Answer

So Flavia asked, "What Meds are you on now and what alternatives do you use for your headaches."

Its funny you ask that as today will be the first day in a long time I take all my meds. I had stopped them because I was having a bleeding issue and now thats under control.

I take Medrol (a steroid cousin of Prednisone)6mg/day. 12mg of methotrexate weekly (Tuesdays), Protonix 40 mg (for the acid reflux from the steroids), and 1 mg folic acid daily.

When I first started with the neurologist I was taking 6 medications - they basically threw everything they could at me, antiseizure, antidepressants, muscle relaxers, antianxiety, antimigraine. At one point the neurologist looked at me and said she wasn't sure how I was upright as most people who be zombies with all that medication. I've learned to give the meds a chance to work (at least 6-10 weeks) and then work with my docs on adjusting.

Out of all those medications I've kept the antianxiety and muscle relaxers to help with pain at times. They both help me get comfortable to sleep. Also since my lesion is on a nerve sometimes when the nerve is very aggrivated these meds help relax my body to lesson the pain. I also use acupuncture weekly to get rid of the pain as well as nausea from the methotrexate.

I also use peppermint oil (found at any new age store or spa store) and rub a few drops right on my head where it hurts. A cold wash cloth and dark room also help and I routinely will sleep with one tied to my head that also had peppermint oil.

My last resort is a pain pill. Norco seems to work best. But I do this maybe every 3 months when I'm really desperate.