Migraine help

[Chubbalubs]

NC

So I've had constant migraines and headaches since the 16th, I've seen the doctor, been given sumatriptan. They aren't working, I'm waiting for a call back from the dr this afternoon. I've tried paracetamol, ibuprofen, migraleave. Nothing works. I've spent the last week wearing sunglasses, and taking holiday from work. I work in a call centre so I can't bare it at the moment with the lights and computers and the noise. Have an eye test booked for Monday. Also have fibromyalgia, but has anyone got any suggestions while I wait for a call back? I can't take this anymore. I'm sick of the pain, and the sweats and the nausea.

Thanks 😩

I take sumatriptan & paracetamol & a coffee.

Hope it eases for you soon, they're the worst

Sumatriptan did nothing for me. I take Rizatriptan and as a melt in the mouth thing. It works so much better!

Forgot to mention I also take 120mg of propranolol daily.

@belasorela are you diagnosed with migraines? I have it on my record, along with chronic daily headaches but each time I speak with a dr they are reluctant to believe me so It's hard to get them to prescribe medication for my migraines. It's the same with my fibro 😩

I have hormone related epilepsy, the migraines are also hormone related.

the propranolol was originally to stop tremors caused by the anti convulsant medication but also massively helped the regularity of the migraines, they've also made them not as bad pain wise if I do have one!

I would really really push to be taken seriously, propranolol has helped me a lot.

I'm not diagnosed as such but I suppose because I see a specialist & specialist nurse often they've had to listen to me

@Chubbalubs For tension headaches and migraines try Syndol. You have to get the original proper stuff and not the pathetic stuff they also sell.

Works amazingly well.

@Chubbalubs I’m shocked that they’re so passive about your migraines! I am under neurology at the hospital because they’re so bad.

And can affect driving, work etc!

My GP thinks I’d be better off on anti epilepsy meds but I seem to be ok at the moment but they care hugely about me.

Mine are similar to strokes so they have to be alert & react fast.

And they effected my eyes so I’m under the eye consultant at hospital too!

@Blueeyedpixie I'm thinking about pushing for a referral to neurology, I've had to call in sick at work all last week and this week because it's so bad, I've never in my life had a migraine or headache last this long without a break in between, or had it this bad before. I feel horrendous, and i can't cope with it anymore, especially with the DC at home

I get abdominal migraine (throw everything up and sweat any fluids out, iv fluids only solution)
Medication I take, 2 prevent (propanalol and pregablin) for the vomiting metroclopromide tablets and liquid or injected by GP, hyoscine patches and buccastem. Triptans are rizatriptan melts if I have any spit left or nasal spray and my gold standard is the injectable. Paracetamol hardly works for me.

Forgot to mention f I underdose at the start of the migraine it can last a week and the post drone blends in with the next one.

National migraine centre changed my life. They are Drs who are all specialists in migraine. They are doing phone consultations at the moment, they formulate a treatment plan for you and then that is sent to your GP and they prescribe it for you. It is a charity so you pay what you can afford. Each appointment Costs them around £200 but you don't have to pay that if you cannot afford it.

Has anyone suggested calling NHS 111? I called them once (about a year before I was referred to Neurology) because I was alone and my eye sight was distorted and I had no peripheral vision.

They told me to go to A&E because the symptoms are similar to other progressive things.

I felt like a boob. But the Doctor said I did the right thing! I was pretty poorly that day.

Can you try acupuncture?? The feeling I got when the person put the little needle into where my neck meets my scalp was like instant relief. It really really helped the headache. I went to a chinese doctor who has been in this little high street shop for years, amazing reviews, so glad I checked it out.

I would call 112 (or whatever the right number is now) and explain your symptoms. I find they are often better than a GP and I think you should be referred to neurology too.

I have suffered from migraine for 25 years, it took 10 years to find a GP who actually gave a fuck and would prescribed decent treatment not just anti emetics and paracetamol. Triptans have changed my life. I take zolmotriptan, I tried a few and some don’t work for me, but this one is brilliant.

Hope you get this sorted out soon.

[quote Chubbalubs]@Blueeyedpixie I'm thinking about pushing for a referral to neurology, I've had to call in sick at work all last week and this week because it's so bad, I've never in my life had a migraine or headache last this long without a break in between, or had it this bad before. I feel horrendous, and i can't cope with it anymore, especially with the DC at home [/quote]
When I was like you I had a CT scan within 24 hours. I've tried everything over the years. It has been very very hot -possible heat stroke combined with migraine? I ask your GP for a fast referral.

