Sorry you had a bad experience with amitriptyline (Elavil). I'm thinking about asking for it again to help with sleeping w/ chronic pain. It's a low dose for that - 25 mg IIRC. Do you recall the dosage for migraine prophylaxis and the S/E you experienced?

From some reading I've been doing lately, I'm wondering if those years on atenolol may have been a contributing factor in my PN.

Might be prudent to read up on the propranolol!

Doc

FWIW, I'm using propanolol. I started with 20mg twice daily and I was too drowsy but I'm on a lot of meds that cause drowsiness so it doesn't take much to make it worse. I was still getting migraines, but not too often. I did have to reduce my dose to 10mg twice daily and I feel as though I'm on the verge of getting a MH a lot of the time and I'm still getting them, but the drowsiness for me is a little more manageable. Its a fine line between the right dose and too much, for me, but the drug is helping control the MH's so I'm staying on it. I'm new to MH so my experience is limited here. I do hope it helps you.

Take care, ee

My MD is putting me on Keppra (levetiracetam). The Keppra is supposed to be similar to lyrica and lamictal. Lyrica was helping with my migraines. It was immediate noticeable difference. But it made me too tired to function at work. Lamictal caused daily headaches and horrible fatigue while I was on it. If Keppra doesn't work, we may try atenolol or elavil next.

I just need some relief. I've been so sick the past couple weeks I can't take it anymore. The extreme heat this summer has devasted me in terms of the migraines. I'm scared I won't make it through to many more trials and may not be able to continue working. I am extremely worn down from all the ongoing health issues of the past couple years. I have no family near by, no real support system. Yes I have friends but no one is in a position to really help when I need it. They are so wrapped up in their own lives and trying to hang on to their own jobs that they do not offer or cannot offer help when it's needed. I'm really on my own. I broke down and started crying in the doctor's office a few days ago. He asked, "don't you have family that can help out?" I know I'm not the only person in a predicament like this. I don't know what other people do to get by when their health gets this bad and there is no support. There just anywhere for people like me to turn to.

I go to my new pain management doctor tomorrow. We will be discussing the option of radiofrequency ablasion for my neck pain.

I can suggest a couple of things. I can't make any promises, but it can't hurt to try...

Check with your doctors and/or local hospitals for support groups for migraines or the other health issues you have. Support is there, and friends are made quickly, but use common sense/caution and take it slow.

Many communities have 211 (like dialing 911) for information & referral of services. They may also have information on local support groups or other services available.

http://www.211.org/

Try google for support groups local to yourself, or information on how to start one. Lack of an existing group doesn't indicate that there isn't need or desire.

Doc

[QUOTE=Peaceful1tou;859160]I have had migraines for approx. 20 years. As I get older (I am 51) they seem to be getting worse and more frequent. I am on hormone replacement therapy so that should not be an issue.

My Dr put me in Inderal 40mg 2 x's a day about 4 months ago. The first 6 weeks or so it seemed to really help. Now not so much. I am also gaining weight. Ok, I know I'm in my 50's now but I've gained 6 pounds in as many weeks. I've cut back on junkfood, I do not drink sodas and I started exercising. I have never had a weight problem before.

Can anyone suggest another prevention med? I take Relpax when I get a migraine but my Ins. Co will only help pay for 8 tablets a month. I usually have 10-15 a month. I also have Phenagran or Zofran for the nausea.

Any other suggestions would be great too!

Hi, sorry about your headaches and lousy insurance restrictions.
I have PCS and have been on topomax over 2 1/2 years for my migranes and it has helped me tremendously. I don't think I have any side effects from it. I have other problems that are not great, not related to med, I hope.

Thank you

What about an alternative to drugs?

There is a lot of evidence to say that a magnesium supplement can be a successful treatment for migraine. Just look on the internet. Try also Dr Carolyn Jones.

If you google: migraine prophylaxis, you'll get hits for medications, supplements, and other means of preventing migraine.

Doc