Cefaly for headaches and migraines

[girlandboy]

Hello, I've been using my Cefaly headband device now for about 2 weeks for my cluster headaches and migraines with pretty good results.
I was just wondering if anyone else had one of these, and what results you had?

Hi!
I'd keep trying if I were you. There was an interview kind of thing I saw the other day from the States, and they were saying that most people didn't see results until a couple of months had passed. Maybe I've just been really lucky in getting faster results.
I get menstrual migraines as well as managing to cram the odd one in at other times, but I do find that it helps while I've got the pain.

I know this might sound odd, but how many electrodes have you got? Are you still using the original one, or have you used a new one yet? I say this because I've found that as they wear out and get less sticky they seem to hurt more. If I use one that's a bit worn out it will feel like a needle in my forehead. Which is why I bought the Tac Gel stuff, to re-stickify the pad! Once I decided to keep the Cefaly, I bought a new load of pads, but mine did come with 3 in the first place.

I'd keep at it for a few more weeks at least, before you decide what to do.
Maybe even if it's only helping the CDH type pain it's a plus! I hated waking every day with that.

Keep me informed and good luck.

Thanks a lot. Still in the midst of the migraine run so using it when it's not too bad and will certainly keep going and see if it at least continues to help with the CDH.

Interesting what you said re the needles! I have been having more and more of that (it wasn't there at the start). I immediately tried a new electrode when I read your message but no difference, so I wonder if it's just more forehead getting a bit sensitive (skin is a bit red and I use a lot of tiger balm too - not at the same time of course, which can make it a bit sore occasionally).

Will keep everything crossed!
all the best

Really glad to find this thread as being weighing up all week whether to order one. My migraines are hideous and have CDH as well and under Dr Matharu. I am coming to the end of pregnancy and have been rely suffering and don't want to feel this bad when baby arrives. Has anyone tried Arnold kit with it? I was looking at this because my migraines originate at the back of my head due to hupermobility issues in neck and shoulder but on cefaly website it still suggests that normal headband is best. Can't get money back on Arnold kit so not sure if to start with headband and then order it a month or so later? It's just a lot of money to throw down the drain on trying to find yet another cure! Have literally been throwing up and having a migraine 4 days a week for last few weeks and now just can't cope! Such a rubbish way to live! Glad I am not the only one going through this but sorry everyone else is suffering too!

Hi - it's great to find this thread. I've had migraines getting more intense over last three years ( nausea and throbbing pain) and suggesting preventative drugs, my consultant said the choice is either 'feeling fat and tired' or 'thin and forgetful' as far as the side effects go. So instead i have been coping with sumatriptan and a couple of ibuprofen. Forward three years and I've inflamed my stomach and oesophagus really badly from ibuprofen and am going for endoscope next week. Out of desperation I have just ordered a Cefaly and it'll arrive early next week. I feel so isolated when I have an attach, it's lovely to make contact with fellow sufferers.

Hi LJH79 So sorry you're a sufferer too. It's horrible, it really is. I've not tried the Arnold kit, and yes the Cefaly is a lot of money, but you could always give it a go for a couple of months and then if it's no good for you, you can get a refund of the majority of your money. I figured that giving it a go for 60 days and paying about £30 was worth it considering how much money I was paying out for prescriptions and OTC painkillers. I find it a real help and it's cut my migraines down to a negligible level, both in frequency and in strength. A double session with the headband and a couple of paracetamol and I'm good to go.

Austin7 Keep us updated with your trial, and if I can help with any tips etc then just give us a shout. Hope you get on alright with it

Well thanks to the tip on here about buying from Belgium site, I managed to buy the whole package including Arnold kit for 260 which is about £100 cheaper than UK site and has already been shipped which is amazing. Was sick for 6 hrs straight yesterday hence I am awake at this rubbish time. Just hope cefaly provides some relief!

LJH79 Their shipping is very fast, mine only took a couple of days to arrive.
I hope you get some relief, migraine is no joke.
But don't forget it could take a while to get the full benefit, so don't give up!!

Hi quick update - received cefaly yesterday and tried it out today as I had a moderately painful headache - I went for the full hit - No1 programme. Wow! wasn't prepared for such an intense experience. I felt quite dazed and sleepy afterwards. This afternoon I repeated it and then tried the No2 (far less intense prog) and pain has subsided - although I feel drained. At least it kept me off the sumatriptan and ibuprofen today. Look forward to hearing how it's going for everyone else.

I haven't tried mine yet due to arrival of my baby boy! Fortunately haven't needed to probably because of pain killers from c section. Did have background headache yesterday and still persisting but as worried I would make it worse. Problem is with a newborn I feel so dazed anyway so goodness knows how I would feel after. Really pleased it had some effect for you and hope it continues. Keep us updated and I will update once I have used mine. Even if it has placebo effect I would be happy!

Thanks for all the information and advice on this thread ....... although I'm sorry you're all migraine sufferers too. If only there was one cure fits all! Having had migraines for over 40 years, I've just ordered the Cefaly and following advice here, ordered it from Belgium. I know it doesn't work for everyone but I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I hope it's continuing to help others here.

