I had a similar poor experience with Emgality. For years, now, I've relied upon a monthly shot of Aimovig (reduces the need for abortives by ~40-50%), and either naratriptan or zolmitriptan. Naratriptan for the slow, sneaky attacks (works longer), and zolmitriptan lozenges when they come on quickly (works fast, but doesn't last as long).
But I've recently discovered two triggers relevant to me, that everyone who suffers from migraine should know. I live twenty miles from the Gulf Coast, and red tide causes powerful migraines especially in patients over the age of 55 -- migraines so bad they don't really respond to medication. Also, I recently discovered I am celiac. I have no gastro symptoms, but there is a whole spectrum of neuro symptoms associated with celiac, including chronic migraine. Also ataxia, vertigo, peripheral neuropathy, and possibly even Parkinson's.
I have migraines with vertigo (for well over 16 yrs now since diagnosed), and recently (this year being diagnosed but symptoms since 1/2020) found out I also now have Meniere’s on top of it. Not fun. My neurologist doesn’t help with my Meniere’s (have an ENT for this) but does for my migraines. He prescribed for me Ajovy injection, similar to Aimovig injections. My husband and I both tried Aimovig but we didn’t like it because we had backed up bowl issues to put it nicely, lol. The Ajovy gives me a welt at injection site but it doesn’t bother me at all, and the medicine seems to help. I take Sumatriptan for break through headaches when needed.
I stopped taking Ajovy months ago because my insurance wouldn’t cover it and the pharmacy was selling it to me at a discount, so I only paid $5 a month for it. When they stopped giving me the discount they jacked up the price to over $700. Yup $700! I said nope not happening! So months later at my neurologists checkup to see how my migraines were, I told him what happened and he found another way to get me the injection for $5 a month. But now because of the vaxx shots, I’ve become weary about taking any injections now. So I’ve been having some headaches since I stopped taking Ajovy, and I have one in my frig I’m worried about taking it.
I have been on the Aimovig $5 program since I started almost three years ago. I have not experienced the "backing up" problem you noted.
I'm about to blast my neurologist with both barrels for failing to diagnose my autoimmune issues. He was pushing me to get Botox, until I discovered (through a Sunshine-law website) that he was paid $40,000 last year in kickbacks from prescribing it.
I would highly recommend getting the celiac DNA test done, especially if your insurance covers labs. It's a simple test. It doesn't definitively diagnose celiac on its own, but it's a start. If your doctor will also write labs for gluten antibodies, that's even better. The confirmation of celiac can only be done with a sample from the small intestine...I don't recommend that. If your labs come back positive, then try a gluten-free diet. It's the only treatment.
I believe when I have migraines it is because I have eaten something that my body or liver can’t tolerate. E.g. sugars, eggs, or milk, etc. My dad used to eat chocolate and I know it triggered his migraines. It is important to hydrate and drinking a lot of water helps.
I only get migraines from eating chocolate if I eat a ton of it. unless you're super sensitive to it you'll probably be find as long as you eat it in moderation.
Yes tomatoes made me sick. Yeast is very dangerous and all GMO and I didn’t even mention MSG because I know additives are bad for you. Thank you for mentioning it.
I had a similar poor experience with Emgality. For years, now, I've relied upon a monthly shot of Aimovig (reduces the need for abortives by ~40-50%), and either naratriptan or zolmitriptan. Naratriptan for the slow, sneaky attacks (works longer), and zolmitriptan lozenges when they come on quickly (works fast, but doesn't last as long).
But I've recently discovered two triggers relevant to me, that everyone who suffers from migraine should know. I live twenty miles from the Gulf Coast, and red tide causes powerful migraines especially in patients over the age of 55 -- migraines so bad they don't really respond to medication. Also, I recently discovered I am celiac. I have no gastro symptoms, but there is a whole spectrum of neuro symptoms associated with celiac, including chronic migraine. Also ataxia, vertigo, peripheral neuropathy, and possibly even Parkinson's.
Hope this helps.
I have migraines with vertigo (for well over 16 yrs now since diagnosed), and recently (this year being diagnosed but symptoms since 1/2020) found out I also now have Meniere’s on top of it. Not fun. My neurologist doesn’t help with my Meniere’s (have an ENT for this) but does for my migraines. He prescribed for me Ajovy injection, similar to Aimovig injections. My husband and I both tried Aimovig but we didn’t like it because we had backed up bowl issues to put it nicely, lol. The Ajovy gives me a welt at injection site but it doesn’t bother me at all, and the medicine seems to help. I take Sumatriptan for break through headaches when needed.
I stopped taking Ajovy months ago because my insurance wouldn’t cover it and the pharmacy was selling it to me at a discount, so I only paid $5 a month for it. When they stopped giving me the discount they jacked up the price to over $700. Yup $700! I said nope not happening! So months later at my neurologists checkup to see how my migraines were, I told him what happened and he found another way to get me the injection for $5 a month. But now because of the vaxx shots, I’ve become weary about taking any injections now. So I’ve been having some headaches since I stopped taking Ajovy, and I have one in my frig I’m worried about taking it.
Have you looked into upper cervical specific chiropractic? You might get your life back.
Chiropractic reduced my migraines frequency & duration.
wonderful!
I have been on the Aimovig $5 program since I started almost three years ago. I have not experienced the "backing up" problem you noted.
I'm about to blast my neurologist with both barrels for failing to diagnose my autoimmune issues. He was pushing me to get Botox, until I discovered (through a Sunshine-law website) that he was paid $40,000 last year in kickbacks from prescribing it.
I would highly recommend getting the celiac DNA test done, especially if your insurance covers labs. It's a simple test. It doesn't definitively diagnose celiac on its own, but it's a start. If your doctor will also write labs for gluten antibodies, that's even better. The confirmation of celiac can only be done with a sample from the small intestine...I don't recommend that. If your labs come back positive, then try a gluten-free diet. It's the only treatment.
This article will give you a start. There are plenty of references of neurological symptoms from celiac or gluten intolerance: https://www.beyondceliac.org/research-news/neuro-symptoms-gobeyondceliac/
Gluten and Meniere's Disease: https://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-sensitivity-and-vertigomenieres-disease/
Thanks I’ll check them out.
I believe when I have migraines it is because I have eaten something that my body or liver can’t tolerate. E.g. sugars, eggs, or milk, etc. My dad used to eat chocolate and I know it triggered his migraines. It is important to hydrate and drinking a lot of water helps.
I only get migraines from eating chocolate if I eat a ton of it. unless you're super sensitive to it you'll probably be find as long as you eat it in moderation.
Chocolate is an important potential trigger. Others to be alert to are nightshades (most importantly tomatoes), yeast, and MSG.
Yes tomatoes made me sick. Yeast is very dangerous and all GMO and I didn’t even mention MSG because I know additives are bad for you. Thank you for mentioning it.