Research presented at the recent Canadian Psychiatric Association annual conference suggests strong links between migraine headaches and bipolar I disorder (40% higher than healthy subjects), based on a community survey of 37,000 people. It proposes a subtype of bipolar disorder with migraine, and recommends screening. …
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Hi,
Interesting article. I have struggled, all of my life, with devastating migraines. I am 34 years old and was diagnosed with type I bipolar disorder one year ago.
I am on a combination of lithium and Topomax, which are working for me. And, the migraines are less severe, but they are still present.
Years ago, I tried Depakote for migraine prevention, but it did not work for me (this is before I knew that i was bipolar).
I am going to link your article onto my bipolar blog, as i think that many of my readers will find it helpful.
Thank you for your research.
Jessica
Hi Jessica – Migraines are terrible, it’s great you’ve found some relief with lithium and Topamax. Thanks for your comment; I’m glad you found it helpful. I’ll be writing more on this in future, since it seems to be a connection many bipolar migraine sufferers aren’t aware of.
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Hi Sandra,
I wanted to give you an update re: the migraines and bipolar meds.
My meds were changed in the Spring to Lamictal and Topamax (i respond better to Lamictal)…in the course of one week, everyone who knows me noticed that I totally stopped mentioning headaches.
It has been months…MONTHS since I have had a migraine!
I asked my Psychiatrist and he said that Lamictal is a med that can be used a migraine preventetive med (as it is an antisezure med…such as Depakote).
It has completely changed my life. I am able to eat now! (the foods used to really bother me)
I thought you might be interested…
Jessica
Fantastic!
I was diagnosed as bipolar 8 years ago and have been on a small dose depakote and resperadol during that time. About two weeks ago I missed two days and now I have a migrane everyday at 1:00. It is really frightening. My doctor says that depakote is supposed to stop the headache, but it sure isn’t working. It is good to know that there are other medications out there that might help my disorder.
I have been on Topamax for a few years and it has helped for the most part. I was just diagnosed as Bipolar which makes sense with this report. Had Lamictal added but it has made me feel worse and ma flying through my medication. Depakote in the past made me sick! I am frustrated becuase if it hels the BP it makes the migraines worse and viceversa!!
I have found that when I have a micraine, it correlates with a mood shift. I have noticed this and documented this on my calender.
I have probably been Bipolar all of my life, but was formally diagnosed Bipolar I in Sept., 2002. Two years prior, I started in with migraines, and they really took a toll on my life. I ended up becoming migraine-free back in 2007. I was taken off of all the migraine preventives, and have not needed an abortive for about 2 1/2 years. Just recently, they seem to be rearing their ugly head again. I have needed to treat two headaches in the past month, and I can almost bet that it is stress, and a successfully aborted manic episode (lasted from about July, 2009 – late September, 2009). I guess the only thing there is to do is wait and see.
he, i have just found your article and i found it enlighting. i am a long time suffer of migraines and about 6 months ago finaly diagnosed as bipolar. i am going to bring this to my doctors attention and see what we can come up with to give me relief.
Hi, I need an answer..
I am 25 years ols and as far back as I can remember, I have been dealing with horrible migrains. I live off of excedrine! They interfer with my diet and mood ive noticed. As doon as my eyes open when i wake up, my gead pounds, as soon as i lay down at night it starts again.. the onlytime I do not have a migrain is when i’m sleeping.. daily., I mean daily headaches! They are different everyday, but the pain is so severe. Anybody have any ideas??
Continued… Last night my headache was so severe, I went to bed and actually dreamed that I went to the doctor and they found a black beatle eating away myblood vessles which was causing the sharp pains in the side of my head.. Goes to show how concerned and paranoid I am about my state…
Hi Alis,
Excedrin is the wrong medication for migraines. See your doctor and ask about sumatriptan and other medications in the triptan family (Maxalt, Zomig, Relpax, etc.), that act on blood vessels in the brain. Excedrin and other over the counter medications don’t work the same way, and taking them every day can cause side effects plus rebound headaches (but not migraines).
You need a diagnosis of migraine from a neurologist or a family doctor/PCP to get a prescription. The generic sumatriptan is cheaper than the brand name triptan drugs, which are expensive.
Hope you feel better soon!