Endless sodding migraines

[Gosports]

I’m about at the end of my tether with bastard migraines that don’t end. The only thing that gets rid of them is codeine, and I don’t want to be taking that as often as I do.

So far my doctor has tried supplements (magnesium and vit d), triptans (didnt work) and I’m currently trying amitriptyline (so far not working). I’ve had a scan at the hospital so I know it’s not a tumour.

I’m going to call my GP again next week to see what else I can try, but I thought it might be useful to know what other options are out there. Has anyone found anything else that worked for them? I’m so tired of living like this.

How were you taking the trip tans? There’s a new prescription regime for frovatriptan where you start taking them daily a few days out ahead of a likely attack. Didn’t work for me as I can’t predict an attack but if yours are regular hormonal it might work. (I think they’re brilliant once it kicks in, combined with an anti sickness pill- new quack suggested the combo even though I don’t get sickness and whatever magic it is seems to work well). I used to have something called clotam rapid which was also excellent but apparently expensive so not prescribed any more??? Cutting out wine helped (vodka soda quite alright)

That sounds good but there’s no trigger - I can’t predict it. I’ve tried cutting out booze, chocolate and cheese. No luck!

I feel your pain. Are they frequent enough to try preventatives?

That was the idea with the amitriptyline - to prevent them. Are there any other medications that work as preventatives? Forgot to say in the original post I also tried daily beta blockers. Didn’t help!

How is your blood pressure?

Acupuncture has helped reduce mine and then trying different triptan medication until I found one that worked and taking it at the first sign; my first indication is my eye socket aching and although too much sugar triggers them for me it also helps to eat something sugary when I take the medication.
When it’s wearing off I take dispersable aspirin and then the next day I’ll take some too to keep it from coming back

I’d love to try accupunture but it’s so expensive :-(.

Blood pressure is fine - ever so slightly on the low side. Also normal weight, active job, drink plenty of water etc. I suspect the root cause is my job, but there’s nothing I can do about that, at least for a couple of years.

Maybe a different triptan would be a good idea. I had the one beginning with z (zolatriptan?) but I know there are others.

A cranial osteopath would help too, as it helped me previous car accident had put my spine out of line.

Do you think it'd hormone related? I went on the depo injection and then swapped to mini pill for bad periods but it also stopped my migraines which were averaging 2 a week

I've been supplementing with magnesium but also feverfew and vitamin d2 400mg (riboflavin). I'm at the end of my tether with them too, I've just started on beta blockers and triptans.

I changed triptan to maxalt melt which helps more for most of them (although I've just been wiped out for best part of 48 hours with one). They melt in your mouth so I think more gets into me before I start throwing up

Chronic migraines sufferer with DD the same here

Medications never worked for us, or side effects weren't worth it. What's helped

DD, when younger, feverfew taken daily as a preventative is brilliant stuff... worked for me pre menopause too

Daith piercings seemed to have mostly cured the last of DDs migraines... I as dubious it would work as well as it has, but no more feverfew needed.

For both of us, vitamin B12 injections for a deficiency have been a game changer, much less frequent or severe attacks... migraines are a symptom of B12 deficiency, so get that tested & get a copy of your results as it's shocking how many doctors don't understand this deficiency nor treat it correctly when they do

For me, migraines, cluster headaches & chronic persistent headache have all been at least in part down to undiagnosed cervical spine issues...a good osteopath can be a godsend

I have found the Cefaly device really helpful. It feels quite weird at first but it has definitely reduced the number of attacks I get. It can be used daily as a prevention too.

It’s expensive but there is a 60day trial period so if it was having no impact you could return it.

www.cefaly.co.uk/en

I’m thinking of the daith piercing - it would be amazing if that helped. I’ll also try feverfew and I’ll get my B12 tested. Thank you!

Cefaly device sounds interesting, thank you!

I take propranolol every morning, which has had a huge improvement in the frequency and severity of my migraines. I then take sumatriptan when I have an attack, which makes me feel very weird for half an hour and then hugely relieves the symptoms

Feverfew worked for both my teenage dcs. I've tried taking ds2 off it, but the migraines return, so I know it's working.

GP referral to neurologist, Botox injections every 3 months if you’re having over 15 migraine days a month. Life changing

I have the daith piercing and it didn't work. I take cocodamol 30 /500mg for my spine so I just take 2 as soon as one starts. Propranolol helps too with migraine. I went through a period of time when 8 was getting them several times a week and I started propranolol and within a couple of weeks they stopped and I only got them maybe twice a year.

Some great ideas, thanks everyone

@inthekitchensink

GP referral to neurologist, Botox injections every 3 months if you’re having over 15 migraine days a month. Life changing

I was going to say you need to request a referral to a neurologist.

I went to see one when my migraines were bad and they recommended beta blockers.

As it happens I had a baby and that seemed to do the trick (not an option for everyone!)

Sending positive vibes as migraines are so shit!

Following with interest. I average one a week at the moment.

Perhaps you are not on a high enough dose of Amitriptyline for it to be effective for you. You need to increase meds low and slow to mitigate against side effects (e.g. if you start taking a high dose straight away it'll knock you sideways so you give up on the drug) you need to find a therapeutic dose that works for you (so need to stick on a increase in dosage for several weeks to see if it works) - for some people that might be 20mg, for other 50mg. Some drugs take a few months to work.

I agree with others ask for a neuro/headache clinic referral. There is a skill to prescribing. A lot of GP's know about the possible meds you can prescribe but not about dosage or combinations or how long to stay on the meds. I think only specialists can try other avenues such botox (IIRC you have to have tried and failed 3 preventatives to be considered on NHS for this)or occipital nerve blocks.

A lot of specialists also recommend taking Magnesium (500-600mg per day as there is some evidence that a decrease in magnesium is seen during a migraine and some studies have shown it helps reduce frquency of headaches) if nothing else it will help with medication constipation and sleep) and Riboflavin 400mg+. There is a vitamin mix called Dolovent that has all the vitamin supplements combined in one pill. (it's about £30 for a month supply). I

What age are you? perimenopause can cause migraine to really ramp up. Dr. Hain (A highly regarded U.S. expert) website has a great flow chart of med protocol and lots of information:
dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/central/migraine/MIGRAIN6.html#DRUGS
The Migraine Trust (UK charity) site also has lots of information
Easy read article:
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7522365/HOW-BEAT-PAIN-Brain-expert-PETER-GOADSBY-reveals-defeat-type-headache.html