Constant migraines *really* getting me down :(

[NomDePlume]

I've suffered from migraines for about 9 years. I get both focal (where my visual field is disturbed significantly but there is no pain) and normal migraines which give me 'starry' eyes, pain and nausea. Obv these are pretty awful and the only thing I have ever found that can deal with them is lying down in a darkened room until it passes (could be 5+ hours).

I know my triggers are sugar and caffeine and so I try to cut down on them as much as possible (I have a sweet tooth). Despite this I'm still getting them. Usually I only get a focal attack maybe once a week and a painful attack maybe once/twice a month, but recently they have been getting more frequent and are causing me real problems with my day to day life. In the past 10 days I have had 7 painful migraines (lasting most of the day). They affect everything I do. Driving is impossible when I'm experiencing an attack as my vision becomes so poor and the pain is so distracting, my patience with the kids is so low that I'm snapping and biting all the time, somethimes when they really don't deserve it.

Last time I went to the GP I was basically told to get over the counter stuff, Migraleve, and that was that. I cam away feeling like I was making it all up and that I should just pop the pills and be over it. The pills don't work and I'm exhausted by the attacks. Has anyone on here found a sympathetic GP ? Or a med that can cope with migraines ?

The dosage for migraines is about one tenth of the antidepressant dose

Thanks slug. I wish people, particularly the medical profession, would start seeing migraine as something totally different from a 'headache'. It's like comparing a tummy ache with IBS. Pisses me right off (sorry).

noddy, I usually take 1 high dose paracetamol and 2 high dose ibuprofen in a bid to beat it, but it NEVER works.

Mucho sympathy, NDP. I woke up with a cracker of a migraine today. It's easing a bit now, thank goodness.

Slug has given you the website of the migraine folks - they have lots of info and may well have tactics for dealing with useless dr's. Pehaps ask to be referred to a migraine clinic or a neurology dept if your GP can't help.

The most powerful OTC medication you can buy is Paramol, a mix of paracetamol and dihydrocodeine. It now comes in a soluble form which makes it a bit easier for your stomach to absorb. I've just started taking Solpadeine which seems to be quite effective, possibly due to the caffeine. One thing to watch out for is that taking painkillers can in itself cause a rebound headache when you stop taking them. Hope you feel better soon.

NDP, I can sympathise. And I can also say the triptan medicines are the best damn thing man ever put in a bottle. Look them up. Sumatriptan. Naratriptan. There are some others too. Bot of the ones I mention are made b GSK. They ARE available on the NHS. Go to your GP and demand one (or both). Sumatriptan takes effect faaster, but also wears off faster. Naratriptan is good for mild but long lasting attacks.

Really feel for you NDP. Zomig (zolmitriptan) has been an absolute life-saver for me, my triggers are too much dairy and coffee. Your GP is letting you down.

NDP - not sure if you know that migraine also stops you absorbing stuff from the stomach. Not only will domperidone stop you being sick, it also enables the stomach to work normally, thus allowing absorption of painkillers.

I have migraines with vomiting. I've been prescribed Paramax - paracetamol and metoclopramide (which works the same as domperidone). In 7 out of 10 of my migraines, Paramax is enough. If that doesn't work, I have codeine and now I also have one of the triptan group (which I've been too scared to try yet! )

Thanks for all this info, it's really helpful.

I can't take anything with caffeine in it as it's one of my MAJOR triggers.

NDP, I really feel for you. I started getting dreadful migraines this year for the first time (I believe triggered by having the Mirena coil fitted but unfortunately, now that it's been removed, the migraines have continued).

I haven't had anything major prescribed for them but I do know that different things work for different people so even if you do go back to the GP and he give you one of the possible medications, don't be disheartened if it doesn't work. Dh tried one of the triptans and it took a while to get the right one.

Also, I think I have put up with my migraines more because I am a SAHM now. If I was working, I would have been forced to go to the GP to get it sorted otherwise I would be off work for 2-3 days each month. Don't be frightened to go back. Sorry they were so crap.

Migraines!? Tell me about them! I've had them for the last 25 years, just after starting the pill. Used to get them every month but for last 5 years or so they're all over the place. They usually last for 3 full days and happen from every week to every month.
Am taking propranolol beta blockers, which I also take for irregular heart beat and Zolmitriptan which sorts out the pain 9 times out of ten. Only thing is - I'm taking around 6 of these during each attack. This can't be good and I think I'm having rebound headaches after the migraine.
The only time I've been migraine free was during the latter part of my pregnancy with my twins.
Think it's a hormonal problem as I'm going through an early menopause. Wish it was a food intolerance then I could just stop eating the culprit.

linnee - have you investigated the intolerance routte?
I took DD to a homeopath 2 days ago for flu - but she's also been having regular headaches for about 9 years - not quite migraine but v bad. She's had scans & allsorts of medication from the Dr over the years but nothing seems to touch it. Homeopath has said it's an intolerance that has built up. The culprits are apparently dairy (cow and goat) and wheat (organic is ok though). She found them using kinesiology (muscle testing). Have now changed her diet and am waiting to see!

No, I haven't tried the intolerance route as I've always related the migraines to hormones. Although they are now more often than every month when I would have my period, I've put it down to the fact that it's menopausal. Mum AND sister had/have them too although not half as bad.
Also wonder if it's due to my irregular heartbeat and post partum cardiomyopathy as they do happen when my heart has to work faster.
Jeez - I sound like a hypochondriac!

Keep me posted on the new diet, will you, Iris. Thanks.

I dont know if you are in London, if you are this might be helpful. My sister was reffered by her gp to a migrane clinic at a London hospital. I can find out the details if you are London based.

Having suffered with migraines on and off for years - and since April been getting one a month, in late Aug/early Sept I started having acupuncture - it is great - no migraines since I started, maybe worth a try? Sympathies. Haven't read all the replies, sorry if I am repeating anything.

Have tried acupuncture but soon after having treatment I had the migraine. Maybe I should have persevered. Maybe it takes lots of treatment?

NDP I get a lot of headaches too. Sometimes migraine like you describe with visual disturbance sometimes just weird vision but most of the time I have what the GP says is a 'tension headache.' I've tried stacks of medications - syndol, neurofen, paracetamol, codeine, dihydrocodeine, all useless. The one thing that helps me massively, recommended by a top neurologist to my GP, is 3 soluble aspirin and an anti-sickness medication IMMEDIATELY the first sign of a headache starts. BUT even more important than that I got a referral to a physiotherapist who says I have incredibly tense neck and upper back muscles which can cause chronic headaches. Her treatments always give me some relief plus some exercises to do when the pain is at its worst.

Good luck. Keep us posted?

I get cluster headaches/migraines and I take Propranol, I didn't realise that they were beta blockers until I read this thread!!

I'm such a dunce!! Don't know how I could just take them and not know, the doctor didn't tell me they were beta blockers. I'm going to have to find out what the side effects are, anyone know?

I used to get them in my early 20's really bad and took a drug called Sanomigran (Pizotifen) which I found excellent. You take it everyday and it worked for me. Apparently there is a new drug called Imigran?? I think which is meant to be excellent but Gp's don't like to prescribe it as it's very expensive.

Beta blockers - been taking them for few years now - propranolol. Although I'm still getting migraine the doc didn't want me to stop taking them as she said migraine would be worse without them. Need to take them for my heart anyway as I have irregular heartbeat.
As for Imigran, they make the triptan drugs - sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan, etc. Been taking them for around 10 years.
Any questions on medication - ask me. You'll hear me rattling when I walk