Migraine help

[ali_kat]

Day 5 of migraine

Usually they last a few hours, a day max but sometimes I get real doozys, upto 6 days

They seem to be evolving & I'm a bit worried, so I'm going to give as much info here as possible to see if anyone else gets anything like? I discussed with my Dr yesterday as I was already booked in for something else (more details below in case linked - certainly a stress!) but she wasn't concerned & prescribed more Imigran

They follow my normal pattern - fuzzy eyes, aura, dizziness, light & sound sensitivity, double vision, sensitivity to smell (causing sickness & pain), can't get warm, blinding headache in my temple (either or) & sickness; just repeated a lot!

This attack started Sunday I think. My neck went stiff & painful before bed & I couldn't get warm - woke with the blinding headache.

My concerns
I'm losing all vision. My eyes go fuzzy, I get white shadowing then lose all sight for seconds/minutes then the shadows & flashy aura.
I'm also having shaking (like a shivering) 'fits'. I thought this was because I was cold (so didn't mention it to Dr) but it happened this morning when I was warm. Mum said the shaking was part of her symptoms but she was always cold during her attacks.

Normal routine of Imigran & sleep doesn't shift these so I don't fight them - they seen to happen when I've fought a few off, they don't appear after one of my 'triggers'.

My triggers are - red wine, plain chocolate (I can eat milk choc), oranges & chocolate (I can eat Terry's chocolate orange, but not Roses orange cremes), being overtired, being over hungry (low blood sugar), dehydrated, hormones and stress!

The 'blockers' I took in the past didn't work too well for me, like the new ones that are AD based, the side effects out weigh the benefit. Likewise Migraleve has no effect anymore, which is why I don't like to over use the Imigran! Cafergot used to shift them, but that's not allowable anymore


Family history
My GreatGreatGF had Grand Mal, Mum's Father's Dad - it killed him
My GreatGM had migraine, Mum's Mother - Nan didn't ever have a headache
Mum & her sister & brother suffered from the age of 3.
My brother has had them since he was little.
I've suffered since I was @ 17. Started with complete loss of vision then sickness, no headache, for which I was given brain scans & nothing was found () after that the aura & headache started to go with it & the complete loss of vision stopped.
Both parents have late onset diabetes


The reason for the Dr visit yesterday
I'm constantly thirsty & drinking a lot - water/tea (black) & soft drinks (virtually no alcohol).
I had a coil fitted in December and I'm getting severe pain & very irregular bleeding - I'd been told it was just it settling down, but the Dr yesterday agrees its probably more than that, did swabs etc and I'm swollen in the painful area - has requested scans & blood/urine tests - fasting & non fasting. This with Mum's recent hysterectomy to remove Cancer is scaring me!


I've lost a week at work, I'm a contractor so I've lost a weeks wages this doesn't help with stress!

[LHRFlightman]

Have you tried Sumtriptan? They've completely sorted out my wife. Prescribed by her doctor.

Good luck.

[ali_kat]

that's Imigran & what usually works for me

Thank you

[SlidingSideways]

LHRFlightman said:

Have you tried Sumtriptan? They've completely sorted out my wife. Prescribed by her doctor.
Good luck.

Yep, these sorted out my O/Hs migraines. They're best taken when you first feel one coming on, and can actually prevent it turning into a full blown migraine. Still effective in the midst of one though, and they seem to help with the symptoms.
They're a nasal spray, which means they continue to work even if you're sick straight after taking it, unlike pills.
For relief during attack, she found Syndol much better than migralieve. Not sure if it's back on sale in the UK yet (issues with the licence due to company takeover apparently) but I have a "recipe" of tablets you can take which will give the same effect if you want it? (It's pharmacist approved, but get it checked out yourself first, obviously)

Edit - Have they got worse since the coil was put in? I know SWMBO found hers worse on certain types of the pill. Switched through a few and ended up with the implant instead, which doesn't seem to have caused any issues yet.
Good luck with the tests as well, fingers crossed it's nothing serious.

Edited by SlidingSideways on Friday 28th June 12:02

[ali_kat]

Mine are oral, never had any form/sort of nasal spray that doesn't make me (head/sinus relief)

I use Tylenol to help when it's a normal attack (sent over from USA) but my Dr isn't happy about that, even though it helps.

When it's one of these attacks, nothing helps

No, not been affected by the coil - the pill was tho (and not just because of the cocking it up! I was told not to have implant due to my auras (at my age (41), I have a choice of coil or condom it seems!)

