Another Migraine Q - triggered by stress. Anyone have any experience?

[TinaTruck]

DH gets migraines triggered by stress.

They manifest as excruciating pain in his right orbital socket. Eased slightly by ibuprofen but needless to say, all it does is take the most minimal edge off. Paracetamol and codeine not really effective.

Yesterday he said it was so bad he thought he was going to have a nosebleed. Sometimes he can barely open his eyes.

They last for days once one comes on.

This week it was triggered by his (rather difficult) mother coming to stay. But in addition to that we have 2 under 2 so life in the house is filled with toddler tantrums and broken sleep.

Neither of is know much about migraines like this - is there much more we can do?

This morning before anyone got up, he meditated for half an hour. He took a long walk in the fresh air with the toddler. It was easing. Yet it's roared back with a vengeance now cos we need to get meds into the toddler and he's playing up, so thats stressful. He has just taken some ibuprofen but it could be down for the day.

I feel so helpless. Anyone any experience with them? Anyone got any medication suggestions that would be more effective than ibuprofen? Clearly, we can't really eradicate stress itself with two tinies.

I have suffered from migraine all my adult life. I have never found an over the counter remedy that worked. In fact they make it worse.

I suggest a visit to the GP as there are many prescription medicines that really do work. my migraines laid me out for 48 hours, however since taking Prescription Naramig I have not had a full blown migraine for 10 years. Previously at least twice a month.

Imigran nasal sprays here. 20mins later, I'm out of pain. He needs to see his GP. No need to suffer.

See gp. I take preventative meds. I also manage my triggers. Gp will help

Yes see GP .In meantime I've seen people recommend taking aspirin,1000mg .
Could he take that ?
www.nhs.uk/news/2010/04April/Pages/Aspirin-and-migraine.aspx

Thanks for that link. Interesting.

I'm trying to find something we can use over the weekend so it's useful to know aspirin might work.

Anyone have any success with sumatriptin? I think that's OTC so could get it tomorrow?

Oh Imgrin is sumatriptin isn't it?

Is the nasal spray expensive?

Aspirin 900mg (3 big tablets or 12 baby tablets) dissolved in full-fat coke. A triptan - GP can prescribe.

The nasal spray is prescription only. The tablets are OTC, but if he gets associated nausea or vomiting, is a sign that the stomach has shut down so tablets aren't ingested well, if at all. I was moved to the sprays because they are straight into the bloodstream, bypassing my churning stomach.

May be with a go though, but chat to the pharmacist.

Migraleve pink has an anti- nausea component to it plus the painkillers. Imigran is good but strong, never heard of the nasal spray that is interesting.

dreaming after five days with the migraine from hell, I had an OOH GP appointment, begging for help. The GP had an interest in pain management, and explained so much to me about my symptoms and how to deal with them. She prescribed the nasal sprays, and 20mins after I took it, I was in awe that I was actually out of pain. Amazing.

Thank you Vivienne I will make an appointment and find out more.

OP hope your poor DH is feeling better soon, they are so debilitating .

I have naramig too. I find it helps a lot. It doesn't stop the migraine, but it does lessen the pain and stops the vomiting, although I still feel sick. If I have naramig, it allows me to sleep off the migraine in a few hours, although I do feel wrecked the next day. I keep my tablets me all the time, as it's important to take one as soon as you feel the migraine starting.

A few years ago, my GP gave me the generic equivalent, but it didn't help me at all and I had the worst migraine I'd had in twenty years. Some GPs will prescribe naramig, others won't, so I then have to find a pharmacy that stocks naramig instead of the generic one - what a nightmare!

Have you tried Buccastem for the vomiting. It used to be prescription only, but it is now OTC. You put the tablet on your gum rather than swallow and it absorbs into the bloodstream without going into the stomach. I agree to take the naramig at the first sign. I bite it in half and swallow that, then if it does not stop it in tracks I take the other half an hour later.My son and my Grandson both suffer. My son has Naramig and propranol.

I think it helps if, like me, your GP is a migraine sufferer. My GP is wonderfully helpful. If the Naramig does not work, please go back and ask for a different tablet, as it it seems more are coming on to the market.

You may need to try a few before finding the right treatment. The migraine specialist I saw pretty much gave me a goody bag of different brands - third one I tried was Zomig and it was pretty much miraculous. Your DH does need to go and see his GP as all the decent drugs are Rx only.

OTC things don't do anything, and codeine can make migraines worse. If your DH doesn't normally drink coffee, then a cup of that can help.

Hope he feels better soon.