Migraines - does anyone have any remedies?

[NellDunnHadItRight]

Hi all, a brand new mum asking for advice on behalf of DH. Our DD was born nearly two weeks ago and is beautiful and healthy. However, DH isn't doing as well. He's been diagnosed with migraines and since DD came home has really been struggling with horrible headaches due to broken sleep and increased stress. It doesn't help that DD has a tongue tie which means that although she's keen to nurse she can't breastfeed very well and must be topped up with formula/expressed milk, which he's been dealing with so I can concentrate on breastfeeding.

DH has just been prescribed sumatriptan after paracetamol couldn't help, and DD has a referral for the tongue tie in a week - if it's snipped we hope she'll breastfeed much better and I can take over night feeds and we can work out a rota system so we can both get more rest. This isn't guaranteed, however, and although he's soldiering on sometimes he just crashes and can barely function.

I feel so lost - we should be savouring this time with DD, exhaustion notwithstanding and instead I'm worrying about DH's health. He adores his baby and is stepping up to do as much as he can but when a migraine hits he can barely keep his eyes open and I'm effectively a single parent. We're lucky in having lots of family support and my super Mum has stopped overnight a couple of times so DH can get a decent night's rest, but he's due back at work soon which won't help.

Sorry about the long rant, I just wanted to get it off my chest. Basically, does anyone know if sumatriptan is effective or does anyone have any migraine remedies? He's been told to lay off the caffeine but apart from that we're novices! Any and all advice desperately needed, or is it just a matter of persevering until DD is older and sleeping better?

To add to the triptan recommendations, an ice pack over the top of the head. aspirin and a sleep (in a dark and silent room, usually three hours).
DC2 had very frequent migraines, but this has helped a lot.
For them, stress was a major factor in bringing them on - they're a lot less frequent now.
They didn't find propanalol particularly helpful, so your DH may need it try a few treatments to find the one that works for him.

Seasoned migraine sufferer here. It is probably one of the very few times when I will say drugs, drugs, drugs! Every time. Sumatriptan may well be the ticket for him. It works well for many, many people. I take Zolmitriptan. As long as I take it quite soon after I get the visual aura and lie down for 30 minutes, I will almost always escape the blinding pain and just feel a bit washed out and yucky for the day. It was a life saver for me after years of trying to find natural remedies and just toughing it out. Life is too short!

Not just water - electrolyte drinks can really help too. You can get them in tablet from that you add to water.

www.amazon.co.uk/R-S-Hydration-Electrolyte-Tablets-Lemon/dp/B0098YY6BI/ref=sxts_rp_s2_0?psc=1&keywords=electrolytes+tablets&sprefix=Electroly&pd_rd_i=B0098YY6BI&qid=1629411201&cv_ct_cx=electrolytes+tablets&dchild=1&rdc=1&pf_rd_p=dd9c1a19-aa4c-45b1-9e23-d298b2bd4940&pd_rd_wg=iLxTN&pf_rd_r=46DZYWX726JSMFA1HSQW&pd_rd_w=U3iny&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&pd_rd_r=fecee1a7-3ddf-4cd6-a827-3a600cb86ce6&sr=1-2-9d35b2fb-722c-404c-ae6e-16ef63349c57

It won't help your DH, as he will need to try traditional meds/coping strategies before moving on to other stuff, but for anyone who has been having migraines regularly and has tried 3 other meds without success, I'd recommend Ajovy (fremanezumab). It's not long been approved by NICE and neurologist prescription only, but I've suffered chronic migraines for 20 years, tried every preventative going and still suffered 15-25 headache days per month and at least 15 of those migraine. I took my first injection of Ajovy almost a month ago and I've used 4 doses of frovatriptan/naproxen/prochlorperazine and 3 doses of either paracetamol or ibuprofen so far this month - quite miraculous. Until last month it was a case of when, not if, the pain would start each day.

Sumatriptan + anti sickness meds work for me. I feel shocking the next day though after taking the triptan like a hangover/exhausted feeling so I try and not take too many of them. I was prescribed propanalol which did reduce the frequency but they also stop me sleeping so I'm having a break from them at the moment and seeing if the migraines increase again.

@userxx - it did come back with a better formula - although tbf I haven't had to use it for a few months.
I guess it's been stopped again as looks sold out online again.
I've never found anything that works as good as that.

I’ve just seen a consultant he said to take vitamin b2 and a high dose zinc tablet daily plus bucastem tablets bought at the chemist which go under your top lip for the sickness. I also ask dh to massage my neck with ibuprofen. Congratulations on your new baby. Hope dh feels better soon .

Dear all, thanks loads for your suggestions. DH is better this week, thanks to a combination of meds, cold flannels and DD snoozing for 2 hour stretches in-between feeds. Fingers crossed for the tongue tie getting sorted and me being able to breastfeed more, which would reduce the need for top-up feeds and the work of sterilising, heating etc. Thanks again.

I would like to add that, whilst stress and tiredness are key triggers, I have no food triggers but my major trigger is bright or flashing light. Cutting down screen time may help your DH.

Your DH needs a referral to a neurologist.

Anyone with chronic migraine needs to be treated by a neurologist, not a GP.

GPs will throw some meds at you (usually sumatriptan) and for some people they will work, but most people with an ongoing migraine condition need individualised care by a doctor with a great deal of experience in treating migraine.

I suffered with migraine for years, with GPs trying various meds and then throwing up their hands when they didn't work. It was only when I got to see a neurologist that I finally got proper treatment.

What worked for me was a combination of beta blockers and amitriptyline - but every patient is different, which is why your DH needs a specialist to work out the right combination and dose of medications.

I also found this book very helpful, as it helps you to take control of your migraines by working out what your triggers are (caffeine, cheese, freshly baked goods, citrus and oversleeping are huge ones for me):

www.bookdepository.com/Heal-Your-Headache-David-Buchholz/9780761125662

I am now off all migraine meds and have been for years. I am generally able to control it by avoiding my triggers (except the menstrual cycle ones).

[quote smith5715]@userxx - it did come back with a better formula - although tbf I haven't had to use it for a few months.
I guess it's been stopped again as looks sold out online again.
I've never found anything that works as good as that. [/quote]
I thought they'd been taken off the shelves a few years ago but I've googled and yes they are back!!! Will get some in reserves!

Has anybody tried the daith piercing for migraines? I’ve heard conflicting reports about it’s efficacy. I’m considering giving it a go but worried I’d look a bit pathetic at 48 years of age!

@Watto1- I have a daith piercing (I’m 45 😂) it hurts like hell getting it done but it relieved a massive amount of my migraine symptoms.

I used to get numbness all over the right hand side of my face including my cheek my nose and my ear into my jaw.

After I had the daith piercing that all stopped immediately.

I do however still have the most horrendous migraines but anything that can stop any part of the symptoms is a massive help

I strongly advise having it done as even if it helps a little - that’s something