Migraine meds side effects

Do all of the migraine medications have nasty side effects? What type of side effects are most common?

Can I get migraine meds from my GP, or do I have to go to a specialist?

I know everyone is different with this stuff. For me, I’m on generic Effexor, and i haven’t had any real trouble with side effects. Also i would think that your GP can prescribe the medication for you. There’s a list of preventatives on this board…i would take that list with you when you talk to your doctor.

This is unrelated to the OP, but Dizzybee, is there a reason you’re on the generic version of Effexor? Generic is held to a certain standard, but I know that Generic Effexor is only about 80% the same as brand. 20% can be a huge swing. I was told to make sure I didn’t get substituted for generic by my pharmacy. Just a heads up :slight_smile:

— Begin quote from “DMC”

This is unrelated to the OP, but Dizzybee, is there a reason you’re on the generic version of Effexor? Generic is held to a certain standard, but I know that Generic Effexor is only about 80% the same as brand. 20% can be a huge swing. I was told to make sure I didn’t get substituted for generic by my pharmacy. Just a heads up :slight_smile:

— End quote

The generic is what my neuro prescribed. It seems to be working for me so far :slight_smile:

DMC - generic medicines are no different than the name brand apart from excipients. Look at the ingredients in the medicine and the dose. It will match.

S

Dizzybee: No need to mess with success. Glad it’s working for you :).

Scott: Not the case for all medications in North America. I got this information straight from two different Neuros.

Hey DMC,

I had side effects on almost everything! It’s tough, and then when you do find something that works & you are able to work thru it, and then get off the meds, if relapse like me? The old med won’t work! It’s such a fun illness :lol: But hang in there, not everyone finds the right med at the first go.

Cruise through the Information Vault & pinned posts here for info on meds and specialists. My GP was able to help me the first time around.

Hey Dizzybee,

Are you taking the extended release? XR? I am just now revisiting Effexor, and from what everyone says the XR has less side effects. Is it helping you?

Scott,

Some people here in the US that I know, cannot generics of whatever med they are on. I think one was a painkiller - Norco? The generic gives my friend nightmares. Not sure why.

K

Hi DMC – can you find evidence of this – not just the word of two neuros. I’d like to see something in writing or published. I work in the industry so is of great interest to know if this is in fact true in the US.

Thanks

— Begin quote from “scott”

Hi DMC – can you find evidence of this – not just the word of two neuros. I’d like to see something in writing or published. I work in the industry so is of great interest to know if this is in fact true in the US.

Thanks

— End quote

This guy says that there is some difference between generic and brand. The article is convoluted and hard to read however-
crazymeds.us/pmwiki/pmwiki.p … edications

— Begin quote from “KathleenW”

Hey Dizzybee,

Are you taking the extended release? XR? I am just now revisiting Effexor, and from what everyone says the XR has less side effects. Is it helping you?

— End quote

I’m taking the NON extended generic Venlafaxine. I take 56.25 mg in the morning. I know, weird dosage, but I just added half a pill to the whole 37.5 mg pill this weekend. It has helped me. It started kicking in around 2 1/2 weeks of starting. I’ve been on it for just over 4 weeks now. I’d say I’m about 80-90% better with some times I feel absolutely wonderful…forget I even have this issue (like when I go out with friends and stuff). But, yeah, it seems to be working for me. No real bad side effects either.

— Begin quote from “scott”

Hi DMC – can you find evidence of this – not just the word of two neuros. I’d like to see something in writing or published. I work in the industry so is of great interest to know if this is in fact true in the US.

Thanks

— End quote

I’ll see what I can do, Scott. I’m a scientist myself, so I also highly value empirical evidence. I can tell you that one of those neuros is a giant in this field based out of Chicago (not sure about the policy of mentioning names on this message board).

I also want to add that I do other things to help with the migraines: I go to counseling for anxiety and stress and I do relaxation techniques. I believe you have to do more than take medication to try to fix this. I know my situation is probably different than a lot of people on this board as I don’t have true vertigo and my symptoms seem mild compared to others but I think every little bit helps with whatever your situation is. Having said all that, I do believe that the medication is helping my body and my brain get back to normal. :slight_smile:

Ok, I saw the neurologist. He was unable to give me a definitive diagnosis. He says I’m definitely not a traditional migraineur/vestibular migraineur. Doc says it could be a migraine variant. He went ahead and prescribed Topamax.

I’ve heard some real horror stories about Topamax and the side effects. I heard this drug can cause lethargy, brain fog, loss of libido, loss of appetite, strange neurological symptoms, kidney stones, negatively affects hormones.

Any Topamax advice?

Topamax have various side effects, but it must be controlled immediately.

Hi… I don’t know if you’ll ever get this, but if you do did Effexor help your VM?

Effexor does help my VM.

Effexor (Venlaxafine) is one of Dr. Hain’s favorite drugs for VM:

Can I ask What symptoms it has helped you with, and to what degree?

personally it helps with ear fullness and migraine and less so for imbalance. It lessens the acute attacks where i get slow spinning vertigo.

Also i am only on 14mg , expecting to go to 37.5mg.

@Slightly_Athletic: what meds are you on currently ?

Isn’t that what ami does for migraine? Unless effexor is hitting other areas then I guess that’s good. I might try some beta blockers for imbalance. I was sort of on it iast year for a year on minoxidil. Minoxidil is basicially rogaine and i was putting it on my face to get more facial hair. Minoxidil is also used for blood pressure as well and since I was on it already for a year with no side effects except some headache in the beginning, might as well try.