MIGRAINES - please help if you have experience of them or know about them

[foxinsocks]

I've had migraines since the birth of ds (age 9). They've never been investigated. I get menstrual migraines so have been put on Yasmin which I take constantly for months at a time a it keeps my hormones stable (I'm on it for other reasons too so it makes sense). These are under control.

I also get food related migraines. Red wine and soft cheese (like Brie) give me migraines so I've cut those out (despite loving them grr). Letting my bloodsugar fall too quickly also causes them so I've had to cut out extra sugar (so sugar in tea, sugar on cereal) etc.

Except now foods with too much sugar in are now causing them too :-( so soft drinks, ribena, sweets etc so now I've cut those out too :-(

But what worries me is when will this stop? I seem to be getting more and more sensitive and there seems to be no end in sight.

Has anyone else been through this and come out the other side?

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Poor foxy migraines are horrible. I've had them on and off since adolescence - mine are mostly hormonal too.

Mine got worse again around peri-menopause, so I was put on HRT - which did help for a time. Then, as my own hormones dropped further, the migraines broke through again - but as I'm not menopausal, I'm happy to say hormones must have settled and they've pretty much gone.

I did have food sensitivities with mine too - but they got worse when the hormonal fluctuations got worse, I think? So as the hormones have settled, so have the triggers - I can now eat chocolate most of the time without any problem (other than guilt ).

What does your GP say?

I take Maxalt when I get a hormone induced migraine. My Gp is thinking of putting me on Amitryptaline (which is an anti depressant i think )

Hi,
I totally sympathise!
I too have suffered with migraines - so much so that I was sent for a MRI scan a few years back.
I too have to avoid red wine, cheese, and sugar.
But the main thing that sets them off is sweetener (aspartame).
Since i've cut that out COMPLETELY (it's in so many things, I have to check the label on everything!!!), I rearely have a migraine, and can now tolerate the odd red wine, and the odd 'bit' of cheese!
I've looked into Aspartame effects, so if you think that it might also be a trigger for you and want any further info just message me.
Hope you get it sorted.

Oh that's interesting re aspartamane. As I'm avoiding sugar, I'm probably eating more sweeteners than I ever did before so maybe I should look at trying to cut that out and see what happens.

Elibean - my GP is not that great. I self referred to a gynae to solve the menstrual migraines as the GP was so totally dismissive! They basically don't believe I have migraines as they gave me one of the triptans and it didn't work which apparently in their mind means I don't have them ffs! Interesting what you say about the hormone fluctuations making it worse as I'm perimenopausal so perhaps that's it! Bloody hormones.

Aspartame - sorry spelt it wrong. Thanks for that suggestion twinkle.

Sharon - does maxalt do anything for you

Tbh Elibean, am thinking of going to that London migraine clinic as I'm getting fed up now!

How awful herbie :(. Hope they can change your medication to help. Mine last about 2-3 days annoyingly grr

Mine are menstrual, have a bit of a one tonight in fact.
I take sumatryptan at first sign, and it's changed my life. I've gone from dreading each month, and knowing when the head and vomming was going to start and lay me up for 24 hrs, to just taking a pill and it becoming a normal, but still able to carry on headache.
I also carry glucose tabs round, and am fairly (unscientifically) convinced that blood sugar is a trigger too.

Herbie- that sounds awful.

fox Maxalt sometimes helps....depends how quickly I can take it before the migraine really takes hold.
I wake up in the morning with one sometimes....They always last 3 days.

I also take beta blockers which (touch wood) are doing the job at the moment. I was told by a consultant to avoid anything fizzy and squash, drinks wise and it has made a huge difference to me. Sadly, at the time I managed to see him I was hospitalised with pregnancy migraines and was right in the middle of a bad'un so didn't get too ask the 400 questions I had stored up since my first one aged 9! I also find that I need regular meals or I will suffer. Although to be honest most of the time I haven't got a clue what riggers them and I tend to get a cluster of 4 or 5 over a couple of weeks, then nothing for 2 weeks.

Regarding the triptans I often find they don't work, but then was recently told by a pharmacist that the first thing that happens during an episode is your digestive system shuts down. He advised me too ask for a spray instead of a pill. Which I will next time I go.

Good luck with getting treatment, and I hope you feel better soon.

www.amazon.co.uk/Heal-Your-Headache-David-Buchholz/dp/0761125663/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1299357568&sr=8-1

I have suffered from migraine and MAV for many many years and found the book How To heal your Headache by David Buchholz helpful. It explains how migraines happen, there is a detailed version of the Migraine Diet and a good discussion of medications available on prescription.

