Migraine relief

[BumWeasel]

I've been using a Cefaly tens machine for years now and it really helps when I have a migraine. When I came to use it the other day it wouldn't work, so I thought I would order another one. Well it's over £300 now and the electrodes are nearly £30. Way out of my budget at the moment. I had a look around and I've come across the Migraine Pain Reliever Tens from Lloyd's Pharmacy it's £40 and the electrodes are under £4 for 4. It looks exactly the same.

I just thought I would spread the word Incase it benefits anyone. Disclaimer, I haven't actually used it yet. I have no idea how to make a link.

Ah this is interesting - thank you.
I'm a chronic migraine sufferer, which sometimes lead to them turning into hemiplegic migraines.
I've come off all medication for them simply because I'm sick of feeding my body with them when they don't necessarily help, and now just deal with them with ice packs over my head, or.. sleeping. Lol!
Never tried any form of tens machine so will be interested in seeing if this could help x

@Adeleex I find that for me it really helps while I have a migraine. When I first got my Cefaly, I used it on the preventative setting and it definitely brought down the frequency of my migraines for a while. I use it while I have an attack and often it just takes the edge off, but occasionally it has stopped one in its tracks. I was seriously considering using my emergency fund to buy another Cefaly until I found the Lloyd's one. The thought of not having it was pretty unbearable.

Interesting that it has a preventative setting, or should I say.. ideal!! The amount of preventative tablets they've tried whacking me on over the years, for them not to prevent at all is crazy!
Do you find you have anything that triggers your migraines? I've suffered since I was a late teen, now 30 - never found any trigger.

I've also suffered since I was a late teen, I strongly suspect a lot of it is caused by hormones as both my daughters and my nieces suffer but not the males of the family. There is obviously a strong hereditary element. We have all had varying degrees of success with beta blockers and triptans. I use everything in my arsenal. Cooling gel hat, tens machine, forehead and the latest is a cooling towel that I can wrap around my head or put over my neck. The biggest problem I have is trying not to cause rebound headaches with the triptans sprays. So if I feel I'm getting to my limit in a month, I'll try and manage with the tens. Also, I use the Curable app, although I've got a bit lazy with that recently. That is definitely worth a look at. If my migraine is not hormonal I can sometimes get rid of it with the tens and a visualisation from that. It was quite expensive but I ended up buying a lifetime subscription, which worked out cheaper overall.

Just had a quick look and you can try Curable for free and it's 50% off at the moment. So might be worth a try.

honestly.. all I can do is have some straight old fashioned spirit. two swigs of Bacardi clears my migraine like nothing else x

You don't mention if you've investigated dietary triggers - I always assumed I had identified all my triggers but I was still getting lots of migraines, it turned out that there were a lot more trigger foods than I realised. The below may be worth a read if you suffer from chronic migraines, it has helped me to reduce how often I get attacks. The list of foods isn't exhaustive BTW.

www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-tyramine#1

interesting, following

That's the same here - my mum also suffers, just not as bad as I do. And none of the males do in the family. I have always leaned more towards the hormones side of things for this reason, though other times I lean more towards maybe other things causing them but still end up none the wiser haha.
The hemiplegic side to things only came on after the birth of my 3rd son, went to pick up his bottle one day to feed him and I just lost the grip in my hands, unable to hold and grasp anything at all, lasted a couple of hours.
I have a black wrap around thing for the head with a gel pad that's kept in the fridge, though I seem to find it doesn't keep a cool temp for long once out the fridge so I find myself putting it in the freezer 😂
I've just been looking at the Lloyd's yens machine and have ordered it! Anything is worth a try if it's going to help.
I will also have a gander at the app you mentioned - thank you! X

Thanks for this - very tempted. x

Thanks so much @BumWeasel - I have just ordered one. Another code popped up for me: TENS10 took another 10% off the price so it's £36.99 with free delivery. Definitely worth a go. I get the monthly injection but even then am still plagued. Definitely fewer migraines than before but when they're there, boy are they there.

