Anti-Seizure Meds to Control Migraines?

[Playful]

My daughter's (she's 16 yrs) pediatrician is considering putting her on anti-seizure meds to see if they might help control her disabling headaches. Yes, she's been put through every medical test known to man to verify that she has no physical concerns that would be causing these headaches (MRI's [multiple], EEG, Spinal Tap, Blood Work, yadda, yadda, yadda).

I'm wondering if anyone has experience/advice to share on the use of anti-seizure meds to control migraines? Good idea? Bad idea? Side effects?

[ProfessorMoriarty]

My daughter's (she's 16 yrs) pediatrician is considering putting her on anti-seizure meds to see if they might help control her disabling headaches. Yes, she's been put through every medical test known to man to verify that she has no physical concerns that would be causing these headaches (MRI's [multiple], EEG, Spinal Tap, Blood Work, yadda, yadda, yadda).

I'm wondering if anyone has experience/advice to share on the use of anti-seizure meds to control migraines? Good idea? Bad idea? Side effects?

What are the anti-seizure meds discussed so far with her doctor? What is being recommended? Has she/he explained the chemical process in terms of what would happen to prevent migraines? So physical causes have been ruled out, it appears. Not surprising, the causes of migraines are elusive.

Is the doc suggesting a single med approach (e.g, depakote - only one of many anti-seizure meds -alone, or a benzo). Or a multi-pharm approach (like a benzo plus a stim)? What has she tried before and what were the effects - positive, negative, or negligible?

What triggers her migraines, if that has been identified?

[Playful]

Those are all fabulous questions to present to the Doc! He has not discussed with us what medications he is considering. The radiologist who read her first MRI reported an abnormal growth on her pituitary . . . thus the reason we were sent to a neurologist for multiple tests. A follow-up MRI a year later indicated no change in her pituitary. The migraines continue however. We were instructed at our last appointment to keep a food/fluid/migraine journal in attempt to learn what triggers might exist. The pediatrician indicated that if we couldn't identify any specific trigger/s, he would prescribe an anti-seizure medication. Without digging through records, I can't outright recall the names of the two medications that she's been prescribed thus far . . . neither worked however. The only treatment that has worked for her is the "cocktail" they inject her with in the ER when she's had disabling migraines (which I know includes benadryl, caffeine, and ibuprofin . . . unsure what else). It would be SOOOOO much more beneficial to prevent these headaches however, rather than treat them after the fact.

My concern is whether or not the anti-seizure meds might create serious adverse side-effects . . . that might be more harmful in the long run than just contending with a migraine or two per week. We'll continue on with the journaling and see if any triggers can be identified and then proceed to ask a LOT of questions before agreeing to an anti-seizure medication.

[Torr]

Hospitals and some Doctors consider Ativan a anti-seizure drug, which I am on for anxiety.

It does calm one down in small doses, and helps ease headaches I have come to find. However, it depends on the cause of these headaches of course. I would not recommend you let a 16 year old go on any type of benzo related medication.

If he tries that I would ask for something less benzo like.

[Playful]

Hospitals and some Doctors consider Ativan a anti-seizure drug, which I am on for anxiety.

It does calm one down in small doses, and helps ease headaches I have come to find. However, it depends on the cause of these headaches of course. I would not recommend you let a 16 year old go on any type of benzo related medication.

If he tries that I would ask for something less benzo like.

How many different medication categories exist (basic chemical used) for use as an anti-seizure medication? . . . if this question makes any sense.

[Torr]

As far as I know benzos can be used or another kind (which slips my mind) so I think there are two kinds of medications that can be used.

You can also combine the two but this would probably be very potent and I would not recommend at all.

[veri]

I think your doctor might be considering topomax, which i have used to control migraines. it worked...kind of...i still had migraines, fewer perhaps, but it had weird side effects. I lost weight( great thing...but...) beaucse i felt a little queasy often, had heartburn alot (never had heartburn in my life) and soda tasted like ,metal. also my breasts ached and i felt spacey (though that might be just me).
personally i would rather just take a fiorocet when i have a headache rather than be on some weird medication...but i have headaches maybe every 2 to 4 weeks and fiorocet usually works...i miss maybe 3 days of work due to headaches per year and i just didnt see the topomax changing this equation much.
hope this helps
oh and ive had migraines like this since i was 9 and there is nothing wrong with my glands or brain..its just what it is
Veri

[miffytherabbit]

I tried to persevere with Topiramate for my migraines for a long time. My neurologist kept pushing the dose up, hoping for efficacy, until I was on 250mg a day. I found this amount of the drug totally poleaxing - I couldn't word-find properly and worst of all, it sent me in to a terrible depression (suicidally bad).