I have had an MRI scan, seen ENT's on NHS and privately, tried lots of drugs to little avail. I seem to be able to function a bit better these days by totally cutting out all alcohol and caffeine and coffee (even decaff)and by eating small regular meals and resting up when I feel tired and by (even though it looks silly)wearing sunglasses in the car and out walking when the light is very bright. Menstrual ones still a pain - but no multiple vomiting or bad visual disturbances for a good while now with the migraines.

Good luck - I hope things improve

foxy, the migraine clinic might be a good idea - sorry about the crappy GP

You lot make me feel lucky in comparison - mine tend to run a maximum of 24 hours, and if I take triptans (Maxalt or an over the counter equivalent) as soon as I have the visual disturbances, I avoid the worst of the crippling headaches.

That said, my last one was more nausea than headache - the triptans make me feel sick, and I tend to take a couple of paracetamol/codeine painkillers with them which probably don't help either. But I've never vomited with a migraine, thank goodness.

It does make sense about the digestive system shutting down - I always feel that, and agree that low blood sugar/not eating or drinking can trigger. My GP (who is sympathetic) tells me to drink heaps of water when I get one - and I also take an aspirin, in case it helps the teeny clot theory side of things.

Foxy, sorry, suspect perimenopause is bound to be a factor - especially as yours started as hormonal when you had ds. At least that means that when menopause settles down, they are likely to go away again...

Thanks everyone. The book looks v interesting so I'll definitely get that and have a good read!

Hi i get hemiplegic migrane related to hormones too and betablockers helped me.

I had thm from 16. First one I had my Dad thought I had meningitis!

strongly hormonal (ovulation and periods) but also due to relaxation from stress (used to always get them on a Saturday!) or related to red wine, chocolate and Orange juice. Made worse by the pill.

I'm now fairly well through the menopause (though only 40) and they have stopped unless I get one of my (very rare, 2-3 times a year) periods.

Not a lot of help!

Have you tried beta blockers? Or one of the triptans such as imigran? Imigran nasal sprays were a lifesaver for me for a while!

I have been suffering from hormonal migraines for years now, I always get one before and after my period and one during ovulation. I take Migard as soon as I get an attack and I am on beta blockers which seems to help as well. I have noticed that I get more attacks that the usual three a month when I skip meals, drink white wine or I eat food with sweetener, I have also cut out wheat and cow's milk from my diet, which I think has made a difference. I used to get so upset every time I had an attack, which made me feel even worse. I have now accepted that migraines are unfortunately part of my life and I have learned how to manage them a bit better, taking medication as soon as I feel one coming instead of hoping that they will go by themselves! I also when to the London Migraine Clinic , which I found extremely useful and informative, they have a website which is worth checking as it explaines all the different types of migraines and what time of medication is available.

I hope this helps, at least you know you are not alone!

I used to have migraines a huge amount (every 3 weeks) a long time ago and when I went to an osteopath on a separate matter (lower back pain), he immediately found problems with my neck and shoulders and after a few treatments the migraines almost completely disappeared.

I do still have them but more like once or twice a year and swear that the osteopathy was something to do with reducing them.

It may be worth looking into if you haven't already - there may be something out of place which is aggravating or exagerrating them.

My migraines got much worse after the birth of my 1st child 8 years ago, I was getting them about twice a week and was unable to function. I have seen a neurologist, had a brain scan and tried beta blockers, amytript, topamax(big mistake!)accupuncture, hopi ear candles and Indian Head Massage and maxalt wafers none of which made much difference. Decided to see a homeopath before trying next round of strong drugs and have never looked back. That was about 3 years ago and I can honestly say that she has given me back my life. I was very sceptical but luckily got it paid by Bupa so had nothing to lose. All I would say is don't rule anything out without trying it, you don't have to put up with the hell of migraine and there is a solution out there for you. Good luck x

I get them - although haven't had them for ages. I find that ther eis a discrepency with ym triggers. Too much sugar - such as cake with sugar in can trigger them off, but also a can of full fat coke/lucozade etc can help ease them or reduce the length of time one lasts.
I haven't had any prescription emds for themf or ages either, aminly because when we lived in hampshire I ahd to book appointments 2 weeks in advance and here I never get to go to docs (which probably explains why I am ill just now and have been for 3 weeks))
I find Syndol is good, it helps with other pain issues I ahve too. Also those cooling head patch things are great.

You definitely should see a headache specialist. I see one at King's in London at his private clinic in Surrey who is brilliant. Over the past 7.5 years I've cut out different foods,done yoga, pilates, indian head massage, alexander technique, hypnotherapy, and been on all the drugs. I now have botox injections privately as the nhs doesn't do them yet, and have finally had some relief!

This is the website of where I go:
www.surreyheadacheservice.co.uk/who.htm