You know where I'm heading first thing tomorrow. Top of the shopping list. 🤣😂

I’ve got the Lloyds machine and it’s great for pain relief but the electrodes do wear out quickly so it’s an ongoing expense but yes, much cheaper than the Cephaly! I definitely recommend it as part of your migraine arsenal. I didn’t have much success with curable long term…

thank me later... don't go for shop own brand got to be the real deal x

#ShineOnYouLikeMorningStar That was an Interesting read, thank you. I've actually had alcohol for the first time in years tonight. I can't drink red wine at all because it gives me an almost instant migraine. I put a bit of liqueur in my hot chocolate, so it remains to be seen how I get on with that. I do eat the foods on that list but not very regularly. Over the years I have tried cutting out various things and they didn't make too much difference.

Hiya, I’ve suffered migraines for nearly forty years. Having gone through all the “preventative” measures, and I mean all of them. I went on the waiting list for anti cgrp injections.
I’ve had monthly injections now since mid January.
I’ve gone from 20-25 attacks per month to (at the most) 8 attacks in any one month.
I do get attacks that I don’t need to take painkillers for, but I believe if it were not for the anti cgrp meds being in my system, they would’ve been a full blown, put me in bed, kind of attack.
I felt improvement in my health even in that first month.
im not sure what you would have to do to “qualify” for this treatment, but maybe it’d be worth considering asking your gp or neurologist if you could be a candidate.
please try, it’s changed my life, albeit a bit late, as I’ve “lost” the best of my adult years.
I’ve also suffered less brain fog too.
best of luck to any migraine sufferers that try this route….

#friskybivalves I do love a bargain.

#Tarrarra I wipe my forehead with alcohol hand gel before I put the pads on. Not great for my skin but I'm usually pretty desperate by that point. I think curable is going to be hit or miss for most people. I do like the visualisations though.

I think you have to be having around 12 migraine days a month to qualify and have tried a number of other preventatives.
Cgrps (ajovy) seemed to work for me to start with, but am now back to daily migraines currently unfortunately.

#VeganFromSveden That's wonderful news. I shall definitely keep that in mind for my daughter's, their quality of life is not what it should be. I've suffered for 30 years and I'm not looking forward to the Peri menopause. The only time I've been without migraines was when I've been pregnant or breastfeeding.

That Lloyds machine is magic. I now have two in case I get a chronic one that needs so long that one runs out of charge. One on my head and one on charge! Best money I've spent in some years.

Mine also disappeared completely with all 3 pregnancies. So bizarre! Unfortunately no more babies for me, so I won't get that luxury again haha!

#HerReputationMadeItDifficultToProceed I've not actually tried it yet because weirdly I've not had a migraine in two weeks, which is very unusual. So I'm glad to hear it's working for you. I should have really had a go before I recommend it.

#Adeleex The lack of migraines when I was pregnant made up for the horrendous morning sickness.

Thank you…
always hold out hope. I do know it’s almost impossible to be optimistic when pain blights your life so much.
it’s also hard to explain to non sufferers, to indifferent employers, and even to those closest to you.
to have your loved ones worry about you can make you feel guilty… it’s an awful eff up.
try to keep your spirits up, but also know that it’s ok to have the occasional meltdown and tears.
crazily, crying exacerbated my migraine pain.
bit of a kick in the teeth to not even be able to find a bit of relief that way 😱
I hope that you are well supported, as that makes such a difference.
love x

My son has chronic intractible migraine with cyclical vomiting. Tried every med /tablet/ therapy/ imaginable over 3 years.
His trigger at 14 was believed to be hormonal but we'll never know !
Ocipital nerve injections have transfored his life .

#Mocara your poor boy, I'm so glad he has found something that works for him. I am lucky in the fact that between my migraines I don't suffer from headaches or nausea. The worst thing by far has been watching my girls suffer. They have constant headaches, migraines, nausea and chronic fatigue. Their quality of life is really not what it should be.