Gp reducing sumatriptan prescription

[UnimaginativeName1]

I suffer from chronic migraines and go through around 12 tablets a month. The Dr informed me yesterday that from now on they will only be able to prescribe max 6 tablets a month due to the cost and that this is a new rule dictated to all gps.

I am panicking massively because I simply cannot function without these tablets. Has any one else heard of this??

It has happened to me too. They introduced this about a year or so ago in our area. I kept a diary outlining how I was using the tablets, maybe 2-3 per migraine if I was lucky. I gave a copy to the gp so they have it on record. I put a prescription in as and when I need it. I have never been refused.

Have you seen your neurologist recently? I was going through so many triptans per month at one stage, and I saw my neurologist and he was really harsh with me (I felt!) and said he wanted my triptans use to fall to below 10 per month as an absolute maximum. I nearly cried.

He gave me a regime to follow, and to be honest, I'm not sure my migraines are all that much better, but I have got rid of my rebound headaches, and I try to use the triptans really sparingly now. My GP hasn't cut them yet, but I try to only take them when I really have to, and if I'm not doing anything crucial, I try to ride out the migraine instead.

Have you seen a neurologist about your migraine?

I have chronic migraine and am about to fork out a humungous amount of money to see one privately as I'm off work at the moment because of them.

I know that neurologists don't recommend you take triptans more than twice a week or 6 days a month or you risk developing medication overuse headache. I've just had to do 2 months of no painkiller at all (not even paracetamol!) to exclude this didn't bloody work

So the cost thing may be based on the fact that the medication isn't supposed to be used for more than 6 days a week and if you are using it more you should be seeing a specialist.

Oops meant 6 days a month in my last paragraph not 6 days a week.

If you're needing 12 tablets a month, don't you need a review of your preventer medications?

I have to agree, tbh. I was in chronic migraine torture when I saw my neurologist last year, and when he said he wanted me to reduce my triptans to less than 10 per month, I could feel the blood draining from my face and the panic rising.

He patiently explained that, given I had so many migraines per month, and was having to take aspirin and triptans so regularly to function, I almost certainly had a degree of medication over use headache along with my migraines. So he asked me to gradually max out my Topiramate, switch out aspirin for Naproxen, and reduce my triptans to less than 10 per month. It did mean riding out some migraines without triptans. It was awful, horrible, and hideous, but my headache days went from 20 per month to around 10 per month, and I only take triptans on around 6 days per month (although I have more migraine days). On the other days, I stay quiet, reduce outside stimulus where I can, press my temples and use 4Head, etc., generally feeling miserable!

I'm a chronic migraine too. Triptan don't work for me so don't have that issue but I think you need preventatives reviewing. If you are having over 15 days of moderate/severe headache a month and have tried a number of preventatives you might be a candidate for botox. I'm currently on gabapentin as preventative. Have botox every 3 months and take naproxen when head is bad. Still get a lot of headaches and 3 migraines a month but its a lot better than previously. I had to keep a diary for 3 months and cut out all painkillers and have tried 4 preventatives before being offered Botox but it has made a difference.

tangledyarn I'm still struggling to find a preventative that works for me. I've worked through sanomigran, gabapentin, topiramate, propanolol, metoprolol, the combined pill (that was what started my migraines!), the minipill, the mirena coil, amitryptiline, nortryptiline, aspirin, naproxen, and botox.

I still get migraines twice per month, regular as clock work.

Well I'm back from seeing the specialist, a lot poorer but much more optimistic.

He is adamant that 6 days of triptans a month is the maximum - anymore can make migraine worse rather than better.

However he was really positive that there are many many preventer medications out there and there will be one out there that suits me. As a first step, I am increasing my topiramate. It takes 3 months to assess any improvement.

He also suggested trying riboflavin 400mg a day, magnesium 400-600mg a day and feverfew. Apparently there is definite evidence for the riboflavin (although it turns your wee fluorescent orange - nice!) and the others not but some patients swear by them. Have to drink 2 litres of water a day if I try the riboflavin.

So I've got some things to try, he suggested a different triptan which might give me less side effects and I feel I'm working in the right direction.

He was really positive that migraine is a treatable condition but it's trial and error until you find the right thing for you. He had migraine himself too.

Wow thanks everyone that's reassuring stuff. After calming down for a few days I realised the message was fair, but should have been delivered more sympathetically! I don't take any prophylactics at the moment although I have in the past. I saw a neurologist in 2013 and tried a few things but because the headaches never completely cleared I stopped them, duh. Life has been so busy the past few years and I have put my health at the bottom of the pile but enough is enough! I have handed my notice in at work and am taking a break to focus on getting well. Good luck and good health to you all lovely mumsnetters x

Glad you are feeling more positive.

You need to complete a headache diary - basically everyday whether you had a migraine or not, how bad it was out of 10 and whether or not you took a triptan.

It's the only way to assess improvement. And at least you have a headstart in that you know what didn't work for you.

My GP has been really lovely - you probably have a degree of medication overuse headache. I got this message delivered in a very brutal message by NHS consultant and did 8 weeks cold turkey at the end of which I was in a mess and off work. GP was really supportive and apologetic for the lack of support for people with migraine.

Definitely go back, get on a preventer and get a referral back to a neurologist.

Twenty years of migraines here.
Also told to cut back but not as harshly. But I really wanted to do it because I was very conscious my headaches were rebound headaches and doctor was making a fair point.

Gone from eight days of tablets to just 1 per month. It's brilliant.
This has happened since May 2017 so relatively quick.
Basically I sorted my diet - I cut out processed food as much as possible and doubled my exercise every day without fail.

Went from 2400 calories to about 1200 per day and 10k steps to 20K.
One of the best things I have ever done.
Headache diary a must.

Posted too soon. Should say I only did that for 3 months.
Lost 2.5 stones but it was the lack of headaches that was the key driver and my momentum.

Still watch what I eat but now on a less extreme version of 1800 calories a day and about 18K steps.

Since May i have only ordered one repeat prescription. It's wondeful.