u/AdMajor6084

Long post-appreciate any guidance. Hello, I developed a new migraine disorder and am navigating meds, doctors, imaging, etc. I had a bad reaction to Zoloft end of May where I developed daily headaches that turned into a 6 week migraine disorder nightmare. I stopped Zoloft 2 weeks into the headaches and have tried Tylenol, ibuprofen, excedrin, Toradol, amitriptyline, sumatriptan, and nurtec, none of which provided any lasting real relief. I had a normal CT scan and am waiting to get an MRI, hopefully next week. My migraine is mostly positional and improves when I lie down. So it’s not constant, thankfully. I do have pain in my neck and shoulders and auditory issues as well.

I had a doctor appointment with my PCP and she wants me to do a steroid taper of prednisone for 10 days. I decided to start the prednisone to hopefully break the migraine and get some relief. I am on day two.

I also started with acupuncture this week and have gone twice. She wants me to take a Chinese herbal blend called Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, 4 capsules 3x per day. That’s about 720 mg of each herb in JWXYS (240 mg per serving of 4 capsules). It’s supposed to help with headaches, insomnia, anxiety, mood, etc. She also recommend liquid peptides to reduce inflammation and improve gut health and liquid magnesium threonate.

My question is should I mix eastern and western medicine and take the Chinese herbs and supplements while I do the steroid taper for 10 days, or wait until the steroid taper is done? It’s Friday and I don’t see my acupuncturist until Monday. My intuition is telling me to wait a few more days before introducing the herbs and give the prednisone a chance to work. I am on day two and this is often when long migraines break on prednisone. I’m also already taking trazodone for insomnia.

I have had a lot of medication changes recently to treat the migraines, longstanding insomnia and anxiety. It’s been a roller coaster. Out of desperation I have a tendency to throw multiple supplements/treatments at my health problems all at once hoping something will stick. I know it could be making things more complicated though which is why I made this post in the first place.

I’m just looking for some advice and guidance and wondering if anyone has gone through anything similar. Please be kind. Thank you for reading and for any advice.

Long post-appreciate any guidance. Hello, I am new to Chinese Medicine and acupuncture after developing daily migraines. I have longstanding issues with insomnia, fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression. I have tried many different things to treat my symptoms over the years. I’ve had some limited success with supplements and functional medicine. I had a bad reaction to Zoloft end of May where I developed daily headaches that turned into a 6 week migraine disorder nightmare. I stopped Zoloft 2 weeks into the headaches and have tried Tylenol, ibuprofen, excedrin, Toradol, amitriptyline, sumatriptan, and nurtec, none of which provided any lasting real relief. I had a normal CT scan and am waiting to get an MRI, hopefully next week.

I started with acupuncture this week and have gone twice. She wants me to take Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, 4 capsules 3x per day. That’s about 720 mg of each herb in JWXYS (240 mg per serving of 4 capsules). At the same time I had a doctor appointment with my PCP and she wants me to do a steroid taper of prednisone for 10 days. I decided to start the prednisone first to hopefully break the migraine and get some relief.

My question is should I mix eastern and western medicine and take the Jia Wei Xiao Yao San while I do the steroid taper for 10 days, or wait until the steroid taper is done? It’s Friday and I don’t see my acupuncturist until Monday. My intuition is telling me to wait a few more days before introducing the herbs and give the prednisone a chance to work. I am on day two and this is often when long migraines break on prednisone. I’m also already taking trazodone for insomnia.

I have had a lot of medication changes recently to support my insomnia and anxiety. It’s been a roller coaster. Out of desperation I have a tendency to throw multiple supplements/treatments at my health problems all at once hoping something will stick. I know it could be making things more complicated though which is why I made this post in the first place.

I’m just looking for some advice and guidance and wondering if anyone has gone through anything similar. Please be kind, as mentioned I am new to TCM and acupuncture and learning as I go. Thank you for reading and for any advice.