How do my doctor and I choose which prophylactic medication I should try?
There is no easy answer to this question, as most prophylactic medications have not been shown to be better or worse than another. It depends on the individual patient. There are several considerations in deciding where to start in the long list of prophylactic medications…
What can I expect from my migraine prophylactic medication?
First of all, don’t expect instant results. It will take at least two months before you know whether the medication will be a success for you or not, and another month or two before you know how good things are going to get. On the…
When should you consider going on a prophylactic medication?
Preventive medication is not necessary for every migraine sufferer. Usually preventive medications are not considered unless a person is having at least 3 migraine attacks a month. There are however special circumstances where they may be considered even if migraine attacks are not that…
How many different types of triptans are there?
There now are 7 different triptans available in Canada, and some have more that one formulation : injections, tablets to swallow, tablets that dissolve in the mouth, and nasal sprays. They are listed in alphabetical order in the table below. If you are taking one,…
Are tablets my only option?
I have fast rising attacks with early nausea or vomiting. I do not keep the tablets. Are there other options for me? Many people with migraine have nausea or in some cases even vomiting with their attacks. For this reason, medications that are ingested may…
What about strong painkillers?
By strong painkillers, most people mean the ones that contain opiates. The most common opiate included in the combination drug analgesics is codeine. Although such medications are in some ways good painkillers, there are reasons to try to avoid them in migraine. For one thing,…
The available symptomatic migraine medications
The medications to be discussed here are the symptomatic migraine medications which are used to treat individual migraine attacks. They can be divided into four broad categories 1) The simple analgesics Included here are medications like acetylsalicylic acid ASA for example, Aspirin and acetaminophen ,for…
Migraine & Posture
So we have all likely been told at one time or another to stand up straight. Proper posture is an important part of overall health and wellness. For those who experience a headache disorder, including migraine and/or tension-type headache, postural awareness and correction is an…
Nutrition
Nutrition is one aspect of lifestyle that deserves some attention in one’s quest to manage a migraine disorder. Migraine is a complex neurobiochemical process – meaning it affects the nervous and biochemical systems of the body. Food is the fuel that makes our engines run….
Sleep
Sleep is a necessity of life. Sleep provides the mind and body with time to repair itself and re-fuel. If we are well-rested, we are better able to deal with the day-to-day occurrences of life. For many people who live with headache disorders, getting a…
Ways to improve sleep
Lack of sleep is a common trigger. Is there a way you can improve sleep? Read more for advice on how a regular sleeping schedule can improve your headaches. 5 tips to improve sleep: A regular sleep schedule of 7-8 hours a night. Do not…
More frequent with time?
For some individuals with migraine, the headaches become more frequent with time. Although most people with migraine can look forward to eventual improvement, or at least stability of their migraine, migraine does worsen over time in some people. This has been called migraine progression. A…