I now take Clonidine permanently and then when a migraine occurs I top up with Dihydrocodeine.

I know that Topiramate works for some people but it didn't work for me, and because I had cerebral haemorrhage in 2005 I can't take Triptans or Ergotamine either.

Good luck

[Playful]

Thanks so much for all the input! I've been reading info in another migraine thread as well. It occurred to me that I don't believe we've had any hormone testing done for her (she's been subjected to every other test known to man, but I don't know if that has been done). I'm just hoping to explore as many other options as possible before considering such strong meds for such a young person. Based on all of the above comments, I'm even more concerned now than I was previously about putting her on anti-seizure meds.

[themoshx2]

My daughter's (she's 16 yrs) pediatrician is considering putting her on anti-seizure meds to see if they might help control her disabling headaches. Yes, she's been put through every medical test known to man to verify that she has no physical concerns that would be causing these headaches (MRI's [multiple], EEG, Spinal Tap, Blood Work, yadda, yadda, yadda).

I'm wondering if anyone has experience/advice to share on the use of anti-seizure meds to control migraines? Good idea? Bad idea? Side effects?

EVERYTHING you have described is the same thing a family friend has been going through with her, then 16yr old, now 17 yr old daughter. All the tests, meds, ER trips, everything. They did, at one point, suggest anti siezure meds; both were barbituates; common for treatment of siezures. The side effects were more than she could handle in her day to day life.

Sorry to speak before I can give you the out come; but, she is in the service now, and they seem to be under control. I will, this evening, contact my friend and find out what they finally ended up doing for her. Had to post something though; it just sounds like you were describing this young girl; I'm curious!

[Playful]

EVERYTHING you have described is the same thing a family friend has been going through with her, then 16yr old, now 17 yr old daughter. All the tests, meds, ER trips, everything. They did, at one point, suggest anti siezure meds; both were barbituates; common for treatment of siezures. The side effects were more than she could handle in her day to day life.

Sorry to speak before I can give you the out come; but, she is in the service now, and they seem to be under control. I will, this evening, contact my friend and find out what they finally ended up doing for her. Had to post something though; it just sounds like you were describing this young girl; I'm curious!

That would be fabulous!!!! Any thoughts/ideas are certainly welcome! Thanks a bunch!

[themoshx2]

Well Playful, the young girl I was talking about is currently taking Topomax, as veri had taken at one time. She still has migraines; but, not as many. Some are not as severe. I'm guessing the benefits out weigh the side effects, for her.

She and her mom talk often; and will call after she speaks to her personally. I will let you know if there is anything more I can pass along. Good luck!

[mlewis]

I was prescribed topamax for mine for quite some time.. but stopped.. was too expensive and I found botox in the areas around my stress points to do a better job, and no side effects except looking better.. topamax has several weird side effects possible..

Sorry she gets them.. Ive had them since I was younger than her.. fioricet does help for onset as well...

[ProfessorMoriarty]

I don't know if she will be around tonight, but we should see if @Nephra will weigh in here. I think she knows quite a bit about various migraine treatments.

[Playful]

@themoshx2 Thanks so much for the follow-up info. It is certainly nice to hear what other people in similar circumstances are choosing to do.

At some point, I'm sure we (mostly she) will have to weigh the med risk against the pain. She's been suffering at least one per week for nearly two years now.

[SLo]

I speak from experience from the absolute worst migraines ever. Pain meds along with benzos did absolutely nothing. I was put on gabapentin and elavil(which completely knocked me out), but it worked nonetheless.

[artemis]

DepakoteER which was originally prescribed for migraines is now also being used as an antiseizure medication. I was originally prescribed 1500 mg HSN, but it had a very bad hangover effect. I cut it back to 250 mg, but still the hangover. I stopped using it entirely. However, again, it supposedly does help with the migraines and seizures.

[TenaciousE]

Hi. I am a chronic migraine sufferer. I have battled with this since my teens. My sympathy goes out to your daughter as I understand the pain she lives with. When treating migraines with preventatives it is a matter of trial and error.