I take a preventative -propranolol and Maximelt www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/2781/pil

The times in my life total migraine free have been pregnancy so I think mine at without a shadow of a doubt are hormone related. Although chocolate, alcohol and flickering lights are all triggers.
2 litres sounds pretty excessive. Be very careful. www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318619#dangers

I know someone who was told by their GP to drink plenty as she "only had the flu" she did -repeated call outs to the GP were to rest and drink plenty. She had a seizure and went into a coma -no flu. Was hot and she was drinking too much.

Sugar and salt dissolved in water this is a good recipe: 1 ½-2 cups water
Juice of ½ lemon
1/8 to 1/4 tsp real sea salt Himalayan salt, or Celtic sea salt
2 tsp raw honey local if possible. Put in a pint mason jar with hot water and can be kept chilled in the fridge. You can also freeze them.

I have cold stick on things for my forehead and use the Forehead rub on thing on my forehead before applying the cold stick on strip. Fan and white noise and sleep it off. Massage around the top of the neck -if I can let someone touch me can help. I bought a firm electric massager for my neck from Amazon and it does help.

@Chubbalubs I've suffered with pretty much daily migraines for a number of years. I've been prescribed amitriptyline and propranalol over that time and whilst the first one worked for a while the side effects became too strong to carry on with the tablets. I was also sent for an MRI scan to check all was ok. After this I insisted on having a referral to a neurologist. I've seen three different neurologists now and they've given a slightly different diagnosis each time. Essentially it's all come down to tension migraines caused by work related stress. With the lockdown making me work from home my migraines have pretty much stopped. The working environment with my colleagues was clearly too toxic.

I also got my eyes tested and and the optician was very helpful and referred me to A&E where I was then told to have more intensive tests. I went back the following week with a formal referral to the eye clinic in the hospital. Although it wasn't pleasant, it wasn't invasive and I'm pleased I had it done to rule it out.

Acupuncture is also supposed to help. In some cases some neurologists offer botox as a course of treatment as it relaxes your muscles if it's caused by tension. I was offered this although I declined it.

My advice would be to insist you get a neurology referral placed by your doctor. Neurologists can prescribe courses of treatment for you that doctors can't. Explain that you've had an eye test so they don't tell you to do this first. I would also write down what you are eating and any stressful situations you are experiencing at the moment. I had to do this for my neurologist to help him diagnose my condition.

I found putting gentle music on would help at night as it distracted me from the pain. If you like audio books I found that helped me too.

In the meantime check out the migraine trust as that gives helpful advice on common foods that induce migraine and other forms of interventions you can try.

@liquoricecravings I start keeping a record of food, drink & my headaches/mirgraines. Il give it till the end of the week and if the naproxen and cocodamol don't help I'll ask for a referral.
I've not been at work for 2 weeks now so surely if it was a tension headache due to work it would've gone?? Or does it not work like that? I have no idea I've never had one like this before.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, il be looking into acupuncture, and the migraine trust for some help and advice

@Chubbalubs my migraines and headaches would be intense when at work but even on a proper holiday it would take a couple of weeks for the pain to ease. I work in education so even in the summer holidays it didn't improve very much as I was used to being so tense everyday. However, it might not be a work thing that sets it off for you. I think the difficulty with this type of headache is that there are so many possible triggers.

Try to relax as best you can (I know that's really hard to do though). Maybe a cool bath might help? The heat won't help if it's as warm for you this week where you live. I would try to sleep in front of the tv as it would distract me too. Acupressure can also help which is the needle free version of acupuncture. You can buy cool packs for your forehead too that might help.

A head and neck massage might help - though with the current restrictions I don't know if that's allowed in the guidelines. Do you live with someone who could give you a head massage?

@SunnySideDownBriefly

Can you explain what you mean by stomach already closed off please and what if any the relation is between stomach and migraine, thanks!

PS does anyone get the neck pain, as if someone is pulling the muscles as tightly as they can, you still have full mobility but it's painful down one side..

I get neck pain @Ohsuchaperfectday
@Chubbalubs I use an app called Migraine Buddy to note all my signs & symptoms as well as attack details. I’ve found it very useful.

@Ohsuchaperfectday I have neck pain! It's really awful!

@FelicityPike thank you, il have a look for the app

@liquoricecravings I could get DH to try and give me a massage, he's usually quite crap but it's worth a try. If not we have a salon down the road so I could give them a call and see if they're currently doing massages. Il try and get out later when dh gets home and get some cool packs for my head, and get an early night. If I had it my way, I'd be in bed now sleeping and resting but unfortunately the dc (4 & 8) will not allow any type of relaxation, so I'm just trying to plod along

Just thought I'd pop back to say they've now referred me to get a ct scan! I have numbness on my right side and face and I fell yesterday because I couldn't feel my leg, my balance is off and my pupil isn't reacting the way it should be.😬

Best of luck. I am glad they are investigating further.