Suggest Treatment For Migraine

Posted on Mon, 10 Nov 2014

Question: I have chron8c migraines. My past Dr had me on vicodiñ 7/500 qty 90 (at the time). My current Dr has me on 5/325 also qty 90 but5 it is just not helping. I have to tàke in my opinion wày too many. I have à minimum of 3 migraines à week, Spent in a quiet dark room and still end up in the ER for shots frequently. can you please help me.
THANK YOU, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Praveen (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Start prophylaxis to reduce the frequency

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.Welcome and thanks for giving me an opportunity to answer your query.

Migraine treatment involves acute (abortive) and preventive (prophylactic) therapy.

Acute treatment aims to reverse or at least stop the progression of a headache that has started. Preventive treatment given even in the absence of a headache, aims to reduce the frequency and severity of the migraine attack, make acute attacks more responsive to abortive therapy.

Vicodin helps to relieve acute pain.Since you have been having repeated attacks, I would prefer Tripatans(Eg: Sumatriptan) which is used for migraine prevention/prophylaxis.Prophylactic therapy shall control or minimize the number of attacks and thus improves your quality of life.

Given a opportunity I were also to suggest other important options for migraine prophylaxis which are equally effective- flunarizine or propranolol. Suggest to consult a neurologist so that the best among these can be started after further evaluation.

Hope this answers your.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (7 hours later)

I take 200 mg of Topomax per day after trying many other triptans and various other preventatives. Migraines unfortunately hand run in my family for generations. I have tried everything. Th3y have done scans thinking tumors, etc. I have also been to specialists who agreed with Topomax & viçodin 7/500. I just went back to the dr a week ago to see if there was anything else we could try and she said ther3 hasn't been anything new that would help better. (0lease excuse my typing there is something wrong with my keyboard).
Thank You, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Praveen (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator is one option

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam.Deep regret for the intense agony.

Currently there is no known cure for chronic migraine.However I can suggest you one of the recent advances in preventive therapies by Cerena - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator, a device continuously delivers a magnetic field to your head which interrupts abnormal electric activity causing migraine.

This is researched & is approved by the Food and Drug Administration(USFDA) in 2013.Hope this option can be explored an shall.Discuss with your Neuro if it can be availed.

Get well soon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar