National migraine centre - what to expect?

[Hotandbothered222]

I’ve just made an appointment with the National Migraine Centre, after seeing lots of people on here recommend them. I’m just wondering what to expect, as lots of posters have said they’re great, but not why or what they do.

Do they prescribe or do you have to go back to your GP for that? I’ve run through most of the drugs the GP recommends and I’m still suffering so I’m a bit at my wits end.

I found my appt very very helpful. It was good to finally be listened to by someone who understood how debilitating migraine can be. My clinician was also incredibly knowledgeable about so many aspects of migraine which was also very helpful.

She was unsurprised that the preventatives that I'd tried hadn't been successful and we talked through other options. Some were available on the NHS, some needed to be paid for privately and are offered by the Centre. There was no upselling of their own services though.

We weighed up the options and she wrote to my GP with recommendations for different preventatives.

We also discussed pain relief and she suggested a triptan in a nasal spray form and also an injectable.

My GP was very receptive to her written suggestions. The preventative hasn't been as successful as I hoped and I'm now waiting for other health conditions to settle before trying another option.

The pain relief has been transformative. It is expensive and I sense the GP was concerned about that but TBH I feel it has saved my life as I was struggling to cope.

I also feel more empowered and knowledgeable about migraine since my appointment.

I really hope you find it as helpful as I did OP.

Thanks @Wishitwasstraightforward that’s really helpful.

I guess I was a bit surprised that they don’t offer in person appointments, so they can’t take blood pressure/weight, do whatever simple tests a GP might do, but maybe that doesn’t matter (GP has already done those tests plus mri etc).

It will definitely be good to speak to someone who really knows their stuff though. My GP has been good, but I think I need more in depth help.

@Hotandbothered222 I felt the same and was disappointed that I couldn't be seen in person. As you say though, I had already had all the necessary examinations etc..