What is a good migraine medication that is comparable to Topamax, without the side effects?
697835
http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html
855116
I had migraines in high school.  Had my wisdom teeth - no more head aches.  Then I had meningitis - migraines back.  I had to take codeine and lie very still in a dark room for two to three days.  (I had the kind where the tiniest light felt like a laser, walls and ceilings moved wavily, and keeping anything other than a little oatmeal or rice down was impossible.)  I used to use Imitrex.  It helped me quite a lot.  I also found I had them right after I used anything from a package mix...allergic to additives.  \nThen my doctor put me on an anti-seizure medicine, Neurontin, (Gabapentin), for the side effects (helping neuropathy).  Shazaam!!  Not a migraine since.  I wish I had it when I was working.  I used to go in with dark glasses on.  I think one look at me was explanation to all.  I hope this may help you.  You have all my sympathy.
506008
Topamax is often prescribed as a mood stabilizer for those with bipolar disorder (manic depression).  It can also cause mood swings.  Topamax should be tapered up slowly until the therapeutic is reached.  \n\nThe side effects of Topamax cause a lot of people to stop using this medicine.  It is known as "Dopamax" by people that are or have been taken this because it makes many people feel "dopey".  Topamax can make people experience "brain fog" and cognitive problems.\n\nAnd there are some very SERIOUS side-effects to watch for when using it.  If you notice ANY eye problems, your doctor should be contacted IMMEDIATELY.  It has been linked to acute myopia and glaucoma.  \n\nTopamax can also CAUSE kidney stones.  It is recommended that you drink lots and lots (and lots) of water while using this medication.\n\nTopamax should NEVER be stopped abruptly.  It can CAUSE seizures even in people that have never had seizures before.    To avoid this, it must be tapered off of slowly.\n\nThe second site below is a link to a really good message board for people that use or have used Topamax.
12725
Codeine.\nSome claim Butterburr extract can help. It is available at the health food store. But, I don't find it or other remedies strong enough for Migraines. There are some products in health food stores that can lessen the severity. I find that codeine helps more than anything, I have ever used. You must get a prescription in the U.S. for Fioricet to obtain codeine pills. But it is available, over-the-counter in any pharmacy, in many countries. In England, there are about 10 products, such as "Migraleve", available in a pharmacy with codeine. There are many products on ebay, sometimes they even work, but watch out most are junk.
485524
As far as homeopathic/natural things go-- I found that feverfew tea (or now I think they have tablets) was a natural ingredient that helped migraines.  I didn't like the tea, so this one didn't work that great for me.\n\nWhat really helped me, was to up my intake of B vitamins/niacin.  That did help me prevent/get ride of a significant number of migraines.\n\nGood luck-- I know they are pretty miserable.
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Was.  Not anymore.  It didn't help me.  It just messed with my memory and attention span.  \n\nEdit:  Of course, it has different effects on different people.  So if your doctor is suggesting that you try it, then you can try it and see what happens.  If it works, that's great.  If not, then try something else.  Don't let me keep you from trying to find a solution to health problems.\n\nto Nelly:  topamax is a medication for seizures and migraines
319151
You really need to see a doctor for this but until you do Excedrine makes a pain reliever that is called Excedrine Migrane and they can work if taken early enough. Migrane's are different for different people, pleas make sure that you talk to your doctor.
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I am not sure, but I think you mean Topamax.  If not, I am sorry and ignore this.  But Topamax is a drug primarily used for seizure control for individuals with epilepsy.  It has a secondary use for individuals with migraines.  There are a few side effects (every drug has them), but they are typically not too serious, and may go away with time.  There is COMPLETE information on dosage, side effects, interactions at  www.rxlist.com.  My daughter took this for a while to help with her seizures.
10052
Excedrin Migrane works wonders for me. I take it at the first sign of a migrane and that takes care of it.
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You need a good headache specialist.  Not all neurologists specialize in migraines.  \nThis is just a brief overview: There are many different medications for migraines, preventative, abortive and rescue.  \nThere are 4 classes of preventative medications: beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, anti-seizure, and antidepressants.  These drugs were all created for other purposes, but were found to have the side affect of lessening migraine frequency/severity.  These drugs are taken daily to prevent migraines.  \nWhen you get a migraine, you use an abortive (usually triptans--Imitrex, Amerge, Relpax, Maxalt, Frova, and one other I forget).  \nWhen abortives fail, you need rescue medication to keep you out of the emergency room when migraines are most severe.  \nIf you have more than a couple of migraines per month, you need to find a good preventative.  There are dozens and none work for all migraineurs all the time, each person is different. So its a trial & error process.  \nA great reference for migraine support & info is the Yahoo Group "migraine" and http://headaches.about.com\nGood luck!
