gingerwildwood said:
Mkilpatrick74 said:
My daughter has a seizure disorder that will begin with a migraine always....then will come the blank stares and just zoned out....soon after her eyes roll and they close and she collapses. There have been times she has been unresponsive for several mins. So, im goimg wirh he had a seizure. Its much more fitting wirh what ive seen personally.
I have to agree. From the moment I heard about the plane incident I thought it was a seizure. My question was wither the seizure was brought on by the drugs he was taking or the withdraw from the drugs he was taking.
poor dear.
Do you think he was using pain pills when he was a child? Not sure why people cannot believe he a seizure issue long before pain pills and I have been wondering if the use of pain meds may not have started because of migrain headaches and seizures.
http://www.choosingwisely.org/patient-resources/treating-migraine-headaches/
Treating Migraine Headaches
Some drugs should rarely be used
Migraine attacks can last for hours—or even days. They can cause intense pain, nausea, and vomiting. They can make you sensitive to light or noise, and they can affect your life and work.
To treat migraines, you may get a prescription for an opioid (narcotic) or a barbiturate (sedative) called butalbital. These are pain medicines. But you should think twice about using these drugs. Here’s why:
These drugs can make headaches worse.
Using too much pain medicine can lead to a condition called MOH, or medication overuse headache.
- Drugs containing opioids—such as hydrocodone (Norco, Vicodin, and generics) or oxycodone (Percocet and generics).
- Drugs containing butalbital (Fioricet, Fiorinal, and generics).
They are not as effective as other migraine drugs.
There are other drugs that can reduce the number of migraines you have and how severe they are— better than opioids and butalbital. Even in the emergency room—where people with severe migraines often ask for opioids—better drugs are available.
They have risks.
Opioids and butalbital can cause serious withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them suddenly. People who use high doses for a long time may need to be in the hospital in order to stop using them.
Opioids, even at low doses, can make you feel sleepy or dizzy. Other side effects include constipation and nausea. Using them for a long time can lower your sex drive and cause depression and sleep problems.
They can be a waste of money.
Opioids and butalbital pills do not cost a lot. But why spend money on drugs you don’t need?
Also, if these drugs cause side effects and more headaches, you may have to go to extra doctors’ appointments. This will take time and may cost you money.
What drugs are good for migraines?
If you have migraine attacks, try one of the drugs listed below. They all work best if you use them when the migraine is just beginning.
- Start with a non-prescription pain drug that combines aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine (Excedrin Migraine, Excedrin Extra Strength, and generics). Or try non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil and generic) or naproxen (Aleve and generic).
- If these drugs do not help, or your headaches are more severe, try one of the prescription migraine drugs called triptans, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex and generic).
- Start If triptans do not work, try dihydroergotamine nasal spray (Migranal). This drug works even better as an injection (DHE-45 and generic). You or your doctor can do the injection.
If you have migraines often, or if they are very severe, ask your doctor about drugs to prevent headaches.
When are opioids or butalbital useful for migraines?
Your doctor may suggest an opioid if none of the treatments listed above help, or if you have bad side effects.
It is not clear if butalbital should be used at all for treating migraines. If your doctor prescribes butalbital for your migraines, ask why. And ask if there are any other drugs that would work.
Limit the use of all pain medicines.
- Do not use prescription pain medicine for headaches for more than nine days in a month.
- Do not use non-prescription pain medicine for more than 14 days in a month.
This report is for you to use when talking with your health-care provider. It is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment. Use of this report is at your own risk.
© 2013 Consumer Reports. Developed in cooperation with the American Academy of Neurology. To learn more about the sources used in this report and terms and conditions of use, visit ConsumerHealthChoices.org/about-us/.
02/2013
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https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/narcotics-analgesics/
Narcotic analgesics
1
RATE★★★★★
Narcotic migraine medicines, also referred to as opioid analgesics, are synthetically made or occur naturally in opium poppies. These substances are known as narcotics, opiates and opioid. These short-acting narcotics may cause physical dependence or psychological addiction. For this reason, these drugs are only meant to be used intermittently (off and on) or for the short term. Long-term use leads to tolerance, meaning more drugs are needed but don’t work as well and overuse may also cause an increase in headaches.
Different narcotic analgesics
- Codeine, which is often combined with acetaminophen in Tylenol
- Hydrocodone, often combined with acetaminophen in Lortab and Vicodin
- Meperdine, under the brand name Demerol
- Oxycodone with acetaminophen in Percocet
- Hydromorphone under the brand name Dilaudid
- Butorphanol Tartrate, under the brand name Stadol a nasal spray (very addictive)
- Hydromorphone, under the brand name Actiq, medication on a stick like a lollipop
- Tramadol – Ultram for migraines
How Narcotics work to treat migraines
Narcotics work to relieve pain by preventing the release of the neurotransmitter Substance P in the nerves. This helps reduce the way migraine sufferers perceive pain in the brain. It is also sedating and cuts down how emotionally upset the migraine sufferer feels as a result of the pain.
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Side effects of Narcotics
Serious side effects of Narcotics
If itching is accompanied by rash, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat this is a sign of a serious allergic reaction. Seek immediate medical attention.
Who should not take Narcotics
Because Narcotics cause drowsiness, it shouldn’t be taken with alcohol or any other drug that is sedating. Also don’t take narcotics if you will be doing any potentially dangerous activity such as driving, operating heavy machinery or working at heights.
Also, do not use Narcotics if you have
- Respiratory depression
- Chronic lung disease
- Chronic liver or kidney disease
- BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia or benign prostatic hypertrophy
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Hypersensitivity reactions