Comments on: Demerol for Migraine in the Emergency room http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/demerol-for-migraine-in-the-emergency-room/ Thoughts and information about the latest news in the world of migraine, cluster headache and other headache treatment around the world. Sat, 19 May 2012 12:02:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: V http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/demerol-for-migraine-in-the-emergency-room/comment-page-2/#comment-182708 V Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:00:39 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=447#comment-182708 I am on disability for severe, frequent migraines for over 2 decades. After years of testing for triggers, none were found. Over the years, I went through numerous trials with medications to find out what did or did not work for me. Whenever I went to the ER for treatment, I was given a Demerol injection. Beta blockers and other "preventive" measures have not worked. I am having a terrible time now because after having found a combination of medicines that gave me the best results, my insurance (Medicare & Medigap) will no longer cover those medications. Those two medications combined cost under $500 a month maximum for the insurance company. The only medication they will cover now, costs $1500 a month. I used it for the first time today, and I am very upset about being forced to abandon what worked for these results. It took over an hour for there to be an improvement in my pain, and then it put me to sleep. I did not want to sleep long, because I knew if that happened I wouldn't be able to get to sleep at night. I wound up sleeping through both alarms I'd set and slept straight through for 5 hours. Now it is nearly midnight and I cannot fall asleep,and have to be up at 7 AM for work. I have battled with doctors, pharmacy, insurance more than once over the years and now to the point of emotional/mental exhaustion. I am trying to re-enter the workforce and I simply can NOT use a medication that is going to put me to sleep! I have also tried alternative methods such as chiropractic, herbals, etc., but the insurance covers none of these either. I do not know what else to do or try. I am on disability for severe, frequent migraines for over 2 decades. After years of testing for triggers, none were found. Over the years, I went through numerous trials with medications to find out what did or did not work for me. Whenever I went to the ER for treatment, I was given a Demerol injection. Beta blockers and other “preventive” measures have not worked. I am having a terrible time now because after having found a combination of medicines that gave me the best results, my insurance (Medicare & Medigap) will no longer cover those medications. Those two medications combined cost under $500 a month maximum for the insurance company. The only medication they will cover now, costs $1500 a month. I used it for the first time today, and I am very upset about being forced to abandon what worked for these results. It took over an hour for there to be an improvement in my pain, and then it put me to sleep. I did not want to sleep long, because I knew if that happened I wouldn’t be able to get to sleep at night. I wound up sleeping through both alarms I’d set and slept straight through for 5 hours. Now it is nearly midnight and I cannot fall asleep,and have to be up at 7 AM for work. I have battled with doctors, pharmacy, insurance more than once over the years and now to the point of emotional/mental exhaustion. I am trying to re-enter the workforce and I simply can NOT use a medication that is going to put me to sleep! I have also tried alternative methods such as chiropractic, herbals, etc., but the insurance covers none of these either. I do not know what else to do or try.

]]> By: Barbara Byrd http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/demerol-for-migraine-in-the-emergency-room/comment-page-2/#comment-164541 Barbara Byrd Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:19:24 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=447#comment-164541 I think it is important not to make overly broad and often inaccurate statements about any specific drug and it's efficacy in severe status migraine. Demerol and other IV narcotics are not the first choice to break a dangerous status migraine in many ER's. However, narcotics together with the migraine cocktail currently used can be very effective in reducing the nightmarish pain of a 4 day migraine. It may not be correct for a person who has experienced a single migraine in a lifetime to demonize medications used on occasion by other sufferers. Neither Demerol or any other narcotic drug given in an IV gives a "rush" to those of us in that kind of pain. It sometimes simply relieves the pain slightly while the Decadron, Pherergan, and Benedryl start to work. I think it is important not to make overly broad and often inaccurate statements about any specific drug and it’s efficacy in severe status migraine. Demerol and other IV narcotics are not the first choice to break a dangerous status migraine in many ER’s. However, narcotics together with the migraine cocktail currently used can be very effective in reducing the nightmarish pain of a 4 day migraine. It may not be correct for a person who has experienced a single migraine in a lifetime to demonize medications used on occasion by other sufferers. Neither Demerol or any other narcotic drug given in an IV gives a “rush” to those of us in that kind of pain. It sometimes simply relieves the pain slightly while the Decadron, Pherergan, and Benedryl start to work.

