More On Getting Migraine Pain Relief

The first thing a person wants when they have a migraine headache is immediate pain relief. There are many ways available today to treat migraine pain but most methods are meant for treating the pain after it has started and before it gets worse. But, people want quick relief – relief that is cost effective, not addictive, and helps with the nausea often associated with a migraine headache.

Lots of people who suffer from headaches use over the counter medications and for many it works. Over the counter medications include medicines such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Acetaminophen, caffeine, or medicine that has a mixture of two or more of these. This is especially true for people who suffer infrequent migraine pain. Aspirin acts as a blood thinner and some believe it actually raises a person’s tolerance for pain. (Laties, 1960) Small amounts of caffeine also seem to be helpful if taken early enough. When used as directed, over-the-counter pain relievers are considered safe. But, it is important to remember that you should never exceed the recommended dosage. Sometimes these medicines can actually increase the pain or cause what is called a rebound headache. (Ohio, 2009) Over the counter medications do help many people, but more often than not, a migraine sufferer must get prescription medicine to help with their migraine pain.

Prescribed medications, known as “triptans”, are most often given to a patient who is trying to get migraine pain relief. Examples of triptans are sumatriptan and naratriptan. (Shreve, 2006) Their basic job is to relieve constriction of blood vessels in the brain and stop the throbbing that causes so much pain. These “triptans” also seem to be effective against the nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity that often accompanies a migraine headache. It is important when taking these prescribed medications that the medicine be taken at the first sign of any migraine pain. (Shreve, 2006)

There are other drugs that have been shown to work well for some migraine patients. Antidepressants – called MAO inhibitors – can work to stop migraine headaches. They block an enzyme which blocks serotonin. Serotonin is useful in pain relief; it is a neurotransmitter that can cause constriction in the blood vessels in the brain. However, MAO inhibitors can have some strong side effects and are better for the prevention of a future migraine than for immediate relief of pain. Another migraine drug is ergotamine tartrate, which comes from ergot, a fungus, from which LSD is also made. This drug is used for constricting the blood vessels which stops and prevents migraine pain for some people. (Laties, 1960)

Usually the first step a doctor performs for a migraine sufferer is to give the patient a drug for stopping the pain. Some of the many medications for relief of migraine or headache symptoms include fenoprofen, fluriprofen, ibuprofen, ketaprofen, nabumetone, naproxen, diclofenac, ketorolac, meclofenate, carisoprodol, Orphenadrine citrate, Methocarbamol, Cyclobenzaprine HCL,and Metaxalone. (Jung, 2009) You’ll have to talk to your doctor about which one is right for you.

One problem for many migraine sufferers has been the issue of prescriptions drugs, like oxycodone hydrochloride, which is often prescribed for back pain and other types of body pain. This drug has become more popular for migraine pain relief and it has the bad side effect of being a very potentially addictive prescription medication. Along this same line is a drug called Fioricet® which has acetaminophen, caffeine, and butalbitol – a barbituate. Any medication containing barbiturates (butalbital) or narcotics (codeine) should be used with caution. (Jung, 2009)

Sometimes it takes quite a while to find the medication that will be most effective for the migraine sufferer. The drugs often have to be tried and retried – in different combinations – until pain relief is realized. As hard as it is to be patient through this process when one is in the middle of a migraine attack, some comfort can be had from the knowledge that there are so many possibilities for pain relief out there to try.

Works Cited

Jung, L. (2009). Drugs for Migraine and Headache Pain. Retrieved from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/pain-relief-headaches Laties, B. W. (1960). CHANGES IN PAIN TOLERANCE AND OTHER BEHAVIOR PRODUCED BY SALICYLATES. The Journal of Pharmocology , 120-129.

Ohio, U. o. (2009). The Ohio State Medicval University. Retrieved October 24, 2009, from Vascular headaches: http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/nervous_system/headache/vascular/pages/index.aspx

Shreve, D. (2006). Migraine.org. Retrieved October 24, 2009, from Migraine.org: http://www.migraine.org/index.php

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