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Original poster

Migraine help please!!

44 replies

Ouchmyheadhurts · 27/08/2019 07:55

So I always had migraines but not regularly. I always kept migraleve in the cupboard and take them and I’d be fine. Earlier this year I had a hemiplegic migraine and it really scared me and we thought it was a stroke. The neurologist wasn’t remotely concerned which of course is good.... however since then Iv had them more regularly. I managed to get migraleve but only the pink tablets and you can only take 2 in 24 hours...... they also last longer. I had one last night and couldn’t sleep for hours, woke up with it today. Iv taken one migraleve as I don’t know how I’ll manage the rest of the day??

What else can they prescribe? I know stress and lack of sleep are triggers for me but I’m fine at the moment and don’t know what caused this one.::

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 27/08/2019 07:58

I took one an hour ago and still feel sick and still in pain, although not as bad as it was.... do I take the second one or leave it to take later?

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fantasmasgoria1 · 27/08/2019 08:09

Well i have always suffered with migraines. It began at 14 and mum used to give me paracetamol which did absolutely nothing. I have tried migraine tablets and they haven't been effective. The only thing that dulls the pain is cocodamol. You can only get 8mg in 500mg from the chemist but if you see your doctor they may be able to give you a higher dose. I have spine issues so I have 30 in 500mg which is the highest you can get. Even the 8 in 500mg are better than anything else. This is just my opinion and experience.

Amicompletelyinsane · 27/08/2019 08:11

I have sumatriptan. Brilliant stuff. I take it as migraine starts. Feel a bit detached and drowsy for an hour then it really kicks in and I can get on with my day. Complete life changer for me

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 27/08/2019 08:13

Yeah I took cocodamol last night and it did nothing at all. Didn’t even touch the sides, but as you say, it was over the counter. Trouble is with codeine is that it makes my head go weird, I feel drunk and light headed which doesn’t help the feeling sick etc and I end up still in pain, feeling sick and then feeling drunk on top of it so I don’t think higher co codamol will help me....

Iv taken the second one now as it’s too much as of course it’s summer holidays so kids are around, although to be fair they aren’t a bother bless them and have become used to this sadly.

When chemists open I’m going to ring round to see if they have the yellow migraleve but I’m not holding my breath as it’s been non existent!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 27/08/2019 08:14

Sorry x posts ami where do you get that from, the GP?

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Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 27/08/2019 08:15

I’m allergic to cyclazine which is an anti sickness drug, it nearly killed me so I get apprehensive trying any new drug that stops the sickness but whatever is in migraleve does help a bit.

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pingster · 27/08/2019 08:17

I’ve had migraines for years that range from daily at their worst to 2/3 week when they’re good. I find that 3 aspirin plus an anti-sickness(I take domperidone but need a prescription for that now) usually works better than co-codanol. I also have almotriptan which works well depending on the type of headache but that also needs prescription

Dodie66 · 27/08/2019 08:17

I always use caffeine with the painkillers when I get a migraine. I don’t have caffeine at other times because that can cause a migraine. I used to have cocodamol but now can manage with paracetamol and a cup of caffeine tea. The caffeine restricts the blood vessels which helps control the pain a bit too

onlyconnect · 27/08/2019 08:20

I'm sorry to say I think there's a national shortage of the Migraleve. Someone told me that the factory where they make it burnt down.
You really need to see your GP. They will be able to give you something for sickness.
I use Syndol which works for me if I take it as soon as I feel it coming on but it sounds as if yours are worse than mine. ( that's over the counter)

Good luck. It's really horrible.

campingaddict · 27/08/2019 08:22

I get migraines and the only thing that works for me is anadin extra! I know it sounds weird but migraleve and anything else from the Drs never worked! I think it's the caffeine in the anadin!

Harryrotter · 27/08/2019 08:24

The yellow migraleve are just cocodamol, they are the same as the 8/500 paracetamol you can get. The pink ones have buclazine in which is the anti sickness part of it.
You really need to take two tablets as this is the dose recommended, and then use either cocodamol or paracetamol afterwards.
One things I have found helps me ta the very start of a migraine is 3 aspirin tablets, especially soluble ones, but I would have to take them right at the start for them to work.
Have you been to your gp ? There are lots of medications you can try, it doesn’t always have to be codeine based so it would be worth a chat with them about options. You can buy sumatriptan over the counter which is effective for some people, but not others.

