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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by scratchpad on May 1, 2007, at 7:31:23
My cluster migraines have picked up the pace recently. I've had 3 attacks in the last week. When I took my migraine medication (Maxalt) on Sunday, right after the headache lifted I got that seritonin syndrome feeling - my entire head hurt, my joints hurt, my skin hurt. I know there's a warning about taking the migraine medication with my antidepressant - so, what has to change? The migraines have been a result of too much travel recently. (car sickness, time zone changes, and general physical upsets)
I was too frightened of how bad I feel to take another Maxalt. Caffeine helps a bit but I also get rebound headaches if I have more than a cup of high-test coffee.
Scratchpad
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 1, 2007, at 8:49:43
In reply to Migraines and Cymbalta, posted by scratchpad on May 1, 2007, at 7:31:23
I think you need to discuss this with your doctor. The entire class of triptan drugs can interact with duloxetine. Your awareness of these symptoms indicates that the interaction is more than theoretical, in your body. It is possible that a lower dose of Maxalt might not push against the safety threshold, but I think that's a decision that should be made with a proper medical consultation.
I'm sorry to hear of this negative effect of your vacation. I honestly thought you returned much more ClearSkies than when you left.
Lar
Posted by scratchpad on May 1, 2007, at 11:15:37
In reply to Re: Migraines and Cymbalta » scratchpad, posted by Larry Hoover on May 1, 2007, at 8:49:43
> I think you need to discuss this with your doctor. The entire class of triptan drugs can interact with duloxetine. Your awareness of these symptoms indicates that the interaction is more than theoretical, in your body. It is possible that a lower dose of Maxalt might not push against the safety threshold, but I think that's a decision that should be made with a proper medical consultation.
>I'm not sure which doctor knows best about this. My gyn, who prescribed the Maxalt, said that a change in antidepressants might help. My pdoc suggested a change from Cymbalta to Prozac; and to take a wait and see what happens approach.
> I'm sorry to hear of this negative effect of your vacation. I honestly thought you returned much more ClearSkies than when you left.
>
> LarSmile. I *do* feel more of a ClearSkies after the holiday, emotionally. It's the pain of the migraine that's causing me distress.
I've had these darn things ever since I can remember. At least with clusters I can look forward to a calming down of the current flurry of attacks.
(Sorry, I'm getting my weather metaphors mixed up.)
Maybe it's time to see a neurologist?sp
Posted by Dinah on May 2, 2007, at 8:57:51
In reply to Re: Migraines and Cymbalta » Larry Hoover, posted by scratchpad on May 1, 2007, at 11:15:37
I strongly suggest seeing a neurologist who specializes in headaches. It wasn't until I did that that I realized how little most doctors know about the topic.
Well, actually it was the second neurologist who specialized in headaches that made me realize that. She had a waiting list of six months for new clients, and was considered very very good. She was with the medical school and often had a student or intern or something in tow. They were having a great deal of fun with some unusual reflex I had that apparently didn't mean anything really important.
You had to have a doctor's referral to even get on the list. But she did a great job, and we fiddled until I now have reasonably good prevention on very little medication.
Posted by scratchpad on May 2, 2007, at 9:49:15
In reply to Re: Migraines and Cymbalta » scratchpad, posted by Dinah on May 2, 2007, at 8:57:51
> I strongly suggest seeing a neurologist who specializes in headaches. It wasn't until I did that that I realized how little most doctors know about the topic.
>
> Well, actually it was the second neurologist who specialized in headaches that made me realize that. She had a waiting list of six months for new clients, and was considered very very good. She was with the medical school and often had a student or intern or something in tow. They were having a great deal of fun with some unusual reflex I had that apparently didn't mean anything really important.
>
> You had to have a doctor's referral to even get on the list. But she did a great job, and we fiddled until I now have reasonably good prevention on very little medication.Luckily - did I say luckily? - I see my GP tomorrow for a followup to my blood pressure. I will ask him for a referral then. This morning I've been taking feverfew. It's the only thing that is giving me relief lasting more than an hour or so from the pain.
I haven't had a migraine this bad in many months.
