Refused Imigran over the counter

[Halsall]

I've had migraines all my life from early childhood. They pretty much receded in my 30's & 40's but the menopause is now looming, and occasionally they come back - not as full-blown attacks (nausea, vomiting etc) but horrible nagging hormonal migraines that drag on for days and make me very miserable.

I haven't had any medication from a GP for years, as I manage with Migraleve. I now find that Imigran (= sumatriptan) is effective in getting rid of these lingering attacks.

I bought a pack the other day (I've got the slip they have to sign), and as I'm about to have to drive halfway across the country, I wanted another pack to have in reserve, just in case I get struck down mid-trip.

The pharmacist in Boots has just refused to sell me another pack because it's too soon since I bought the last one, and I should go to see my GP. Who would doubtless look at my history and say there's nothing to be done, keep on taking over-the-counter tablets.


I know he has to be careful but....he says normally they wouldn't sell me another pack for at least 2 weeks. 2 weeks?

It would take 3 weeks to get a GP appointment. I feel stuck and quite upset that if I have another hormone surge and another migraine, I'll basically just have to put up with it. And it's a real struggle having to slog through the day feeling your head's being squeezed in a vice

Don't expect any replies really, I just wanted to vent!

[PersonalClown]

I'm wondering why your GP won't prescribe you a Triptan? Or a preventative such as Propranolol?

I've just my prescription redone this morning, 12 triptan tablets and 86 daily tablets signed off without a problem.

Would be cheaper for you too. £8 something for 2 tablets of Imigran or £8 something for the prescription which is 6 tablets on average per box.

[Viviennemary]

This is really annoying. Can you send somebody else to buy it.

[Halsall]

You can't, unfortunately; although it's technically over the counter, you have to carry a slip (which the pharmacist who's been alive for many years less than I've had migraines gives you after interrogation) and you then have to get it stamped every time.

personal. Yes, I'll have to do that, I think. It's just the wait to get an appointment will be looooing

[bonzo77]

go to a different chemist. They all sell it. No reason to tell them you've already got a stash. Or as a PP said, send someone else in for it.

[Halsall]

The stamp they put on the slip is the problem, bonzo. It's dated, so the minute they see that, they refuse to give you another pack, it seems.

Might try another pharmacy but I suspect the same thing will happen.

[Naoko]

Huh? I've bought over the counter Imigran when I've forgotten my prescribed triptans on a trip away, I have no slip, there was no problem, and they happily sold me two packs at a time. Is this a new thing?

[MrsPnut]

I've bought it before when I ran out of my prescription meds and I have never been given a slip.

[readysteady]

I get it but don't have a slip they just give me the two tablet pack. I keep for a random one (monthly usually) should I have a slip??

[Halsall]

Wow. Where are you all?! I've just tried at another pharmacy and nope, they won't sell it to me. I asked if they'd let me have their own brand version, as I noticed they had some of that - you always used to be able to get that without any slip at all.

They said no!

This is Boots btw. In London. Maybe my next stop will be at an independent pharmacy

[bloodyteenagers]

Buy it on line.

[NorbertDentressangle]

DP has the nasal sumatriptan (is that Imigram too, I can't remember?) but on prescription which means he always has a stock of them for when he gets his cluster headaches.

I've not come across the system you're describing whereby the pharmacist signs a slip - is it new?

Why can't you just get a prescription for a larger amount to last over a period of time which obviously the GP would monitor?

[MrsFlorrick]

I'm also in London and find it impossible to get Imigran over the counter.

I go and get script from the GP. I also get Rizatriptan as a much stronger alternative. Although you mustn't take the two together or in the same 12hra or you could have a stroke (nice). But still GP happy to supply both at same time.

I also get anti emetics.

To get "more" tablet in on go, I explained to my GP that DH travels abroad almost every week for work and we don't have anyone else to take the DC if I didn't have tablets and couldn't control an attack and say ended up in hospital.
And that my fear was that DD (5) and DS (3) would end up with social services for the 12 hours or so it would take DH to get back into the UK.
I explained that other than this being potentially very distressing for the DC, it also made me stressed and had actually brought on several migraine attacks.
Lots of tabs duly dispensed.

