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?

I've had migraines since i was nine, im now twenty and before going onto treatment I tried eliminating all different types of food but none of it worked, u don't eat chocolate and only eat mozarella now and again, only have Chinese once in a blue moon but get migraines without eating them so have no idea what my triggers are. I also don't drink

Does anyone get increased anxiety with migraine? I ask because after getting rid off hormonal contraception 4years ago m y migraines more or less stopped. I had the odd one (had an MRI prior to this they were that regular). I then had one out the blue in June, it seemed to be around ovulation. I then had the same the month after. Since then if I feel one coming I become anxious and tense which seems to make it worse. I almost have a panic attack.

I am trying mindfulness and Reiki to combat that as that seems to calm me down. I just feel so nothing in my head will suddenly pop or explode! Anyone else?

Do you think yours could have a hormonal trigger? tinas

I was prescribed beta blockers for my driving test! So they are definitely ok.

I've tried every drug going for chronic migraine but the only thing that worked for me was botox every 3 months via NHS neuro good luck x

@Chosennone I doubt it, they didn't lighten up when I was pregnant and im on the mini pill which hasn't helped either

Maybe beta blockers should be next or a referral to neuro 🤞

@selfishjeanss yes I have put on weight. Just over 3 stone and no matter what I do I can't seem to lose any.

I am not happy about it but if it's a choice between being overweight or having horrendous migraines I will choose the weight

The daith piercing worked for my friend.

It's definitely worth going and having the conversation with your doctor. I suffered for over 20 years, gradually getting worse till I was up to 4 or more a week.
Propranolol 3 times a day has worked a treat - yes you can drive with them.

I sleep with a retainer too - teeth grinding was making it worse and my dentist suggested one a long time ago.

Definitely ask for a neurologist referral.

Amyltriptyline and notriptyline did nothing for me but lamotrigine has been amazing- gone from three a week to once a month.

I failed all the preventatives until I tried Aimovig injections, which reduce the severity and incidence, but haven't prevented them completely.

I haven't tried Botox - would consider it if my migraines get any worse.

Why is the first port of call always fucking drugs.

Consider seeing a chiropractor, physio, osteopath.
Fix the problem rather than masking it.

Topiramate twice daily, Botox and Naramig when needed have been a godsend for me. I've gone from migraines that last for days to be unlucky if I have more than one a month that lasts for a few hours Tried Propranalol and a host of Betablockers but I found they made me feel depressed and lifeless. I think it is a case of trying everything out to find out what combination works for you. Good luck, don't give up, there will be a life changing solution out there for you.

I took I think Propanolol (little yellow tablet) about 18 years ago, was taking for about 6 months as a daily preventative, and the migraines did significantly drop off. I had to take an extra at the first sign of a migraine as well.
But suddenly after 6 months, they started making me dizzy, I had weird zoning out vision and double vision, and would slur, so I was taken off them
Mine are always worse during ovulation, and the days after my period are horrific.
I've had brain scans, tried diet changes, drinking more water, eating less sugar, you name it I've had it and I've never found anything that makes a difference. I very nearly had that piercing people raved about a few years back but a mate had it and it made her migraines worse.
All I can do is go to bed and hope for the best, o do take the pharmacy only nurofen and that helps a little.

Can I ask, those who take Triptans, how many are you given? I'm only allowed 6 tablets a month which is only enough to treat half the headaches I get

No advice, just place marking as I'm currently on day 5 of a migraine and almost ready to rip my head off soon.
Need to have a proper read when I can, my sympathies to everyone constantly getting them, I can count on both hands how many times I've had a migraine and that's bad enough. 😪

Also on propranolol and I take a magnesium supplement too. I definitely don't get as many migraines as I used to, although that could be an age thing - coming up to menopause

@spiderlight I have the groggy dizzy head thing every day too. With head pain. Sertraline did the trick for years and then stopped working - it's gradually got alot worse over recent months. Were you prescribed your meds by a neurologist?

Definitely request a referral to Neurologist because your life is being seriously affected by the frequency of your migraines.

I don't want to scare anyone as this is extremely rare, but a friend of mine finally asked for a referral after 15 years of migraines managed by her GP. She was actually having bleeds in her brain which are life threatening. She's now on a totally different drug regime, cannot drive or work. Her whole life has changed, and she wishes she'd asked for a referral much sooner.

You have nothing to lose getting referred to a neurologist, but it could prevent further problems or at least reduce your pain/ frequency of migraines.

@Gobbycop

Why is the first port of call always fucking drugs.

Consider seeing a chiropractor, physio, osteopath.
Fix the problem rather than masking it.

I saw an osteo, physio and had acupuncture.

None of them did a fucking thing.

I've been on them 3 years and in the last 2 I've lost over 8 stone from changing eating habits. Didn't realise weight gain was a side effect

@Gobbycop that's quite an assumption (that medication is the first port of call)

I'd say if someone is asking for help on Mumsnet for a long term medical issue they've probably tried a few things already wouldn't you?!

Yes, preventatives really do work and there are loads of choices so something will work for you.

Also if you are having terrible side effects from your triptan, there is probably another triptan that will suit you a lot better.

I have tried amitriptylline - didn't suit me, skipped propranolol - not suitable as asthmatic, topiramate - initially not much good, then upped the dose and it's a miracle. You might find the opposite - my neurologist was on a massive dose of propranolol for example, there really is something for everyone.

Also I changed my triptan to almotriptan and it is much better for me than either zolmitriptan or sumatriptan ever were.

Finally I did loads of reading about migraine and migraine triggers. I have loads of triggers! Some I can do nothing about, for example I can't change the weather. But I can make sure I use a blue light app, go to bed at the same time each night, avoid fragrances, don't get drunk, don't skip lunch etc etc. The general life review made a massive difference.

I take low dose Amitriptyline daily, which has really helped. I still have Sumatriptan for my now infrequent attacks.