I’ve mentioned in the past that I suffer from migraines. I’m being treated by my doctor who is also a sufferer and keeps actively abreast of the latest research. That being said, I’m very skeptical. I guess I’m skeptical of all medical treatments in general but in this one specifically I’m very skeptical. The reason is that it’s unclear that I’ve really made any progress with any of the treatment.
I’ve tried several of the spot treatments for migraines. These are the pills you take when you have a migraine and are hoping to get rid of it NOW! My success with the ones I’ve tried are mixed. They work sometimes and other times, the migraine seems to work it’s course as if I didn’t take anything (meaning the migraine goes away 4 or 5 hours later). I’m currently alternating between Relpax and Zomig again with mixed results.
As to the treatment that is supposed to reduce the frequency, this is where I’m the most skeptical. I’m currently taking Verapamil and Topamax. Topamax is my biggest concern as I’m experiencing some of the side effects though until I read that they could be side effects, I didn’t really know that I was. That puts forward the question is the cure worse than the disease. Also, my frequency is higher than when I first started treatment. Do migraine sufferers generally increase their frequency as they grow older or is it a matter of a change in triggers? If I were to stop treatment with Topamax, would I then have migraines non-stop since my frequency is higher now (1-2 a week often higher)?
I just visited my doctor and she suggested an increase in Topamax. Well, that caused me to look into the medication when I got home. One of the side affects is a diminishment in mental acuity or a decrease in verbal skills. I thought that I was not being affected by this but my wife, Kathy says she has noticed a difference since I’ve been on it at the dose I’ve been on already (she even gave a specific example about me leaving a message with our tax guy and how I used to be much better and sharper with that kind of communication). This has made me take another look at the whole thing. My mental agility is a lot of who I am and I’m not sure I’m willing to risk that even to solve this very real issue for me.
I think I need to go back and revisit this with my Doctor and try again for another solution. In fact, I think I want to eliminate Topamax entirely. From what I’ve read though many/most/all other solutions have similar side affects (in fact, there was another medication that I can’t remember the name of that I was on for 1 month that had a radical effect and I got off that quickly). Does this mean there will be no other options available?
Do other migraine sufferers wrestle with this same dilemma?