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MIGRANOL/DHE - WHOOO-HHHHEEEE!!!!!

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Migraine Headache
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Posted 2/4/2007 12:44 PM (GMT -8)

Hey Guys,

Had a pretty rough week so I haven't been able to update you on my latest Migraine/TMJ update.  The trip I made to the ER last week paid off, but I haven't been able to catch you guys on things.

I couldn't get a wireless signal for three days and that was making me crazy.  On Wednesday,  I spent three hours in the dentist office getting more work done.  He had to numb me up four times because I'm have such a tolerance to pain meds.  He can't use novacaine on me, he has to use something stronger, and invariably, he has to numb me up again during the process. 

This time I had three root canals.  He was in the middle of one, and the nerve wasn't numb, and I screamed so loud, I'm sure the whole office heard me.  He stuck the pain needle straight into the nerve.  One thing I've noticed that seems to make a big difference in my TMJ pain is that my dentist doesn't clamp open my jaw while he's working.  My old dentist did that and it really aggrevated my TMJ.  My new dentist, John, doesn't use clamps so my jaw doesn't get forced open for long periods of time.  I can rest it closed while he's getting ready to do the next thing.

I had a long talk with my PCP Wednesday also.  I finally got an new abortive that somehow I'd missed in all my years of migraine treatment.  I got tipped off by the DHE the ER gave me the last time I had to go in for a migraine attack.  Finally, Migranol Nasal Spray, seems to be a good match for me, although it had to be special ordered.  This is really good for me, because it is a limited (single migraine size), so I can't take too much, and it's non narcotic.  I did have a problem getting liquid compazine, in case of nausea, as they don't make it anymore.  I figured a liquid would absorb faster than a pill, then I ended up liquid phenergan which is not going to do the job.  Just too mild.  I don't want to get into shots, but I will if needed to get the relief.  I'm sure I'm going to have to tweak things a bit, but at least I see some hope ahead.

Thursday, I had another round of steroids via epidural injection for my back pain.  I'm so tired of these injections, but they do give me some relief for a while.  I still have one more to go in this series.

For you guys who haven't tried Migranol/DHE, it's definitely worth a shot.  This is the first time I've been encouraged about a medication in a long time.  Will let you know how it's going.

Leigh Ann cool

Posted 2/4/2007 8:31 PM (GMT -8)
i'm so glad you got an Rx. for it. Did it take a min. to learn how to use the contraption? Have you used it yet? The nasuea is caused for me was too much. It also made me feel like i have the flu or something.
But each is own, I really hope this helps you!! You may want to try suppositories if liquid doesn't help, plus you don't have to worry about vomitting....I bet liquid phen. taste awefull...
Best to you...(and if the NS doesn't work, they also have shots you can give yourself.)
Posted 2/5/2007 9:43 AM (GMT -8)

The Migranol Nasal Spray was really easy to assemble and worked like a charm.  I also like the idea of single headache doses per bottle.  That way I can't accidentally take too much.  I did get some liquid Phenergan, but its way to wimpy to do any good.  However, the Migranol didn't make me nauseous, so it wasn't a problem.  I guess the next big test is to see if it works when I wake up a full blown migraine.  I'm not big on giving myself shots, but I guess I could it I was in enough pain.  Wish me luck!! :-)

Leigh Ann cool

Posted 2/15/2007 4:56 PM (GMT -8)
Update folks:

I'm been using the MIGRANOL Nasal Spray, and it's been working like a charm.  My Dad talked with a nurse from the ER the other day, at a social event, and she said that the doctor I had was the only one that uses the DHE(MIGRANOL).  Apparently, it is a long-standing treatment, but most doctors either don't know about it, or are "give 'm a pain shot and get 'm out of the E/R" kind of doctors.  Do the minimum treatment (whatever is the fastest) and move on to the next patient.  Treat 'um and street 'um.

In order to use the DHE, you have to get hooked up to an IV of saline, then slowly get injected with four medications (benedryl, compazine, and toradol), the last being the DHE.  The process takes about two hours, as opposed to a half hour for a narcotic pain shot.  With the longer process, I'm pretty well comatose by the time I leave.  I will sleep a long time, but have no sign of headache returning when I wake up.

I've been using the individual abortive successfully, and I feel so less stressed out, knowing I've that I have the ability to cut the migraine off at the pass.  It's been so long since my PCP cut off my last abortive and emergency pain medications(they were narcotics), it is so great to have that pressure off my mind.  I'm so sick of doctors who don't have the stones to medicate patients without having to think about the DEA first.

Anyway, things are on the upswing for my migraines!!

