OT: Hrricanes Lounge XLVII: The return to obeying Rhules

[LakeLivin]

Have i mentioned lately how much chronic migraines suck?

No doubt! Fortunately, one of the triptan meds works great for me. But there are newer meds (other than botox) with a different mechanism of action than the triptans. I haven't really looked into them since sumatriptan works so well for me, but have you tried any of them? @DaveG same question for you? I really hate hearing about people suffering from migraines knowing how much they do suck!

 

[Unsustainable]

No doubt! Fortunately, one of the triptan meds works great for me. But there are newer meds (other than botox) with a different mechanism of action than the triptans. I haven't really looked into them since sumatriptan works so well for me, but have you tried any of them? @DaveG same question for you? I really hate hearing about people suffering from migraines knowing how much they do suck!

I'm on Sumatrapitan for them, I took it a bit too far into it, but it just causes me to have brain fog for a day or 2 after

 

[DaveG]

No doubt! Fortunately, one of the triptan meds works great for me. But there are newer meds (other than botox) with a different mechanism of action than the triptans. I haven't really looked into them since sumatriptan works so well for me, but have you tried any of them? @DaveG same question for you? I really hate hearing about people suffering from migraines knowing how much they do suck!

have not but ironically since the fluorescent light right in front of my desk at work went out in November (I may or may not have done something to it) I've only had 2-3 migraines in the past 3 months.

 

[LakeLivin]

I'm on Sumatrapitan for them, I took it a bit too far into it, but it just causes me to have brain fog for a day or 2 after

I wouldn't say I get brain fog but I am a bit more fatigued after taking it. And if I don't recognize one is starting before the aura hits I might need a second dose 15-24 hours after the first one, but thankfully that still prevents any nausea or headache.

have not but ironically since the fluorescent light right in front of my desk at work went out in November (I may or may not have done something to it) I've only had 2-3 migraines in the past 3 months.

That's 2-3 too many in my book, lol. Actually, that's about the frequency that I get them, maybe one a month.

 

[Unsustainable]

I was getting 2 a week.

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

My migraine is alive and her name is the person who birthed my wife.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

My migraine is alive and her name is the person who birthed my wife.

Hey-o!

 

[skipnjump]

Have i mentioned lately how much chronic migraines suck?

Yes, yes they do. I take Sumatriptan for them. Downside, is that my insurance only covers me getting 9 in a refill do I have to keep them for really bad migraines I'm allergic to aspirin so no Excedrin for me.

have not but ironically since the fluorescent light right in front of my desk at work went out in November (I may or may not have done something to it) I've only had 2-3 migraines in the past 3 months.

non-covered fluorescent lights trigger instant migraines for me. We had to buy covers for the ones in our new office.

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

Yes, yes they do. I take Sumatriptan for them. Downside, is that my insurance only covers me getting 9 in a refill do I have to keep them for really bad migraines I'm allergic to aspirin so no Excedrin for me.


non-covered fluorescent lights trigger instant migraines for me. We had to buy covers for the ones in our new office.

Talked to a friend yesterday. He has weirdest triggers for migraines.

1. Chocolate
2. Strawberry kefir
3. Spice mix for pork shoulder

 

[LakeLivin]

Yes, yes they do. I take Sumatriptan for them. Downside, is that my insurance only covers me getting 9 in a refill do I have to keep them for really bad migraines I'm allergic to aspirin so no Excedrin for me.


non-covered fluorescent lights trigger instant migraines for me. We had to buy covers for the ones in our new office.

I'm guessing any 9 tabs a month limit is related to minimizing the chances of developing rebound headaches more than anything else, an issue that should be addressed by your doc rather than your insurance company imo. After all, generic sumatriptan can be really inexpensive without insurance. You can get 9 tabs at WalMart for $18 with a GoodRx coupon. Even better, Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs program lists 30 tabs for $11. Don't know what dosage you're using, but during a period where I didn't have health insurance (before things like GoodRx or Cost Plus Drugs) I had my MD prescribe the 100mg tabs and I'd split them, essentially doubling my supply.

