Migraine progress

[YourBlueScroller]

I posted under a different name about migraines and the replies geared me up to do something about them.

Been back to GP who has given me Sumatriptan. Not sure why I was given Naproxen before that, but I found the Naproxen was only working 50% of the time.

GP also referred me to neurology. Didn't ask for that per se, but did ask if they did referrals for acupuncture and she wasn't sure they did that anymore. So have a neurology referral.

Also mentioned proanolol as a preventative, if sumatriptan doesn't help or something. So will see how it goes.

Feel much better I did something proactive.

Plus side, sumatriptan seems to have lifted the brain scramble somewhat. There's another tablet to take at 2 hours.

Not sure if need naproxen or ibuprofen too, it seems to be maybe pain level 2.

Didnt see your last thread but This is good.

I take propanolol as a preventative and it's been life changing.
I take sumatriptan then when I feel a migraine come on but this is less frequent since being on the preventative.

Eta: I'm also referred to neurology. So far they have only called me to an appt and just told me to continue with my current medication plan as it is working.

Yes, definitely take a normal pain killer with the triptan. 2 aspirin and 2 paracetamol is standard for migraine pain.

2 aspirin and 2 paracetamol together? I did now know that. It's all quite confusing!

The sumatriptan is life changing! I actually can't believe I've been suffering this long....like 4 years of worsening headaches.

I did feel quite warm after I took it and my chest got sweaty and I felt sore. It did say this passes. My blood pressure went to 108/86...will check it again to make sure it went down. Hopefully that doesn't stop me taking it.

I am going to monitor the frequency as it still took an hour or so for the sumatriptan to work.

I'm happy to just be told to keep taking the meds if they are working!

I also had an issue with the script as they sent it via Pharmacy 2 U. I went to collect it from pharmacy but had already gone via post. So they let me fill in a special form so I can now get Sumatriptan OTC if I need it. I have a card for my wallet.

Really pleased as was genuinely getting worried for the impact on work!

With less time actually feeling shit, I am also going to find a yoga class and do some acupuncture.

As a migraine sufferer for 15 or so years I find Sumatriptan really good if you take them at the start of an attack, but I find taking 2 paracetamol alongside it really good. I also sometimes take 2 cocodamol (just the normal over the counter ones 8/500) although some would say codeine isn’t good for a migraine, but I personally find it works.

conscious about taking so many tablets and the effect is has on my liver I do find reflexology helps for me, I go every 3 weeks and I find it really keeps my migraines at bay, I do still take headaches, but nothing compared to what i used to have.

I also use 4Head, I find it really soothing, especially on the back of my neck.
it’s useful to try find the cause of your migraines, certain foods etc?
I did try, cut a lot out of my diet, but never really noticed a pattern, with the exception of red wine, even 1 glass would have instigated a migraine for me .

Do you take the propanolol every day?

Propanalol is a preventative and is usally taken every day. Sumitriptan is an abortive. It usually depends how often you get migraines whether is is worth taking a preventative. If you only need to take Sumitriptan a few times a month then you would likely be best to stick with that.
However, if you need to take a lot of sumitriptan or painklillers such as naproxen or ibuprofen then it is generally better to get on a preventative as it isn't always safe to take more than about 12 sumitriptan tablets a month ( or on 8-10 days) or painkillers like Naproxen more than half the month as you can get medication over use /rebound headaches.

I take sumatriptan, paracetamol and a double espresso, plus a 30 minute lie down if I can.
I was having migraines twice a week, so I was going to be prescribed a preventative, but I found taking the sumatriptan immediately reduced the frequency (I have one or two a year now).

My GP has said I can’t be referred to neurologist until I’ve tried at least three different preventative medications without success. I’ve just started Candesartan after trying Propranolol and Amitriptyline

Yes, I take 80mg in the morning and 20mg in the evening.

I hope that works for you.

Is amitriptyline better than sumatriptan? I had some quite strange flushing sensations with sumatriptan.

I take propranolol regularly and sumatriptan when needed like most here, but what I found made a noticeable difference in the severity of migraines was increasing my potassium levels via an electrolyte drink like High5 zero. (I think this one doesn't include artificial sweetner: another migraine trigger...!) Apparently most people are deficient in pottassium. I still get the odd migraine but they are much milder and usually hormonal timings rather than all the time. There are also some gel ice packs on Amazon somewhere that you can keep in the freezer and velcro around your head when needed which are very soothing and useful - good luck all

Amitriptyline is another preventative medication rather than an abortive medication so it’s very different to Sumatriptan

Ah I see, thank you.

Seeing a neurologist was brilliant for me. The wait was well over a year. So do whatever you can in the meantime. The more you try between now and the neurology appointment the more info you can give them.

Migraines suck. I am migraine free now and I am a different woman. Honestly.

That's interesting thanks. I take 3 medications all of which potentially lower potassium. I have long thought electrolyte levels play a part in the migraines. Definitely will look into foods that are potassium rich again.

Sumatriptan injections are a total game changer for me. I get really nauseous with migraine attacks and struggle to keep tablets down. The injections also work much quicker.

What did neurology do to treat them?

I'm honestly in the best mood I have been for months today after taking the sumatriptan. Instead of limping to the end of the work day, I finished up and have been really productive this evening. My head is so much less scrambled. I want to crack on and do stuff with my new found energy.

That's great news OP. How are you today?

I've been great again today too! So nice not having to waste a weekend to either having a migraine or recovering from one. My brain also feels a lot quieter and calmer. I didn't realise how stressed it was making me always thinking a migraine would be round the corner and worrying how that might affect work.

I feel like she-ra. I have the power to stop a migraine in my pocket.

This is very jnteresting as sumitriptan doesn't reduce the frequency per se, so I wonder what the mechanism was?

I do feel like I am less stressed, less worried that I will get debilitated.

And less tired (as the migraine I thought was coming on didn't come on) so instead I have been super active.

So maybe that will keep them at bay too.

I don't know. I've always found that when I had a migraine at a 'good' time (at home and able to immediately lie down and sleep it off) versus at a bad time the next migraine showed up later, so assume it is something like that. I have a very clear and noticeable aura so am able to take the medication before the migraine gets established at all.