what are the causes of migraine headaches? i have 2/week and want to see what i can do to proactively address it besides sumatriptan after i get one.

Question

What other meds would u recommend for migraine headaches besides imitrex (sumatriptan)?

Answer 1

Migraines: Migraines are believed to be caused by inborn abnormalities of the brainstem that cause a process of cerebral neuronal spreading depression that begins in the occipital lobe leading to neurogenic inflammation of meningeal arteries, which is painful. My general rule is that when headaches occur more than 1-2 days per week I add preventative meds to the abortive meds.

Answer 2

Yes: Some medications are very safe (eg ibuprofen), others have risks and benefits that need to be weighed. Talk with the physician who prescribed the medication about safety issues with nursing.

Answer 3

No: That totally depends on what migraine medication you are talking about. Each medication has a different profile in regards to breastfeeding.

Answer 4

Yes: While sumatriptan succinate (imitrex, imigran) and Propranolol (inderal, detensol, novo-pranol, deralin, cardinol) are compatible with breastfeeding, ergotamine tartrate (wigraine, cafergot, (ergotamine and caffeine) ergostat, ergomar, dhe-450) is not, especially when used for a prolonged period.

Answer 5

No: Many migraine meds are class c, meaning no human studies have been reliably done, and animal studies may have shown harm. Definitely discuss with your pediatrician. Try natural alternatives with consultation from a knowledgeable health care practitioner - for example, some studies show dietary changes, magnesium, coq10 and b2 may be helpful for migraines.

Answer 6

It depends: Each drug is different. Immitrex for example is fine.

Answer 7

No, depends: There are preventive and abortive medications. Several different kinds in each category. Best solution is to talk to your doctor and come up either with an abortive medication only or a combination of the two. Magnesium 400 mg has been shown to be effective in headache prevention. Other suplemments might help as well. The use of non pharmachological therapies is stronglly recommended.

Answer 8

Breastfeeding: This questions can only be answered when reference to a specific migraine medication(s) is made. Please resubmit with specific medication(s).

Answer 9

No.: As a rule only medications which have been cleared by your pediatrician should be taken while breastfeeding. Medication intended for the migraine treatment can pass to the baby if you are breastfeeding and many cause damage to the baby.

Answer 10

Depends: It will depend on the medication. Discuss with your pcp/peds for exact medication you are using.

Answer 11

No: Triptans and ergotamines are absolutely forbidden due to risk of miscarriage. Depakote can cause spina bifida and/or mental retardation, topamax (topiramate) also risky. Likely none of the usual migraine agents are safe. Discuss with your obstetrician, as a few items may be useful, such as 100% oxygen.

Answer 12

Yes: Some yes, some no. Tylenol, (acetaminophen) and (until 34 weeks) Ibuprofen are safe in pregnancy. Some doctors believe a small amount of Aspirin is safe in pregnancy, so Excedrin migraine can be very effective as well as tolerated in pregnancy. A big no goes to the tryptans -- imitrex, relpax, zomig, etc. As magical as they are for migraines, they are not safe in pregnancy.

Answer 13

When necessary: Appropriate treatment of severe migraine pain is often necessary and appropriate even during pregnancy. Try to avoid excessive use of medication. Daily medications should be avoided. Discuss with your primary doctor the safest pain medications to use. Occasional exposure of the baby to appropriate pain medication should cause no ill effects.

Answer 14

Be careful: Many are safe but some are absolutely not to be used (such as the triptans). Talk to your ob.

Answer 15

Depends: Tylenol (acetaminophen) is always safe in pregnancy but limit yourself to 3000mg/day. If that doesn't help, you should talk to your doctor about options. If the headache is new and severe, you should talk to your doctor right away as that may be something different.

Answer 16

Perhaps these: Pregnancy is not the time for triptans or many prescription drugs. Some patients do well breathing 100% oxygen, as needed, and there seems to be little danger with use of vicodin as a rescue agent. Consider use of otc approaches, such as butterbur, riboflavin, or co-q-10, but first, always check with your obstetrician.

Answer 17

No: Occasional acetominophen use is ok. Excedrin has Aspirin in it which you should try to avoid in pregnancy unless specifically instructed by your doctor to take it.

Answer 18

Pure aspirin is best: Throughout the ages the best treatment for migraine has been simple aspirin. But use enough. Excedrin migraine has low dose Aspirin plus tylenol (acetaminophen) plus high dose caffeine. Better to use pure meds adjusted to you. Can start with 650mg asa or even 975mg at onset with a caffeine drink. May add 1000mg tylenol (acetaminophen) if needed. Sumatriptan plus naprosyn works well for some.

Answer 19

See your doctor: If this has been going on a long time, it is likely migraines but if it is relatively new, see your doctor to make sure it is not something more dangerous. Also, he or she may be able to help you either prevent these episodes, make them less frequent, or at least treat them so they resolve sooner.

Answer 20

Get evaluated: A unilateral headache pattern is not unusual. Please work with a headache doctor to rule out other issues. A neuromuscularly trained dentist could also be of assistance. Moist heat on the affected side also could help.

what are the causes of migraine headaches? i have 2/week and want to see what i can do to proactively address it besides sumatriptan after i get one.

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