recommendation for a med for my headaches please???

twistymirrors · Post by **twistymirrors** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:11 pm

Hello again.
I'm wondering if anyone has a recommendation on something i can take for my headaches...Ive been on topomax, nortriptyline, nadolol, and another drug that i cant remember the name(it was a little blue pill and it was an antidepressant also used for headaches)...non of the ones i've been on have worked completely...the headaches come back after a couple weeks use...and the nortriptyline and nadolol gave me hallucinations also nortriptyline gave me heart palpitations...
I was put on t3's one week when my headaches were really bad...but only a week cuz the clinic i went to wont perscribe narcotics for longer...
If any of you have been on another medication other than the four listed above that have really worked for you i would appreciate a recommendation so that i can ask my family dr on friday when i see her.
Thanks
-Sandra D

sewwhat · Post by **sewwhat** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:45 pm

Hi I was on amitriptyline the antidepressant for awhile and it helped a bit with my headaches.

But I want to let you know that the IBT *Inclined Bed Therapy has been the BEST at relieving my headaches. I don't know if you have tried it, or read the IBT threads on this site but just wanted to share what has helped me

tc

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:57 am

I second amitriptyline. I take 25mg at night.

My neuro advised me to cut out all painkillers (easy for him to say!) - like ibuprofen, paracetamol, aspirin etc. I have dramatically cut down on them as far as I can and that has helped. He told me that OTC painkillers can actually cause headaches.

Lastly I found that getting my vitamin D3 levels to a good level, and taking D3, calcium/magnesium at night, and and extra magnesium tablet it I felt a migraine starting, helped minimise the migraines.

HTH

twistymirrors · Post by **twistymirrors** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 7:55 am

Thanks...I checked out pictures of that amitriptyline...and the little blue ones im sure is the ones i was on...caused insomnia lol...

my neuro also said to stop all store bought pain killers...before i saw him i was taking 12 ibuprofen a day...and they didnt work...I rarely take it anymore...usually when i have other aches and pains...not for headaches.

I may try the incline bed therapy...i also have a hiatus hernia so it would help reduce the heart burn

Thanks for your help. ;p
-sandra d

sou · Post by **sou** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:01 am

Hi.

I used to have severe headaches at the left side of my head. Coincidentally. I have found problematic flow in my left jugular vein. Could you check that, too? Many MSers have similar headaches.

They could be caused by some drug you may take. I have had some bad experience with sertraline.

[sarcasm]I have been on sertraline, a terrific antidepressant, for a while. It has helped me very much. Since starting it, I have headaches very often. I was very worried that they could have been gone!

Pfizer, I LOVE YOU![/sarcasm]

Let's kill some Nigerian infants suffering from meningitis.

The Trovan trial at Kano

sou(r)

twistymirrors · Post by **twistymirrors** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:16 am

Thanks sou...
when i first went off work for being too sick the first thing i did was stop all my meds(effexor, topomax, and nexium)...didnt change my headaches...my main pain is on my left side as well...but sometimes its on top and in the back.
Drinking water relieves it somewhat and i drink a lot of water...but it doesnt completely get rid of them.
Since my Neuro wont see me anymore i need to get a new script from my family dr...the med im on right now doesnt work and makes me hallucinate which is not too fun when it makes you so scared you roll out of bed...lol
Thanks for your info
-sandra d

catfreak · Post by **catfreak** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 1:19 pm

Hi there,

You sound like me. They tried everything on me and we settled on Effexor XR, which seemed to work best. Sounds like you have tried that already.

Good luck,

Cat

Johnson · Post by **Johnson** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 1:23 pm

I had very bad head aches and TMJ pain, and took loads of aspirin for it. I knew it was not good, but the pain... Finally, after being Dx with MS in 1993, I sought alternatives to drugs - which were just not there for MS in those days. Amongst the therapies, was acupuncture, and the acupuncturist showed me how to do acupressure for my head aches. It stops the head ache within 30 seconds, no drugs. I have since used the method on dozens of people, and they are always amazed.

