migraines

[whowouldknow]

I took an awful migraine attack last night. This is the first in a while - I used to get them quite frequent in my early 20s - but I didnt realise they were migraines - then i went to the doctor and they took me off the pill - put me on the mini pill instead.

Fast forward a few years and the arrival of my DS and i went back on the normal pill (forgetting all about the migraines) - got a severe attached (pin and needles, could speak, sick etc) - so back to the doctor and back onto the mini pill - told me not ever to go back on normal pill.

so last night, nothing different - still on mini pill but been doing a bit of training and very busy at work - tood a terrible attack - knew it was coming - vision went etc. Tried to go out for a walk to clear it but ended up in bed sobbing all evening.

So, what should I do - is this something I just have to manage (and if so any tips on managing) or could it be related to the mini pill? or the exercise (nothing major - just a bit of running on threadmill twice a week) or stress in work and at home (just normal busy mum i think).

It really scared me last night (and my DP) - feel so out of control and am scared this might happen when I am not at home - if it is like last night i couldnt drive.

Just looking for some advice really!

The exercise is probably helping.

Stress can precipitate because you are more likely to lose sleep and miss meals which are both powerful triggers. And you may need to come off mini pill.

Some people have food triggers, the commonest is caffeine but also some fruits (citrus, tomatoes). Migraine Trust website has a list.

The visual disturbances, pins and needles etc should last no more than about half an hour. But your vision may be a bit faded for a few hours and you shouldn't drive.

Ordinary painkillers don't usually help, you can get migraine-specific ones and anti-sickness pills from your doctor. You can get the kind that dissolve into your gum so it doesn't matter if you're being sick. If the attacks are frequent you can take regular (daily) meds to reduce the frequency.

SOunds as though you need an appointment with GP to think it all through.

All the best

thanks Alto - i have an appointment on tues with the doctor - and i feel less freaked out by it now - i know this sort of thing happens to people all the time but it really scared me - and i felt wash out all day yesterday - like i wasnt really there.

Will check out the migraine trust site before going to the doc - if they told me it was related to the mini pill i would come off it immediately.

thanks for the answery - appreciate it!

Try an osteopath too - I used to get migraines a lot, and when I went to an osteopath about 10 years ago for something else he ws doing a top to toe check as part of my first appointment he asked if I got them, and when I said "yes" wasn't surprised and tweaked and crunched a bit and I promise you since then from having them every couple of months, I have them once or twice a year.

It may not have been the only thing that reduced/stopped them but it most certainly helped.

I have suffered with migraines for years,i find that lack of sleep can be a trigger.I had a bad one monday gone, woke up with it,i had the full works vomiting blind in one eye dizziness, aversion to light and noise, the only thing i can do is go to bed and try to sleep it off. my gp gave me naritriptan tablets that when taken at the beginning of the migraine do stop them,maybe they might work for you. good luck l