Hi...
Hello... Just thought I'd send in a quick intro...I just subbed this week. My name is Melody...and I'm 35 y/o and married with children. I've had migraines for years...diagnosed as migraines about 12 years ago. From what I've read here so far I have nothing to complain about. I have a couple of questions. Even though it's been 12 years since the diagnosis, I was never really *treated* for migraines until just under two years ago and I'm still quite ignorant about the different treatments available. Anyway, the questions... I know it's important to pinpoint your triggers and avoid them if possible. Well, the main triggers I've discovered so far are certain odors. Strong perfumes, bleach, and some cleaning solutions set of what I call *sparklers* immediately. Getting away from the "fumes" in a hurry will often help...either circumvent the attack completely or at least lessen the severity. The question is simply how common is this and do you have any suggestions on how to deal with it? The other question I have is regarding my medications. I tried Midrin and it didn't help at all. Now I'm taking Imitrex (nasal spray) and it's "hit and miss" as to whether it works or not. The first preventative I was on was Elavil and it didn't work out. Now I'm on Inderal and I've noticed some improvement. Is anyone familiar with Inderal as a preventative? I'm interested to know what everyone finds works for them...questions I should be asking my doctor...things I should be reporting to him, etc. Thanks for all your help... Melody
Melody, triggers are a very personalized thing. Depending on your sensitivity to a trigger and wether or not you've had some other trigers within the past few days, a particular trigger can the the proverbial straw on the camels back. I was on Inderal several years back. Made my depressed, hand and feet tingled, and my blood pressure got on the low side. It did help with the migrs but he side effects weren't worth it in my case. ~~~The conventional wisdom and accepted facts are dead wrong! ~~~Don't go for second best, it's never good enough!
I was on Inderal for both migraines and minor heart arrythmia for nearly 12 years. It certainly helped a lot with the latter problem, but the migraines got steadily worse. Eventually, I was taken off Inderal and put on Sandomigran and Corgard. The only side-effect of the Inderal was lower blood pressure, but I was still in the "average" range. Interestingly, Inderal is a banned substance in the Olympics and, presumably, other athletic organizations. It's (sometimes) used by people in shooting and archery events to lower their heart rate and to have a steadier aim. Not being involved in either sport, I can't confirm or refute its claimed effects. I do know that some people feel like zombies when using Inderal (aka Propranolol), but I never felt like that. I forget now what dosages I was on, but I don't believe it was particularly high. Jeff