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Friday, December 9, 2016

MIGRAINES: TIPS & TRICKS - Part 1

My Background and Prescription Meds

I have been dealing with migraines for around 10 yrs.  At one point they were so bad that I was down about 20 days a month.  My migraines are accompanied by nausea/vomiting, and last almost exactly 24 hours at a time.  

They cost me a few jobs, along with anxiety (made worse by the migraines), and another injury I have been unable to work.  I have been wanting to do Twitch and YouTube for over 2 years, and am just now to the point where I believe I can keep a schedule for the most part.  I still have at least 1 bad migraine a week, but have been able to through management, make the rest during the week bearable. My husband has been blessed with a great job and salary, and that has been enough to take care of us.

The prescriptions I was given are Elavil (amitriptyline) and Zofran (ondansetron).  

ELAVIL (amitriptyline)


Elavil is for the migraines themselves.  I started out at 25 mg, and am now on a maintenance dose of 50 mg.  I could possibly go higher, and have less frequency, but for reasons I am about to talk about I have refrained from doing so.

The first thing I noticed from this medication, was an immediate weight gain,  When I went to the 50 mg, my total weight gained was 30 lbs.  This is why I have chosen not to ask for a higher dose.  There was a point where it just wasn't worth any more weight.

The second thing, is that if you do not take this medication within a 15 minute window every day, you will have a horrendous rebound migraine.  Double sided, non stop agony.  Once it was so bad, that I passed out from the pain.  (I have a high pain tolerance, so this was a first for me).  I now have 3 alarms set on my phone, 15 minutes before and after, and then one for the time I take it, so that my missing the time is less likely.  

The third and final thing I can think of is if you take the 2 medications together at the same time, there is a MAJOR interaction.   The times I did take it at the same time I was very dizzy, and had heart palpitations.  The doctor and pharmacist did not mention any interactions, but after I got sick I looked it up.

I do recommend this medication to anyone who has as many migraines as I did, it was a lifesaver.


ZOFRAN (ondansetron)


Zofran is for the nausea.  I don't have to much to say about this one.  It keeps you from vomiting, and for the most part does its job.  I still sometimes suffer from nausea, but not having to get up from my ice pack to run to the bathroom makes sleeping them off easier.

FINAL NOTES

I am taking the generic version of both. 
If you have any more questions about the medications, feel free to ask.  

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