Dealing With Headaches

In case you’re wondering, I’m not a doctor, but I do get a lot of headaches and migraines. I also have endogenous recurring depression, which happens to a lot of people who have migraines. So, I take a bit of medication. This year saw me try three new medications and a slapstick comedy trying and failing to get a prescription for a fourth filled. Let’s take a look at the Year in Review for Rena’s Medications.

Propranalol

This is a high blood pressure medication you take in pill form. It’s a generic. It was prescribed to me on a hunch by my doctor, Dr. Fountian-Of-Youth-Face, even though I don;t have high blood pressure. (I have low blood pressure). It works for a lot of people with migraines and chronic headaches, but it did bugger all for me. Well, it did give me incredibly loud, constant farts and the trots. Not only that, but it was way too hard for me to pronounce. (With all of my health problems, I also have a stutter. Now you now why I telecommute instead of work in a traditional job.)

Verapamil

Now, this is a medicine with a name I can pronounce. I like the name. It makes me think of dinosaurs. (”Out in the Gobi Desert, scientists have uncovered an intact jawbone of a rare Verapamil, thought to be the direct ancestor of Smuckasaurus.”) It’s also a medication for high blood pressure and it’s also a generic. You have to gradually introduce it to your body. First, you take mini-pills and then you can sit at the adult table and take the regular pills.

I started taking it in July, so I figure enough time has passed for the placebo effect to wear off. This stuff is great! Due to my nature, I’ll probably wind up complaining about it in the near future, but for right now, call me a Verapmil-ist. In June, I was having at least four migraines a month. In December, I had one. Sure, I still had headaches, but they weren’t migraines. That migraine came and went in waves for about three days. Not only that, but I hardly have any cramps any more when I have my period. I’ll keep taking the stuff just for that.

Zolmig

Or Zomig, or whatever the heck it’s called. Zolmitriptan is the magic ingredient that you have to know. I was given two sample nasal sprays. It works in less than an hour on my migraines. You think I can afford it? Think again.

Imitrex

This is the medication my doctor wants me on, but I can’t afford and my $250 per month insurance won’t cover it, because that would make sense. It’s $200 for 9 pills. However, I’m doing so well on verapamil that now the point of trying Imitrex is moot.