Help for migraine

[Cupofteaandbiscuits]

I get migraines fairly regularly and have done for years. I have sumatriptan and take this at the first sign and usually that will do it but sometimes need the second dose. However this week I’m on day five of a migraine. The sumatriptan gets rid of it but then by the evening it’s back again. I’m taking pain killers as well. At what point do I consider getting extra help?

I'm sorry to hear that. This happens to me too, it's miserable. Do go back to your GP. The National Migraine Centre are also good. Having said that, I haven't found a proper solution, but I keep trying.

I have been having on and off, for years too. I don't know if placebo or helps, but I have been taking more regular iron sulfate tablets, with vitamin c on empty stomach ans magnesium supplements. However I think mine are related to low ferritin.

Have you had bloods tested?

It’s horrid when you get one that seems to get ‘stuck’
have you managed to eat anything - ideally something salty or with protein.
have you had decent painkillers not just paracetamol/ibuprifen?
and as much fluids as you can whatever that looks like for you.
(for me it’s cola, squash, diluted fresh juice)

i had some luck with nurofen plus which has codeine (get from pharmacy) or other codeine based pain killer.

some people talk about rebound head pain when you’ve had a few days of triptans and/or pain relief. When I’ve had an occasional long lasting migraine sometimes I just stop talking stuff for 24 hours. The pain is intense and I nearly vomit but eventually it has shifted. Sometimes it is exacerbated by temporary caffeine withdrawal as I can’t face coffee when I am suffering with migraine,.

Hope you feel better soon.

Take naproxen after the sumatriptan has worked. It helps prevent rebound migraines.
400mg vitamin b2 riboflavin is an excellent preventive with no side effects. It's in the nice guidelines. You can buy from Holland and Barrett or Amazon

Didn't know about b2 also!

My sister and her friends swear by anadin extra. Even several days in. Worth a try?

I got prescribed stronger cocodamol for migraines. SUMATRIPTAN never worked for me. I think mine are relayed to ferritin levels though I get them at my time of the month.

Dispersible aspirin in full fat coke or an espresso used to work for me for a while. A neurologist recommended it to a friend.

I would say now is the time to go to your GP about this. I've been suffering for 5 years with migraine and have only just found a prescription medication that works. I also had a scan at the beginning not sure if MRI or CT to rule anything else out.

I used to have them for 3 days at a time so understand how miserable they can be. Just be wary of taking topiramite. It had a big list of side effects that even my neurologist prescribed as a nasty drug.

Don't leave it. It's regarded as the second most debilitating condition there is. I hope you feel better soon.

You have my sympathy.I suffer too and they are awful 😣
Definitely see your GP, they will hopefully refer you to a neurologist.
Having said that, I am still suffering.
I hope you manage to break out of it soon.

I've had some great success with high dose aspirin & paracetamol at the earliest sign of one.

When I get to this stage I take antihistamines. It sometimes works!

I've just changed my triptan to an oral dispensable one to and it's so much better than the normal pills

Thank you everyone. I ended up trying dispersible aspirin and a red bull and went to bed. Today I feel groggy but the pain has gone away thank goodness!!! Thank you so much xx

I’d recommend taking another dose of dispersible aspirin tonight to make sure it doesn’t come back by morning. I do this with a reoccurring one. Also Anadin extra is good for when you’re feeling groggy and worried it may come back

Ask your GP about Topmirate.

I recommend the supplements listed here (NHS website): https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/uploads/25396.pdf

I see a previous poster has mentioned B2 already

Oh that's good OP. If you get another episode of a few days at a time again then I'd still see your GP. I found that I felt tired the following day as the pain can make you feel exhausted. Also it sometimes takes a while to get the right medication. I'm on my 4th type but it works. I avoided taking topiramate-avoid avoid, it has so many side effects. The GP said it's a serious hard drug, the neurologist said it's a nasty drug.

I have migraines frequently too.

GP prescribed propranolol to prevent them but they don’t work so I stopped taking them.

I had one on Thursday - left eye was all swollen. Had to leave work early. Friday Saturday felt fine but today feel awful again.

Following this thread with interest.

How many days of symptoms do you have per month (not just pain days)? If it is 15, you could have chronic migraine.

Have you tried a Cefaly device? They can be helpful.
Dolovent is a supplement specifically for people with migraine.

free: https://migraineworldsummit.com/?gad_source=1

https://www.instagram.com/the_migraine_life/

@onlytherain
i’ be never heard of a Cefaly device! Do you use one? Are they any good?

Same with the propranolol. Next stop was amitryptiline and then candesarten which worked brilliantly for a while. It's one where you gradually have to increase the dose until you get it right and have a blood test after each increase to see ifs affecting your kidneys. It's mainly used for high blood pressure but like many drugs it's all also used for migraines. I then had a side effect of very dizzy spells so had to come off it. It may work for you though.
A friend of mine has a maintenance dose of 1 tablet of amitryptiline daily and it works for her.

I've tried a similar one a TENS one for migraines by Lloyds the chemist. Much cheaper. I think it's meant to be good for some people. I didn't like the weird sensation it gave me but there have been lots of good reviews so don't let my experience put you off trying it.

I'm about to try a nasal spray, will be interesting to see if it works as two other Triptans have done absolutely sod all.

My 12yo DD was prescribed topiramate by a paediatric consultant and it has completely stopped her daily migraines. She was getting them every day and missing hours of school every day. She doesn't get ANY now. We tried reducing the dose and she got a 6-day migraine. She has no side effects whatsoever. It's been a miracle drug for her. I don't know why it would be described as "nasty" or "serious, hard". I know there are potential effects on the foetus if you get pregnant but otherwise it is a perfectly safe drug otherwise they wouldn't prescribe it for children.