Just curious: if you're experiencing more than 9 migraines a month, what is your insurance provider's stance on covering one of the CGRP drugs for prevention instead of using a triptan for treatment? Unfortunately, the CGRPs are too new for generics so I'm guessing they're probably pretty resistant to covering them, but in light of the public's reaction to the Brian Thompson assassination I'm wondering if we might start to see companies start to loosen up some on what they're willing to cover.

*Given that it might feel like I'm pushing triptans to the general public, I feel like I should include the following disclaimer, as well as remind people to consult their medical professional rather than to listen to internet idiots like me lol:

Triptans are contraindicated in patients with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. A consensus statement by the American Headache Society, based on review of the literature, indicates that rates of triptan-related cardiovascular events are low, and that triptans are likely safe among patients with no known cardiovascular risks.

edit: as soon as I posted this I remembered that your sister is an MD, isn't she? So all this is probably wasted on you, but it might be of interest to other migraine sufferers out there.

 

[skipnjump]

I'm guessing any 9 tabs a month limit is related to minimizing the chances of developing rebound headaches more than anything else, an issue that should be addressed by your doc rather than your insurance company imo. After all, generic sumatriptan can be really inexpensive without insurance. You can get 9 tabs at WalMart for $18 with a GoodRx coupon. Even better, Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs program lists 30 tabs for $11. Don't know what dosage you're using, but during a period where I didn't have health insurance (before things like GoodRx or Cost Plus Drugs) I had my MD prescribe the 100mg tabs and I'd split them, essentially doubling my supply.

Just curious: if you're experiencing more than 9 migraines a month, what is your insurance provider's stance on covering one of the CGRP drugs for prevention instead of using a triptan for treatment? Unfortunately, the CGRPs are too new for generics so I'm guessing they're probably pretty resistant to covering them, but in light of the public's reaction to the Brian Thompson assassination I'm wondering if we might start to see companies start to loosen up some on what they're willing to cover.

*Given that it might feel like I'm pushing triptans to the general public, I feel like I should include the following disclaimer, as well as remind people to consult their medical professional rather than to listen to internet idiots like me lol:

Triptans are contraindicated in patients with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. A consensus statement by the American Headache Society, based on review of the literature, indicates that rates of triptan-related cardiovascular events are low, and that triptans are likely safe among patients with no known cardiovascular risks.

edit: as soon as I posted this I remembered that your sister is an MD, isn't she? So all this is probably wasted on you, but it might be of interest to other migraine sufferers out there.

I had never been given a reason for only covering 9 in a month. But like you said, they are crazy cheap and work well. I find that taking a Bonine that's really for travel sickness helps take care of the vertigo I sometimes get. It's hard to say how many I get in a month, definitely more than 2 but less than 5.

My sister is a Nurse Practitioner, but I try not to pester her too much with my medical issues. I have to say that too much caffeine along changing from light to dark rooms are the biggest triggers for me.

 

[LakeLivin]

I had never been given a reason for only covering 9 in a month. But like you said, they are crazy cheap and work well. I find that taking a Bonine that's really for travel sickness helps take care of the vertigo I sometimes get. It's hard to say how many I get in a month, definitely more than 2 but less than 5.

My sister is a Nurse Practitioner, but I try not to pester her too much with my medical issues. I have to say that too much caffeine along changing from light to dark rooms are the biggest triggers for me.

I'm confused; if you can get 9 tabs a month but have less than 5 migraines a month, why are you rationing them instead of just refilling your scrip? Or having your doc prescribe a multiple month supply (I think my last refill was 27 tabs which lasted me close to a year)?

edit: the only triggers I've clearly identified are staying awake beyond a point where I'm exhausted, and eating too many buffalo wings. Perhaps stress, but it's hard to pin that one down to specific instances. For the record, I haven't given up wings, I'll just take a sumatriptan tablet along with my wings, lol.

 

[skipnjump]

I'm confused; if you can get 9 tabs a month but have less than 5 migraines a month, why are you rationing them instead of just refilling your scrip? Or having your doc prescribe a multiple month supply (I think my last refill was 27 tabs which lasted me close to a year)?

Because I'm stupid and don't divide the pills evenly between home and work, so I don't have enough at work. And I admit that I keep forgetting to ask if the dosage is 9 in a month or just 9 at a time. At work we just changed health insurance providers so I'm not sure if my dosage for the tabs would be able to change to a larger supply.