Best tips for migraine

[Thorilicious]

Every month (thanks period!). I get a headache/migraine. I take painkillers, but it still takes a couple of days to get better. Anyone have any tips to help it go away sooner please? I have also tried cold packs which is help in the short term.

The only thing that helps me is sumatriptan and codeine. I get it in phases, and it can last for weeks, then not have another one for months. I've no idea why

What helps me is something carby to eat like piece of toast, sugary drink then lots of water, nurofen and a little sleep in the dark.

Tip 1: Don't have periods. I know this may not suit you but the mini-pill got rid of my menstrual migraines. Worth thinking about if periods are your only trigger (sadly they were only one of many for me)

Tip 2: Take painkillers actually designed for migraine. You need a triptan on prescription

Tip 3: Take an anti-emetic (also on prescription) so you actually get on and absorb the triptan. Migraine causes your stomach to stop emptying so it takes ages for the tablets to absorb and get to work. Anti-emetic sorts this out and you get better sooner.

Ask your GP for Triptans.

Bizarrely, swimming helped me. Was the last thing I wanted to do but something about being weightless and not having to focus as much.

https://www.boots.com/boots-migraine-relief-50mg-tablets-sumatriptan-2-tablets-10322011? ;gone in half an hour @Thorilicious

Thank you, will give these a try. I can't keep being out of action for days at a time.

Sumatriptan is the only thing that helps me, you can get it prescribed but it’s a bit tricky, my pharmacy have a form I had to fill in though so I can get them when I need now. It’s really important for me to take them as soon as I feel it coming on, if I leave it too long it’s too late and I feel the full effects of the migraine anyway.
Sympathy op, they’re so dreadful 😭

I take Frovatriptan once a day for 4 days before my period and for two days after it begins to prevent menstrual migraines from starting up (Frovatriptan remains active in the body much longer than other triptans). I have brutal migraines around my period that sumatriptan won't even touch.

This is what works for me:

First - as you feel the migraine coming in, take 900mg aspirin and a can of Coke (ie. caffeine + sugar) with lots of ice. Combination of the two will constrict the blood vessels around your brain and should stop (or slow) the migraine in its tracks. NB. you need aspirin for this, not ibuprofen or paracetemol.

Second - if the migraine has already landed, take sumatriptan and go to bed. Takes effect in about an hour, will wipe it through in about 3-4 hours. Like others said, you'll need to get this on prescription.

I also take propanolol (40mg daily) as a preventative, which might help too.

As others have said get a Triptan from the GP. There are a few different ones to try. Generally, GP's often prescribe sumatriptan (imigraine) first ( I think it's cheapest) but as @HazelLion has said Frovitriptan works well to avoid period migraine altogether and there is Rizatriptan (maxalt) which melts on the tongue and is absorbed quickly and also nasal spray sumatriptan.

If you want to try a painkiller that's stronger than ibuprofen then the GP can prescribe Naproxen (Feminax Ultra contains naproxen and can be bought over the counter).

Sumatriptan all the way!

For me it's Zomig, neurofen migraine, a cold full-fat coke and a nap. If it's already embedded in I'm f*cked!

Sumatripan works amazingly at relieving menstrual migraines. I also have propanalol to prevent them occurring in the first place which has been the most amazing thing ever!

ASPIRIN. It’s been life-changing for me. My migraines were fairly infrequent but utterly debilitating - couldn’t really do anything for 48 hrs. I tried Triptans but they made me so spaced out and sick that they weren’t worth it for me.
A brilliant GP told me to take a big dose of soluble aspirin at the onset of the aura. I now carry the Dispirin tablets which melt on the tongue in my bag and take one as soon as I feel any sign at all - pain in the neck for me usually, followed by aura. I take 3 of these and it goes away without developing.
This is not just pain relief, it actually fights the cause - relating to dilating of blood vessels in my case.

in addition to pain killers I find Smelling peppermint oil helps (also helps if you get nauseous) and salty pretzels. I find biting the salt crystal bits off first helps me feel less sick. Macdonalds fries too. Basically anything salty and carby for a couple of days. I call it my migraine hangover, even once the worst is over all I can eat is salty carbs.

as others have said, triptans work magic on hormone migranes. I use zolmitriptan, the only thing that works for me. My migranes have got worse with menopause, thankfully I can carry on with my life thanks to zolmitriptan.

I take Rizatriptan it's a wafer and on prescription, then I fall asleep in the dark and wake up a couple of hrs later and it's gone.

I tried prescription meds for a long time but had minimal relief. Out of desperation I went for a daith piercing after hearing its meant to help. I've gone from migraines at least once a week to none at all since having it done a year ago. There's no medical evidence to support the piercing, but it appears to have worked for alot of people.
I read not long ago that putting your feet in a bowl of water as hot as you can tolerate is meant to help. It's supposed to open up the blood vessels more and take away the pressure from your head.

Sumatriptan. I can't believe I suffered for so many years for days at a time when one tiny tablet removes all trace of migraine in around 40 minutes.
It's so worth trying.

aspirin 2 x 300mg and a can of coke (full sugar)

Sumatriptan. If I catch it as soon as symptoms start, take a tablet, lots of water and then sleep I can often nip them in the bud, still feel rubbish for a couple of days afterwards. If I don't take meds quickly and the migraine develops into a full blown one then I'm fucked for days.

I have a number of triggers but periods were one of them so I moved to the mini pill to avoid the peaks and troughs of hormones, and then onto the coil.

Some great advice on this thread which I'm going to try.

Can’t believe someone else’s has McD’s fries as part of their migraine routine! 🤣 I feel validated now, they’re medicinal!

If I catch it early enough, Sumatriptan with a pint of water and some salty food, and a lie down can stop it.

If it’s gripped me, I need complete darkness and to lie on the bed with no pillow with a fan or the window open. Eye mask on with hot water bottle over it, and don’t move a muscle for as long as it takes. Sleeping tablets to help me doze off.

Mine respond well to getting out of bed taking regular ibuprofen and moving around. Sometimes I vomit and i think that helps but I don't know why.

I used to get a migraine just before my period and just after. It was the change in hormones triggering it. I've been taking the pill continuously for several years now to avoid these dips and highs and it's worked brilliantly for me. Not suitable for everyone I know but it works for me.