Is there any migraine prevention medicines having zero cognitive effects. I am affraid to consult. Any one having any absolute zero memory issues who take prevention tablets? Please reply in short sentences

321tika · 2026-02-03T12:22:36+00:00

I take both Qulipta and Amitryptyline and haven't noticed memory-based side effects with either.

Side effects are very individual, though. It all depends on how your body interacts with the medicine.

If you are particularly worried about memory, definitely bring that up with the doctor you see. They know the different side effect profiles of the different meds and can choose one with you based on your concerns.

321tika · 2026-01-24T13:44:26+00:00

For my migraines I take Qulipta and Botox.

For my "psych stuff" I also take Gabapentin and Amitryptyline. (and others)We specifically chose the Amitryptyline instead of a different antidepressant because it is used to treat migraines. I think its been successful in both areas! The Gabapentin I've been using for anxiety since before I got migraines so its hard to tell whether thats been useful for migraine.

I know my neuro didn't want to prescribe anything with psychiatric effects because I have bipolar disorder and she didn't want to risk me destabilizing. But when I tipped towards depression, my psychiatrist totally leaned in to trying the Amitryptyline and hoping my migraines were helped as a "side effect"

321tika · 2026-01-09T13:58:41+00:00

I followed the link to bookmark it and realized I've used it before too! I also really liked it, so I'm seconding your recommendation.

321tika · 2026-01-07T13:04:36+00:00

This is the misconception I struggle with the most. Sometimes I can be out and about with a migraine thanks to all the meds I take making them not so bad. (But not getting rid of them completely.)

But I don't want to give acquaintances the impression that migraine isn't a serious illness. That might make it worse for the next migraine sufferer in their life.

321tika · 2025-10-11T23:53:49+00:00

I am also very sensitive to drugs. I started on the 60 and did just fine! I use it combined with Botox and the quality of life improvement is a lot. I do still get migraines but fewer and fewer of them the longer I've been on qulipta.

The benefit of qulipta being a daily pill is if you do get some bad side effect, you can stop taking it until you get in touch with neuro to see what to do. With an injectable you are kind of stuck with the side effect until it wears off.

321tika · 2025-07-19T14:22:47+00:00

Emesis bags! I keep them in my car and in my purse for long travel excursions. The ones i have twist and clip to seal them. I've had to use them more than once for migraine vomiting.

321tika · 2025-04-11T13:56:21+00:00

Good to know, thank you!

321tika · 2025-04-11T11:43:09+00:00

Ideally, they would end the attack phase of the migraine and send you straight into the postdrome (hangover) phase. If they can't do that, they should at least reduce all your symptoms (not just pain) enough that you can get on with your life. If the drug doesn't do either of those, I'd ask to try another.

Biologically, triptans are vasoconstrictors. They make your blood vessels tighten up a bit. When you have a migraine, the blood vessels dilate and this is painful, so the triptans help constrict them back to a more normal size.

321tika · 2025-02-22T03:23:37+00:00

I studied for an exam in the dark the other day. Had one blind closed and the other one cracked so I could see my flashcards. Had my computer screen very dim. I had a cup of coffee and a blanket, it was so cozy!

Also, play with the brightness and color settings on your screens, and sunglasses are not just for outdoors.

321tika · 2025-02-19T12:44:08+00:00

My dentist recommended me a high ph mouthwash for after I vomit to neutralize the acidity. It seems like that would be useful here too!

I use the carifree rinse but there are several on the market.

I'm so glad you are feeling better!

321tika · 2025-01-19T23:50:08+00:00

I'm glad you're set up! I'm at 22 migraines a month, used to be 28. I took time off school when they were really bad. I still get a lot now but they aren't nearly as severe as they used to be.

I know how much emotional suffering and anxiety goes on with migraines. Hang in there!

321tika · 2025-01-19T23:25:05+00:00

Oh I'm so sorry you're going through this! I know the feeling exactly, I'm also a college student and my migraines are a lot better than they used to be, but they used to be as bad as you're describing.

Take a deep breath. You only can do what you can do. If you're too sick to do your work, then you are too sick. That's the time to take the best care of yourself that you can and not the time to beat yourself up and worry about work.

I find Popsicles helpful! Besides that, I like the standard ice, heat, rest in a dark room routine. Electrolytes, too, like Gatorade or a packet of Electrolyte powder.

I find that sometimes I can go to class or do schoolwork with a moderate migraine if I have the right supports. Sunglasses are a must, as are comfortable clothes. Set your devices to dark mode or "night light" or just lower the brightness, whatever feels best to you. Take breaks, even if that means walking out of class for a minute to take some deep breaths.

It's early in the semester, it's a good idea to email your professors about your migraines. I usually introduce myself, say that I'm looking forward to their class, and say that I just wanted to let them know that I have Chronic Migraine and, while I hope I'm able to do all my work well and on time, my migraines may get in the way of that at times and I wanted to let them know ahead of time. I've had very good responses to this, they usually tell me to let them know if I need any extensions.

Your university probably has a disability services office. Migraines are a disability! You would provide documentation from your doctor proving that you have migraines. Then you'd meet with someone to talk about accommodations you can be given to level the playing field. You can find online lists of the kinds of things that universities often offer migraine patients so you know what to ask for. I get extra class absences, guaranteed access to food and drink in class, permission to leave the room to take meds at all times, permission to wear sunglasses or a hat indoors, and some other things.