Can't help you for today sadly however next time you do see your GP, explain your situation and why being left without a supply is an issue for you (other than the obv of waiting 3 weeks for an app. ).

My GP recommends a triple approach at the outset of an attack.
Take triptran (whichever kind you're on), take pain relief (the three aspirin trick or something stronger) and your anti emetic all together in one go.

It stops the attack dead and you end up using less triptans than with the old "wait and see", "one approach at a time" method.

If you're in London, there is the National Migraine Centre in Clarkenwell. They take both private and NHS referrals. Worth getting a referral. I'm just waiting for mine.

[Halsall]

Thanks all. MrsFlorrick, that's especially helpful, thank you.

I don't have a prescription because my migraines are generally infrequent and dealt with by Migraleve or similar, but as explained upthread, hormonal surges seem to be making them a problem.

I'll make a GP appointment but as I say, that'll be another 3-week wait.... I've already commented about that on the GP thread!

[MrsFlorrick]

As you don't have any triptans. If you have the start of an attack try three soluble or regular aspirin with coke or shot of espresso. The aspirin caffeine combo sometimes works for me. It's not a given though.

If the above has some effects but you're still in pain. Either try nurofen plus or migraleve. I find nurofen plus most effective to take the remaining pain away.

Obv having triptans handy is best but the above can get you out of a tight spot.

[Halsall]

Excellent tip, thanks

[mistymeanour]

800mg of ibuprofen (4 tablets) and 1g (2 tablets) of paracetomol is a good substitute. If my sumitriptan is not enough and I'm in a cascade I take this on top of the triptan to "bomb" the migraine - (specialist's advice) it works. I have also used just the ibuprofen and paracetemol mix when I've not got my triptan on me.

Can you phone and talk to the GP rather than wait for an appointment. My GP's do a call back service or you drop them a note in the repeat prescription box.

[Halsall]

'Cascade', that's exactly how it feels sometimes, misty. Interesting that you take that big dose of ibuprofen with the paracetamol, I'll definitely bear that in mind.

[moonblues]

Have you tried asking for it as a 'special request' from your GP? If you've got migraines on your record they might give you it without an appointment or just double check with a phone call. I don't think you would need to wait the 3 weeks to see someone face to face. I'd try phoning the receptionists to ask for a special request and if they say no ask to speak to the GP. Though, I'm sure you'd be able to buy it from another chemist if you needed it.

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

misty, do you take all those together, or at any particular interval?

I have imigran, but panic like mad if they run out, so it would be nice to have a safety net stash of something!

OP- it depends on the pharmacy I reckon. Over the summer I was in a small private pharmacy place in Kent, and I showed them my slip (from Boots) and they gave me some. An Italian colleague I was with wanted some a few days later, and I told her she would probably have to fill the slip in etc, but they just sold her the pack of 2.

My GP once told me I couldn't have any more as they were too expensive and he prescribed me co-codamol. I stomped back in and said a) if I want co-codamol I'll buy it OTC because it's cheaper b) if it worked, I'd be doing that anyway d'oh and c) sumatryptan is the ONLY prescription I ever ever have, and I have 2 a year. So I'm hardly bankrupting the NHS.

Haven't had a problem since.

[Musicaltheatremum]

Drank, and codeine is a no no for headaches. I never prescribe it for this. If you are using a lot of triptans you should be on a preventative such as propranolol or topiramate. And I see you say you have 2 a year which is perfectly reasonable.

[choc0clock]

didn't know that you can get sumatriptan over the counter. If I have an attack when I have run out of my prescription, I take 3 aspirins and rins them down with a coffee. I find it works as well as sumatriptan.

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

Really musical? That's useful to know, thank you!

Am going to get some aspirin for when I run out. Haven't taken aspirin in years!

[BomChickaMeowMeow]

I'd be seen same day at my GP if I rang as soon as they open. It does take multiple attempts to get through but I've never failed to get an appointment that day. I thought all practices had this system, as well as the "routine" appointments. This is migraines which is not routine.

[Halsall]

That's interesting, Bom. Because I've had them forever, it would never occur to me to try for an emergency appointment. To me migraines are routine!

[NewEraNewMindset]

It seems as though you can order it from Boots online as long as you fill out a form giving information regarding your condition.