Help- migraine

[watermeloncrush]

Currently having the most horrific migraine imaginable.

I’ve been to the GP already for my headaches and been diagnosed with migraine.

This one started this afternoon and has progressively worsened. I just want to sleep and wake up with it gone, but I can’t do that because lying down makes it so much worse. It feels like my head is going to blow up with the pain. It’s on one side of my head and a sickeningly throbbing pain. All I can do is just sit and wait for it to pass. And my leg and arm are both numb from the pain of the migraine.

Does anyone have any tips for getting through this until the pain eases off? I’ve tried water, pain killers, ice packs and heat. If anyone has any tips or ideas they use to relieve their own migraine I would be hugely appreciative.

I hope you're feeling ok now OP.

I agree with pp that migraines (and the things that help) are very individual so it is a case of trial and error.
If you haven't done it already, I would advise keeping a journal for the next few months to help identify triggers.
Log your food, drinks, sleep, if you've spent the day in front of a screen or outside, weather and how you feel.

Things that help me when a typical one is starting - 900mg aspirin (dissolved in squash & drank quickly through a straw) and fresh air (via open window).

Once it has hit - ,shut curtains and sitting upright on my sofa. Depending on severity, sometimes having the tv on very very quietly is a good distraction. If possible, a nap (but not always an option).
Cold gel mask tied tightly, resting on my eyes, forehead and back of neck.
Randomly I also find using an olbas oil inhaler thing helps reduce the pressure and stops me feeling sick.
When it's easing, jam on toast.

Once I'm out of it, I tend to feel hungover - I shake, my balance is rubbish and it's exhausting. At that point only a McDs cheeseburger will do 🙄 If I try anything sweet it makes me sick.

Ibuprofen is my go to. I can tell when I've got a migraine coming with aura, do you have this so you can take meds early on before it gets bad?

For those saying Magnesium works and those saying Marmite helps... just read that Marmite is full of Magnesium. Every day's a school day.

Triptans are useless once the migraine is in full flow. A LOT of caffeine and an ice pack to the base of the skull work wonders.

Once I'm out of it, I tend to feel hungover - I shake, my balance is rubbish and it's exhausting. At that point only a McDs cheeseburger will do 🙄 If I try anything sweet it makes me sick

Are you me?
**
**

Ugh fellow migraine sufferer here. Have tried literally every preventive medicine and nothing has worked longer than 3 years (most were only 9 months). My neurologist said the only option left was monthly injections at 240 euros a time (not UK obviously).

Ive tried various crisis meds too, most make it worse then it gets better, or at least bearable. Like PPs, I can't just stop everything when having migraines 3 times a week.

Just throwing this out here: my DS stopped having his migraines when he started ritalin for ADHD.

And my migraines have greatly reduced since taking xanax for anxiety (on 2nd month so far). I've had previous meds for depression and anxiety which have had no effects on my migraines but I'm loving this side effect !

Migraines really are the crappest thing ever.

i’m another advocate for taking magnesium- the recommended dose is 400mg. I also take them with co-Q10 and vitamin B2. I haven’t stopped getting migraines but the intensity of them is so greatly reduced. It’s been a game changer for me!

https://migrainetrust.org/live-with-migraine/healthcare/treatments/supplements/

I hope you're feeling better OP and all you others on here. I had my first ever miagraines last week and it completely knocked me for six !
I didn't know you could go to boots for a tablet so I just took paracetamol but nothing touched the sides , I felt sick , I was sick , I felt like someone had punched me in the head repeatedly and also in the eyes. I've had headaches before from high blood pressure but nothing like that.
There's so many great tips on here I'll know for next time

@Lougle I don't take them every time because I'm aware of MOH. I have a prescription for 30 per month, though, because I have to take three per day in the days surrounding my period (they're linked to hormones).

@CeeCeeDeeBee that's good then. It's so easy to get into a MO cycle.

My GP told me one of the recommended treatments now is to take 4 ibuprofen tablets (obviously not exceeding the max dose) and it does knock mine on the head quickly. I do try to limit how often I do this as aware it's not the best for stomach!

Have you seen the cold cap things for migraines that are advertised on social media? They are amazing! I also take the Asda migraine tablets and have to sleep it off. All migraleve and triptan type medications did nothing for me

I get a lot of migraines, both common and classic with sura). I totally get the “wanting to sleep it off “ phase.

Apart from the migraine medications your GP would prescribe (Triptans are favoured) . I find these useful ..

1. ibuprofen or panadeine forte
2. 4head stick applied liberally to head and back of neck
3. Something to help you sleep. GP can prescribe low dose temazapam. If not, you can try an over-the counter like phenergan (antihistamine but makes you drowsy) or Restavit (doxylamine)
4. If you get bad nausea and/or vomiting then get Ondansetron (Zofran).

Side note: I find Triptans ineffective for my common migraines but ok for the classic with aura. Instead I like to use ergotamine tartrate (Migril or Cafergot ). Ergotamine is a vasoconstrictor and pretty old school (my grandad used it )

You can buy triptans online yourself. I use https://e-surgery.com/product/sumatriptan/.

It's under £30 for 24 x 100 mg tablets.

😁

Hope this helps you find them.

I thin