:-(sp
Posted by scratchpad on May 4, 2007, at 11:47:46
In reply to Re: Migraines and Cymbalta » Dinah, posted by scratchpad on May 2, 2007, at 9:49:15
Well, what do you know. I think I'm very lucky to have had it caught by the pharmacist. (I must remember to apologize to the woman, I was so angry and not understanding the seriousness of the situation when she refused to dispense the Prozac.) But I had the whole shebang - fever, sweating, diarrhea, confusion, back pain - heck, it felt like my spine was trying to come out of my back. I thought I had a mysterious flu bug and a bout of stupidity. In reality, my migraine cluster and the medication I took to treat it interacted with the Cymbalta. Usually a single dose of Maxalt would stop a migraine attack, but that's not the case while experiencing a cluster of headaches.
I'm feeling rather numb at the moment, aside from still having the blasted headache. But mostly I'm feeling lucky that someone noticed what was going on.
sp
Posted by scratchpad on May 8, 2007, at 22:21:42
In reply to seretonin syndrome, posted by scratchpad on May 4, 2007, at 11:47:46
OK, so I have had a headache every single day since at least my last 2 days on holiday. I'm not taking maxalt, which clearly is not intended for repeat performances.
Instead, I am
pretending that I am not having a migraine
take a couple of 222 although the caffeine content may well set off another attack
using ibuprofen, at least it keep the inflammation down well
taking .5mg xanax a day
taking 10 mg ambien to sleep, even with the ridiculous science fiction mystery theatre scenarios. Theyve become very entertaining, and sometimes, celebrities appear in the early morning. I consider this a bonus feature!sp
Posted by Racer on May 12, 2007, at 14:33:54
In reply to Re: seretonin syndrome » scratchpad, posted by scratchpad on May 8, 2007, at 22:21:42
>
>
> taking 10 mg ambien to sleep, even with the ridiculous science fiction mystery theatre scenarios.I called my husband to come upstairs one night, so he could see the hallucinations, too, because they were so entertaining...
I hope you feel better very soon.
xoxo
Posted by scratchpad on May 12, 2007, at 15:02:18
In reply to Re: seretonin syndrome » scratchpad, posted by Racer on May 12, 2007, at 14:33:54
> >
> >
> > taking 10 mg ambien to sleep, even with the ridiculous science fiction mystery theatre scenarios.
>
> I called my husband to come upstairs one night, so he could see the hallucinations, too, because they were so entertaining...
>
> I hope you feel better very soon.
>
> xoxoI think it's all Christopher Moore's fault. I just finished reading "A Dirty Job".
I'm starting to feel more settled, finally.
Nothing like a clutch of new pharmaceuticals to sort me out.sp
Posted by Phillipa on May 12, 2007, at 21:47:33
In reply to Re: seretonin syndrome » Racer, posted by scratchpad on May 12, 2007, at 15:02:18
So what meds are you now on and did you ever try Goodys for the headaches I can't take them cause can't tolerate caffeine. Love Phillipa
Posted by scratchpad on May 28, 2007, at 12:07:10
In reply to Re: seretonin syndrome » scratchpad, posted by Phillipa on May 12, 2007, at 21:47:33
I've only had 3 migraines since I started taking Zonegran and I'm not quite up to the therapeutic dosage. It made me kind of stupid-feeling at first, and I'm either getting used to it (ha!) or that bit is going away.
My depression is taking its sweet time in succumbing to me being back on the Cymbalta, though. I've been feeling pretty blobby, blue, and blah. Mostly very unmotivated to do anything that might be remotely in my best interest.
sp
Posted by Phillipa on May 28, 2007, at 19:28:11
In reply to Headaches are much better » Phillipa, posted by scratchpad on May 28, 2007, at 12:07:10
But look what you just did the company, cooking and cleaning that's a lot in my opinion. Love Phillipa
Posted by scratchpad on May 28, 2007, at 21:57:24
In reply to Re: Headaches are much better » scratchpad, posted by Phillipa on May 28, 2007, at 19:28:11
Yeah but I didn't enjoy any of it, just waded through the days. Took a xanax when I started to feel too anxious about getting it all done perfectly.
It just wasn't my idea in the first place.sp
Posted by Phillipa on May 28, 2007, at 22:16:14
In reply to Re: Headaches are much better » Phillipa, posted by scratchpad on May 28, 2007, at 21:57:24
Ahhh I just diagnosed your problem and why you get so much company you're a perfectionist. Hence the headaches too and the need for the xanax. A definite type A. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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