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dexamethasone?

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Migraine Headache
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shuks
New Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 10
Posted 12/18/2012 7:15 PM (GMT -7)
Hi fellow headache sufferers... I am new here

I started getting daily left sided head pain and pressure in August of this year, and just was diagnosed with Migraine headache by a neurologist yesterday.. Ironicaly, yesterday was the WORST the headache has bee, and I was starting to get really freaked out

It subsided some, but not alot. I still have sharp pains, and some pressure, granted its an improvement from yesterday, but it still SUCKS

Dr gave me a script for topomax, and a 5 day course of dexamethasone to "break the cycle" as I have not had a pain free day pretty much since this started almost 4 months ago

problem is, I have NEVEr heard of this being used for headaches, only asthma, Ulcerative colitis and other such medical problems. I am VERY sensitive to medication, and particularly side effect.. AND I have major anxiety, or did... its kinds improved alot this past 6-9months after being on lexapro for about a year (quit in JUNE) and have often wondered if that is what has caused this migraine problem..

anyone have any experience with dexamethasone? Any advice would be so appreciated :-)
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shuks
New Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 10
Posted 12/27/2012 5:08 AM (GMT -7)
No one else has any experience with this?
confused
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prayingformiracles
New Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 1
Posted 12/28/2012 12:37 AM (GMT -7)
I am usually put on a steroid pack when I cannot get rid of my migraines for a week. ON a high dose of dexamethasone it is actually a chemo pill. My daughter had it for her leukemia...but they will use lower doses for 4 to 5 days to break the cycle of a migraine. I have had to do it several times as I am a severe migrainer. Best of Luck.
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mercyme
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2005
Posts : 310
Posted 12/28/2012 6:00 AM (GMT -7)
I don't think I would want to take a chemo pill for a migraine, but that's just me. I've got a terrible migraine this morning. I don't take a lot for my migraines because nothing works. My neurologist has given me tramadol, toradol, loratab, fioricet, zonegran, which is what I have right now if I need it. I've tried so many other drugs with no success. I can't take any of the triptians because of the terrible side effects. I guess I will rest today and pray this migraine calms down.

Mercyme
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shuks
New Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 10
Posted 12/28/2012 10:49 AM (GMT -7)
Dexamethasone is used for alot more than chemo. It is a potent anti inflammatory drug, steroid. It is used in cancer patients but also for chrones colitis asthma chronic pain etc.

I am on my third day and dont really feel much if any improvement though. Very frustrating. My head pain goes from extreme pain and pressure deep inside with sharp shooting pains and throbbing to a more low level pain with subtle but constant pressure in a few areas of left side of my head.

I did start topomax last night too so we will see...

Sigh :(
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mercyme
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2005
Posts : 310
Posted 12/28/2012 6:13 PM (GMT -7)
Hope you are feeling better. I had a migraine all night last night and all day today and it's still with me! UGH! Lord Help Me! :) I took a toradol it did nothing for my pain. I have nothing to take that will touch my pain. It's hard to deal with chronic pain and have nothing to help control it! Saying a prayer for all the migraine sufferers here. :) Praying tomorrow I will wake up pain free.
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shuks
New Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 10
Posted 12/28/2012 6:18 PM (GMT -7)
You too!! Prayers an hugs
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shuks
New Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 10
Posted 12/29/2012 10:29 AM (GMT -7)
I had a pretty crap day yesterday too. Intense pain and pressure in left side of head all day and night. But I decided to skip the dexamethasone last night before bed and low and behold I was able to get some sleep!! Yay :) still feel like I have a vice squeezing the left side of my head this morning but it has eased up slightly...
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mercyme
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2005
Posts : 310
Posted 12/29/2012 4:47 PM (GMT -7)
Hope you are feeling better Shuks. I actually was able to sleep last night for the first time in a very long time. Yay! :) My head has calmed down but my neck has been killing me. if it's not one thing it's another. UGH! Gotta stand strong! :))

Mercyme ~
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shuks
New Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 10
Posted 12/29/2012 5:42 PM (GMT -7)
Glad you are feeling some relief. I get a sore neck too, I have been seeing a massage therapist when I can afford it. I am on day two of topomax, feeling all sorts of weird!!
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lab01343
New Member
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 18
Posted 12/30/2012 11:46 AM (GMT -7)
I was having a lot of neck pain with my migraines. Then one night I used only one side sleeper pillow instead of the two - three thick pillows I had been using and felt very different. I have kept it up and the amount of neck pain that I experienced has dropped. I still have some headaches but the neck isn't as bad during the migraine.

Not a silver bullet by any means, but a thought; is your head level when you sleep or does your pillow cause your neck to be off the 180 degree plain.

Just a thought, but it did help me.
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