Well I have tried it out when had a migraine and not sure it helped much do trying to do preventative cycle. When doing preventative I have still being stopping the power as feels strong for me. Did anyone else need to do this? Not sure if need to tolerate more. I have been trying to do one cycle daily but with a newborn I don't always get round to it. I need to keep it up. How is everyone else getting on?

Hi,
LJH79, keep trying on programme 2 every day (I do it twice a day), but it does state on the website that you may have to keep at it for a couple of months before seeing improvements.
I actually started out on programme 3 for a while just to get used to the sensation, and then moved onto 2. I'd say that the more you do, the more you get used to it and then you could maybe stop stopping the power.
Programme 1 took a while to tolerate, but now I can do other things at the same time without a problem (although it does make my eyebrows twitch, which is weird )

It's going to be hard to do while you've got a newborn (congratulations by the way!) perhaps you could do a session during a feed?

I hope you feel better soon. Keep us informed.

Hi. The device came very quickly and I've now been using it for 2 days. It's definitely a weird sensation and does hurt but my husband tells me to compare it to a migraine ...... and that puts it into perspective! Please can I ask though how long others find for the feeling to be intense. I've only used level 3 so far and although it says it takes a couple of minutes to gain strength, it feels very strong straight away and both times I've ended up pressing the button to maintain the level. Perhaps I'm just a wimp! Anyway, I'm gong to continue.

I've read through the thread again and girlandboy, I too feel it's difficult to keep my eyes open. But as you're saying you can now do other things while on Level 1 , it's giving me hope!

One strange thing, I've been using it sitting on my bed and yesterday my cat jumped up but as she came near me, she stopped, her ears went back and she looked frightened and backed off, so I wonder if it emits a high pitched sound which we can't hear.

Hi Clover,

I think I used mine for about a week before I got used to the sensation, and now I can do anything with it on, even on level 1 which is far more intense. Sometimes it seems to prickle more than others, but I think that's when the electrode pad is losing its stickiness and doesn't have such a good contact.

I got over the "not being able to open my eyes" thing after a few days, and now the only weird thing is the eyebrow twitch thing. I've watched in the mirror and they definitely move about!

The thing with your cat is definitely odd! Perhaps it does make a noise that we can't hear, or maybe she just didn't like the little flashing light on it?

Keep at it, you WILL get used to the sensation. My whole family have had a go (terrible try-ers on, the lot of them!) My DD stuck it out for the whole session, my DS couldn't stick more than about 30 seconds (lightweight) and my cousin decided that it was "the most relaxing thing I've ever felt in my life"!!!

Good luck x

Thanks girlandboy, that's very reassuring - it does help to hear other's experiences, good and bad. Yes, the eyebrow twitch is definitely weird, they feel like stingy caterpillars! I imagined it to be just the sensation, I didn't realise they were really moving! You've got a brave family or perhaps just very supportive . I'm glad it's helped you and fingers crossed to others trying it.

I did several rounds on setting one to try get rid of migraine yesterday but sadly it didn't work so just trying to do a preventative cycle everyday as currently back to daily headaches. Are you using wipes every time before putting electrode on? If so where do you get these from? Not sure what sort of wipes I need to get.

I've sometimes found that ordinary painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen) now seem to work in conjunction with the Cefaly. Beforehand they would have utterly useless and I'd have to rely on sumatriptan far too much!

As for the wipes - I've never bothered with them at all. I just wash my forehead with soap and water - it's only to de-grease your skin

I also bought some gel from Amazon to re-stickify the pads. It's called Tac-Gel and it extends the life of the pads, because I think they're a bit pricey!

Ok thanks. Will look at getting some of that. I did it loads today again but ended up with Triptan again so not feeling optimistic. Lack of sleep from newborn and hormones not helping no doubt but will try stick with it.

Don't forget that it can take a couple of months for it to really start working on you.
Keep on with it and see how it goes.

Hope you feel better soon.

Hi just wondered how everyone is getting on with thei cefaly? I didn't really end up using mine as had a good spell for a few months and didn't want to make things worse. Now I have hit a low point of daily migraines and being sick so been using it pretty constantly last few days. Have been using setting 1 for about an hour each time but not sure it's working much. I just think I maybe in a rebound phase as taken too many tablets in last two weeks. Once this migraine clears if it ever does I am going try to religiously do the preventative cycles.. So need something to work!!!

Hi, my daughter has been suffering with horrific migraines and cluster headaches. She's in her first year of uni and it's gotten so bad she has missed the last 10 days classes. Can I ask if this Cepaly headband is STILL working for you, or whether it, like many other things, loses it's power? Thank you!

I get chronic headaches due to having fibromyalgia were can you get this product

I still use it but not sure it's helped me much. Does your daughter take any preventative meds and has she seen a neurologist?

If you do buy cefaly then make sure you go through the Belgium site. Much cheaper and still really fast. I still order my electrodes from them.

I'm interested in this also. Have suffered migraines most of my adult life & i'm 40+ now. I see a consultant every 6 months (use to be 3) at my local hospital, where I've had Botox twice for my migraines, which made them worse! Have been on Amitriptyine for 8 years (125mg a night) and Topiramate 100mg a day for the last 5 years. Have tried loads of other meds, but non suited. My migraines are worse just before my period & just after. So I also have the oestrogen patches for 3 weeks every month! Yes my medicine cupboard looks like my local chemist!!