Headache/Migraine Painkillers - Possible Substitutes

[ErgicMergic]

I am not a headache expert, my bad, Madog. You wrote "if you get high" in your previous post, but what about micro-dosages of opioids, such as 2.5mg hydrocodone/oxycodone?

Gabapentin will reduce cognitive ability, though. It's almost inevitable with daily usage unless you're on an extremely low dosage. They don't call it "Morontin" for nothing. This is unless your headaches are so bad that you cannot focus at all. I would try to use it as needed instead of as a preventative measure, as cognitive lowering effects are cumulative with Neurontin.

 

[madog11]

If the doctor is prescribing gabapentin then it's a last resort preventitive measure that should be taken every day. It means all other methods didn't work. But in order for it to work it needs to be taken every day.

I was referring to me being high and getting headaches, but I also specified in other posts on this thread about rebound headaches that are a big problem with headache sufferers and opiates.

As for micro dosages... the neurologist told me to stay away from regular OTC painkillers due to medication overuse headache risks, preventitive measures are the only way with chronic headaches without risk of making them worse.

You say you don't know much about headaches, well I don't mean to sound funny but you are giving really bad advice and I don't believe you have read the entire thread.

 

[Pathos of Truth]

Interesting couple of posts, heh. @madog, My doctor simply refuses to give me gaba before I've maxed the dosage on the topamax for 4-6 weeks, or before the side effects outweigh the headache intensity. (I personally don't think it's too bad of an idea, but the effect that the topamax is having - which is really nothing - seems to dispel my thoughts on that.) He also wants to move back to nortriptylene, which I also don't really see the point in (On a 50mg dose; it completely threw off my sleeping patterns, messed up my focus to a huge extent, and had a few other rather bad side effects that I don't really want to push again.) Anyway, I'm more than willing to give gabapentin a try, but it all depends on whether them doctors will allow it or not...

@Ergic, I'd probably call them pretty bad... (For a high-schooler, at the very least.) They can and have caused loss of vision, total loss of balance, vomiting, etcetera. I'm not really a fan of taking copious amounts of pills to have just a chance of fixing things, but in a case such as this, what more can you do. Right?

 

[madog11]

Yeah, nortryptiline had an opposite effect on me than most. It doesnt make me drowsy it makes my heart race, I actually have to take it with a beta blocker. I'm on 75mg of Nor and 160mg of propranolol...

Is the Nor messing up your sleep problems by insomnia or too sleepy? If it is insomnia and they do put you back on it no1 ask for a higher dose, then don't take it at night, take it in the morning. If you feel your heart race or anything like mine did ask for a beta blocker. I actually went in and said 'i want propanolol' lol.

I haven't actually tried topamax... if it was gunna work it would be helping at least a LITTLE by now.

 

[Pathos of Truth]

Oh I stopped taking that in December last year. (Due to the problems listed.) I think it was causing both a bit of insomnia and super drowsiness; with both ending up dependant on each other. I might actually do what you did though, see if that works. ^^

 

[madog11]

Maybe start on 80mg sustained release propranolol first though. Thats what I did. Then moved upto 160mg SR.

It really did work for me. Doesn't mean it will for you though I know. And I feel your frustrations I've been there!

Tell your doctor that if the topamax was going to work you would be feeling something no matter how small and you're not, so it clearly isn't doing it.

May well be worth giving the Nortryptiline one last try though, you'll know within a month if it's working. Only lasting side effect I have is dizzyness if I stand up too fast. But it beats a headache every day! You do have to decide if the side effects are worth it though, helps if the meds are working!!

It's strange the doctors are being so tight about gaba, i've had one trip to a neurologist, this was just after I was first started on Nor, she immidately upped my dose and said to put me on gaba if it didnt work and even reccommended a stronger anti epileptic.... i dont get why they're making it so difficult for you.