Migraine for over a week!!!!!

Diseases & Conditions Migraine Headache
1
Hi everyone!!
I was wondering if you could maybe help me out here.
Ive had a horrible migraine for almost two weeks now.
It is accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity.
I am just miserable all the time with this.
Any ideas of what might help?
Jay

Jay-L

2
Oh yea.. I almost forgot...
I was just recently diagnosed with migraines although Ive been getting
them for about 3 years.
And the doc put me on Maxalt but they didnt help at all so now hes trying
Imitrex. But I havent had a chance to go by and pick up the Imitrex so I havent actualy
tried it yet. Meanwhile Ive been taking Ultracet(tramadol/acetaminophen) and excedrin migraine.
But I dont realy get much relief from those either.
So please.. HELP me!
Any ideas will be greatly appreciated!
THANKS!
Jay

Jay-L

3
I would go and see your doctor. When a migraine lasts that long and nothing you have is working, a doctor is usually the only one who can prescribe something. Careful taking all those medications you may also have a rebound headache.

Nicky
 
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.   Buddha

4
Thanks Nicky!
I havent been taking all those medications.
I was just mentioning them as meds that I have tried and havent helped much.
Much I totaly agree with you, thats too many to take together!
So dont worry Im not OD'ing..:)
I called my doctor already and thats all he told me, to go pick up
the samples of imitrex to see if that helped. But i didnt have a chance
to go by on friday so now im stuck until monday.
 But then again, Imitrex only works at the onset of a migraine, right?
Jay

Jay-L

5
Hey Jay-L,
 
Welcome to the board.  We've all been where you are now so we can really sympathize.  First thing to do is throw the Excedrine in the trash can ASAP skull .  Because of the caffeine in it, taking it might help a migraine in the shortterm, but will rebound and the headache will come right back, so you've basically gotten nowhere.  Since you've had this migraine for so long, and you didn't have the abortive medications to take when it started, my best suggestion would be to go to the ER and get a shot for pain, i.e., Nubain, Morphine, Dilaudid, with some Phenergan thrown in for the nausea.  You will need someone to drive you home.  This should knock you out for a few hours, and hopefully the migraine will be gone when you wake up.  Then I would definitely make a point of picking up your medication, so if the migraine starts back up, you can take the meds right away. Just out of curiosity, did your doctor prescribe any preventative medication for you?
 
This ought to get you started anyway.  Let us know how you are doing.
 
Leigh Ann cool

"The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful."
                                             - Jimmy Buffett

6

TAKE THE IMITREX!!!!

Imitrex works best at onset, but will work even during the attack. I do best if during the attack I take it, and take something like a painkiller AND lay down...

Try not to wait so long next time...if possible.

Maxalt never did work for me either, it was like eating a tick tac for a bullet wound.

If you are having more than two migraines per month you need to be on a preventative...so once you get this attack under your belt and out of the way, talk to your doc about something that will keep the next ones from coming, ok?
 
Take care and feel better...
Sara

Sara-Migraine/Headache Forum Moderator
 
Thanks for Visiting HealingWell.com

7

Hi Jay,

Glad to hear you're not taking all of the medications at once. I agree with everyone else's posts as well. Get the imitrex, it may work even in the middle of a headache. Get rid of the Excedrin. Caffeine is a bad trigger for me, sometimes it works in the short terms but I always pay in the long term.

Something we use a lot in Canada for nausea is called Gravol. It stops nausea and makes you sleep. On a recent trip to the states I found it under the name Dramamine (sorry if it's spelled wrong). I've never used phenergan, so I'm not sure if it's the same.

Have you tried some non medication alternatives? Relaxation, massage, warm bath?

If once you've tried the Imitrex it doesn't work, I would make an appointment with the doctor and go and see him / her.

Nicky
 
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.   Buddha

8

Reglan is good for nausea too...it makes you less sleepy than Phenergan and is inexpensive also!

My favorite is Zofran (Very powerful-gernerally used for cancer patients, but all that would work for me for the longest time) but it is EXTREMELY expensive.

***Just another side note, I have found that nasal spray and injections are better for me as far as triptans go....swallowing pills just didn't do what I needed it to, and being nauseated and vomiting sometimes would be a waste of a pill. the others get into the system faster and can't come back up...if you know what I mean...lol

Sara-Migraine/Headache Forum Moderator
 
Thanks for Visiting HealingWell.com