]]> By: wanda http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/demerol-for-migraine-in-the-emergency-room/comment-page-2/#comment-164434 wanda Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:31:58 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=447#comment-164434 I have found that Demerol doesn;t work for headaches, as a person who has suffered with chronic pancreatities, confirmed by specialists, Demerol works for organ pain, never helps bone pain or headaches. I recently had my first migraine ( i hope my last ) and i had Demerol, never touches any form of a headache. Its best to try other meds first or even a little heat at the neck sometimes its arthritis. I have had to take Demerol daily for 16 years now..i have been strict and stable with dosages. I highly recommend not giving iv Demerol to people, as it gives you a rush, that is what becomes addictive to people, there is no rush in pill form.. I have found that Demerol doesn;t work for headaches, as a person who has suffered with chronic pancreatities, confirmed by specialists, Demerol works for organ pain, never helps bone pain or headaches. I recently had my first migraine ( i hope my last ) and i had Demerol, never touches any form of a headache. Its best to try other meds first or even a little heat at the neck sometimes its arthritis. I have had to take Demerol daily for 16 years now..i have been strict and stable with dosages. I highly recommend not giving iv Demerol to people, as it gives you a rush, that is what becomes addictive to people, there is no rush in pill form..

]]> By: Linda http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/demerol-for-migraine-in-the-emergency-room/comment-page-2/#comment-127886 Linda Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:56:31 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=447#comment-127886 I've read all of the posts, looking for something that I haven't tried or something that I've tried and know doesn't work. I have had migraines since I was in my teens and still have them in my mid-fifties. I was recently told by an ER Doc that they will no longer be using Demerol and Vistaril for migraines. I have a great doctor who had worked out a pain contract for me. Since they aren't going to be giving that, I have to live with it. I highly DOUBT that I will have any withdrawal because I only was allowed up to three times per month. I get an average of 4-6 migraines per month. At one time I was getting them every day. I have Fibromyalgia. Diagnosed by the top neurologists in the country. I DON'T LIKE being classified as a druggie because someone looks at me and says that i must be one because I have either bad teeth, bad hair, bad skin, or small veins!!! How dare someone make that assumption without even knowing me. As it turns out, I do have bad teeth because of being on many medications for the myriad of problems that come with Fibromyalgia. I won't list all of the drugs here, but I do HATE being on them. Any medication that gives you dry mouth will eventually ruin your teeth. I don't have bad skin or bad hair. I've always had small miserable veins so I don't want to go the ER for my migraines or take any medication that requires an IV. I've tried just about every drug out there for migraine - toradol, depakote, imitrex,dilaudid, topamax, morphine, all that make me want to climb the walls! I was also on fioricet, Vicodin and Methadone all at different times. I did not like it!! I have been through withdrawal and it was voluntary. Especially Methadone -- it makes me suicidal and I am just not that way. I'm generally happy and feel that I have much to live for. I think it's terrible that because of people who abuse their medication, the ones who really need a particular medication have to suffer. I do not look forward to trying more drugs, I'm SICK of drugs! Except for those that help me, such as my blood pressure meds, and cholesteral medication. When I get a migraine, my blood pressure shoots up to anywhere from 180/105 to 230/125 or so. I try to get to the doctor asap when this comes on and the demerol is the only thing that will put me to sleep and then and ONLY then is when my BP comes down. I guess I'm going to be feeling like a walking stroke about to happen when i get a migraine. =( I’ve read all of the posts, looking for something that I haven’t tried or something that I’ve tried and know doesn’t work. I have had migraines since I was in my teens and still have them in my mid-fifties. I was recently told by an ER Doc that they will no longer be using Demerol and Vistaril for migraines. I have a great doctor who had worked out a pain contract for me. Since they aren’t going to be giving that, I have to live with it. I highly DOUBT that I will have any withdrawal because I only was allowed up to three times per month. I get an average of 4-6 migraines per month. At one time I was getting them every day. I have Fibromyalgia. Diagnosed by the top neurologists in the country. I DON’T LIKE being classified as a druggie because someone looks at me and says that i must be one because I have either bad teeth, bad hair, bad skin, or small veins!!! How dare someone make that assumption without even knowing me. As it turns out, I do have bad teeth because of being on many medications for the myriad of problems that come with Fibromyalgia. I won’t list all of the drugs here, but I do HATE being on them. Any medication that gives you dry mouth will eventually ruin your teeth. I don’t have bad skin or bad hair. I’ve always had small miserable veins so I don’t want to go the ER for my migraines or take any medication that requires an IV. I’ve tried just about every drug out there for migraine – toradol, depakote, imitrex,dilaudid, topamax, morphine, all that make me want to climb the walls! I was also on fioricet, Vicodin and Methadone all at different times. I did not like it!! I have been through withdrawal and it was voluntary. Especially Methadone — it makes me suicidal and I am just not that way. I’m generally happy and feel that I have much to live for. I think it’s terrible that because of people who abuse their medication, the ones who really need a particular medication have to suffer. I do not look forward to trying more drugs, I’m SICK of drugs! Except for those that help me, such as my blood pressure meds, and cholesteral medication. When I get a migraine, my blood pressure shoots up to anywhere from 180/105 to 230/125 or so. I try to get to the doctor asap when this comes on and the demerol is the only thing that will put me to sleep and then and ONLY then is when my BP comes down. I guess I’m going to be feeling like a walking stroke about to happen when i get a migraine. =(

