Migraines, increasing in frequency and severity

[monkeywithacowface]

I started getting migraines a few years ok, they were sporadic and lasted maybe a day. They gradually became more frequent (monthly) and the dr's prescribed codeine which always helped. I don't get aura's with them and up until last year was never sick. Twice last year I was sick with them and since January this year I've started been sick with them every time.

What's really worrying me is since February I've been getting them almost every two weeks, they are lasting 2 or 3 days and the sickness on the first day means I'm good for nothing for at least 24 hours.

I have a Dr's appointment for next week but wondering what I can expect them to do to help. I've been looking into what can help and have read about acupuncture being helpful - anyone tried it with any success?

Dermot - how mad! You're the only other person with this 'tell'

Thattwat - my DH has been diagnosed with hemiplegic migraine too. He's been prescribed zolmitriptan 2.5mg which seems to prevent an attack setting in currently. Just mentioning in case it's something you want to look into

Epsom salts do the trick...lots of people with migraines are lacking in magnesium.

Magnesium
Lots of water
Reduction of blue light (phones, tablets etc)

I get migraines - horrendous ones and have posted about them on here quite a few ones. You have my sympathy op.

To reiterate what others have said codeine is a big no no and I'm surprised your GP prescribed them. Migraines aren't a normal headache so normal traditional painkillers don't get rid of them - however I have to say I do find just standard aspirin (or anadin extra - paracetamol and aspirin combined) to be the best at controlling pain once one hits.

For preventative medication my own GP said you need to be getting them twice a week. It may vary depending on where you live though, or on how severe they are. I second the previous poster who said topiramate worked for them. It has been life changing for me - I don't say that lightly. I've gone from at my worst - 8 in a fortnight - to no serious migraines since October last year when I went on topiramate. I don't think it tends to be the first drug they try as I've been on a couple before that, which were less effective.

Triptans again vary in efficacy - I've tried 3 before finding one that works - so you may need to try a few. They are good though and as I said earlier, migraines don't respond to normal painkillers, you really do need triptans.

I'm sure you've heard about common triggers, red wine, cheese, chocolate etc. Lifestyle can contribute - disruption to any routine I feel can trigger mine, for example sleep, food etc. STRESS is my biggest trigger. It's important for you to try and recognise your triggers as the more aware of them you are - in my opinion - the more in control you are and less likely to develop an attack.

Good luck op, I hope you get it sorted

Sorry to hear you're suffering.

I have intracranial hypertension (pressure of the fluid surrounding the brain gets too high, causing migraine type symptoms but no painkillers help until pressure is reduced through lumbar puncture!) and the only thing I've found that keeps the headaches at bay is topiramate.
Someone upthread has also mentioned it, but it works wonders for me... I haven't had an attack in almost two years - and this was me having a daily migraine-type headache for eight months.

When I do get bad migraines, as I suffer with them too, I take triptans - more specifically, sumatriptan. Again, I find it works wonders.
My Nan has also suffered with migraines since her menopause (about 30yrs) where she would be bad for days and couldn't see and would just continuously throw up, but since she's been taking sumatriptan she hasn't had a bad one like that since.

Hope you get some joy with your GP & they find something suitable for you.

My migraines increased in frequency when we started having more sunny days - took me a while to work out that was a trigger. Also I'd moved desks and the lighting in the office and some shops was doing it too. I now have prescription wraparound sunglasses, and glasses with special lenses in that help filter out that light. Very rarely have a migraine now - I'm amazed. My other triggers are dehydration and change in body clock/lack of sleep, if that helps you at all.

Note I did try zolmitriptan but any triptan knocks me for six and makes the migraine last longer. Plus I read some articles on hemiplegic migraine and triptans that worried me although I think it was later unproven. Otherwise I suppose they wouldn't be prescribed

Does topirimate not just make everyone else's feel and hands vibrate? I had to stop taking it in the end because of that, I was terrified I had MS until I had an MRI. Also I had a MMC, I hadn't been told about risks in pregnancy until my neurologist informed me

There will be something that helps OP, unfortunately with migraine it's not easy to find

Thattwat - yep I agree. I did some reading and it said docs have been wary if prescribing triptans for hemiplegic migraine but are growing in confidence now! Not sure if that reassures me!

I saw a headache specialist (Dr dowson who works for one of the London ones) and he said they're not entirely sure what cause migraines but it's believed to be the blood vessels in the brain narrowing and triptans help by widening them again. To this effect other things such as a hot shower and putting a hot flannel at the base if the neck should help though some people swear by a cold flannel!

I was on atenolol as a preventative for years with rizatriptan when the migraines hit. Last year I had a terrible episode and needed to change my medication. I'm now on topiramate as the preventative with immigran as the triptan. The topiramate has been fantastic - prior to this I was needing significant time off work, and was also looking into daith piercings etc...
Good luck.

Thattwat - I get a bit of pins and needles yeah but on such a low dose (10mg) it's not severe. I'd rather put up with that and have the relief I've had from the migraines. Sorry to hear about your MMC

I take a beta blocker as a preventer with the occasional triptan. Changed my life.

I wouldn't bother with acupuncture or anything like that until you've addressed the basic i.e. Good diet, plenty of sleep and as little stress as possible.

I get 'mild' migraines now and then with auras and vomiting but as long as I take an over the counter migraine pill and get up and about ASAP I seem to be able to keep them at bay.

I think mine are hormonal but are made worse by poor sleep and food.

💐💐💐💐💐 for anyone that gets migraines, my mild ones are bad enough.