Copaxone and Migraines
 

I guess I will start by giving some brief history. Before I got my initial optic neuritis flareup in July 2011, I would get migraines 3-4x's a week. After the optic neuritis finally got resolved that November, my doctor put me on Topomax and Imitrex, which for the past year and a half has worked very very well. It brought my migraines from 3-4x's a week to 1-2 every 2 weeks.

I just started on Copaxone 9 days ago and since I started on it I've had 5 migraines and they are the worst migraines I have had in a LONG time. The topomax isn't keeping them away and the Imitrex is no longer working. I normally take an Imitrex as soon as I feel a migraine coming on and an hour later, if it's still hurting, I will take a Percocet and that has always worked. Since I started on the Copaxone they have been so severe, I can't move without throwing up, it causes my vision to get very very bad, and the pain is so excruciating, I can only compare it to ALMOST being as painful as a spinal leak headache.

My question is, Can a medication induced headache be "cured" by another medication? Say, if I were to ask my doctor to prescribe me a new migraine medication? Also, what migraine medications have you found to work for you? I have tried SOOOO many but it's been a long time since I've tried any of them, I can't remember which ones worked and which ones didn't. I remember Treximet worked but my insurance will only cover 3 in a 90 day period and Maxalt melts were fast acting but were not strong enough for the severity of my migraines. Anyways, any input would be much appreciated!! :)

I was on copaxone for 9 months and had horrible headaches. They did resolve tho. Sometimes it takes time for your body to get use to meds. I also have chronic migraines and I use to take Esgic Plus for them. Worked wonders for me.

Another member here, no longer here, had to stop
Copax because of the migraines. As soon as she
stopped the Copax, the headaches stopped.
If you are prone to migraines, maybe you could try
another DMD.

Feel better.:hug:

A friend of mine, who is a nurse that works with MS patients, told me that these "medication induced migraines" can be helped. She said to take your normal migraine medication prescribed by your doctor, plus 800mg of IBUprofen / Advil, and a phenergen / zophran. She said she see's a lot of patients who take Copaxone get increased migraines and this "concoction" usually works.

*****I'm sorry that is NOT Advil, it's ALEVE!!! :)

Check with your neuro as well. There may be other options for you in regards to medications for both MS and migraines. Also, Shared Solutions might have some ideas as well and checking with them couldn't hurt.

While taking Aleve for relief when you do have a migraine sounds plausible, I wouldn't recommend it for everyday use. I would be concerned about damage to your stomach as well as to your kidneys and increased bleeding risk. Please double check that before you take 800 mg daily.

I hope that you find something that works for you for both your migraines and MS.:hug::hug:

Thank you, I didn't know it could effect my stomach and kidneys. I will call my neuro first thing in the morning, as well as shared solutions. I did take the Imitrex, Aleve, Zofran and it did work for about 5 hours, it then came back gradually. I will see what my doctor says and relay the message. Thank you so much!