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I take Excedrin Migraine. Migraine is gone in 20mins.
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Excedrin.  No one in my family has had a headache that wasn't feeling better within 10 minutes of taking Excedrin (aspirin)\n\nTylenol, Aleve..........none of that works for me.
283868
Excedrin Migraine.  I have suffered with migraines since I was in the Fifth grade.  And I have tried everything from prescription shots to eating icecream quickly.  The best I have found it the Excedrin.  I take three and in an hour or less I am back at it.
344719
Many of the drugs used to treat migraines were originally designed for other purposes.  Many of them were first used as antiepileptic meds (antiseizure) or antipsychotic meds.  This does not mean that they are unsafe. \n\nAs far as Topamax goes, I have personally seen great success with it in my neurology internship.  Topamax is relatively mild with regard to side effects.  These include: Anxiety, depression, sedation, speech problems, double vision, abnormalities in vision, decreased appetite, impaired cognition, memory impairment, dizziness, impaired muscular coordination, tingling in the extremities, an unsteady gait, nausea, respiratory infections, and weight loss.  See your doctor immediately if you experience blurred vision or eye pain.\n\nAvoid alcohol and ask your physician if you have any questions.\n\nHope this helps!\n- a first year medical student
431082
I get really severe migraine too and I feel for you.  I take medication for mine and that is the only thing that helps me (Imitrex) but before Imitrex came out I used to put an ice pack on the affected side (sometimes a bag of frozen corn or frozen peas because you could contour it to your head), lie in a darkened room and (all the above answers are great, by the way) place a hot water bottle, not too hot, on my abdomen as this would help to draw the flow of blood away from the head. Hope that helps.
649640
Take a hot bath,relax,and try Excedrin Migrain Headache(or some medicine like that)
435083
This is what I found from someone else who asked the same question:\n\nTalk to your doctor and 1) make sure there is no underlying cause for the migraine, and 2) get a prescription for medication that may help.\n\nMy daughter has the same problem. Per doctors orders, as soon as she starts getting a headache, she takes two Motrins. If it gets worst after that, she has a Rx for Imitrex. \n\nall you need is some exedrine it is the best \n\nVery natural remedies. Migraines, warm coffee that has caffiene in it w/ 2 advils. Works the best. Nausea, ginger and crackers and flat cola. Hope you feel better soon. \n\nTake Migraine Excedrine, if you can take acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, it always helps me, but only if I take just as the onset of the mirgraine.\n\nOtherwise I would suggest the following, lay in a dark room motionless, and try to go to sleep.\n\nIf the pain is really bad sometimes crying will help release pressure.\n\nAnd when all else fails, I get in a pretty warm to hot bath with ice packed in towels around my head, and soak, the heat seems to draw a little of the pressure from my head, while the ice packs help numb the area. \nSource(s):\nSorry for your pain, I have them too, went to the doctor for prescription meds for this, and nothing seemed to work. \n\nI Have The Same Problem. I Had To Go To My Doctor. And HE Gave Me Some Medicine To Take. \n\n have that right now from post surgery.What i find for the pain is advil migraine,try to put ice on the nape of your neck for 5 minutes,go to the pressure point between your thumb and finger and press there for 30 seconds.Laying down helps, rub some peppermint oil on your temples.For the nausea i would eat a cracker and lay down, it passes after awhile.Do not do anything that involves alot of motion.Don't eat spicy foods.Try gravol too.Good luck! \n\nBath and Body works makes a peppermint roll-on. You roll it on to your temples. It is made for headaches and naseau. I have TMJ and it works for me. It is about $10.00 per bottle, but it's worth it. It works pretty well. \n\nI love Advil Migraine...I haven't tried Excedrin...pop two of them and go lay down!\n\nHowever, if a nap is not an option (if I'm at work for instance), I try to get my hands on some Advil/Motrin/generic ibuprofen, a cup of coffee and some dark chocolate. I find the caffeine really helps. In some people though, caffeine triggers migraines. It all depends on your body's reaction.\n\nHowever, the worst migraines I've had cannot be relieved with caffeine. They require quiet with eyes closed in at least partial darkness for a good half hour to an hour at least to lessen symptoms