The point to press is in the web between thumb and index finger (there are actually 3 points there, but you will know when you have the right one) You will notice when you have a head ache, that it is "puffy", or congested there (the hand), and when you squeeze there (pinch between thumb and index finger of opposite hand), it is quite painful, however, after 10 seconds, or so, the pain starts to ease, and so does the head ache. Keep pressing until your head ache is gone. No drugs necessary.

Try this link. The LI 4 point is the one I refer to. You can click on the LI 4 link in the graphic for more information - it refers to further indications.

This link provides other acupressure points for head ache/neck/shoulder pain.

I hope that helps.

Mechanicallyinclined · Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:09 pm

Everyones situation is different but I found that my headaches were a result of my neck needing an adjustment by a chiropractor. When he adjusted it the relief was almost immediate. Some people find neck adjustments scary,but they do work for me.

jr5646 · Post by **jr5646** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:05 am

Sandra D,

This goes back a few years but I had a run of severe headaches (taking a bullet would probably be less painful

) that forced me to the ER.. My neuro at the time gave me ZOMIG 10mg - Lifesaver if you ask me... I still keep a few on hand "just in case", and don't even care if they are expired !!!!!!

I never want to experience that amount of pain again... . The stuff took the pain away within 20 minutes if not sooner after taking it. If I recall correctly, it made me drowsy but when the pain was that severe I really didn't care.

I only took the med. when I felt a headache starting - and did not take it ongonig. http://www.zomig.com/

I remember now - after the headache subsided, I felt as though somebody tried to yank out me hair... almost like a bruise that lasted for days. Ouch !

I surely hope you find relief... I know. its awful.. Hang in there.

-John

twistymirrors · Post by **twistymirrors** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:05 am

thanks for the info

. I dont mind stuff that makes you drowsy cuz im already taking a ton of gravol a day and a couple benedryl once in a while(specially if im eating something with sulfites-damn allergy)...soo im really use to the drowsiness they cause to the point where its almost non-existant anymore

I really appreciate everyones input. Thanks a bunch
-Sandra D

msmything · Post by **msmything** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:59 pm

Oddly enough, a sever, intractible headache was my presenting sx that lead to my MS diagnosis.
For manu years I called them my chiropractor headache, as an adjustment was the ONLY thing that would help. No they don't help any more.
I have been struggling with servere pain for about a year now. I wound up on neurontin, 1800 mgs, daily, and caclofen 60 mg/day. I had 2 cciptital nerve blocks, which did work the first time for the headache.
I consulted a pain specialist. he tried me on norco 10. a narcotic. it worked, but your body strts to need and want more and more every day.
We have decided to up the ante, and try a fentanyl patch, lowest dose available. I't been over a week, I'm very pleased.
It's a classII narcotic. Not good. However it is an transdermal delivery system, lasting about 3 days each.
I'm delighted with my body's response. I have awakened with no headache, nor any other kid of ache. I am not groggy or tired/sleepy. Plus, the delivery system takes away the swallow pill/get reward component of addiction out of the equation.
This morn was my 9th? day that upon opening my eyes I smiled while doing the wake up assessment. NO HEADACHE. I'm sill amazed.
There was so much nerve aggravation on my face/head/neck I was Barely functional done. TMJ, tri geminal neralgia, and hedache eminating from occipital nerve.
When I 1st saw the pain guy he asked "what do you think I can do for you?'
My answer was and is 'it's 2010. I am not willing to continue this level of pain. Lets work on it'
This was a big step, but even a co-worker said today that I looked totally different, not looking like I was going to go fetal at any second.
Keep trying! Best to you!

twistymirrors · Post by **twistymirrors** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:32 am

thats awesome...im glad you finally found relief...
I've been having headaches since i was a teen...it just gradually got worse to the point i needed meds...but nothing worked...
one week I had a mirgraine(which is worse then my norm headaches) and a dr at the medi clinic across the rd from me gave me T3's only for a week tho cuz its considered a narcotic....only week where i have ever had complete relief from my headaches...
Im going to my family dr on friday so we'll see what she says. ;p
Thanks a lot
-Sandra D