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

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

                                             - Jimmy Buffett

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

                                             - Jimmy Buffett

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.

Migraines for 24 years. 

 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. 

Migraines for 24 years. 

Migraines for 24 years. 

                                             - Jimmy Buffett