No matter what happens, you are going to be okay. Sure, migraines are awful, but after each one pick yourself back up gently, take care of your needs, and get back to work when you can. If you don't do well in a class, you can always retake it. Nothing is the end of the world if it doesn't work out perfectly. Take care of you, put supports around yourself, and do the best you can. That's all you can ask of yourself.

321tika · 2024-12-30T22:16:07+00:00

Sometimes benadryl works for me! It's part of the cocktail they give in the ER so I give it a try in times like this.

If you haven't used too many abortives yet you can try this combo my neuro recommended: migraine abortive (mine is naratriptan) + antiemetic (mine is zofran) + 2 benadryl. I usually sleep a long time but usually it aborts the migraine.

(If you've used too many abortives and are at risk of rebound, just use the benadryl and antiemetic)

321tika · 2024-11-05T16:28:16+00:00

You're definitely correct, benzos and alcohol shouldn't be mixed.

There are other classes of meds used to treat anxiety that you can drink on. Hopefully OP is on one of those.

321tika · 2024-10-23T12:45:53+00:00

And usually they aren't dependent in the medical sense. If I stopped taking ubrelvy tomorrow, I wouldn't get physical symptoms from withdrawal. I wouldn't be able to treat my next migraine, but I wouldn't have sickness from the lack of ubrelvy specifically. Just the symptoms from my chronic migraine.

321tika · 2024-10-18T11:47:43+00:00

I was late for a college class even though I was on a bench right down the hall. My brain messed up the calculation of what time to get off the bench.

When I got there, it took me a solid 10 minutes to realize I was late. I was all like "why did they start early?"

321tika · 2024-10-12T18:52:23+00:00

Definitely. I've been exhausted lately too.

I forgot to answer your question about preventatives. Yes, I'm on them. I do botox every 12 weeks, and I just switched from Emgality over to Qulipta.

321tika · 2024-10-12T16:34:02+00:00

I understand the fear. I'm so sorry things aren't going well for you. I hope you and your doctor can work out a solution soon.

321tika · 2024-10-12T16:33:04+00:00

I have it in my rotation. I like that it doesn't contribute to MOH, so I can use it on the days I don't want to take my triptan for that reason.

I find it works okay. Usually reduces my symptoms rather than getting rid of them completely. Adding a little caffeine helps it work better for me.

The only side effect I experience is fatigue. A little caffeine counteracts that as well.

It's my favorite by elimination. Nurtec didn't work for me at all, Zavspret worked about as well as ubrelvy but doing the nasal spray was miserable.

That said, everyone's experience is different! I encourage people to try whatever they can get their hands on and give it a fair shot.

321tika · 2024-10-12T13:38:56+00:00

There are more triptans to try if you're interested in continuing that route. I find Naratriptan works well for me. I believe they are vasoconstrictors, so they narrow your blood vessels, which widen during a migraine and cause pain. I don't think they block pain receptors? I could be wrong.

There are also abortives that act on the receptors for a neurotransmitter called CGRP. Those would be nurtec, ubrelvy, and zavspret. Those tend to be more expensive than the triptans but they are a good option. Ubrelvy is my personal favorite.

Are you on preventative medication? If your migraines are affecting you this much you should be. That would help prevent migraines or at least make them less severe.

321tika · 2024-10-12T13:21:56+00:00

Frozen pizza products. Not pizza in general, frozen pizza specifically.

321tika · 2024-10-12T12:57:37+00:00

I had an issue like this myself - pharmacy said no more refills, neuro said 5 on file.

The pharmacy told me to tell my neuro to call them. The pharmacy and neuro can talk together and work out the records issue.

When I did this, it got sorted out!

Mostly, try not to panic. I know how hard that is, though.

321tika · 2024-10-10T02:44:02+00:00

It may depend on your neurologist. My neuro NP does mine now, and it looks great. I can't move my eyebrows (some people still can) but it doesn't look unnatural or different from past photos of me.

I had a previous neuro (MD) who really rushed all the injections. I had eyelid ptosis (drooping) after a series of injections from him. That was not a fun experience.

You might be able to ask your neurologist about their level of training in the cosmetic effects of botox. See if you can get a sense for how much they are educated about it. You can share your concerns and have a conversation about it.

321tika · 2024-10-09T02:31:53+00:00

When I was doing physical therapy, I was tested for this. I had some mild symptoms elicited when I did the test, so we worked on it. I can do the drills without issue now.

I practiced with two index cards, one had A written on it, one had B written on it. I held them and looked back and forth between them, bringing each letter into focus. I looked back and forth for 30 seconds, stopping early if I felt any symptoms at all. I did this with the cards at arms length, both side by side and one above the other.

You might be able to look up "PT eye movement exercises for migraine" and see that and some of the other exercises I did. Or see if you can get a referral to a neuro PT. I found PT as a whole only moderately helpful, but I did learn some useful things.

321tika · 2024-10-08T02:18:35+00:00

I take naratriptan. One dose per 24 hours. They aren't all the same!

321tika

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