that way. like, i want relief from my insomnia, but do i really want to try another med???? so, i hear you...and i wanted you to at least know that! i was just thinking about you and hoping you weren't posting much b/c car-li was keeping you so busy! so, i am sorry it's b/c you feel like crappola!

later alligator, emily

[MightyMouse]

Dayna, just make sure that you can safely split the pill--some pills are not okay to crush or split. That's a question for your pharmacist, or you can call the drug maker.

Nina

[Sunfish]

don't you love it when the things that are supposed to help actually hurt? geesh. I don't get migraines often but when I do I take Relpax. If it has any bad affects for me I can't differentiate them from the migraine itself. I think it's one of the "lower key" meds though as far as migraines go....Dr. Grubb put me on it as one that his patients tolerate well...

Hope you're feeling better!

:-)melissa

[briarrose]

I don't know about the other medications but I prefer Imitrex. I have migraines so bad that I start vomiting. I agree with the others, when you feel your migraine coming on take your medication.

About the side effects, you can call any 24 hour pharmacy and ask a pharmacist what to expect from the medication. Or wait until tomorrow to speak with your doc.

I'm very medication sensitive but I've never had any problems with Imitrex.

Steph

[shelby]

Hi All

The ironic thing was that I was just thinking about posting something about migraines a couple of days ago. Here is my question:

I get these migraine like headaches. I can handle the nausea and things that go with them, but I have been getting very edgy when I have one. I get irratable and start yelling at people and getting really no so nice. Has anyone had this problem?

Thanks,

Shelby

[briarrose]

Shelby

Is there a certain time of the month that you're noticing your migraines?

[tammyokc]

Hey Steph, just read this! Sorry you're feeling so bad. I only take Imitrex for my migraines. Nothing else makes my headaches or migraines better. It does make my heart beat a little faster but that's it. Yikes. Let me know when you are feeling better! Hope it's not any of the other meds that you are taking and they are all interacting. I took Zomig once in my life but it was before my POTS was so bad and didn't notice any bad reactions, sorry no help there from me...

[steph37822]

oops

[shelby]

Bria,

There isn't a set time that I get these in the month. I have them all the time. Well not all the time or I would have gone crazy by now. If you don't mind me asking what would set these off at a set time of the month? The only thing I could think of was my menstral cycle, but I haven't had one for about three years, so that can't be it. Thanks for your response. Shelby

[Guest tearose]

Sorry I'm late...

I only get a migraine once a year but it is worth dealing with!!!

I have been able to cut the 2.5 tab of Zomig and it knocks the pain out in 20-40 minutes.

The prescribing doctor was surprised that I too got so tachy with the regular dose and that I felt "high" on the 1/2 dose! He said "you must be a cheap drunk"! He was correct, I can't drink and when I do...two swigs of anything and I'm feeling giddy!!!

Anyway, I am glad the 1/2 of a 2.5 zomig does work without the tachy!

best regards, tearose

[goldicedance]

Sorry, Steph, about your migraine. I frequently refer to myself as the Migraine Queen. I have been hospitalized twice for about 7 days each time with migraines and the aftermath. After several really long months, my headache specialist and I seem to have found a pretty good formula, but like everything, needs to be tweaked every now and then.

First, her best advice for treating migraines is not to get them. For this, I take big doses of neurontin and zoloft. One I think I am getting a headache, I take Maxalt (Amerge, Imitrex, Zomig--not effective--we're all different so different meds work differently for different people). I tried Migranal (a DHE nasal spray) that worked well but stuffed up my nose something smart. I can combine the Maxalt with a pain killer (percocet); after two hours and still have the headache, then something for nausea and then 2 Maxalt. The steps go on--until reaching DHE injections and then finally a trip to the emergency room.

I hope that you are feeling better.

[Guest Mary from OH]

Steph-

Sorry, I'm a little late to the party. Been down with a lot of migraines myself lately. All this crazy weather!!

If I remember ( ), this is your first triptan you've tried. All triptans work the same way, but some help people better than others and some seem to have less side-effects than others. Unfortunately, it's a "personal" thing. Ask your dr for some samples of the different ones, that way you can "try" a couple and see which one works the best for you.

I have to agree with the other Steph, Imitrex is my choice of triptan. It seems to work the best for me. But, everyone is different. But I would definitely get samples from your dr. The Rx's are expensive!!! Plus, if they don't work or make you feel too bad, it's a waste of $$$!!

Did your tachy last a short time or a long time? It "theorhetically" should have only lasted a short time. If it lasted longer than that , I would ask for a different triptan. Also, did it SIGNIFICANTLY help (get rid of) your migraine?

Things to ponder....

Let me know if I can help!

Hope your head gets better!

This crazy weather is our enemy!!!!!!!!!!!

[lthomas521]

I have had some really strange migraines. There was no pain associated with them, so it surprised me that I got the diagnosis of migraine. I'd get bad attacks of vertigo (room spinning) and tinnitus (whooshing and roaring in my ears). Once, I got a classic migraine scotoma, but no headache. My nephrologist suspected migraine and sent me to a neurologist. When I finally did get a headache with the spinning and whooshing, I called the neurologist, who offered me codeine. He said he couldn't make the room stop spinning, which was my main complaint. Can't work or drive in that condition. The pain really wasn't bad. In retrospect, I wondered why he didn't offer me a triptan, so I looked it up on the Internet. Apparently, triptans can trigger a stroke in people with basilar artery migraine. Hm. I think I'll take aspirin. Aspirin sounds really good.

After my overall health improved, the pain with the migraines got a bit worse and could linger for more than a day. Last fall, I was in the second day of a mild but annoying migraine attack when my sister-in-law offered me a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich on potato bread. I thought, whoa, massive sugar load. But I ate it anyway. Fifteen minutes later, the pain was gone. I mean GONE. No pain, stomach settled, room completely still, no twirly lights when I closed my eyes. Maybe, just maybe, exercise triggers my migraines because my blood sugar drops too far. Now, I eat a huge sugar load (and drink lots of water and eat salt and take two aspirin/acetaminophen/caffeine tablets) at the first sign of a migraine. It seems to help.