Migraine help

[wifeofaclosefriend]

My 17 yo DS has migraines, usually 8 weeks apart, start with missing words, back of eye pain. He has to sleep and usually vomits after he's slept a while then gets better but the pain can linger all day.
He was given Sumitriptan nasal spray by the GP a few years ago but doesn't feel it works, he takes it as soon as the aura comes but cannot stand the taste and usually spits it back out despite me encouraging him to try and cope with it.
His last one was 8 days ago and quite bad but I've just had to go and fetch him from college as he's got another
He had 2 ibuprofen as soon as he got in the car, refused a spray (he'd got one in his bag but wouldn't take) and fell asleep and he's gone straight to bed
He needs a GP appointment for sure as he's started a new job and can't be having time off and the fact that he's had one so soon but I'm just wondering what his options are re: medication?
I'm not a migraine sufferer as such (two a year where I can't stand noise or light and have to lie down, no pain) so not sure if there are other things he can try?

I'll be ringing docs tomorrow but would like fellow migraine sufferers opinion's also

I used to have really bad migraines until I found things to nip them in the bud, preventing them from progressing.

Aspirin & paracetamol the second I feel one coming on (I carry these at all times), a strong coffee, dark room & eye mask, no looking at screens, and avoiding triggers like stress, dehydration, certain foods like those with high preservatives (gammon). There's a massive list of known triggers, maybe look online to see if there's a connection.

The nasal spray does taste rank but he is old enough to be able to pop a chewing gum or mint in his mouth to take the taste away.

He can have sumatriptan tablets but they obviously don’t work as fast as nasal spray. I can’t see them being happy to prescribe the injections because they are £40 a time but there are other medications, if he’s having them so often they can also prescribe a preventative-candesartan, although that can make BP drop really low resulting is dizziness/weakness/fainting.

You can get triptans in the form of a tablet that melts on your tongue in a few seconds. It tastes slightly sour but it has a mint flavour added to help with this.
Might be worth a try for him? ( They're called Maxalt lingua rizatriptan)

I have sumatriptan tablets. Generally at first sign I'd take these or Co codamol if I don't have any. Sometimes right at the start some ibuprofen will nip it in the bud. I also find a can of full fat coke early on helps too. Once it takes a hold I'm stuffed and need the dark, sleep and to vomit regularly. I really sympathise. I find bright sunlight can trigger. Been much better since I've started wearing sunglasses in good weather

I used to take the Maxalt tabs that melt on the tongue.