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A tip for migraine sufferers - game changer!

80 replies

MacauliflowerCulkin · 17/02/2022 07:59

I get migraines maybe 2 or 3 times a year. I suffer with headaches (hormonal) regularly but occasionally I'll get a migraine.

The ones were absolutely nothing helps, you can't talk or look at your phone, vomiting etc.

Yesterday one came on quite suddenly. I took a co-codamol and ibuprofen and nothing helped. 3 hours in and I rang one of my friends who is a GP in tears out of pure desperation and she gave me a little tip that helped more than anything ever has. I don't know if this will work for everybody, but it helped me SO much I can't not tell others who suffer.

She told me (very simple) run a hot bath, almost as hot as you can tolerate. (Don't burn yourself) but has to be steaming. Lay in the bath (no bubbles or perfume).

Lay flat on your back with your legs bent, the bath has to be deep enough to submerge your ears fully and you eyes close your eyes. For an hour. Don't move, don't check your phone. No lights on or anything. Don't fall asleep though!
I instantly felt an ease, and an hour later the migraine was gone. I still felt a bit headachy and tired but it honestly worked.

It may be a total coincidence, and surely something so simple would be so well known if it actually works. Or maybe people already know this hack. But I text her last night thanking her so much.

It may not work for others but it instantly proved me with relief and the migraine slowly eased through the hour.

Any other sufferers give it a try and if there's any GPs on here - is this a thing?

Can a very hot bath really ease them? Sounds crazy but I can't tell you how much it helped!

OP posts:
RunningFromInsanity · 17/02/2022 12:24

Botox injections in the forehead

Pyri · 17/02/2022 12:42

Yes, indeed. But £8 for two tablets 😖. Plus my pharmacy wouldn't sell them to me as often as I needed them so I had to go to different places, plus you do have to confirm you've been "diagnosed" by your GP (I never have, so had to lie) and they will also ask the last time you bought them.

You can buy similar unbranded online at £6 for four tablets (I think that's what it was). Or, get a prescription from your GP for £9.35 for six. If you pay for prescriptions. My GP put two boxes on my last script so I had twelve, and I had bought a prepayment certificate (due to HRT scripts) so didn't pay extra.

@VanGoghsDog look at Pharmacy Online, I pay £21 for 12 100mg tablets so take half of one, much cheaper this way!

Minesalargeginplease · 17/02/2022 12:46

I had my daith pierced and it works wonders! I've had one migraine in 4 years (used to be a monthly occurrence relating to hormones).

No tablets worked for me as I vomit excessively with migraines. I found putting a hot water bottle on the back of my neck/bottom of head and an ice pack on my forehead eased the pain enough to allow me to sleep. Heat is brilliant but makes me more sick with migraine so the ice pack, and sometimes a fan helps x

Interested in this thread?

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Innocenta · 17/02/2022 13:05

For anyone who vomits - you can get triptans in both nasal spray and self-injection forms.

VanGoghsDog · 17/02/2022 13:10

@Pyri

Yes, indeed. But £8 for two tablets 😖. Plus my pharmacy wouldn't sell them to me as often as I needed them so I had to go to different places, plus you do have to confirm you've been "diagnosed" by your GP (I never have, so had to lie) and they will also ask the last time you bought them.

You can buy similar unbranded online at £6 for four tablets (I think that's what it was). Or, get a prescription from your GP for £9.35 for six. If you pay for prescriptions. My GP put two boxes on my last script so I had twelve, and I had bought a prepayment certificate (due to HRT scripts) so didn't pay extra.

@VanGoghsDog look at Pharmacy Online, I pay £21 for 12 100mg tablets so take half of one, much cheaper this way!

Did you actually read what I wrote?
Pyri · 17/02/2022 13:14

@VanGoghsDog I missed your last sentence but ouch!

iklboo · 17/02/2022 13:50

A hot water bottle on the back of my neck / head really helps me.

NotanotherboxofFrogs · 17/02/2022 14:14

"This is stolen from another online site but has been a factor in helping me alongside a list of other things including meds

Fill a basin, sink or tub with hot water (and lavender or peppermint essential oil if you have it). Place your bare feet into the hot water and let them soak for 20 minute. The heat will draw the blood to your feet, easing the pressure on the blood-vessels in your head. If the headache is extreme, it has been said that adding hot mustard powder can make the soak even more effective.