]]> By: Jeff http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/demerol-for-migraine-in-the-emergency-room/comment-page-1/#comment-119851 Jeff Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:52:49 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=447#comment-119851 On 7-1-09 I finally had to retire from my Police Dept afte total of 36 yrs because I was in the hospital so much and leaving shifts having to be filled by Officer on overtime and now one DR of 14 that Ins Company has sent me to has said the assault was not the cause of Migranes but Ins wants to continue to pay medical and give lump sum for Workers Comp settlement,what a joke I wish they could expierience the pain of one Migrane like I get only since the 99 assault. On 7-1-09 I finally had to retire from my Police Dept afte total of 36 yrs because I was in the hospital so much and leaving shifts having to be filled by Officer on overtime and now one DR of 14 that Ins Company has sent me to has said the assault was not the cause of Migranes but Ins wants to continue to pay medical and give lump sum for Workers Comp settlement,what a joke I wish they could expierience the pain of one Migrane like I get only since the 99 assault.

]]> By: Jeff http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/demerol-for-migraine-in-the-emergency-room/comment-page-1/#comment-119849 Jeff Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:37:09 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=447#comment-119849 Cordelia,my Neurologist atThomas Jefferson,Philly has found a way of treatment when I get the Status Migrane,one which won't release and its non-narcotic. They give an injection of Benadryl and Phenigrin(not sure of spelling) then 1/2 hr later another and then a third 1/2 hr later. Now I am in the hospital due to these Migranes but after three days of that cocktail I feel totally relived from the pain.If you want more info I can ask the dosages of medications aforementioned. I only can use Demerol for pain and all the hospitals have gone Demerol free in PA. However they have it but Dr has to ask for special permission from Pharmacy, Even then though my Hospital(Holy Spirit,Camp Hill,PA) still won't give me any so I have to use heat and cold packs for pain until they get the Phenigrin in from supply house.Apparently it was an outdated anti-nausea medication. I'm on daily doses of Topamax and an anti-immflamitory Innomiacin(Speeling again not sure) but that is a proactive attempt of getting the Status Migrane(which is a migrane that locks in and won't release which causes the brain to swell) Also they use a steriod when in hospital to help the swelling(Depamedrasol,spelling again). Mine are caused by an injury to head in 99. Imitrex, Stadol(which cause respitory arrest), Dilaudid, Codiene, Percocet, Vicodin or any other pain med has no effect on me.Also have had tempular injection of Botox 6 yrs ago and that did'nt help either. I wish you luck and pain free,I found also that it is always right side and I use a heat pack at onset of a bad headache to area of pain and that does help along with hot showers directed on my head.!Good Luck Cordelia,my Neurologist atThomas Jefferson,Philly has found a way of treatment when I get the Status Migrane,one which won’t release and its non-narcotic. They give an injection of Benadryl and Phenigrin(not sure of spelling) then 1/2 hr later another and then a third 1/2 hr later. Now I am in the hospital due to these Migranes but after three days of that cocktail I feel totally relived from the pain.If you want more info I can ask the dosages of medications aforementioned. I only can use Demerol for pain and all the hospitals have gone Demerol free in PA. However they have it but Dr has to ask for special permission from Pharmacy, Even then though my Hospital(Holy Spirit,Camp Hill,PA) still won’t give me any so I have to use heat and cold packs for pain until they get the Phenigrin in from supply house.Apparently it was an outdated anti-nausea medication. I’m on daily doses of Topamax and an anti-immflamitory Innomiacin(Speeling again not sure) but that is a proactive attempt