Opioids I have a question?

[charliebean]

I apologize in advance for this thread, since I'm new and I'm not totally sure how it works, and I really don't know anything about drugs at all, so please forgive my ignorance and use small words with me.

I'm on lortab 500mg for migraines 4x daily as needed, but I don't take them nearly that often. I can go up to 2-3 weeks without taking one, so a bottle of 30 can last me a few months. I try to make do with ibuprofen (but I've pretty much built up an intolerance to most OTC NSAIDS due to childhood growing pains and plantar fasciitis) and ice packs and just keeping things quiet and dark, but I have a very loud 3-year-old, so that doesn't always work.

Yesterday, I called my Dr for a refill of the lortab since I'd run out, and her nurse told me that she would refill it for me one more time, but that would be the last depending on my urinalysis today, since my last three labs have shown that I'm not taking them (three labs between March and now). I told her that the labs must be wrong, since I AM taking them, just not daily, and she told me that it shouldn't matter since they would stay in my system for a month. I thought that sounded wrong, so I looked it up online and every website I've found says they stay in your system a maximum of 5 days, but are usually gone within 24 hours, depending on your weight and fluid intake. As of today, I haven't taken one in almost 2 weeks. She is wrong about how long it stays in your system, right? Also, I'm on Depakote 750mg and birth control, Lo/Orvral, and I'm constantly drinking, so wouldn't that affect the levels?

I'm also wondering if there are other options for migraines, maybe something herbal? Or something that acts quickly, since most of my headaches come on very fast. I remember a friend of mine once gave me something that dissolved under my tongue and the headache lessened within minutes, but I can't seem to remember what it was, but I think that would be more helpful than the lortab I'm on now, but I don't remember what it was called. Does anyone know what it might be? I did notice that smoking helps, but I'm trying to quit, so.... yeah.

Sorry this is so long. I'm upset that she thinks I'm selling them or something, when I legitimately need them.

 

[Venrak]

First, we don't allow drug testing questions on this board so we won't be able to help you with that aspect of your post.

As for what non-opiod you could use for migraines, I would suggest looking into 5-HT agonists such as Sumatripan (Imitrex).

 

[HdoubleODeezy]

I'm aggravated that you take 500mg Lortabs (people usually say the amount of opiate in the pill, not the other junk lol)..
Anywayzz.. I think the medicine you are talking about dissolving is Maxalt. But before starting any tryptamines (sp?) (such as imitrex and maxalt) make sure you aren't taking any other meds that can interact with them as it can be dangerous/deadly.

 

[Venrak]

But before starting any tryptamines (sp?) (such as imitrex and maxalt) make sure you aren't taking any other meds that can interact with them as it can be dangerous/deadly.

Of course, OP should inquire with her physician with respect to tryptamine therapy.

 

[HdoubleODeezy]

^ indeed.

 

[Sepher]

Why would tests showing you'd not taken any in 1 day, 3 days, 5 days whatever be an issue? They're pain relief for when you do have an attack aren't they, not something you take all the time as a preventative measure? Certainly not Hydrocodone anyways. I don't understand their issue. I would think they'd be more concerned if tests showed you were taking 30 odd a month on a daily basis?

Need to speak with your doc as to whether any of these are contra-indicated for use with any of the other meds you're taking, but Triptans seem to be the way forward for non-opiate pain relief when a migraine starts, as already mentioned earlier. Work by constricting the veins in the brain to relieve the pressure on areas that account for the lights, and the vomiting, etc. As preventative treatment, Calcium channel blockers to prevent the spasming of the blood vessels thought to cause some symptoms are often effective. So are Alpha- and Beta-blockers at similarly blocking the same kind of dramatic constriction and subsequent opening of the veins. I used to use Dixarit a.k.a. Clonidine, an Alpha-blocker with a similar action to the Betas *LINK* ))) for a few years in my teens. Didn't much like taking it as often felt woozy and light-headed on it, but better than massive migraines with distorted vision, flashing lights, auras, auditory hallucinations, difficulty speaking, vomiting, massively over-sensitive to light, the whole shebang. Stopped as suddenly as they started soon as I hit back end of puberty, never had one since. Sure other, better treatments have come out since. I'm talking 25 - 30 years ago when I was on it.

You tried keeping a diary? See if you can see a pattern with certain foods, certain times of your menstrual cycle, general stresses and strains?