Preventatives for men?????

[Linda25]

My husband needs a preventative for migraines but is VERY concerned about side effects

does anyone know the best preventative that also does not cause potency problems or depression (he has depression too)

Beta blockers would be good because he has high blood pressure - but I think they also contribute to depression - unless there are some new ones on the market that don't do that

any ideas?????

he has had a bad headache since Sunday, but really doesn't like to take any pills ESPECIALLY if there are any side effects

thanks
Linda

[red river]

Hi Linda. I know you've read up on all the possibles, but...I know he has to find something that will work. I, personally, LOVE my keppra. NO side effects at all for me, but therein is the problem--just because it isn't a problem for one, doesn't mean it can't be for another. That might be one to check; it is a preventive, not an abortive. I still use my imitrex for that, but he probably can't do that one. Also, I find that using the various supplements [like CoQ10 & the different combo of B-12's], I seem to get some additional help. [If I forget to take them, I do notice a headachy feeling, which isn't there when I do take the vitamins, etc.]

Just some thoughts. Hopefully, someone else will be by and give you some other suggestions.

[HelenEdith]

Linda, you raise a valid point. My other half took ADs for depression, and some of the pills he took seemed to be loved by women, but they didn't work the same way for him.

I take Pizotifen, which is an anti serotonin agent, and a different class of drug from what most people here take. (i.e. It's not an AD and it's not an anticonvulsant.) I'm not sure whether it's available in the US yet, although it's been available in the UK for long enough to have gone generic. The main side effect is that it can stimulate the appetite. It can also make you sleepy. Are you close enough to Canada to get it from a Canadian pharmacy if you can't get it Stateside?

[Debbie T]

I think Q10 would be a really great one for him to take - no side effects (start slowly to avoid tummy upset at first) & it could help his bp too. If he hasn't taken a lot of h/a meds before, it could be really effective for him with no side effects at all.

[empathy]

My Dad was a frequent migraine sufferer (he passed away in 2001).

When he lived by himself, he'd always, without exception, have all the windows and doors closed.

He had an accident and when released from hospital, I looked after him in his apartment for six weeks. But, while I was caring for him, we ran his apartment under my rules, which included always having at least the balcony door ajar, but more typically, a couple of windows cracked open too.

No migraines. When he was able to manage on his own, he returned to his old routines of closing up all the doors and windows. Guess what: the migraines returned.

empathy

[Linda25]

Thanks for the suggestions

I've been trying to get him to take the CoenzymeQ but he doesn't like taking pills (part of the problem) Will also suggest the Keppra

HelenEdith - I don't know about the drug you mentioned - will look it up and see if I can get it from Canada. I actually get my generic Zyrtec from Canada VIA England:) costs less than 1/2 of what it does in the states

thanks

Linda25

[Debbie T]

Has he tried Head-On? It's just menthol that you apply to your forehead but some people swear it helps them. No side effects (unless you're allergic to menthol like I am! LOL) & no pills. :)

[HelenEdith]

HelenEdith - I don't know about the drug you mentioned - will look it up and see if I can get it from Canada. I actually get my generic Zyrtec from Canada VIA England:) costs less than 1/2 of what it does in the states

You would need a prescription for Pizotifen. It's also sold under brand names such as Sanomigran and Sandomigran. I'm pretty sure it's available in Canada, and that the US FDA were evaluating it a while ago, so may have approved it by now.

[thed0ct0r]

Hello.

Since the "Great BrainTalk Communities Server Crash" all of my previous posts have been lost. There are others out there who will remember me and the heII I went through. My doctor and I are FINALLY working on a solution but I will post my story later. For now let me just say I've had 2 doctors state that Topamax should be used only as a LAST RESORT if other migraine preventatives fail. The side effects can be very severe, affect 25% of patients so badly they have to be taken off the drug and and there are serious problems that can remain for a LONG TIME even if you've stopped taking it (this last point is utterly dismisssed by most doctors but some are beginning to suspect there is merit to it).

The following page from the offical Topamax site lists the four major warnings:

http://www.topamax.com/html/ptop/hcp/hcp_safety_information.jsp?

I fell victim to #4 and have been in contact with another unfortunate soul who fell victim to #2 and consequentially lost their eyesight PERMANENTLY.

Anyway, my whole story will be posted soon. I invite anyone who's had difficulties with Topamax to speak up and share your experiences.

TheD0ct0r
"Well, to be fair I did have a couple of gadgets which he probably didn't, like a teaspoon and an open mind."

[Martin]

I'm currently on a total dose of 275mg of topamax per day and the only side effect i've really had is loosing a much needed stone in weight!

Thankfully i'm slowly coming off them now, but at a rate of 25mg per fortnight its gonna be a 3 month process. much more worried about the possible side-effects of my new tabs tbh, olanzapine sound far more dodgy than topamax ever did!

Mart

[millgirl]

Linda, has he consulted a neuro yet? I hope he is feeling better. Since Sunday? that's a long time. I know it's no fum but pls consider the er. My hubby has trouble with se from zoloft. He couldn't find an ad that didn't give him this problem so he does his best to tolerate it. It is really a problem.

[Linda25]

Thank you for all the great suggestions!:)

well, we had a discussion tonight, and he will start taking the Co enzymeQ

that is a good start

he is thinking about keppra

millgirl - he has no medical insurance, AND the neurologists in this part of Maine are not very good (IMHO) so I doubt he will be seeing one (the neurologist who I saw at the beginning of the year could only think of recommending Depakote - that's it - when I told him I was concerned about side effects he looked at me as if I had 3 eyes). Hubby's family doctor is good but doesn't know much about migraines, but I think he will listen if we bring in medical articles.

Thanks again all

love,
Linda25

[Laura]

Linda,
Beta-blockers CAN contribute to depression, although the percentages are relatively low. More likely to cause fatigue. However, they are notorious for causing erectile dysfunction. If your H has high blood pressure, a calcium channel blocker would seem like an excellent choice (to me, but I'm not a doc). It works for some as a headache preventative, treats hypertension, and has a low incidence of sexual side effects. You may also want to let him know that long-term untreated hypertension also causes erectile dysfunction, irreversible. The blood vessels become damaged. Perhaps that will grab his attention and help him get over his issues about taking pills.

[Linda25]

Thanks Laura, I've been trying to think of a way to grab his attention on this on:D he's so stubborn!