of getting the Status Migrane(which is a migrane that locks in and won’t release which causes the brain to swell) Also they use a steriod when in hospital to help the swelling(Depamedrasol,spelling again). Mine are caused by an injury to head in 99. Imitrex, Stadol(which cause respitory arrest), Dilaudid, Codiene, Percocet, Vicodin or any other pain med has no effect on me.Also have had tempular injection of Botox 6 yrs ago and that did’nt help either. I wish you luck and pain free,I found also that it is always right side and I use a heat pack at onset of a bad headache to area of pain and that does help along with hot showers directed on my head.!Good Luck

]]> By: Cordelia http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/demerol-for-migraine-in-the-emergency-room/comment-page-1/#comment-119708 Cordelia Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:46:14 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=447#comment-119708 I have suffered from headaches and migraines my entire life so when this one started I didn't think much of it. I do not believe in taking drugs of any type, however this migraine is so intense and has lasted for over a month straight, I nearly lost it and took an entire bottle of migraine relief pills as the regular dosage obviously had no effect. My body never has any reaction to medicine. My family and doctors never believe me when I tell them it will not have any effect. Luckily I thought twice and only took the regular dosage my point here is that I have been in so much pain this past month which has gotten steadily worse that I am becoming very irrational. I have a high pain tolerance, I mean I do not take any pain relief for illness or injury not even the times when doctors have needed to slice open infected wounds. If I can tolerate being stabbed with a sharp knife without flinching there must be something majorly wrong with my brain right now. I am writing this to find out if anyone has any advice. I cannot function normally right now and it continuous to grow more intense daily recently. I am going to see a doctor tomorrow as in a few more days I have a family camping trip to attend and I cannot move without being tortured right now. I need something that can hopefully remove but at least suppress this agony for a few days while I am away that will not cause fatigue. I am searching for a medication that is strong enough to work but also as healthy as possible. Right now I really do not care however I just want to be able to move without dieing. Thanks in advance. I have suffered from headaches and migraines my entire life so when this one started I didn’t think much of it. I do not believe in taking drugs of any type, however this migraine is so intense and has lasted for over a month straight, I nearly lost it and took an entire bottle of migraine relief pills as the regular dosage obviously had no effect. My body never has any reaction to medicine. My family and doctors never believe me when I tell them it will not have any effect. Luckily I thought twice and only took the regular dosage my point here is that I have been in so much pain this past month which has gotten steadily worse that I am becoming very irrational. I have a high pain tolerance, I mean I do not take any pain relief for illness or injury not even the times when doctors have needed to slice open infected wounds. If I can tolerate being stabbed with a sharp knife without flinching there must be something majorly wrong with my brain right now. I am writing this to find out if anyone has any advice. I cannot function normally right now and it continuous to grow more intense daily recently. I am going to see a doctor tomorrow as in a few more days I have a family camping trip to attend and I cannot move without being tortured right now. I need something that can hopefully remove but at least suppress this agony for a few days while I am away that will not cause fatigue. I am searching for a medication that is strong enough to work but also as healthy as possible. Right now I really do not care however I just want to be able to move without dieing. Thanks in advance.