When you are talking about anti-seizure medications for migraines the most typical are: Topomax, Depakote and Gabapentin. I have been on all three. I will share my experiences, which were not positive. But, please do not get frustrated, just because a drug did not work for me, doesn't mean it is useless. It may very well work for your daughter.

Topomax: Did not help. Side effects were unbearable. It is sometimes called "Dopomax" because one of the side effects is cognitive impairment. People report that the lose the ability to remember basic words.

Depakote: Did not help. Turned me into a walking zombie, and made me want to sleep all the time. Also, I gained 40 pounds. Depakote is notorious for causing weight gain.

Gabapentin: Did not help. Gabapentin has a low side effect effect profile and is one of those drugs that when it works it works well, but it doesn't have a high profile of working for well for people. It is also known as Neurontin and has the nickname "Morontin" as it causes cognitive impairment.

One type of drug that is commonly used to treat migraines is the beta-blocker called Inderal/Propranolol. It works by shutting off the "fight or flight" system. It is theorized that migraine sufferers have an overly sensitive "fight or flight" system. I have found great success with Inderal.

Muscle relaxers are also helfpful. I have read that many people have had success with Baclofen taken as 10 mg up to three times a day. Unfortunately one of the side effects of Baclofen is headaches. Off course with my luck, Baclofen gave me headaches. The problem with muscle relaxers is that they can cause extreme drowiness and cannot be used during the day. Baclofen is an exception to this.

My current treatment protocol which has cut down my headaches from daily to twice a week. It has also cut down the severity of my headaches:

Inderal: 10 mg taking daily at bedtime
Zanaflex: (this is a muscle relaxer) 4 mg at bedtime
Klonopin: 2 mg daily (I have severe anxiety)
Botox Injections every three months alternated with Lidocaine Injections in between Botox injections.
Supplements: Magnesium, B-2, CoQ10 and Petodolax (the German version of BUTTERBUR)
Daily neck and back stretching

When I feel a migraine coming on I immediately take the triptan Summatriptan or Maxalt. This usually stops the headache from developing.

When the headaches becomes full blown I find that Soma with Codeine (Soma is a muscle relaxer) or DHC with 20 mg of Valium knocks it out. And I pull out a Tens Unit which is a electronic device that emits pulses into the nerves.

As someone mentioned, giving a benzo to a teenager is not a good idea.

One last point, I have found it is ideal to be treated by a Neurologist who specializes in Headache Management over a GP or Family Doctor. This because it is important to identify the factors contributing to headaches. For example, GAD and cervivical spondylitis contribute to my headaches. Some people are simply Chronic Migraine sufferers, but some have additional factors or different type of headaches ie clustser headaches. Identifying this is important to developing the treatment.

[notredame]

I have disabling migraines. I was put on anti-seizure meds (Topamax). Not only did these anti-seizure meds do absolutely nothing for the pain or the duration of the migraines, they actually changed my brain chemistry--I now speak slower than I did before I started taking the meds. And I am certainly not speaking slower on purpose. I feel tampered with and damaged, and this side effect has NEVER gone away, even though I haven't taken Topamax for years now. Whatever you do, don't do this to your daughter--look at the side effects for these drugs and really believe that your daughter WILL get these side effects AND that there's a 99% chance that your daughter will be left with the side effects and without any relief whatsoever.

My daughter's (she's 16 yrs) pediatrician is considering putting her on anti-seizure meds to see if they might help control her disabling headaches. Yes, she's been put through every medical test known to man to verify that she has no physical concerns that would be causing these headaches (MRI's [multiple], EEG, Spinal Tap, Blood Work, yadda, yadda, yadda).

I'm wondering if anyone has experience/advice to share on the use of anti-seizure meds to control migraines? Good idea? Bad idea? Side effects?

[Ivana]

I am also a chronic migraine sufferer. I have tried Topomax twice over the last 10 yrs and had to quit taking it due to brain fog.
Someone else just recently told me that Butterburr will help with symptoms. I have never tried it, but I think I will look into it.

I have had great success with Treximet lately. It's a mix of a triptan (Imitrex) and Alieve. For some reason, I don't know why, it works for me. Keep in mind that you have to take these types of meds as SOON AS PAIN BEGINS. Don't hesitate and see if things will improve. They typically don't and then as time passes they are harder to treat.