AIBU to ask if there is anything to stop constant migraines?

[Mumbythesea1]

I need help.
I have posted before but I’m getting desperate. I have more days with migraine than without them. I have previously tried propranolol and amitriptaline as preventatives but neither worked. I previously had sumatriptan but now have zolmitriptan. Nothings working and I’m at the end of being able to cope. I saw a GP again this week who put me on the mini pill as at least some of these start with hormone fluctuations but obviously that won’t work for a while. I’m going to try and speak to a doctor tomorrow.
Is there a medication that can stop this cycle of non stop migraines? I’m absolutely desperate and miserable.

I was in your situation. I ended up registering with the migraine trust and was prescribed CGRPs which have been a game changer. Only problem is they are expensive and hard to get on the NHS.

Literally prescribed atogepant a week ago and it's nothing short of a miracle. Was on waiting list for neurology for 4 years. Tried propanol/amitriotyline/candesartannand had been paying for Botox which made little difference. Not had a migraine in a week, mood better, no brain fog.
However I have the worst constipation, not been in 4 days and my bowels literally stopped working. Not sure how viable this is long term.
push for a referral, I had to really make a fuss

Sadly gepants not helped my terrible typing or eyesight. Apologies.

I take Topiramate 25mg twice a day, I've been taking it about 4 years now and it has really helped.

I'm sensitive to progesterone and my main symptom was chronic migraines. I couldnt have the progesterone pill and now have the coil fitted. I've had a 75% (at the least) reduction in migraines since having the coil.

I'm just trialing high levels of magnesium bisglycinate to try and deal with a wave of migraines I've just been hit with. Also have something from the GP as a backup.
Am being supported by a homeopath with the magnesium treatment.....

Have you tried cranial osteopathy? Seems to work really well for my child. It needed a couple of sessions but reduced the frequency massively 🤞

A naratriptan taken at the first sign of an attack changed my life. I was desperate for years before I was finally prescribed these, nothing else got close.
I hope you can find something that helps OP, you have my heartfelt sympathy.

You most likely suffer from chronic migraines triggered by medication overuse. You are not supposed to take more than 2 triptans a week and never more than 2 days in a row.
The neurologist at the hospital will ask you to go on a total detox for several weeks before trying other preventatives. Good luck.

My second go at beta blockers with a higher dose got rid of mine completely they were life changing

I second the suggestion of cranial osteopathy. It was almost miraculous for my daughter.

Acupuncture

Some people find osteopathy helps. Find one that specialises in headaches.

Only thing that worked for me was propranolol as a preventative...I hope you find something soon, I know how debilitating they are

I have atogepant, too. It gave me quite a lot of nausea initially, but switching to night time helped.

This might sound obvious, but blood pressure. But I've been with DP 12 years and 11 of those were blighted / ruined by his migraines. I could lose him for two days a time to being in bed and vomiting until there's nothing left.

Turned out he had very high blood pressure, he's slim, healthy and young(ish), you'd not have suspected.

He started medication and his headaches and migraines reduced, but his BP didn't. He's now on two different BP meds and hasn't had a migraine since starting.

Just in case this is useful to anyone. I had migraines as a teen then barely any for 20 years then they returned with a vengeance. Turned out to be very low b12 caused by heavy periods which caused neurological problems. I had a couple of b12 injections then curcurabin I think they are called for b12. It's now lowish but ok and no migraines. So do investigate that in case and check the actual level against the scale as one of my retests was resting on the border at the bottom of the range so technically ok but the cause of migraine recurrence. I am a meat eater so they don't know why my levels are so low but there we are

My friend had the agovy injection and it was a miracle.

Try bioidentical progesterone. Not ‘the pill’ or any other progestin (all birth control ‘progesterone’ are progestins- which are not the same).

I started taking it 3 years ago and stopped almost 18 years of chronic migraine. I used to have up to 15-16 migraine days a month during my worst years. I’ve tried so many medications and treatments and nothing worked.

I can’t remember the last one I had. It’s also cleared a few other hormones issues I was having, such as perimenopause symptoms and PMS I’d had my whole life.

You can buy it online and it is safe to take. Research estrogen dominance and give it a shot. It’s honestly changed my life.

Acupuncture saved my life. Couldn't work. 7 sessions if Acupuncture was a miracle cure.

Blood pressure medicine is what worked for me

Won’t be a cure for all but get your eyes tested by a good optician.

I had migraines for several years and had had my eyes checked as regularly as you are meant to.

Then when I went to the neurologist they insisted I have them done at a “quality” optician (ie not the one in our village) and it turned out that I was always just below needing glasses. I was prescribed a pair that really didn’t seem to do anything, but my migraines stopped. They were as low a prescription as you can get but absolutely life changing.

Is it definitely migraines?
I was originally diagnosed with migraines but then IIH and bruxism was diagnosed. Since then I’ve had a mouth guard to sleep with and topiramate twice daily and haven’t had a migraine since.

I have daith piercings, I was getting weekly migraines before, and since I've had my daith piercings, i only get migraines every few months

I was in your situation when I happened to come across a physiotherapist trained in an approach to migraines developed in Australia. It sorted out my migraines a treat. It’s not well known here but there are a few practitioners in the UK - search Dean Watson Headache.

I continue to have to be careful of how I hold a book or screens (not looking down to my lap) and I can never use a laptop - all a bit of a bother but worth it to avoid migraines.

Some (not all) migraines can stem from general issues with your neck so, if you can afford it, it might be worth your while seeing a physiotherapist who has an interest in headaches.

Also agree with the PP who mentioned getting your eyes tested. I don’t often get migraines now and when I do, it’s often a sign that I’m due an eye test and a change of prescription.

I hope you find something that works for you.