]]> By: Nancy http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/demerol-for-migraine-in-the-emergency-room/comment-page-1/#comment-114530 Nancy Wed, 25 May 2011 22:15:34 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=447#comment-114530 this last year i have been getting epiderals for discs from c2 to t5 all messed up after 4 injections i am getting some relief hope this helps have had migraines regularly for 20 years and a headache everyday. good luck to all this last year i have been getting epiderals for discs from c2 to t5 all messed up after 4 injections i am getting some relief hope this helps have had migraines regularly for 20 years and a headache everyday. good luck to all

]]> By: Nancy http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/demerol-for-migraine-in-the-emergency-room/comment-page-1/#comment-114528 Nancy Wed, 25 May 2011 22:07:27 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=447#comment-114528 i have had migraines for 20 years now and the only thing i can suggest after years of all the med and drs experimenting on me everyone is different and the dr think a migraine is a migraine not so i have been getting epiderals this last 6 months and after 4 injections i am getting relief, i also have c2 to t5 all herniated and bulging and so on so if you have tension and discs that are effecting you check out PISA in tucson az DR. BULLOCK IS MY DR they have a very good website for information and could suggest a place by your home good luck and it is hard but keep smiling from someone that definitely relate. i have had migraines for 20 years now and the only thing i can suggest after years of all the med and drs experimenting on me everyone is different and the dr think a migraine is a migraine not so i have been getting epiderals this last 6 months and after 4 injections i am getting relief, i also have c2 to t5 all herniated and bulging and so on so if you have tension and discs that are effecting you check out PISA in tucson az DR. BULLOCK IS MY DR they have a very good website for information and could suggest a place by your home good luck and it is hard but keep smiling from someone that definitely relate.

