ANy advice for a friend who has hit a wall with migraine relief?

[JayhawkSD]

7. Maybe try a different neurologist.

Not all neurologists are created equal. Some specialize in movement disorders, for instance, such as Parkinson's and ALS, and actually know little about migraine. Some specialize in dementia and related disease such as Alzheimer's. Some specialize in Migraine. Check to be sure that the neurologist you are seeing is a Migraine specialist. I went to, and ditched, two neurologists before I started seeing the one I'm with now.

He is a Migraine specialist, and he worked with me for some time to make progress. Migraines are highly individual. What works for one might not work for another, both in terms of aborting one when it occurs and in terms of reducing frequency. We tried three different meds before we found a medication, Topirimate, which I take daily and which reduced the frequency. Then we had to work for a couple of years to get the right dose. Got them down from 4-6 per month, to 1 per month and sometimes a month when I had none.

Tried several different meds before we found one which would abort them. Finally did. I'm past having children, but if I had any children, I would name three of them after him, including any girls.

Other conditions sort of clouded the picture after a dozen years or so. Had a heart attack and had to stop taking the meds that abort the migraine. All of them cannot be taken when you have a heart condition. That turned out not to be a problem when I had a series of strokes and afterward was not having Migraines at all. Neurologist says that is quite common and that they have no clue why.

So if you're really desperate, have a stroke.

My neurologist specializes in movement disorders, too, which is fortunate, because I also wound up diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. He says I'm his "most interesting patient." I'm not sure I'm flattered, but life is an adventure.