Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if any of you have found a migraine cure

126 replies

TracyLords · 07/09/2021 20:11

I started having migraines when DS was born 5 years ago. Since lockdown they have increased. I take propranolol, sumitriptan and some other thing which I’ve forgotten.

They had been improving for a month: still occurring but going away quicker with meds. But today was a stoater and my head was pounding. Slept around 16 hours and I’m still knackered.

It’s impacting my work, family life and social life.

Has anyone found a cure for them?

OP posts:
3luckystars · 07/09/2021 21:26

Dioralyte and as much water as I can drink. Dehydration is what causes mine though.

Neonplant · 07/09/2021 21:27

A mouth guard. I was grinding my teeth and this was causing migraines. I had almost nothing since getting the guard. It was £100 and the beat money I've ever spent.

Suspicioussam · 07/09/2021 21:31

I know people who have had amazing results through acupuncture.

I personally would really recommend seeing a properly qualified nutritional therapist.

snackodactyl · 07/09/2021 21:34

Daith piercing at 40 went some way to alleviate the pain of lifelong migraines and headaches. Now it’s 250mg of Naproxen (sometimes double that) with a beta blocker (supress the stomach acid from taking NSAIDs) as needed. Not ideal but it works.

katieg03 · 07/09/2021 21:38

I am on topirmate and amitriptyline at nights and Rizitriptan for attacks. I was told too that I can't get pregnant on topirmate due to the unknown effects on baby. I'd need weaned off it before trying for another baby. I've had 10 years of trying different things

userxx · 07/09/2021 21:41

@inthekitchensink

Botox injections by neurologist every 3 months has reduced them from near daily to just a few a month. There’s a lot of hoops to jump through with the GP before referral though

Daily ? Jesus, how did you function.

BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 07/09/2021 21:43

I just go to a dark room and lie down if I can.

I got them during pregnancy and so was looking to relieve them without drugs.

It doesn't help to just lie down in the dark if you catch it early enough. For me anyway.

Hwory · 07/09/2021 21:46

Topiramate - you need to keep going back to your GP to get it prescribed though.

MrsTeach · 07/09/2021 21:47

@CiaoForNiao

For those who had their daith pierced... did it hurt? (I cried when I had my lobes done, but didn't flinch when I had my belly button done.) And did you hear the cartilage 'crunch' or make any noise?
My daith didn't hurt much at all. There was a sort of POP sound as the needle went through and a bit of pressure but that was it. I've got nine ear piercings and that was one of the easiest!

Having my daith done made a difference to my migraines (possible placebo) but I still occasionally get laid out for a couple of days with one.

I go for full fat coke, salty food, ice pack, dark room and lots of sleep!
I've found a very cold shower on the back of my neck can help but generally I can't bear to even stand in the shower :(

Morningstar66 · 07/09/2021 21:49

my husband used to get migranes every couple of weeks until he worked out cocoa set them off. No brown chocolate, and no dark alcohol for 4 years or so and i think he has had 2 migranes in that time.

CurbsideProphet · 07/09/2021 21:49

I have chronic headache and migraine. I've had all of the drugs. Every single one. I was having botox injections but had to stop when we started ttc / IVF. What had helped the most is having a lot of physio on my neck and shoulders (££££) and also acupuncture.

This sudden hot and humid weather is terrible for me. Being too hot, especially at night, makes them much more intense.

Lostmarbles2021 · 07/09/2021 21:53

Traditional Acupuncture helped overall (very few and far between now and less severe£ and has helped in acute situation along with sleep.

They are horrible OP. Hope you find something that works for you.

User1110 · 07/09/2021 21:54

I take the same meds as you - it’s helped a lot but I still get them pretty regularly and it’s awful.

I always have full fat coke in the house now and some salty crisps. Those two (along with the pills) seem to help me.

I also take anti nausea medication - stemitil and metachlopromide, although not at the same time.
I really like tiger balm/the smell of peppermint oil too, it seems to feel really refreshing when you’re feeling sick.

You probably know all the basics, but regular sleep routine if you can, regular meals, regular light exercise (anything too strenuous can bring one on for me). I also drink 3L of water a day as I tend to just be one of those people who need a lot to drink. I cut down on caffeine and alcohol too - I do like organic wine though, seems to work for me (doesn’t make me as ‘heady’ as normal wine).

