Chronic pain
Anybody care to join my migraine pity party?
belimoo · 07/10/2021 17:49
I am so sick of bastard migraines ruining everything. I am now on day 8 of a migraine and would be ready to scream if I didn't feel so pathetic and weak.
It's my birthday tomorrow and I've just phoned to cancel the restaurant booking I had with my parents tonight. Based on how I'm feeling I imagine I'll also be cancelling dp's plans for celebrations tomorrow.
I know I'm a grown up and it's only a birthday and I've been trying to remind myself how much worse other people have it but right now I just want to wallow in a pity party for a bit, given that it's the only party I can have right now.
I've lost count of the number of things I've missed out on due to my stupid stupid head.
Would anybody like to share the things they've missed out on due to migraines and make me feel less alone? Or just join in with a general moan about how shit being a chronic migraineur(euse?) is?
2typesofjungle · 07/10/2021 18:03
I'm so sorry OP, it is utterly utterly shite. I get them, but not got as long as you, but I get an aura so essentially can't see for a few hours before the headache hits.
Do you take any medication? I don't think it'll be helpful but I have a strong coffee, and one of the Triptans my doctor prescribed me, but really just have to sleep for a good 6 hours + to stand a chance of recovering.
Hopefully when you feel better you can reschedule your lovely dinner with your parents.
Are your family understanding about it?
belimoo · 07/10/2021 18:42
Thanks for your reply @2typesofjungle I'm sorry to hear you suffer too 
I've had several triptans over the last week and am now at the point where they've stopped working and I'm probably risking rebound headaches if I take any more.
I usually avoid caffeine as I'm sensitive to it but I have ordered some syndol today after reading it about it on here.
My family are very understanding thankfully but I still feel bad for letting people down.
Do you get migraines quite regularly?
.thestarvingcaterpillar · 07/10/2021 18:58
Hi @belimoo you have my every sympathy I've been a chronic migraneur for about 30 years cancelling plans is a horrible side effect! I started on Ajovy injections about 8 months ago and they've changed my life - if you have a neurologist you need to speak to them about these!!!
2typesofjungle · 07/10/2021 19:31
I've suffered with them a lot over the last 20 years, more so when pregnant, breast feeding and weirdly when I lost weight.
4 months ago I started taking daily magnesium and a couple of other vitamins and I've not had one since then so I have a little fantasy that I've miraculously cured them but really I'm just waiting for a fucking huge one next time I have a party to go to!
Katyy · 07/10/2021 19:40
So sorry your feeling rubbish. I’ve just been diagnosed with vestibular migraine and been advised to take vitamin B2 and zinc to the maximum daily dose. I’ve been taking them 2 weeks now, not long enough to know if they work but keeping fingers crossed. Hope you feel better ASAP.
Pretendingtosmile · 07/10/2021 19:40
I'm just emerging from a week long migraine. Here for the hand hold. Migraines are life vampires.
I get hormonal migraine linked to my cycle (the drop in oestrogen or something?) But I also get random ones if I have sugar (even just a teeny tiny bit) which are epic in their length and the blinding pain level.
My GP is lovely but does not understand migraine and doesn't have anything further to add in terms of treatment beyond migraleve for the vomiting.
Hoping you feel better for your birthday 
I'm so sorry migraines are such a bitch
Pretendingtosmile · 07/10/2021 19:44
Btw the most recent thing I missed was a day at the zoo with my little one (and it was sunny!!) It was wonderful, apparently. I however spent four days in the dark, alone, with my temples on fire. There's a whole catalogue of things I have missed thanks to migraine. (And I can't use screens on my migraine....so no Mumsnet!!! Take anything but not that!)
AngelinaJoliestoplip · 07/10/2021 20:15
I had Botox in my forehead before the summer for vanity purposes, and within a couple of weeks, I realised my headaches/migraines had stopped. I noticed a couple of weeks ago that the Botox was wearing off, (lasts between 3-6 months), and in the last week my headache/migraines have started again. Back on daily painkillers. Have booked in for more Botox next week!
But when the headaches stopped, I googled it and Botox is a treatment for migraines. It paralyses the nerve and stops the pain message getting through.
