Stuck in a migraine loop never had this before : sumattiptan stopping them but they return with neck pain. Fourth day

[DaffodilsandDillies]

Can anyone help I'm on my third tablet and I fear it's masking the reason they are starting ,do I just keep going with the tables ?
Obviously I'm going to try and speak to my GP but as we know that's not a given and stressful to try and get through.
What else can I do I have tried topical gel on my neck and shoulder ,I've tried self massage ,taking anti imflamtories etc
Usually it's hormonal triggers once a month

My migraines stopped after I weaned myself off Zolmatriptan, don’t know if it’s true but I was told that they are notorious for causing rebound headaches / pain. The only thing that worked for me during that period was Anadin Extra. Really hope you find a solution, it’s awful isn’t it?

Horrible. I've had migrant a lot for years.The only thing that really helped me is acupuncture. Get them to put some needles in your neck.

My migraines are closely linked with neck pain. I see an osteopath as often as I can afford.

My migraines really ramped up a few years ago and I was getting flurries of them, was horrible.

Magnesium and vitamin B2 have helped dramatically. I followed the advice here and gradually figured out which ones helped most: www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/uploads/25396.pdf

Acupuncture for me too. And following the diet/lifestyle tips they gave me

No you need to stop taking them. You should really only take a maximum of 2 a week (advice from my neurologist) some will say even less.

Breaking a cycle can be hard, I usually try 3 days of naproxen, your GP can prescribed this or you can get it over the counter. If that doesn't work then I tent to try no painkillers. It's a pain literally but migraines are one of the few pain conditions where taking painkillers can sometimes make it worse. Not always I'm fairly certain that I've never suffered from rebound migraines due to triptains its not as common as painkiller overuse . As research shows it only affects a small % of people.

A newer option that your GP could try would be a new gpant. They aren't supposed to have the same rebound issue.

Thanks this is what I'm worried about i didn't know the term re re hound
When it were off the muscles are still incredibly stiff

Interesting that you mention that… it just made me realise that my twice a week migraines became more sporadic to rare since the first lockdown… when I started taking magnesium and B12 supplements on a daily, never miss one, basis.

Something that helped too was finding the right pillow (for me it has been the Fossan, a travel pillow from Jysk). Some Pilates exercises also help when I am having a bad neck day.

edit: … Or it may be that my hormonal charge is decreasing with age and that is what is driving the improvement?

Naproxen is the thing that’s helped me too. I get hormonal migraines ovulation and period. I use Clue app as a tracker. I take naproxen, frovatriptan (it’s the better triptan for hormonal migraines as it lasts longer) and then two prochlorperazine with two paracetamol on the mornings of my migraine days with breakfast. That usually keeps them at bay, or at least manageable.

Sometimes they do take hold like you are suffering with ongoing for days, and the only thing that helps is the osteopath. If you can afford it I highly recommend it. (Sorry if anyone has already recommended I haven’t read the whole thread.)

I feel your pain, if you can try and take it easy and rest lots.

Sorry but you absolutely need to stop taking the sumatriptan. This is classic rebound headache.

Never more than 2 triptans a week or 6 a month.

Rebound headache is horrendous, you have to just go off sick from work, delegate anything you can at home to someone else and stay in bed with an ice pack until it improves.

I found it very tough but it does get better.

I have no solutions but just wanted to send sympathy - this must be so miserable for you.

I think I’ve finally managed to make my migraines tolerable. I started seeing an osteopath last year who specialises in headaches/migraine. I had to see him every week for a couple of weeks, but now I only need to see him every 3/4 months.

I’ve also had few sessions of auricular acupuncture and more recently a session of reflexology.

I know lots of people don’t believe in complimentary therapies, but modern meds weren’t working for me, so I thought it was worth a try.

I still get migraines but they are less frequent and less severe. And when I do get one, I use a tens machine on my neck. That and a couple of ibuprofen usually get rid of it.

I tired sumatriptan once for hormonal migraines. Never again! Worst migraine of my life that didn’t end! I now do as above and take frovratriptan before my period and mid cycle.

Not always not everyone is suitable to rebound Migraine. Although most doctors will only prescribe 6 a month the threshold is actually higher. The risk from regular painkillers is higher.

Op there is some really good information here.
migrainetrust.org/understand-migraine/types-of-migraine/medication-overuse-headache/

Thanks everyone
.
I've had three so will try end hold off and take naproxen instead.

I assume naprsen and paracetamol can be taken together.

I'm very scared I've never felt so ill all through skull and face etc. also a strange things my sinus on one side seems blocked and I'm blowing nose but it's only one side

Sinus symptoms are very common with Migraine, it can be part of the overall Migraine it's self and something I often get.
Remember Migraine isn't just a headache it's a neurological condition and can actually affect many parts of the body.

Well i don't know much about it , I asked the doc after this last attack to get me to migrane specialist but he said they wouldn't help me until I've tried everything else ?

In the NHS your GP can only refer you to a neurologist for migraine if you have tried various preventer medications first and either not tolerated them, or found them ineffective.

Your GP will know what they are meant to try and in what order - it needs you to a headache diary (much easier now there are apps for this) and then going back to your GP every 3 months to say 'this didn't work, what next?'

@AnnaMagnani thanks I understand the logic of that bit also it seems to be so related to muscles and even perhaps spine wouldnt they do a check on that ?

The standard clinical threshold for triptan overuse is 10 days per month, not 6. Rebound headaches require sustained overuse to develop, you wouldn't get it from a few days of taking sumatriptan.

I get brutal migraines that last for days, and the only way to break them is to take more triptans. Basically, the sumatriptan is probably dulling the symptoms but the headache is still there in the background and when the effects of the sumatriptan wear off, the pain returns. Are you taking 50mg or 100mg? I've found I need to take the higher dose to really get rid of the migraine.

Also, if they are hormonal or menstrual migraines that last a long time, there are longer acting triptans like Frovatriptan that last over 24 hours. Sumatriptan only works for about 4-6 hours.

I'm thinking this is the same migraine attack, not due to taking triptans. Neck pain is a classic stress symptom. What else is going on with you?

Not particularly unusual. I can go for a long time with none and then get a 4 dayer

Although they say you get rebound headaches with some triptans, I think this would be if you were literally taking them every day as a regular occurance. If you tend to get monthly heads then, this is just a long one by the sounds of it.

Dispensable aspirin, high dose caffeine, carbs and an ice pack on your nezk

Thanks I will try and asprin next time .
What's the caffeine for ?

If I have asprin should I have pararceromol ?!

@likelysuspect that's reassuring I've never had trips until this week.
I won't take another now.