Migraines - any advice??

[SkyK]

Hi, I am suffering with regular migraines, usually every 1-2 weeks and they’re really getting me down! I use sumatriptan which helps massively but feel like I’m taking it an awful lot!

I’m currently taking magnesium daily but that doesn’t seem to help. I also don’t drink alcohol as this is a definite trigger. Would love to be able to just have a glass of wine every now and again without it resulting in a 3 day migraine but it’s just not worth it!!

I’m debating whether to invest in a cefaly device but such a lot of money if it doesn’t work. Has anyone used and had any results with this?

Anything else I can try?

Debating whether to go down the prophylactic route but I am worried about side effects particularly being drowsy / brain fog as I work in very demanding job. Although maybe this would be lesser of the two evils if I have regular brain fog from migraines in any every!

Any tips / advice gratefully received!

How’s your blood pressure? I had them like clockwork for years but BP was always boarder line and because was in 30s nobody wanted put me on meds. But since I started not had a serious bad one been 15y now. Turns out when my head felt like it was going explode it probable was. Mine were defo migraines all classic symptoms but the high BP must triggered them or made them so much worse.

Hormone related? If combined with bad periods worth looking at contraception options/changes... Sorted me out

You can give yourself migraines from taking sumatriptan too often. I think they're called rebound headaches. So make sure you're not accidentally doing that!

Bananas can be helpful with the potassium in them. I think its the potassium.

You could also ask your doctor for the beta blocker "propanolol" and see if that could be an option for you. That can prevent migraines. I found I had less migraines when I used them for anxiety.

Try and pay attention to when you're getting them and what foods you have ate. Turned out one of my triggers were my favourite chocolate cookies from asda. The fresh ones. I cant have them anymore

What type of magnesium are you taking?

I had very bad hormonal headaches before and after my period, took Magnesium Citrate and did nothing.

In recently saw an article that mentioned Magnesium Oxide and haven’t had a headache since I started taking them 4 months ago.

Have you tracked your triggers? That would be my first step.
I saw a migraine specialist who said to try a full fat coke and 2 soluble aspirin at the first sign, that really helped me
Alcohol is a trigger for me too but it’s the sulfites that get me, so biodynamic wine is the best

Make sure you drink plenty of water, dehydration is a factor also. So start with water. Dark room. See if foods trigger it. Write down what you have eaten, if you get another, write again and see if a link. Migraleve, over the counter. Get your eyes tested.

I’ve just been taken off amitriptyline as it all of a sudden stopped working. Now I’m on Candesartan which the Dr hopes will be a two-in-one solution to my high blood pressure and migraines. I also take Feverfew tablets from Boots although it can take 3 months for these to work fully apparently. Plus regular applications of tiger balm and a 4head stick.

I got a Cefaly device about 4 weeks ago. it hasn't helped with frequency yet but it does help with pain. I get severe, daily migraine and it's shit.

I'm also on sumatriptan. However, are you not on a preventative that should reduce the amount of migraines you have (for me it's Pizotifen). If not, then make an appointment with your GP for that.

I'm assuming before prescribing the sumatriptan your GP did your blood pressure, and asked you questions about your migraines?

I'm being affected by them a lot recently too. I had 5 in one week recently, so I know your pain. Big hugs x

Just as all Loopyloulou007 said, water and plenty of it, my migraines are infrequent but absolutely dreadful, with aura etc. Also as far as alcohol goes, try drinking a good lager or short and mixer, I find wine aggravates in general.

Daft though it may sound, daith piercing... I haven't had a single migraine since I got mine done 5 years ago.

I had to give up caffeine completely. Made a huge difference. Also get any contraception checked, I have to have one particular, brand name pill as it the only one that doesn't trigger them. The doctors are not pleased they have to prescribe the more expensive version.

It is worth looking at triggers:
Wine/ cheese/ chocolate / citrus fruits
Bright lights( wear sunglasses)
Dehydration etc
The most common trigger is too little or too much sleep so optimise that as best you can.
Work out if they are hormone related and if so see your GP.
Most migraines can't be avoided so you have to think about the impact they are having on your life.
Not all prophylactics cause fuzzy headedness. DS takes propranolol which has dramatically improved his quality of life without making him dopey.The frequency of attacks has dropped and on the occasion that he gets one it is less severe.This has been good as he can't take triptans or ibuprofen.You can trial a preventative and see whether or not your life is better.

Be careful with propanalol, ds was prescribed it & was fainting 4 or 5 times a day, his migraines have only reduced after he dropped out of sixth form, he is back on pizotifen & has only had maybe 3 migraines in 3 months.

I was getting them a lot. They were eased with rest and 900mg of aspirin but the biggest thing that helped me was a chiropractor. It is worth looking into.

Stress, hydration, weight, fitness, iron levels, good sleep habits...if any of these are out of whack for me, migraines return. Low iron was a definite one. Once I'd twigged my levels were rather low and started supplementing the severity qnd frequency of migraines seems to have tailed off.

Oh, smells was a big one. All fabric softeners, most cleaning sprays, all perfumes. What cleaning products do you use?

Ask your GP to refer you to neurology so that you can discuss your options. I've had greater occipital nerve injections recently and they have almot eradicated my migraines/aura/facial pain. I can't quite believe it, having suffered for decades. I didn't even have steroid in my injections, just the anaesthetic part, and they have worked for going on 2 months. If they work for you the hospital will offer you them a couple of times a year. You won't look back!

Cold and flu medication.
Low carbing.
Ice cold Coke.