Migraines, beta blockers, and riding

[Lise]

Interestingly enough, it was when I *stopped* using contraception that the migraine frequency skyrocketed. I'd been using the NuvaRing for about 10 years, with no breaks, to stop my endometriosis. I started having slightly more frequent migraines in the past year, so decided to stop the NuvaRing. I'm 49, and figured I was close to menopause anyway. It is hard to be a girl. Some womens' migraines increase in menopause, and it seems I'm one of them.

We'll just have to see what happens when I start riding again. Luckily, I don't feel lethargic or fogged out with the Bystolic and Butterbur.

[Lise]

I took the Bystolic for two months, didn't have a single migraine the whole time. I also took the Butterbur (Petadolex). 5/20 I was hospitalized with a kidney infection, and my blood pressure got as low as 70/44. I was advised to stop the Bystolic, which I did, gladly. Continued the Butterbur. Since then I've had one migraine, easily nipped in the bud with Maxalt.

Once I was off the Bystolic, I realized how much better I felt. I enjoy having my normal BP back, and hope the Butterbur alone will prevent a lot of migraines.

[badger]

I'm sure you've tried feverfew? as mine is not considered a "classic migraine", I found that feverfew didn't do much for my migrained. But some do swear that they reduce the fequency and intensity.

[Lise]

I'm sure you've tried feverfew? as mine is not considered a "classic migraine", I found that feverfew didn't do much for my migrained. But some do swear that they reduce the fequency and intensity.

I have *not* tried Feverfew. I'm happy with Butterbur so far.

[MommyBird]

I take Toprol for HBP.
The added benefit is that it has tamed my migraines. I still get them but not as often and not even close to as severe. Almost always tied to my cycle now.

I have been in hypertensive crisis twice so I am just thrilled to have my BP in control with the two drugs at the moderate dosage that is working at the moment. In the past I have had to take the max dosage of four separate drugs just to keep my BP out of the danger zone. I have very difficult to control HBP.
I do not notice any negative side effects beyond the lower heart rate during exercise.
I also have high cholesterol that does not respond to dietary changes. My eating habits do not leave any room for improvement compared to the docs recommendation. My good is very, very low and my bad is moderately high. My doc has me on meds.
The coronary calcium scan I had done a year ago rated me at 0% chance of having a heart attack. I eat well, exercise and do not smoke or drink. My docs say the cholesterol and HBP are genetic. They feel that my unexpectedly positive scan can be attributed to lifestyle choices.

[colorisnt]

Never taken beta blockers due to a bad reaction that would most likely happen, but I am now on an Alzheimer's med to avoid kidney stones (topomax may have caused one) and to keep my migraines under control. It's called Namenda and is kinda experimental, but has been really helping so far. I don't know if it is luck or the med though at this time.

Regardless, they put my younger sister on a beta blocker as a treatment. She's a runner and it just about killed her. She had no energy and also couldn't sleep properly (would wake up for hours at a time). I know a few other people who also had issues with it.

I take Maxalt as my quick acting med, but it is almost useless without a daily controller med. I am also on Zoloft, so taking it all the time is dangerous thanks to serotonin syndrome.

I also have endo, but my migraines aren't hormone driven like some. I can't imagine what that would be like. The immense pain from the endo was enough to deal with, let alone a migraine. I haven't had a period in more than a year, so I don't know about that.