Sorry, no miracle cure as such but just things that hopefully will be helpful! I hope it gets better for you xx

pippi123 · 07/09/2021 21:54

I have not had one since I got braces at age 49! I must have ground my teeth every night or the alignment of my jaw was off. I did used to get them regularly and it has been a relief not to have any since - it’s been about 4 years now.

msbevvy · 07/09/2021 21:54

I used to suffer regularly with migraines but now they only occur very rarely since I was prescribed a low dose of Amitriptyline at night for my fibromyalgia.

Dspx · 07/09/2021 21:57

@CiaoForNiao

For those who had their daith pierced... did it hurt? (I cried when I had my lobes done, but didn't flinch when I had my belly button done.) And did you hear the cartilage 'crunch' or make any noise?
It hurt like a bitch not going to lie but only lasted a second then was just a bit hot and uncomfortable after, they guy doing it spoke to me a lot distracted me so I didn't hear anything X
Imnotcrazyjustdrunk · 07/09/2021 21:59

DH takes CBD oil daily, has massively reduced frequency and impact of migraines.

peppermerry · 07/09/2021 22:00

Have had migraines for as long as I can remember tried loads of prescription meds over the years including the injections and only 2 things have ever worked.
One being propranolol didn't have a migraine for a year after taking this! However it effected my asthma so much I had a constant cough for months and had to come off it.
Second, solpadeine max from pharmacy if I take them as soon as I feel a headache coming I can get away with it

Trial and error with migraine but I do believe it's a life limiting illness when you physically can't do anything but lie down and try to sleep
I don't think people who've never had one could ever comprehend what they can be like
Hope you find something that works op!

Jojojo32 · 07/09/2021 22:01

Aspirin again, my headaches would leave me in bed, if I moved I was sick, I would be like that 4 2days, aspirin helped so much! If I felt one was coming on I would take aspirin.

Dspx · 07/09/2021 22:02

Another vote for the Daith I used to get migraines fortnightly they would make me violently sick, had my piercing done about 3 years ago and the only time I have had a migraine since is when I was pregnant and even then I wasn't sick and it was only a third as bad than they normally were. I still get the odd headache if I'm not vigilant about drinking and sleeping etc but no migraines, and i only have one done so if they do ever come back I can get my other ear done x

VerveClique · 07/09/2021 22:04

See if you can identify triggers… mine is raw alliums, not scientifically proven, but trial and error. Have been having 5-6 severe attacks per year (stroke-like) since my teens until I found this. So I avoid all raw or only lightly cooked onions, garlic, spring onions, leeks, chives etc. Including in salads, crisp flavourings etc. I’m down to 1-2 a year. I also very much avoid alcohol.

Lougle · 07/09/2021 22:09

Topiramate causes birth defects. My GP wanted me to be double protected before they'd prescribe because they said they'd have to recommend termination if I got pregnant on it. I didn't find it helpful.

Ajovy (fremanezumab) is helpful so far. It's cut my migraines down, although I've had 3 migraine days in a row this week, which is disappointing.

Kittii · 07/09/2021 22:14

I've only recently been diagnosed with vestibular migraine. I haven't figured out my triggers yet but am interested to hear others saying that jaw/teeth clenching is a trigger as I clench my teeth at night. I already have a mouth guard though so not sure what I can do about that.

Light is a definite trigger though. I can't figure out why some lights make me instantly dizzy and others are OK.

I've seen a vestibular physio who massages the very top of my neck where it hits my skull as she said tightness there can set off migraines.

I'm new to all this so am finding it interesting and helpful to read what triggers other people have.

Skinnyankles · 07/09/2021 22:14

You need to work out your triggers - for me it's stress/not drinking enough/sugar/lack of sleep. If I combine 2 or 3 - I can guarantee I'll have an attack.

For me, I'll take cocodamol and imigran and take myself off to sleep. Something that hasn't been mentioned is tiger balm. I get the strongest type and slather it over my forehead. It makes your head tingle like crazy but really distracts from the pain. Try a small amount first - its really strong. And Never get it in your eyes (don't learn the hard way as I did).

NellePorter · 07/09/2021 22:22

Topiramate taken as a daily preventative (but there are many side effects) plus Zolmitriptan sprays for onset. This combination works really well for me but it took 25 years to get there unfortunately. Along the way I have become very aware of triggers and how to prevent them.