Migraines

[Cupofteaandbiscuits]

I am on day ten of a migraine. I take my sumatriptan and it goes only to come back later that evening. I’ve tried aspirin, sinus tablets in case it was this, ibuprofen and paracetamol and the migraine does go but comes back. I’m exhausted with this now. I spoke to the GP on day 5 and she increased my dose of sumatriptan and gave me preventative tablets (propranolol) but I’m exhausted by this. Should I speak to GP again tomorrow or go to A and E? I feel silly to go to A and E but so sick of this pain!

Oh God that sounds grim. I've just been prescribed the nasal spray Zomig, really hoping it helps as I'm at my wits end with mine.

I'd be inclined to contact 111 at the very least.

Morning
I have chronic migraines so have about 15 days a month with them . I wouldn’t think an and e would be much help I’ve heard people mention it before and in the Uk we aren’t good for urgent care for migraine pain.
Have you tried any other triptan? I get better results with Zolmitriptan. I had one that lasted 6 weeks so I understand how brutal it is .

Migraines usually last up to 72 hours. This sounds like a series of migraines or something else. Are you stressed at the moment? I've suffered from migraines for years, but was only diagnosed about 15 years ago. When I've had runs of constant migraines like this it's been down to stress, then it becomes a vicious cycle because I don't sleep, lack of sleep is a trigger, etc, etc.

When the migraine comes back in the evening, do you take another sumatriptan? It's not clear from your post. You have my utmost sympathy as they can be so debilitating.

GP again today. Propranalol has to build up in your system over weeks and weeks to be effective, afaik.

GP may suspect rebound headache, however, from the triptan

I have taken triptan in the evening but not always as I’m worried about overuse from them!
can’t get a GP appointment today as they don’t have any :(

Fellow sufferer here. I take Topiramate twice a day and Almotriptan for attacks. When nothing else works a prescription strength cocodamol will normally shift it. Try over the counter Solpadeine plus. That's cocodamol with caffeine. I feel for you though, it's miserable 😢

Are you taking sumatriptan every day for 10 days?

Really sorry, this is likely to be overuse headache and the sumatriptan prolonging it.

Rule of thumb for any triptan is never more than 2 a week or 6 a month.

The only thing that shifts mine is an ice pack. I've worked out mine must be due to swelling blood vessels, heat brings them on - wearing a hat, the hairdryer - and the cold constricts them again. No pain medication touches them but this works for me.

Ice packs really help mine too.

Has anyone tried one of those special TENS machines for headaches?

Ice pack is brilliant. The little bags of frozen herbs make excellent icepacks.

I've used a Cephaly which is like a TENS for migraine and it definitely helped both for acute migraine and as a preventer.

Have you had your blood pressure checked? You should see a doctor again, either GP or whatever 111 suggest.

Same...I fake 100mg of Topiramate (50mg twice a day). I suffered debilitating migraines for over 20 years, was hospitalised 4 times due to the severity and dehydration from throwing up. Nothing helped! Until a wonderful German doctor prescribed Topiramate (this was 10 years ago). I've gone from three-four migraines a month, to maybe one or two a year!! It took a while as I had to start on a very low dose and titrate up (25mg for the first month...increasing by 25mg each month after until we settled on 100mg).

I didn't have any of the side effects sometimes quoted, due to this very slow increase, but I've heard that in the UK, GPs often increase the dose too quickly...so if anyone is thinking about Topiramate, proceed with caution and ask for a slow and steady increase.

• take, not fake! 🤣 it's very real!

Nortriptyline taken daily has changed my life OP, maybe speak to your GP about it.

Also ask for 5mg Zolmatriptan instead of solmatriptan - it's stronger.

Fellow sufferer here! I take Amitriptyline each night which helps but I also saw a chiropractor which genuinely changed my life in regards to migraines, I know this isn't for everyone though.

Is it? It did nothing for me, like I hadn't taken anything. Sumatriptan was the same, I'm pinning everything on this new nasal spray.

Sorry I'm mixing them up there, I meant Zolmatriptan is stronger than sumatriptan. I get the 5mg oral dispersible ones and they work really well for me if I feel one coming on. But it's the daily dose of Nortriptyline that has been a real game changer for me - now I only get mild to mid ones when I do get one - before I'd be in bed for 2-3 days in agony. Been working for me for about 3 years now.

Its weird how some things work great for some and not others - really hope you find relief with the nasal spray - migraines are the absolute pits and so debilitating.

They shocking. We had a wend away in oct. Got it bad on my return. Think lack sleep too on flight didnt help. Feel for you they lousy.

Try acupuncture. Absolute bloody miracle for mine and recommended by NICE.

Thank you for your suggestions. I’m not going to go to an and e but I’m going to demand I see a GP tomorrow as I can’t go on like this. I suspect this is a rebound migraine. How can I stop this without taking more Triptans?

Unfortunately when I had overuse headache I was told the only option was cold turkey.

It was brutal and I ended up with about a month off sick.

It was before I knew about acupuncture and Cephaly though both of which did help me.

I also made a mammoth amount of lifestyle changes to help cut down the migraine.

i suffer with migraines awful ones.
Sometimes im spinning other times i go pale all of a sudden and hit the floor like i did this morning.
I have a whole list of things that happen to me and i get fed up with it but its how i live.
Spending as much time in the quiet as noise sets me off sunshades on indoors and outdoors.
Throwing up is common or just feeling sick dont get me started on my eye sight.
Nothing the GP gives me bloody works either.