Anyone else living with migraine misery?

[turquoise88]

I've been living with migraine for about 10 years now, since my late teens.

I feel I've tried most things. Keeping a diary, cutting out foods, over the counter meds, triptans, some preventatives and acupuncture.

I'm at my wits end with being bed-ridden and unable to care for my two beautiful DDs because of these awful migraines.

DH is so supportive but ultimately has to be at work and so do I.

I'm going to call the GP tomorrow and request topramate, which is one of the few things I haven't tried. It's often used to treat epilepsy. Anyone else ever used it? I've also not tried anti-depressant meds, because of the notorious weight gain which will make me even more miserable than I already am.

Any success stories with medication?

Propanalol here, gone from 2 or 3 migraines a month to none since I started taking it 8 months ago

I tried toprimate and it made things worse int the end.

I have acupuncture and that's worked for 2 years.

Haven't gained any weight either, have lost a lot of weight (8 stone) in the past 2 years, still losing 1-2 lbs per week. Half stone to go

Mefenamic acid- it's a nsaid normally prescribed for period pain but it's the only thing that works for me

Do you have the migraines when pregnant ... Or are you much better then? Just asking as you've had them since late teens so wondered if hormone based and therefore other options could work....

@Teachermaths can I ask how it made it worse?

@Whatwillbetheendofus I suggested that at my last appointment and was told I couldn't have it as whilst my migraines are menstrual-related I don't also get heavy periods!

@happytoday73 yes they are absolutely hormonal. I get zero when I'm pregnant and feel amazing!

Propanalol as well. Has changed my life. I take 80mg slow release each night and my last migraine was 6 months ago.

I’ve been taking rizatriptan. It’s a little pill that melts on your tongue and I can feel all the muscles in my head and neck relax. It really helps. That’s after suffering from one every 6-8 weeks for around ten years and trying several different things. Hoping it will continue to work for me.

Gowan your blood pressure? I had for over 20y started on BP meds and not had a single one. (A good 8y ago) The odd visual but nothing compared to the torture of a normal migraine.

My migraines got more and more frequent. For the first 6 months things did improve but it was almost like my body reached a limit and said NO MORE! When I stopped taking it, my migraines reduced.

I used to have weekly acupuncture which really helped to reduce my migraines to one a week but the Propanalol has sorted it out.

*Hows?

There’s a newish migraine drug called aimovig that is meant to be amazing. Not nice approved unfortunately as it’s expensive but apparently it’s an injection once a month and is extremely effective.

A triptan to treat (although sumatriptan (first line) has stopped working).
I take amitriptyline but that hasn't made any difference to the migraines.

I've seen a massive difference since starting Magnesium, Riboflavin and Coenzyme Q10 supplements. All have had some degree of success in randomised controlled double blind trials. I've gone from 2-3 migraines a week to 2 a month.

Thanks for the responses so far. For those on Propanolol, any issues with sleeping? I've heard that they can cause insomnia and also
nightmares when you do manage to sleep. I think I do too much Dr Googleing though.

Triptans don't work anymore. I could pop one every day as even when I don't get a full-blown migraine, I live every other day with a foggy head and am so lethargic all the time.

Op As they are hormonal ask to be given a good strong contraceptive pill or depo injection or alike. I never have migraines when on contraception or pregnant or for a short while afterwards... It then builds up with more and more each month.
I couldn't get GP to do this (other medical issues) but neurologist agreed to give it a try so they did. I had depo injection....after 10 days no migraine.. Migraine started again in week 11.. New injection. No more and I'm now migraine free for 3 years and additional advantage of no periods (they were ridiculously heavy)... Worth exploring if think would help?

I'm on amitriptyline and have gone from 2-3 migraines a week to 3 in the last year and they only lasted a few hours. I have put on 3 st but if rather be fat than permanently suffering.

@happytoday73 thanks for this, it's worth considering.

@RabbitBeaver I've always tried to watch my weight and have had food/weight issues in the past, so could just not cope with being 3st heavier than I am now. That said, I understand how debilitating migraines are and if that's what helps you cope and you are happy then that's great.

I went on the mini pill and mine gave all but gone. Well worth a try if you haven't already.

Mine were hormonal. As soon as I started HRT, they stopped! I've been clear for over 12 months (373 days to be exact, I use the Migraine app to record)

As a PP said, maybe an alternative contraception might help? Good luck.

No issues with sleep on the Propanalol, but I've never had a problem with sleep! My only side effect is feeling colder than I did which I can live with.

What's your diet like?

I am on a low dose of amitriptyline and it has transformed my life. I was getting so many migraines linked to my cycle resulting in needing triptans, and they are now really infrequent. I haven't had massive weight gain either.