Just thought I’d mention in case it helps someone. Hope you all find something that works for you. x
belimoo · 08/10/2021 08:55
Thank you for all the replies and sorry i didn't come back last night, I'm trying not to be on a screen too much.
Sorry to hear you've all been suffering too and that you've missed out on things. It has helped me to feel less alone though.
I already have Botox for my migraines but am due a top up soon so will book that in. Aspirin has never helped but I haven't tried it with coke so will do that!
@thestarvingcaterpillar does the Ajovy have any side effects? I've heard mixed reviews about those kind of drugs.
I've been prescribed Topiramate but haven't started them. Partly because of the possible side effects and partly because I'm hoping to get pregnant before too long and the dr told me not to take them if I'm doing that.
My worst ones are definitely hormonal and I'd hoped that pregnancy might provide some relief but @2typesofjungle has ruined that hope 
roastednut · 13/10/2021 11:12
Can I join please! I have Botox (for the wrinkles) but it's never helped my migraines. I've just had Nortriptaline and tried it for 3 months but hasn't made much difference. Next step is topiramate - im so nervous though. I don't mind the weight loss at all, it's all the other side effects that worry me!
RedCarsGoFaster · 13/10/2021 11:22
I wouldn't touch topiramate again if you paid me. It nearly ruined me. The brain fog, exhaustion and inability to get moving newly cost me my job and my marriage, and I was being tested for cancers before they realised it was the side effects of the meds. Never ever again.
Took a full year off topiramate to feel like myself again.
I'm now on Ajovy. Other than injection site irritation which is itchy and hot for a few days (but greatly improved by cortisone cream) , I have nil side effects and have gone from 27 days of migraine per month unmedicated to a max 5 attacks.
My attacks are shorter, less severe and I can take a triptan for EVERY attack instead of working out which ones I will have to suffer through so as to avoid MOH.
If your triptan isn't working well, ask for new ones - sumatriptan dropped working suddenly for me after 20+yrs, rizatriptan made me feel so so sick with the taste and didn't really work, naratriptan was not much cop, but I now bounce between zolmitriptan and frovatriptan.
Zolmitriptan works much quicker but knocks me out do I use this for really severe attacks where I need to sleep. Frovatriptan is longer lasting so I use this for days I need to me on my game.
belimoo · 13/10/2021 18:51
I've only just seen that others have replied, thanks all!
That's two votes for Ajovy now which is interesting. I read about some nasty side effects which have worried me, especially as it's not like a tablet which you can just stop taking. I wish I could know whether it would be ok for me or not, I'd be willing to spend a lot of money on it if it would help!
I was already nervous about Topiramate though and have been firmly put off now! It's not on the agenda at the moment anyway while ttc is a possibility. Thank you @TheBeautifulSouth44 I'd heard that from others too so am holding out hope it would be the same for me!
@RedCarsGoFaster sorry to hear you had such a terrible time, that sounds awful I've tried Rizatriptan and Frovatriptan as well as Sumatriptan. Rizatriptan didn't seem to work at all but I tried that in desperation after days of Sumatriptan so it perhaps wasn't the best trial.
Frovatriptan seemed to have a milder but longer lasting effect but was so expensive (I buy triptans online as GP appointments are impossible to get where I am).
Feel free to keep sharing woes or tips, it's so nice to feel less alone.
roastednut · 13/10/2021 22:26
That's really interesting redcars- exactly my fear. I don't think I can risk taking topiramate. I'm coming off Nortriptaline and think I'll go completely off preventatives for a while and see how I get on. I use approx 6 triptans a month so not too bad compared to some I realise. I'm finding zolmitriptan is getting less effective on me so might try to get a prescription for the other one you mention 
Hathertonhariden · 13/10/2021 22:38
I couldn't have got through my 5 day migraines without Syndol. When I started being perimenopausal the gp prescribed Clonidine for the hot flushes and I've only had 2 proper migraines in the last 10 years instead of 1 every couple of weeks. Apparently it was originally designed as a migraine treatment.
roastednut · 13/10/2021 22:57
@Hathertonhariden
I've been prescribed HRT (patch and progesterone tablets) but wanted to get migraines sorted before going down that route. Think I might just take the plunge as may help with the hormonal ones
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