Leigh Ann cool

Posted 2/15/2007 5:27 PM (GMT -8)
I am not sure who the nurse works for that your dad talked to, but that is not true.  DHE is considered an "older" med by many doctors but I have found many that use it.  I have had so much success with it that I asked my Neuro to write me a prescription that I can show the ER doc that works without fail for my migraines. (It really helps when I travel. I go to the same ER everytime when I am at home and they all check my record and give me the same thing so I don't have to show the prescription anymore) It also helps that my Neuro practices at the ER I go to if needed, so they respect his advice.

As for taking 2 hours to give the DHE, that is also not the case for me.  I think it depends on the doctor but when I go I get an IV (usually in my neck because they cant get a vein in my arm due to dehydration from vomiting from the Migraine..) and they give me something for my stomach.. i've had several different meds and they do about the same thing for me.  I also get a dose of dilaudid or demerol and then 25 minutes later I get the DHE and NO MORE MIGRAINE. I have been told that they need to wait for 25 minutes but never had to wait 2 hours. 

If I don't get the pain med, it takes several doses of the DHE to work and then I am there for hours... but that is usually how the ER works.  Sometimes you are in quick and other times you sit for days!

I am glad the Migrainol works for you.  It didn't for me which is weird because it is DHE but I guess the difference is IV. I have an appt with my neuro next month and I am going to ask for the self injectible DHE to try to stay out of the ER on the next migraine.  I hope it works.

 

Posted 2/16/2007 1:44 AM (GMT -8)
I am really glad this is working for you Leigh Ann as you have struggled long enough to to find something to help you. I have no doubt that there are some unscrupulous places that are looking for a quick turnover as in treat'm an street'm, but I find it hard to believe that they are all like that!!!

My only concern here is that DHE is a dirty drug like Chemo and does have some nasty side effects. Also if there are any cardio/vascular problems in the family it is not usually a safe option!!! However, after some good discussion with your Doctor and a check of your medical history, and everything is clear well then go for it if all else has failed!!!

My caution here is aimed at any readers of the board that may think this is a quick fix.

take care

Ann
Posted 2/16/2007 5:29 AM (GMT -8)
After having migraines for 24 years, I assure you that I am not looking for a "quick fix" for my migraines. I am looking for ANYTHING that helps.  All medication comes with a risk of side effects and has potential for harm.  That is why we go to our physician and work with them for many years to try to find an answer that will work for us. 

 I thought we were here to offer suggestions as to what worked for us, and I am always open to anyone's ideas and suggestions.  I research them and then present to my neuro for advice and see if it will work for me.  It took 22 years to even find out about the DHE. 

Posted 2/16/2007 11:20 AM (GMT -8)
Hey Purplegdaisy,

That's the way it works in the ER I happen to go to. It's the only ER in town. However, our city medical community has put together a unified database that can accessed by any medical personnel anywhere in town. Because I've had to make so many trips to the ER or my PCP, I've been listed in the database as "not to receive any narcotics". Only some of the ER doctors consult the database, some do not, so I never know how I'm going to be treated. Rarely do I see the same DR twice. Up until now, I've gone for months not knowing if I will get satisfactory treatment or not. That database is like BIG BROTHER, and the patient has no control of what information it contains. It's a real be-yach.

Leigh Ann
Posted 2/16/2007 12:02 PM (GMT -8)
Are you in VA as well?
Posted 2/16/2007 5:03 PM (GMT -8)
Sounds like our small town hospital. I don't even go anymore because they treated me so badly. Twice I went and they gave me morphine. I hate morphine, it makes my migraines worse but they would not listen. Before I would get toradol with compazine in shot form and it worked great. I guess I had the bad luck of getting a new doctor twice because they both said they would not give what was on my chart before because they believed it was not what I needed. Next thing I know I am getting an IV and getting morphine. This happened twice and I was so mad. My husband was really mad and then I was in and out of it and my head was hurting so bad. My doctor said he couldn't do anything about it either. SO that was that. I just stay home and hope for the best. At least I know here I will not be taking morphine. Nasty stuff for me. Demerol works better for me but the emergency care doc said this to me, Demerol does not work on migraines. HELLO! For me it does. Finally my doctor gave me a prescription for it but he doesnt like to give me many. And he does not want me taking tramadol for a long period of time, which I understand. Well enough about all this.. gives me a headache thinking about it all. :-)
Take care.

Posted 2/18/2007 3:50 PM (GMT -8)
Hey Purplegdaisy,

Yup. Lynchburg, VA. BIG BROTHER is called Cenra Health. BUTTHEADS!!!

Leigh Ann
Posted 2/18/2007 6:00 PM (GMT -8)
I am in the Richmond area and I know that all the pharmacies are connected together so if you are receiving meds from different docs they turn you in. I had to explain why I was getting meds for my spine from a Pain Management doctor and meds for my migraines from my neurologist.... because they don't treat the same things and are not the same meds, IDIOT!  I completely understand why people resort to other means to get help sometimes.

Tracy

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