Refused Imigran over the counter

[Halsall]

I've had migraines all my life from early childhood. They pretty much receded in my 30's & 40's but the menopause is now looming, and occasionally they come back - not as full-blown attacks (nausea, vomiting etc) but horrible nagging hormonal migraines that drag on for days and make me very miserable.

I haven't had any medication from a GP for years, as I manage with Migraleve. I now find that Imigran (= sumatriptan) is effective in getting rid of these lingering attacks.

I bought a pack the other day (I've got the slip they have to sign), and as I'm about to have to drive halfway across the country, I wanted another pack to have in reserve, just in case I get struck down mid-trip.

The pharmacist in Boots has just refused to sell me another pack because it's too soon since I bought the last one, and I should go to see my GP. Who would doubtless look at my history and say there's nothing to be done, keep on taking over-the-counter tablets.

I know he has to be careful but....he says normally they wouldn't sell me another pack for at least 2 weeks. 2 weeks?

It would take 3 weeks to get a GP appointment. I feel stuck and quite upset that if I have another hormone surge and another migraine, I'll basically just have to put up with it. And it's a real struggle having to slog through the day feeling your head's being squeezed in a vice

Don't expect any replies really, I just wanted to vent!

I get 24 imigran every 4 weeks from my GP no questions, I will happily post you a couple if your desperate?!

I tried preventatives but propanalol gave me issues with my corneas and I couldn't wear my lenses, they tore slightly and wouldn't heal, amitriptyline worked for me, I tried another can't recall the name but it was marketed as an appetite stimulant for people with eating disorders so I tried to avoid that one!

Also I'm menopausal too, I'm 31

I don't think YWBU to ring up to get a same day appointment, OP.

Thanks again all, especially Lauren, that's really kind of you .

I'm now away (having made the long drive I was worried about), and the attack seems to have receded, fingers crossed.

I have a GP appt for the 6th of Oct....the first routine one I could get. So hopefully this will end up with me having a supply of suitable tablets. If I get another attack I'll ring for an emergency appointment, thanks for the suggestion, Bonzo.

I'll definitely check out the Boots online option, but when I looked online last week, everyone was out of stock...

'bonzo' = Bom, sorry!

Can you not ask GP to call back?

Ours do this, it's brill. I get perscription over the phone if mine are bad, no need to traipse in, they usually phone me back within the hour if I call an say its migraine.

Most GPS seem to understand the stress of running low on meds is enough to trigger a migraine.

No probs

Let me know if you are ever stuck! I have my script and have a boots slip too, I have had ivf and like I said menopausal and the slips asks you l questions about that in boots so I just lied as was worried they wouldn't let me have them

It took years before I found out about the Triptans (which changed my life) and only because I saw a homeopath for migraine and she was also a GP and when the homeopathy didn't work she said she would be prescribing a Triptan if I was her patient. I went to my GP and told him this and he said "yes she's probably right........" and click click - there was the script. This after years of telling me there was nothing more I could try other than aspirin etc.

I later changed GPs and they prescribed sumatriptan (Imigram) but then the senior partner called me in because I was having 12 tabs a month (and the reason was because of the cost! - they were then around £5 a tablet) but I still got them. I think you need to be assertive with your GP.

I still used to get freaked about running out and bought them off the internet and they were fine and relatively cheap though I know people are wary of this, but it was worth it for me for the peace of mind.

Fortunately I grew out of migraines in middle age.

I buy a private prescription online from medexpress as the GP is so tight with them due to the cost .
You could always pretend you've no slip and start again but it's a risk to you.
Migraines are desperate .

I keep sumatriptan in my purse, my work drawer, my home medical kit and never travel without at least two doses.
When migraine hits I cannot see or speak - god knows how they think I'd get to boots!!!
I get a box every 6-12mo from the gp.