to be absolutely sick of migraines and to ask if preventative medication is any good

[TinasCrockeryPot]

To sum it up im lucky if I can go a week without getting a migraine, I've been suffering one for three days now, it started with a headache on saturday night that was gone by the time I woke up yesterday but reappeared last night and hasn't gone since. I feel like I'm going to vomit constantly and it really hurts my head and face. I've taken zolmitriptan but the side effects I get are horrendous I.e tight chest and extremity numbness/weakness. I also can't take this when I work sue to it making me drowsy so want to speak to go about preventative medications, does this make anyone drowsy? And how effective is it?

Speak to your gp and ask for a neurologist referal. There are lots of things to try and hopefully something will work for you. I haven't been lucky though.

I took beta blockers for years and they worked a treat. No side effects. I stopped when I was planning a baby and after I had her although I still get migraines they are nowhere near as frequent, so I don’t take them now.

I take Propranolol every day as a preventer, and Sumatriptan for an attack.
I first went on Propranolol a year ago and after a good few months with no migraines, I stopped taking them. My migraines returned, the awful ones that start at four in the morning and have me waking in agony.
I restarted my medication and honestly, I havent had one since.
I know no medication works for everyone, but these are lifesavers to me as I simply cant function through a migraine attack.
The only side effect I get is that they give me strange dreams as I take them at night (to stop the 4am attack)!!

I've also tried the zomig spray and the side effects are even worse, the zolmitriptan doesn't seem to have worked and I have a 14 month old to look after

Also can you drive on beta blockers or propranolol?

Triptans stopped working for me so around 3 years ago my doc put me on Propanalol, the only time I've had a migraine since was when I forgot to take them with me on a 3 week holiday - had 2 migraines in that time. I might well be taking them for the rest of my life but one pill in the morning is well worth it for me

Low dose Amitriptyline. I take it for something else, but it had a side effect of reducing my migraines. Not sure if it would actually be prescribed specifically for migraines though.

I was put on a very low dose of antidepressants, which decreased the migraines but made me so sluggish. I'm now on Topiramate (anti-epilepsy drug) which has reduced them but not got rid of them totally.

Husband used to take low dose Propranolol. Worked well. Significantly reduced them. They are one of a bunch of medication called beta blockers.

Only side effect was vivid dreams.

He stopped taking them after a year and they while they did return they are not as frequent. He did try and go back on them but he has a low resting heart rate so GP said best avoided.

It's taken ages to get a regime that works for me: I take nortriptyline, pregabalin and the mini-pill daily, sumatriptan when needed and have Botox injections every three months. I still have a groggy dizzy head and vague migraine symptoms most days but I haven't had a really awful full-blown migraine in ages, whereas I used to be lucky if I had three or four days a month when I wasn't a sobbing puking mess.

I used to get almost weekly migraines; completely stopped my life. I now take topiramate twice daily and sumatriptan when one is starting (I cannot take zolmitriptan as it makes me very ill and I can’t take the spray format even though I know it’s supposed to work faster) as well as a source of caffeine. I also know people who have had really good results with medical Botox and some who have had no results from it at all, but it is something to consider, because I have one friend it worked wonders for.

I also take 80mg of propanolol as a daily preventative, it's been life changing.
I don't experience any side effects, they don't make me sleepy and yes I drive

Amitryptaline, I take it for something else but the side effects include stopping my migraines and IBS. Bloody wonderdrug

I'm on amitriptyline after propanolol failed to stop my migraines. It's been life changing. I only get around one migraine a month now and the pain is far milder than before. (Before it was almost constant.) The first few weeks on it I was completely exhausted but by about week 3 I felt fine and the permanent headache had cleared. It helps you sleep too (you take it in the evening). Good luck with everything

If you get them weekly, & they can last 3 days, I think you have a good case to request a neurology referral. I'm with a neurologist for mine, on topamax & botox. It's not a cure, nor is it pleasant, but both treatments help.

I'd also look at the Migraine Trust website for recommendations - I did several years ago, they suggested I start magnesium supplements (I take the cheaper magnesium oxide, which make you rather windy, but I got used to them after several months) & vitamin B2. If you've got the money for it, I believe feverfew & CoQ10 help some people.

Also, I'd recommend thoroughly overhauling your diet. Eliminate everything that triggers a migraine. I no longer eat MSG, caffeine, wheat, artificial sweeteners, nitrites/nitrates, aged & mould ripened cheeses (except for parmesan which I can only tolerate because I have such a tiny amount, & very infrequently), soya (except soy sauce for the same reason as parmesan). Obviously everyone has their own triggers.

I also don't do anything high impact, I don't eat too much of anything very high in sugar, as I've noticed that blood sugar level "spikes" can trigger an attack. So can overtiredness. Or stress. Or loud noises. I bought decent prescription sunglasses & have a variety of comfortable hats to keep the sun out of your eyes, & for cold weather. If warmth helps your head feel less painful, wear a hat (to hell with what you look like, TBH!)

Propranolol has worked wonders for me. I take 40mg 3x day. I've gone from weekly migraines to hardly ever having a headache, except when I forget to take them.

@SisyphusAndTheRockOfUntidiness interesting you mentioned MSG I went to a Chinese buffet on Friday

Propanalol is a godsend I’ve been on it for about 8 years now after five years off he’ll.

After trying quite a few medications I now take propranolol and pizotifen every day and have for the last 10 years. Propranolol did not work on its own.

I used to get probably 3 migraines a month but they would last 3 or 4 days. I could not even sit up in bed without throwing up. I couldn't keep even 1 sip of water down so would end up getting dehydrated. Often DH would have to call the GP who would come out and give me an injection to stop the vomiting.

Now I rarely get a migraine and if I do they are nowhere near as bad as they were. I do get symptoms like muzzy head, slurred speech, visual aura but not the terrible pain and vomiting.

If I wake and feel like I am likely to get one I have naratriptan to take and 9 times out of 10 I don't get one. I usually try and have a sleep after taking it as that helps

I use imigran sumatriptan spray as soon as I get the symptoms of migraine. They get rid of it 75% of the time. It’s been a godsend for me.

www.fedup.com.au/factsheets/symptom-factsheets/headaches-and-migraines

Start with this.

Hello all. Did any of you gain weight with Propanolol? I get at least two migraines a week but have gained 3 stone via cardiac meds. I’d prefer not to add to that!

I had propanalol daily and Sumatriptan for breakthrough, but not successful.
Now taking Candesartan daily and Naratriptan for breakthrough, it's a bit better. I still get about 6 a month but was getting at least double that.
I'm thinking of trying a piercing for it next.

I'm considering the piercing but have heard it doesnt work more than stories of it working

Some foods do trigger mine.
Strong cheeses
Overdoing chocolate
Highly processed foods like Chicken nugget type stuff.
Wine.