Thanks for that list and experience.

My jaw kinda dropped when you said Dopamax-good/amitriptyline-bad, but I guess that just proves we're all different.

I'm in the tight spot of not being able to afford Maxalt anymore. When I began it, it was around $10/pill; now it's up to $26-$28/pill. Imitrex didn't work for me either, so I've got to find another affordable triptan (abortive). I wish Imitrex worked - it's generic now.

Doc

Hey Doc!
It is funny how we are all so different. I have so many allergies and intolerances which limits what I can take. Topamax was a Godsend for me for years, until my brain figured a way around it

Have you tired Amerge before? It comes in a generic form, naratriptan, which would cost less and it is just as effective (for me). I have been taking that one for a while too, NO side effects!! I can take it and still function, drive home from work...

It's worth checking out.
Nanc

Thanks, I did while reading your post. Wiki says it's not as effective as maxalt or imitrex, which gives me a little pause, but I've gotta find something soon. I've got a list going to discuss w/ my doc...

Doc

I have been taking Topomax recently as a preventative and so far so good. My only complaint is that it makes soda taste awful! I've been getting migraines since I was 12. I hope you can find what works for you.

Me too, and my they taste absolutely foul now lol :P

I must say at first Topamax kicked my *** so bad, I'd get everything there was supposed to be a side effect ugh, but in the second month it all started to pick up.

The one thing is that I still get a very rare migraine like once a month but that's because I'm under the most unhealthy horrible stressful situation of my life, my doctor is just very concerned but we're taking it as we go.

Preventative medications do not work the same for everyone. It often takes a lot of trial and error to find the right one. I have been unsuccessful in finding a migraine preventative medication that doesn't cause intolerable side effects. I have been on topamax, inderol and lamictal. Couldn't tolerate the side effects of any of them so for now, I am dealing with the headaches as they come and taking a rescue medication as needed. Honestly, I am burnt out dealing with this health condition. It is really hard to accept that I have to live with it. I hope someday I can find something that will actually work to prevent the headaches that will also allow me to be functional. Side effects such as severe drowsiness, memory impairment, and diahrea are not what I would consider 'tolerable'. I could not continue to work and function while on these meds.

I will be starting a new job next week and I am fearful of how my employer will react when I miss work due to migraines. It's inevitable that absences will occur so I will have to tell my boss at some point. I will not be eligible to use FMLA protection until I have worked there for a year. I pray that the stress that comes with starting a new job will not trigger too many migraines.

Atenolol is another β-blocker you might ask your doctor about. I was on it for several years and experienced no side effects whatsoever.

Doc

I tried atenolol and it did nothing for me. My migraines continued as if I wasn't on any medication at all. It just goes to show how different we all react to different meds.

Not that different. Not only did I have no side efects, I had no other effects either, same as you. Finally (long story) I just stopped taking it. I still have migraines, but not as often as I did back then (no connection).

Doc

I was just prescribed a β-blocker today for migraine prevention (suffering since age 6, now 35 years of age). I've tried so many medications, and had many side effects (Elavil was dreadful, Neurontin was equally bad to me... Tegretol and another antidepressant were downright scary with side effects, can't recall which a/d it was).

Long story short, I just took my first dose of the β-blocker (Propranolol), so crossing my fingers this won't carry the side effects of the other medications I've tried. So far I just feel 'flush' or my heart feeling like it's beating a bit fast/occasional shortness of breath. Just need to remember not to stand up too quickly, I already have low blood pressure, and this lowers it even more.

*Edit: the flush/heartbeat/breath thing was short-lived, only a second or 2 at most. So far so good!