Migraine

[LittleSilver]

Have just been diagnosed with classical migraine. Realised that actually have had them since late teens/early 20s, but they are linked with my periods and as have been bf/pg for last six years they have been few and far between.

My question is, how do you head them off (as it were ) My dr has given me simatriptan btu I would prefer to avoid drugs if poss.

Many thanks.

I find mine come on when I get a bit dehydrated.

I started drinking more water and the amount of migraines I got reduced dramatically.

i am in LOVE with sumatriptan. Honestly, do NOT hold back with it.

as soon as i feel the crazy symptoms come on (my first symptoms are confusion and problems with language) i take a sumatriptan and i am normal again (if a bit tired) in an hour or so.. if i don't take the sumatriptan i'm knocked out for a day at least and have even ended up in hospital!!!

mine are caused by tension in my neck and shoulders so i also have regular massage and try to control stress and am always hyper-alert for the signs when i know i am stressed.

why do you not want to take the sumatriptan? i honestly LOVE the stuff!

I get horrible, week long, period related migraines. So far I've just suffered through them with the help of Syndol. Your thread makes me think I should maybe see a doctor.

I found that having a Mirena Coil fitted got rid of menstrual migraines. I used to get them during my period and then also began getting them around ovulation too.

I did also want to use it for contraception so great for me and just thought I would add for info.

It is almost time for my coil to be changed and I have found that the migraines and associated symptoms have come back over the last few months.

Acupuncture can help and I swear by Resolve Extra.
A nurse friend suggested diclofenac x2 and parecetamol x2 will get rid of migraine too.

I also had sumatriptan and now take rizatriptan. The drugs do work, I get symptoms of migraine about once a week and rizatriptan (Maxalt) means that I only get a full blown migraine every few months.

I had one last night, headed off with Sumatriptan (though I do find it makes me feel quite nauseous, if I don't lie down and rest when I take it - think thats rare though, and I never had that side effect with Maxalt). I take a strong painkiller, usually paracetamol with codeine or Nurofen Plus, with it, then try and sleep for an hour or two.

Drinking tons of water can help, as migraines are thought to be caused by teeny mini-clots sticking in the capillaries of the brain GP advised me to drink lots of water when one threatened.

I agree with everyone who says about taking the sumatriptan. I get a warning - zigzag lines in my eyes - and 9 times out of 10 the meds will stop it develpoing any further. I got them years ago, and have started again recently with them, but it's connected to another health problem

none of the triptans worked for me

so I went to a gynae who recommended I try and take the pill continuously because what was causing the period migraines was a drop in a certain hormone as my period started. So by taking the pill constantly, you're keeping your hormones on an even keel.

I now take it 6 months at a time, then have a break to let my body have a period (otherwise I start getting cramps), suffer a horrible migraine then take it again for 6 months.

Some GPs get a bit funny about prescribing the pill when you have migraines but I knew mine were completely to do with hormones.

(elibean, if you come back to this thread, I keep meaning to ask you something but I can't remember if it was you and your dd who struggled with the floppy larynx. if it wasn't you apologies!)