]]> By: Nat http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/demerol-for-migraine-in-the-emergency-room/comment-page-1/#comment-106263 Nat Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:44:05 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=447#comment-106263 I am a longtime migraine sufferer. I've been fighting migraines for the past 13 years chronically and just a couple a year before that. I am a female in my mid-30s. I have seen multiple neurologists over the years, mostly in the Kansas City metro area. The couple I really liked eventually moved into in-patient care and pediatric neurology respectively so now I am beginning with a new neurologist. I find this post interesting as I suffer often from migraines compounded by a daily headache that the neurologists can not get rid of, so my migraines are easily triggered (they say because the receptors are already in a heightened state with the daily headache). I've been to the ER several different times in the past few years though I try to wait it out and treat the migraines at home with pain meds and abortive meds. This can be severely difficult while holding down a full time job and caring for my family so when they are particularly nasty and last longer than 4-5 days I end up having to seek ER care. DHE shots do not work for me no matter what they are combined with, morphine doesn't work, demerol may slightly taket the edge off but doesn't begin to make it tolerable, fioranal has worked once, diuladid worked once, and then there was a mystery drug they gave me for severe chest pain two years ago that stopped both the chest pain and the horrible migraine that I'd had with it but I couldn't find out the name of that drug (I do know it was a narcotic). At home, I've used both Imitrex tablets and injections in every dosage made (they are hit or miss - sometimes work, sometimes don't - and make my throat burn and swell so I have to be careful as I know that is an allergic reaction), every approved abortive migraine drug (none of which worked), preventative therapies have ranged from the natural variations (butterbur, feverfew, etc) to ace inhibitors, beta-blockers, anti-seizures, and others. I have a running list of meds because there have been so many. The reason for my post, is to say thanks to those who have posted, and because it was mentioned in a post above let anyone reading this know that I had an allergic reaction to Reglan, an anti-nausea medicine commonly given now in hospitals (ER or regular stay), that caused me to twitch uncontrollably for hours and made me very hyper-alert to where I couldn't fall asleep no matter how tired I got until the medicine wore off. I was dosed with Reglan several times before I was able to figure out that it was that medicine that was causing it. They switched me to Zofran which didn't help with the nausea, but the Reglan wasn't either. The hospital I went to no longer like to prescribe Phenergan (promethazine) for nausea which is what works for me so I had a difficult time. But, I want people to be aware of the potential for an allergic reaction from Reglan (anti-nausea med). It has just recently come under fire for such side effects (from lawsuits), after the first couple times I received it, so if it works for you and you don't have side effects that is great just be aware if you haven't taken it before. Last, if someone knows of medicine that would be used to treat severe chest pain (they didn't determine why, but my BP was in the 180/120 range, yes I know that is extremely high and it is a symptom of a whole other physical problem separate from my migraines and my BP is being treated and monitored) in the ER that might also get rid of a migraine, I would know the name if I hear it so a post naming possibilities might be helpful for me if anyone knows. Thank you and good luck to all of the migraine sufferers. I am a longtime migraine sufferer. I’ve been fighting migraines for the past 13 years chronically and just a couple a year before that. I am a female in my mid-30s. I have seen multiple neurologists over the years, mostly in the Kansas City metro area. The couple I really liked eventually moved into in-patient care and pediatric neurology respectively so now I am beginning with a new neurologist. I find this post interesting as I suffer often from migraines compounded by a daily headache that the neurologists can not get rid of, so my migraines are easily triggered (they say because the receptors are already in a heightened state with the daily headache). I’ve been to the ER several different times in the past few years though I try to wait it out and treat the migraines at home with pain meds and abortive meds. This can be severely difficult while holding down a full time job and caring for my family so when they are particularly nasty and last longer than 4-5 days I end up having to seek ER care. DHE shots do not work for me no matter what they are combined with, morphine doesn’t work, demerol may slightly taket the edge off but doesn’t begin to make it tolerable, fioranal has worked once, diuladid worked once, and then there was a mystery drug they gave me for severe chest pain two years ago that stopped both the chest pain and the horrible migraine that I’d had with it but I couldn’t find out the name of that drug (I do know it was a narcotic). At home, I’ve used both Imitrex tablets and injections in every dosage made (they are hit or miss – sometimes work, sometimes don’t – and make my throat burn and swell so I have to be careful as I know that is an allergic reaction), every approved abortive migraine drug (none of which worked), preventative therapies have ranged from the natural variations (butterbur, feverfew, etc) to ace inhibitors, beta-blockers, anti-seizures, and others. I have a running list of meds because there have been so many.

The reason for my post, is to say thanks to those who have posted, and because it was mentioned in a post above let anyone reading this know that I had an allergic reaction to Reglan, an anti-nausea medicine commonly given now in hospitals (ER or regular stay), that caused me to twitch uncontrollably for hours and made me very hyper-alert to where I couldn’t fall asleep no matter how tired I got until the medicine wore off. I was dosed with Reglan several times before I was able to figure out that it was that medicine that was causing it. They switched me to Zofran which didn’t help with the nausea, but the Reglan wasn’t either. The hospital I went to no longer like to prescribe Phenergan (promethazine) for nausea which is what works for me so I had a difficult time. But, I want people to be aware of the potential for an allergic reaction from Reglan (anti-nausea med). It has just recently come under fire for such side effects (from lawsuits), after the first couple times I received it, so if it works for you and you don’t have side effects that is great just be aware if you haven’t taken it before.

Last, if someone knows of medicine that would be used to treat severe chest pain (they didn’t determine why, but my BP was in the 180/120 range, yes I know that is extremely high and it is a symptom of a whole other physical problem separate from my migraines and my BP is being treated and monitored) in the ER that might also get rid of a migraine, I would know the name if I hear it so a post naming possibilities might be helpful for me if anyone knows. Thank you and good luck to all of the migraine sufferers.

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