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Original poster

To tell all migraine sufferers about this

51 replies

Angelicinnocent · 29/04/2018 17:25

Posting here because of sheer numbers.

My DD has a long term illness which requires medication to manage. Unfortunately, the medication causes migraines so she hasn't been able to take it as effectively as she might otherwise.

In her last appointment with the pain clinic at the hospital, one of the doctors suggested getting her daith pierced to stop the migraines. I was very sceptical about how having a ring put in a crease of your ear would do anything for a migraine but since my DD had a school attendance of less than 75% in the previous term, I was willing to try.

Have to say it has been the best decision we ever made and has completely stopped the migraines even when her medication was increased.

Just wanted to put this out there for any sufferers, as I've been informed it works in about 85% of cases. Hope this is useful to someone.

OP posts:
CheshireChat · 29/04/2018 21:04

Random hyphen in there!

EnglishRose13 · 29/04/2018 21:37

Same as evilharpy, I've been suffering a lot less with migraines (and water infections, actually) since pregnancy. I still get them, but not as frequent and not as intense. I think I've only been sick with one once since my son was born two years ago.** I used to get them every six weeks or so.

I'm interested to know if it matters which side too as I want to try the daith piercing if they pick up again, but I've already got a rook piercing in my right ear.

Troels · 29/04/2018 22:02

I've been debating getting the piercing, haven't yet as I know that being faithful to my diet of no artificial sweeteners, no chocolate, no strong cheese, no alcohol and very little highly processed foods, manages to keep them mostly at bay, well that and daily Candesartan and Naratriptan for any breakthrough.

AsAProfessionalPenis · 29/04/2018 22:09

I've had my daith pierced for 2 years now and for me it has been life changing
I was having 3 day migraines
I had the start of a few but got rid of them just with water and paracetamol
It's ages since my last one
I personally know 5 people, including me, who had it done for migraines
1 it hasn't done anything at all. 1 thinks they are less severe and for 3 of us the results have been amazing

nicky2512 · 29/04/2018 22:11

DH has awful migraine and is on beta blockers. Can't imagine him going for this. DS (12) also suffers terribly although his pain is felt mostly in and around his ears and causes balance problems etc. I'm wondering if it would help him, even though it is not as normal a type of migraine. He is on topiramate which helps but does have some side effects.

MumW · 29/04/2018 23:19

This is what The Migraine Trust says about it...
www.migrainetrust.org/hot-topic-daith-piercing/

I've also recently heard about TNS machine for migraine...
www.cefaly.co.uk/en
But it doesn't come cheap.

This is a cheaper version...
www.amazon.co.uk/device-HeadaTerm-Electrode-Stimulator-side-effect-Anti-Headache/dp/B072JSSR95/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?psc=1&keywords=migraine+relief&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1525031650&sr=8-1-spons
Although you can't replace the battery so it has a limited life.

I can't decide whether to give it a try or not. Rizatriptan helps me but only gives me respite and doesn't stop the attacks which can last 3 or 4 days.
My mum's migraines stopped after the menopause so I'm hoping the same will be true for me. Can't be much longer so I'm not keen on spending a fortune.

TheDairyQueen · 29/04/2018 23:25

What and where is a daith?

It's a dyslexic taint Grin

Original poster
Angelicinnocent · 30/04/2018 06:18

The 85 % was just anecdotal from the doctor who told us about it. He was careful to point out that there have not been any clinical studies done though.

OP posts:
puddleducker · 30/04/2018 06:26

I've been meaning to get this for a while, this has prompted me to get it done. For those of you that are chronic, like me, (15 days of migraine a month) I suggest you try daily feverfew. Since I"ve been taking them the migraines have halved and aren't as bad as they were. It has really changed my life.

Thishatisnotmine · 30/04/2018 06:29

I just dont have enough daith to get pierced! I did have great success with acupuncture though.

Dhalandchips · 30/04/2018 06:36

Worked for me. Over the bloody moon I amGrin

KenDoddsDadsDog · 30/04/2018 06:50

I’ve had it done , didn’t work but I like the piercing !

sashh · 30/04/2018 07:09

I haven’t seen any particularly convincing studies backing this up

It would be quite difficult to do a double blind trial wouldn't it?

Boooommm · 30/04/2018 07:12

Acupuncture is the only thing that has really worked for me.

Sweetpea55 · 30/04/2018 07:16

I also take beta blockers sndiv never had a migraine since

ilovetvandchocolates · 30/04/2018 07:27

How do you decide which ear to pierce? Should it correspond with the side you have your migraine on?

thelastredwinegum · 30/04/2018 07:35

tvandchocolate. Apparently it should be done on the side you get the most pain.

If anyone is planning to get it done and has a holiday booked, wait until you get home as due to the long healing time you shouldn't go in the pool for a while after it's been done.

CantChoose · 30/04/2018 07:55

What kind of doctor would quote a specific success figure and in the same breath say there aren't any clinical studies!
You can't get a success rate without a study...
Someone clearly wasn't paying attention in their med school stats lectures 🤦‍♀️

DiddimusStench · 30/04/2018 08:14

I suffered with really debilitating migraines and cluster headaches. One morning I woke up and just thought I couldn’t handle another one and went to get a daith piercing out of desperation really. Didn’t expect much but I have piercings any way so thought it might cheer me up however, since having it, the migraines have reduced and the cluster headaches have gone. Might be coincidence but when I had surgery earlier this year I had to take it out and almost immediately the migraines came back. It really could be coincidence but I feel so much better so I’ll take it!

TheFairyCaravan · 30/04/2018 08:20

Accupuncture worked for me. I’ve had 5 lots of Botox and it was only when I tried Accupuncture that I saw a real change in the frequency and intensity of my migraines. I still take preventative medication too.

flissfloss65 · 30/04/2018 08:29

My ds had really bad migraines and no medication helped. Either made him too sleepy or had his heart racing.

He had a long course of acupuncture and it worked incredibly well. It was done by his GP. Friends say it’s just coincidence they’ve stopped but I think different things just work on each of us.

Easilyflattered · 30/04/2018 08:31

Didn't work for me. And the piercing didn't really heal for me either.

DaveMinion · 30/04/2018 08:43

Didn’t work for me. I have Botox now. All other treatments failed (apart from topiramate but got kidney stones so not allowed it anymore).

GerdaLovesLili · 30/04/2018 09:31

I've just looked at my ear: I don't think I even have a daith; but then, I don't have earlobes either.

GarbageBell · 30/04/2018 09:48

I do like this piercing but always chicken out of having it done. My migraines are hormone related so not sure how it could work? I find sucking on ice helps to ease them though. Apparently inducing brain freeze does help