My migraines are getting out of control..............been to the GP...beta-blockers.

[girlandboy]

Went this morning because I am now on day 10 of a migraine/headache.

I usually have to take 1.5mg of Pizotifen every day to prevent migraines, but they don't seem to work like they used to.

A week last Saturday, a migraine started. It was bad until Monday and then went down a grade to just a really bad headache. A few more days of this and it has now reduced down to just a headache.

The Gp has taken me off the Pizotifen, and has prescribed beta-blockers. These are called Half Inderal LA (Propanolol Hydrochloride) 80mg. I have taken one, and am hoping for the best, but I seem to have a bit of nervousness about taking beta-blockers. He says that I am getting migraines and also a chronic daily headache (he's not kidding!) and that the new pills should help.

Does anyone here take beta-blockers for migraine????

I also mentioned that I had had a few instances of chest pain, which I had assumed to be heartburn/indigestion. I've now got to have blood tests and an ECG next week! I've also got to phone for an ambulance if I get it again!

I came out of the doctors and had a little weep in the car. I'm sure that I felt tearful because of the never-ending head pain, but actually I feel a bit better just writing this down.

Anyway, the main question is about the beta-blockers.

Anyone??

Anyone please?!?!?

Blimey- poor you. I do have migraines, but obviously mild compared to you, as I can normally manage them with suamtriptan.
Bumping this up for you! xx

no advice or personal experience, but I read this article in Vogue magazine a while ago, and it might be interesting.

sorry, am an idiot, article is here

Spin - thanks for that, I will look into it. I can find nothing in my diet that triggers them - it seems to be related to my hormones.

My period starts, and so does the migraine.
2 weeks later, ovulation happens and so does the migraine!

So 2 week long migraines every month. Or 6 months of the year if you put it another way.

I think the chest pain MUST be heartburn/indigestion (I'm in denial that it's heart related). The gp said that it could be heartburn, seeing as the original tablets made me put 2 stone on and weight gain could be a contributing factor. But when I mentioned that I don't actually get a burning sensation, just tight chest pains that radiate through my back and up my jaw, he changed tack and said I have to have some investigations ie. the ECG.

If I could get rid of the head pain then I would feel more able to cope with the chest/heart pain.

I get migraines too and for ages resisted all the long term medication. I already have quite low blood pressure and didn't want it to go lowerer. I gave in earlier this year and tried the beta blockers (propranolol). It was horrible from the word go. It lowered my blood pressure and I was so lathargic I could hardly walk through the mall. I took the first one on a Saturday half expecting this effect. I took them at a much lower dose for a couple of weeks. But, I really wasn't fit to drive or conduct myself at my work in a sutable fashion. My work is very stressful and requires me to be on my toes and defend my department against false accusations often. On propranolol I was so laid back I really couldn't do the job. So, I went back to the GP and asked for pizotifen. I took it for a couple of months and thought it wasn't doing anything. But, as I had another month's worth of tabs I thought oh well might as well finish them. And at about the 3 month mark the headaches suddenly got much better. This was a couple of months ago. But, now I see you say that stop working after a period of time. Oh no!!!!

So, how long had you taken pizotifen when the effectiveness wore off?

You could be describing me girlandboy. I have tried pitzoifen, beta blockers and amitriptalyne (sp?) all with no improvement. The only thing that works for me is Imigran but I am having a real fight to get my GP to prescribe enough. I currently get six tablets a month from GP and I buy 2 over the counter from the chemist. I have a appointment to see gp next week to discuss other treatments or a referral to the London Migraine Clinic. I have been told they will improve after menopause so there's something for me to look forward to!!!

I have taken the Pizotifen for 3.5 years.

I started out with a 1mg dose which worked like a dream right from the start. Last February I went back because I felt that it wasn't working like it used to, so the gp upped the dose to 1.5mg.

Until today!!!

I have taken the propranolol this morning. He did say that it could slow me down, and make me a bit tired. The side effects mentioned on the slip of paper inside is a bit scary. One of them is "bruising easily"!!! Brilliant, I already bruise like an over-ripe peach!!! Another is hallucinations! OMG!!!

On a brighter note, my mum took Pizotifen for about 10 years with no problems. She finally stopped taking it because at her age (72) she felt that she shouldn't be getting any more migraines - all her hormones are long dried up! She doesn't get them anymore.

Minky - thanks for the article. It's certainly food for thought, coz I've got a mouth full of mercury fillings!

Do you know, I can't remember getting them during pregnancy! Why can't I remember? Perhaps I didn't get them? I honestly don't remember - mind you, it was quite a while ago (8 years).

Thanks all so much for your suggestions. I am getting to the point where I will try almost anything.

Dh says that he's heard that lots of sex should do the trick

Interesting article Minky.

Migraines can also be caused by magnesium deficiency. Try taking 500mg a day of magnesium for a few months.

Hi girlandboy I take Half Inderal LA 80mg too - not for migraines but because I have rapid heart beat and to lower my blood pressure. I have been on them for ages and I have to say I haven't had any side effects whatsoever - they don't make me feel lethargic or drowsy at all. But then I didn't have low blood pressure to start with like Athene.

I think I would give them a try and see how you feel on them, especially with the chest pains you describe as they are used for angina as well so if they were to be heart related may help them too.

Winetime - I will try the new tablets and see what happens. Can't get up the energy to try my dh's "remedy"!!!

Kiddiz - I have never tried Imigran. I wonder why the gp has not suggested it?

Buda - magnesium - worth trying I think.

I am going to print this page out, and keep it for future reference.

i take beta blockers. have been on them for just over a year now. you sound just like i did before i took them! pizotifen did nothing for me. since i started on the beta blockers, i have only had 1 migraine and the occasional headache which goes off with paracetamol! something that i have only dreamed of in my 20 years of migraine suffering! I hope it works for you!

Kiddiz-DP has exactly the same problem and the GP will only let her have 6 a month-well she had to take 4 yesterday alone!
Buying over the counter is a pallaver and also incredibly expensive but she has had no option.....

Angel - ohhhhhh! I hope I'm like you! I could do with some respite from all this pain.

Dh came home from work on Saturday and said he had a headache! I gave him this look..hmm]!!!!

I just caught sight of myself in the mirror. I look terrible! Really drawn and....dare I say it....OLD. Blimey, I hope these pills work.

That was meant to say that I looked at dh like this.... and probably also a bit of this..... After half and hour and his headache had gone I looked like this...

Yes girlandboy no energy required to take the betablockers unlike your dh's 'remedy'

After reading a migraine thread on here ages ago (I think you were on it too, Buda?) I started taking the magnesium supplements...since then, instead of monthly, I've just had one (in 8 mths) that has really knocked me. Before they were lying-in-dark-room-vomming on a monthly basis.
Imigran is sumatriptan- strange Girlandboy that your doc has never mentioned it...it seems to be the first port of call for most docs....it is expensive (my UK GP always whinges about giving it me) and last time fobbed me off with migraleve (co-codamol) instead so I went back and insisted....Worth a try....
Might look into the cream as well...

HI Bucharest - thanks for the update - really interested to hear how you got on with the magnesium. I recommend it a lot as I was advised to take it but wasn't sure if it worked for anyone!