Competiton: how many different meds have you been on for migraine?

This is a light hearted look at the range of medications I have been on over the last 15 years. Our migraines aren't much fun, so anything that can lighten the mood is probably good. These medicines have been gathered from the medical records I have obtained up to 2010. The list is by no means complete - have you tried deciphering doctors notes? The pre-computerisation records are almost impossible to interpret but at least they are not as brief as the computerised ones.

A number of of the medicines have been prescribed multiple times, but I have only listed them once. Where possible I have used the generic name in preference to the brand names.

I'm not sure if the winner should be the person with the most or least number of medicines

For what it's worth, my list is below. Can you do better (or should that be worse?)

nortriptyline (tricyclic antidepressant) Norpress, generic
nadolol (beta-adrenergic receptor blockers) Corgard, Apo Nadalol,
sumatriptan (serotonin agonist) Imigran
pizotifen (serotonin antagonist) Sandomigran
felodipin (Calcium-Channel Blocker) Plendil
naproxen (NSAID) Naprosyn
pethidine (opioid analgesic) + metoclopramide (gastroprokinetic agent) Maxolon
rizatriptan (serotonin agonist) Maxalt Melt
carbamazepine (anticonvulsant) Tegretol
diclofenac (NSAID) Voltfast
topiramate (anticonvulsant) Topamax
amitriptyline (tricyclic antidepressant) generic
fluoxetine (SSRI) generic
diclofenac (NSAID) generic
Propranolol (non-selective beta blocker) generic

Oh wow - now you have me thinking..... I will try....

Since I went chronic (6 yrs ago)

A beta blocker
Amitriptylin
Flunarizine
Sodium Valproate (Epilim)
Topiramate (Topamax)
Sumatriptan (Imigran)
Frovatriptan (Migard)
Naratritan (Naramig)
Migraleve
Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
Sumatriptan (Imigran)
Zolmitriptan (Zomig)
Imagran
Disposable Aspirin
Paracetamol
Co-codemol
Greater Optical Nerve Block (GONB)
Dihydroergotamine (DHE)

and finally Botulinum toxin type A (Botox)

Also tried:

Feverfew
Butterbur
Chinese meds of which I forget the names
Magnesium
Zinc
Iodine
B12
Q10
Andrews Salts
Morning Primrose Oil

I'm still compiling my list but I will be very interested to see if anyone can beat me!!

Right I hope you're ready!!

Amitriptyline
Pizotifen
Propranolol
Sodium Valproate - used a preventative
IV Sodium Valproate - used as an acute treatment in hospital
Lamotrigine
Verapamil
Acetazolamide
Methysergide
Topiramate
Fluoxetine
Tizanidine
Memantine
Gabapentin
Flunarazine
Nortriptyline
Levetiracetam
Co-Enzyme Q10
Riboflavin
Feverfew
Iodine
IV Caffeine Infusions
IV Lidocaine Infusions - used as an acute treatment in hospital
Lidocaine Patches - used as a preventative
IV Dihydroergotamine Infusions
IV Magnesium Infusions
IV Ketamine Infusions
Sublingual Ketamine
IV Aspirin infusions
Dispersible Aspirin
High dose and high flow Oxygen
Bilateral Multiple Cranial Nerve Blocks
Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks
BOTOX Injections
Chlorpromazine IM Injections
Prednisolone
Paracetamol
Migraleve
Dihydrocodeine
Tramadol
Ibuprofen
Co-codamol
Naproxen
Morphine
Sumatriptan tablets and injections
Frovatriptan
Almotriptan
Eletriptan
Zolmitriptan
Rizatriptan
Naratriptan
Domperidone
Prochlorperazine
Metachlorpromide
Ondansetron
Cyclizine

Four I have listed twice due to their different administration.

I know it isn't a medication but it is a treatment:
Occipital Nerve Stimulator Implant

Well you never know some of these may give you some ideas for the future!

I thought our Michala might give 'em a run for their money!

I kinda knew who would win - if that is a win ............ I just wish they would help you xxx

But what it does show is that THERE IS a lot of possible things to try....

- Maybe we should update the meds list on here ..?

Do I have the crown then...

Joking aside, I was put on preventatives at the age of 14, so each preventative was tried alone and then some again in combination. Hence you can understand why I've been given the diagnosis of refractory chronic hemiplegic migraine. I suppose I can understand now seeing it all listed there why I have come to the end of the line!

Also, there are some medications on the list that are not the norm, for example Memantine but it was tried because I responded well to IV Ketamine infusions (although the benefits only lasted 24 hours) they work in a similar way.

That must be sooooooooo frustrating knowing that some things have worked in short bursts....

How about the alternative stuff - any of that had an effect?

It has been a totally frustrating journey...

Unfortunately no the alternative stuff hasn't helped either, I have also tried Acupuncture and Osteopathy but they antagonised it!