Ilikewinter · 27/08/2019 08:24

Yellow migraleve is just paracetamol and codeine (500mg paracetamol, 8mg codeine), if you decide to take it just buy a generic brand rather than the very expensive migraleve brand.

Sumatriptan can be purchased from a chemist, you will need to ask for it at the medicines counter.

Have you tried Ibruprofen, for some reason that helps me more than paracetamol!

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 27/08/2019 08:25

Yes I read on here about shortages. I was doing fine without though. The last year I hardly had any, I coped with co codamol and my bed when I got them but since that attack earlier this year Iv had a lot hence why I went and got some migraleve last month when I saw it. The pharmacist said he knew there had been a shortage but wasn’t one anymore..... who knows but I’m going to ring at 9am to see if they have any yellow. I will make an apt with gp but will take weeks of course Hmm plus don’t want to take an emergency apt and sit in waiting room like this, esp in this heat with the kids off too.

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IdRatherBeCrafting · 27/08/2019 08:44

1g of dispersible paracetamol or aspirin in a small glass of regular coke has a very similar effect to a triptan but obviously without prescription. Then see GP for sumatriptan or similar.
Codeine is not at all recommended for migraine- opiates have been shown not only to be ineffective at managing the pain but are also more likely to cause rebound headaches.

TravelDreamLife · 27/08/2019 08:49

The only medication that works for me is rizatriptan. It's called Maxalt but I'm in Australia so not sure if the name is different elsewhere. It works brilliantly. I usually only need one dose. It can make me feel drowsy if I've taken a few in a short timeframe (like a week) but nothing else & still beats 2-3 days of total incapacitation.
I'm currently trialing another triptan which is less powerful for the less intense migraines but it's giving me horrible side effects. So they're significantly different.

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 27/08/2019 08:49

I can’t take aspirin or ibuprofen which limits me... 1g is very low isn’t it? Funny, after the sickness passes I always want marmite on toast.

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PeonyRose80 · 27/08/2019 08:58

I have suffered with migraines with paralysis since I was 19 :-( suggest you go to GP and ask to be prescribed for a triptan. I also swear by magnesium, taking the recommended dose each day has made a significant difference to me. Nothing you can buy over the counter has ever helped with exception of soluble solpherdene (not sure on spelling) in a bottle of water which I downed before an exam!!

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 27/08/2019 08:59

I haven’t had the paralysis since that bad attack although yesterday my arms felt like they had spider webs over them when I was walking.... be interesting to see if that’s now a warning sign of one coming.

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Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 27/08/2019 09:00

I used to take magnesium...... then I stopped as I struggle to swallow the size tablets.... maybe that’s what’s caused them so often now?!

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PeonyRose80 · 27/08/2019 09:01

Ritzatriptan is what I use as soon as migraine begins (numbness in face, swimmy eyes) works very well
and rarely need a second one. Just don’t drive for a good 6-8 hrs after taking as can make you feel a bit zoned out.

scarecrowhead · 27/08/2019 09:01

I have dyhydrocodeine on prescription (think that's how you spell it) and a nose spray. Only problem is it makes you drowsy.

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 27/08/2019 09:02

I’m a LP which doesn’t help... although I will have to drive to chemist later but I think I’ll be ok to do that as it’s finally starting to dull down after the second tablet.

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PeonyRose80 · 27/08/2019 09:02

Solgar on Amazon sell magnesium in smallish little white tabs, you take 3 a day with meals.I struggle with big tablets too but really worth a try. Feel for you - they are the worst and always happen at the wrong time....

Octothorpe · 27/08/2019 09:08

You do need to see a GP, ouch. You said you'd seen a neurologist but it doesn't sound as though anyone's given you any proper advice about treating migraines, which is a bit strange.

I've had them all my life from very early childhood. Nowadays I start with the dispersible-aspirin-in-full-fat-Coke trick (which often heads it off) - as with all migraines, you have to take it as early as possible when symptoms appear.

Then if that doesn't work, a triptan. There are numerous different ones and a GP or specialist can advise. You may need to try a few to find the one that fits best. You can buy sumatriptan OTC but not the others.

And yes, there is a shortage of Migraleve. It was totally unavailable for a year or so, started coming back, but now apparently supplies are patchy again, according to the pharmacist I spoke to yesterday.

Best of luck.

Octothorpe · 27/08/2019 09:09

Sorry, cross-posted and just seen you can't take aspirin. But I'd pursue the triptan option.