Migraines - Best off the shelf painkillers

[FurryLippedSquid]

Having just had a 24 hour shocker (yesterday - recovering today) when Cuprofen and paracetamol did nothing (as I kept sicking them up), what are really good off-the-shelf painkillers for migraines?

A friend has advised Nuromol. Anyone tried that?

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

I use soluble solpadeine max as they work really quickly.

[FurryLippedSquid]

And can you keep them down when you feel nauseous, KenDoddsDadsDog?

[vitaminC]

Honestly, I get better results with aspirin than any other OTC remedy!
When that's not sufficient, I have prescription medication, but 9 times out of 10, aspirin does the trick.

[minxthemanx]

Haven't tried that, but the only thing that takes edge off when I have a shocker is cocodamol. Or something with a codeine base like codeidramol. Two of those and sleep. Poor you, it's rubbish.

[Nofoolnomore]

Sumatriptan is great - the only thing that works for me.

[vitaminC]

Oh I also take (prescription) medication for the nausea/ vomiting.

[vitaminC]

Sumatriptan is what I take when aspirin isn't enough, Nofool, but it's not available OTC where I live.

[SellFridges]

I tend to find that OTC drugs don't touch mine. Only sumatriptan. In fact you've reminded me I need a new prescription.

[MaudGonneMad]

3 aspirin dissolved in full fat Coca Cola

[lostscot]

Boots do a ibuprofen and Codine that usually works here.

[minxthemanx]

Crap spelling. Codydramol was what I was trying to write.

[Darkswan]

I have migraleave, but i have to take it within about 2 minutes of knowing one is coming. If the pain is bad i also have sumatriptin. I also drink some caffeine and eat some fatty carby food, like cheese on toast. For me this really helps, but i know for some others it could just make it worse.

[Freshprincess]

I was going to post a similar thread at the weekend. I've always used migraleve but it just doesn't seem to work for me so well anymore.

[MoonDuke]

Nothing OTC touches mine. How often do you get them? Is it worth getting a prescription?

[Teacupinastorm]

As a previous poster said the boots ibuprofen and codeine will sometimes take the edge off for me. Other than that it's prescription triptans only. Last time I was in America I got some amazing migraine medication OTC. A bottle of about 70 tablets, going again in March and a pharmacy is on my list of places to visit purely to get these

[poppym12]

Has to be codeine for me too. If I can quell the nausea I shovel down ibuprofen as well but that stuff wrecks my guts. I have prescription strength cocodamol (30/500) but I try to stave it off early with the weaker otc ones.

[Rumtopf]

Pink Migraleve works if I take them promptly, otherwise it's a darkened room, prescription co-codamol and sleep. Hot wheatbag on the back of my neck and an icy cold flannel on my forehead and over my eyes helps too. No strong smells or I will be sick.

Tried a few different Triptan type tablets and haven't found them effective.

[SwearyInn]

Try an adult dose of calprofen (kids liquid ibuprofen) and have a sugary caffeine drink (redbull or double espresso with lots of sugar)

But if they're that bad get a prescription for one of the triptans.

[storynanny]

Naratriptan which I believe is over the counter now and stemetil liquid on prescription for nausea but I think it is available Orc in tablet form. The liquid version gets into the bloodstream quicker before migraine stops the stomach working properly.
If it is any consolation my migraines (often 3 days in a dark room and sometimes an injection from doctor) which I had from 14-55 disappeared almost completely after menopause.
Pre Dr Shipman days my doctor would home visit on day 2 of migraine and give me a pethedine injection which transported me to a heavenly place

[Alibobbob]

I used to swear by Paramol but then occasionally it didn't shift the migraine.

Solphadine Max has worked the two times I have really suffered X

[MigGril]

Codeine is a real no no for migraines as they can make them more frequent. Most consultants would recommend a high dose aspirin or ibuprofen both available from the chemist as a first port of call. I'd take codeine only if you suffer from the occasional migraine a year, any more then that and you could risk triggering a chronic episode.

Rumtopf keep asking to try the triptains, there are 7 different ones with different delivery systems. The tablets may not work for you if you are easily sick, but a wafer that goes under the tounge or nasal spray or injection may suit you better. Doctors never try these first as they are more expensive to prescribe.

[SendARavenToRiverRun]

I'm prescribed tripans and migraleve. Both work but need to be taken early on. 3x aspirin in full fat coke works better than anything. I have to sip it and sit very very quietly in a dark room still though.

[bedsocksandbroomsticks]

These - otc sumatriptan - fab.

www.superdrug.com/Migraitan/Migraitan-50mg-Tablets---2-Tablets/p/543204

[FurryLippedSquid]

Teacupinastorm - what is that American concoction? I have a friend who lives there who travels frequently to UK so I can ask her to bring me a bottle or two

MoonDuke - I have suffered virtually all my life and as such have seen them as part of everyday life. Now I have hit menopause I get them less often but the intensity is something else. I am nearly always sick with them now. I haven't had one for around 9 months as I have been having special massage treatment on my neck and head which has been amazing and I thought had totally stopped them. I really can't bear getting prescription meds for some reason, unless desperate. I'm going to try the aspirin in coke and also bedsocks' recommended tablets from Superdrug look the biz. I'll try anything OTC for now but if none of these brill tips work then I guess I shall have to go to the doc. But I feel such a fraud for a once-in-a-blue-moon problem.

Thanks Mumsnet