A migraine question

[MummyDoIt]

I've had migraines since I was a teenager and they always follow the same pattern: flashing lights/blind spots, nausea, occasionally vomiting then headache for about four hours. Once I sleep, it goes and I'm okay. This time it started last Sunday and I've still got it. The headache is constant but more of a tight band round my head than the usual migraine pain but I'm getting the flashing lights/blind spots two or three times a day. I've taken Migraleve which relieves the headache but it comes back as soon as the tablets wear off. If it's still here on Tuesday when the DCs go back to school, I'll make an appointment and see my GP but just wondered if any other migraine sufferers had ever experienced a lengthy one like this. Stress is always my trigger and this Christmas has been particularly stressful so I've put it down to that but the stressful bits are over now so I'd be expecting it to ease off. It's the visual disturbances that are bothering me more than anything.

Mine last between 5 and 10 days, but I have never had the visual disturbances.
I've tried loads of things, including taking Pizotifen every day, but what works for me at the moment is Imigran 100mg.

You can buy Imigran 50mg over the counter (£7.99 for 2 tablets!), but I now get them on prescription and they are twice as strong.

Also another mumsnetter once told me that her husband takes soluble aspirin for his migraines, and holds the solution in his mouth for 5 minutes to allow the drug to go through his mucous membranes in his cheeks.

I thought it was worth a try and so far I have deflected a full blown migraine twice this way. The last time it didn't work, but I took an Imigran later and that worked. The pain came back the next day and so I took another Imigran and it knocked the pain on the head completely. 2 days is a great improvement for me.

You need sumatriptan (the active ingredient in Imigran)

I second girlandboy's recommendation though to get the stronger prescription version (cheaper too, if you're really lucky you might get a packet of 6!)

Yes, I got 6 tablets on prescription. They are safely put away......they're my little lifeline.

I have been through periods of getting the flashing lights/blind spots several times a day for days on end.

Usually triggered by stress. Mine are also set off by flashing lights or bright sunlight and again this can happen several times a day at times when I am particularly susceptible.

If you have time, then read this thread that I started in November. There were some very helpful suggestions on it, here

girlandboy - you and me both.

I have had chronic migraines for years, but until recently they have tended to only last for about 48 hours.

My latest one was 5 days. You have my utmost sympathy if yours regularly last that long

Tiggi - I hate summer because of that, reflections off wing mirrors and the like when just walking down the street then wham! migraine city.

I hate flash photography for the same reason.

MummyDoIt, try to make sure your blood sugar doesn't drop, that can be a trigger. If you are the slightest bit hungry, eat! I keep sweets for emergencies, eating a whole tube can often stave off an attack long enough for the drugs to take effect.

Thanks for the responses. Looks like a visit to the GP to request Imigran is in order. Tiggiwinkle, I'm reassured that you've had these episodes of flashimg lights for days on end (though sorry for you, of course!). I've been convincing myself I've got a brain tumour or am about to have a stroke! There certainly has been enough stress this Christmas to have an effect, plus my diet has been all over the place. I don't normally have food triggers but I'm sure all the sugary, fatty, salty foods haven't helped.

Make sure you get a blood pressure check.

If salty foods are a possible trigger, it could be that your BP is a little high.

With SaintGeorge mentioning eating food when you feel it coming on, I would also like to mention that you should also make sure you drink plenty. Drinking more when I can feel a migraine coming can make me feel a bit better, as can eating something.

My all time record, (when I was trying to come off Pizotifen) was a 3 week headache. Not something I would want to repeat!!!

By the way, if you can't get a quick doctors appointment, you can buy the Imigran from the chemist, but be prepared to have to fill in a questionnaire! Then they'll let you have more another time without all the questions.

I have suffered from migraines since adolescence too and they were hell until, about 3 years ago, my GP prescribed Rizatriptan - Maxalt Melt tablets. They melt under your tongue so they get into your bloodstream really quickly, plus if you vomit, they are still effective.
I take them at the first onset of sympoms and they usually kick in within 20-30 minutes.
They are the only things that have ever worked for me and they are fab!