Thank you

[fjord]

Do you wear glasses?

I used to have terrible migraines until i went to the opticians. They stopped over night.

[ali_kat]

I do & my prescription is up to date

[fjord]

ali_kat said:

I do & my prescription is up to date

Hmm. The only trigger for me is extreme stress, but since getting glasses about 6 years ago, i've probably only had 1 or 2 migraines.

One option is to maybe get a second opinion at another optician? I went to one opticians who nearly managed to get me excluded from my job, because they fked up the prescription and had me down as nearly blind in one eye!

Failing that, I can only think of giving your diet a complete overhaul.

Last option is that it could be something to do with the minefield that is woman's hormones...

[counterofbeans]

My wife has suffered terribly with migraines over the years, but has been much better since taking Atenolol daily.

Took a while to find the "right" drug but this one seems to be working well.

That said, her aunt also suffered with migraines but they eventually just stopped.

CofB

[K77 CTR]

Tylenol is just paracetamol and actually a lower dose than our paracetamol.

[ali_kat]

K77 CTR said:

Tylenol is just paracetamol and actually a lower dose than our paracetamol.

This is the high dose, but yes

[ali_kat]

I can't take Atenolol or the other beta blockers

My eyes being tired, food triggers & hormones contribute to normal attacks, but not these

[Team Groom]

I used to wake up with headaches 3 / 4 times a week. I went to the chiropractor and a few cracks and £30 later it virtually went.

May or may not help but might be worth a try?

[Mobile Chicane]

There are alternatives to coils and condoms - a diaphragm works well for me.

I had to wait two months to have one fitted mind, at a 'Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic' miles away, since nowhere locally offers this service.

The doctor had to go into the clinic basement to find the practice samples for me to try myself - she said I was the only patient she'd fitted for one in the last three years.

[motco]

My Good Lady used to have migraines when she was younger and Cafergot was the only thing that really helped. Didn't know it was no longer available.

A vasectomy is a good option and completely side-effect free for the lady user.

ETA Migril might be a useful alternative to Cafergot. It contains similar ingredients: caffiene and ergotamine. Hope you sort it AK, it's a lousy ailment.

Edited by motco on Friday 28th June 17:52

[Lemmonie]

Try asking for imigran Injections. If you are lucky enough to get them from a sympathetic gp they are great.

I used to use I Iran tablets but these didn't work quick enough so got the inhaler. Whilst I find the side effects vile it does work. I get the injections for another condition I have, cluster headaches. But I have used the injection for massive migraines and they do the trick. Can't walk after mind so take only at home!

[ali_kat]

Team Groom said:

I used to wake up with headaches 3 / 4 times a week. I went to the chiropractor and a few cracks and £30 later it virtually went.

May or may not help but might be worth a try?

I'll give it a go

[ali_kat]

Mobile Chicane said:

There are alternatives to coils and condoms - a diaphragm works well for me.

True, not offered at my Dr's tho, nor was it recommended, plus it kinda takes the spontaneity out of it?

[ali_kat]

motco said:

My Good Lady used to have migraines when she was younger and Cafergot was the only thing that really helped. Didn't know it was no longer available.

A vasectomy is a good option and completely side-effect free for the lady user.

ETA Migril might be a useful alternative to Cafergot. It contains similar ingredients: caffiene and ergotamine. Hope you sort it AK, it's a lousy ailment.

I've not been able to get it since 2007 & it was taken off the market in 2012

True, but along with having my tubes tied, kinda irreversible and I know I'm pushing it at my age & have always said otherwise, but I want kids... (Meeting the right person really does change your mind!)

That looks of interest, thank you . Thank you, it is!

[ali_kat]

Lemmonie said:

Try asking for imigran Injections. If you are lucky enough to get them from a sympathetic gp they are great.

I used to use I Iran tablets but these didn't work quick enough so got the inhaler. Whilst I find the side effects vile it does work. I get the injections for another condition I have, cluster headaches. But I have used the injection for massive migraines and they do the trick. Can't walk after mind so take only at home!

I have the worlds biggest needle phobia, but it it works ill try it! Wonder why my Dr didn't suggest this, or inhalers...


It's not my normal attacks I'm worried about. It's the evolution of my week long ones into convolutions & loss of vision. I already know I can't drive anywhere when I get one, but I'm worried what it's evolving into. If it goes towards fits I'm screwed without my driving license!!

Epilepsy & migraine are proved to have the same genes now...