While your feet are soaking place an ice pack on your forehead or your neck to draw the blood away from this area. Be sure to place a paper towel or towel between the ice pack and your skin to ensure there is no damage to the skin from direct contact with the cold.

After 20 minutes of soaking in the hot water, rinse your feet in cold water, then dry them and lay down for 20 more minutes to allow the muscles to continue to relax"

xfgdhfgnhkk007 · 17/02/2022 14:17

@Pyri look at Pharmacy Online, I pay £21 for 12 100mg tablets so take half of one, much cheaper this way!

That's a great tip, I didn't know that Pharmacy online was legit! Thanks

EmpressCixi · 17/02/2022 14:26

@SpinningTheSeedsOfLove

I'd be worried that was dangerous. I've had migraines so bad that I've been violently sick, then can't move, then fallen into some sort of sleep state while crushed by the pain and blindness.

I'd probably drown while choking on my own vomit.

Me too. Mine are horrible and minimum length of time is 6hrs. I cant imaging even being able to crawl to the bathroom much less take a hot bath and top it up....
VanGoghsDog · 17/02/2022 14:30

I've used Pharmacy Online, among others, they are fine.

The tablets are really small so I can't work out how you would take half - how do you cut them? But I can see that would work out better value.

The ones from the GP are 12.5mg of Almotriptan, so presumably not comparable as a different active ingredient. And really really tiny.

FrancesFlute · 17/02/2022 14:44

I didn't use the word dangerous. Nothing wrong with being in the bath for an hour but can't be good for ears to stay underwater for that long (as OP said). And really - no issue with sleeping in the bath? I don't want to inhale water accidentally Confused.

FrancesFlute · 17/02/2022 14:46

Sorry, quote fail - @FirstAconite Smile

Batmanontheedge · 17/02/2022 14:50

I think the parts that need to be changed in terms of heat are the neck/back of the head and feet. I've read vaguely similar directions involving buckets and hot/cold towels. Your way doesn't sound safe without supervision but there probably is something in it.

Bushkin · 17/02/2022 14:52

Last time I tried a hot bath with a migraine I threw up on myself in the bath

Sumatriptan is the answer for me

MacauliflowerCulkin · 17/02/2022 21:23

@RunningFromInsanity

Botox injections in the forehead
I have Botox anyway to help with ageing not so gracefully in my forehead - does it need to be a specific area?
OP posts:
NoLongerTroels · 17/02/2022 21:29

I get about 12 month. Sumatriptan usually helps if taken in time. But if one gets away from me, I use a cold pack on the back of my head/neck and then go to bed. Mine usually start in the middle of the night and wake me. Sleeping after Sumatriptan works well.

WhiteJellycat · 17/02/2022 21:34

Anyone with regular migraines it might be worth asking about a few months of amitriptyline. I was in hospital with what they thought was bells palsey after a week long headache. I almost killed myself with aspirin. I took amitriptyline for a month ( for the second time Iin my life) and not even a headache since. Touch wood.

My migraines are increasingly crippling and a hot bath would raise my blood pressure but anything is worth a try. Praying for a swift death also helps 😉

mrsoverall2 · 17/02/2022 22:19

I couldn't get in a bath with a migraine. I crave cold. Cold water. Coke. Mi need original Syndol. I can't buy it any more

NoLongerTroels · 17/02/2022 22:34

WhiteJellycat
Praying for a swift death also helps 😉

I'll admit I've done this more than once. while spending a whole day in bed not sure if I'm sleeping or just unconscious.

SplashinginPuddles1 · 17/02/2022 22:48

Definitely hot water helps, although I find a warm hot water bottle, back of neck, stomach and forehead and feet helps. Also, drinking a mug of hot water, blowing on it so that the hot steam covers my face.

SplashinginPuddles1 · 17/02/2022 22:49

There are definitely ways to manage it without medication - sometimes.

SplashinginPuddles1 · 17/02/2022 22:53

I wish a doctor had told me to stay away from saturated fat, keep hydrated, sleep well and and exercise though. I’m sure I’d have been better off without solpadeine prescriptions. Worked it out eventually though.

ENoeuf · 17/02/2022 23:00

Pink migraleve cold facecloth plain crisps no interruptions and a silent room with the radio on very low. Triptans made my throw up, daith migrated and had to remove.

Cloverforever · 17/02/2022 23:01

You can only get triptans over the counter if you are over 18 though, prescription only for kids.

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