Migraines

[heisthegaffer]

Hi all

Probably been done to death on here but my wife suffers from bad migraines so has botox quarterly via NHS.

Usually has a positive impact but the current session hasn't really stopped them. She takes Rizotriptan when they come on and has stopped taking all other meds as they ha no effect.

She's at her wits end here and is affecting our little lad. On NYE he and I were going to friends without wifey due to migraines and he asked if she was going to die of headaches.

Anyone experiences this and found anything else that can help at all?

Thanks

[LHRFlightman]

Wife takes 3 aspirin at onset plus sumatriptan.

She's has gone from 2-3 days in bed with 24+ hours vomiting (30 years of that) to being able to work, drive and live normally with a 'bad' headache. Been better for 10 years now.

Good luck.

[67Dino]

My Mum (a medical doctor) tried everything and in the end went for acupuncture (which she thought was nonsense). It really worked for her. She still avoids dark chocolate though, which I gather doesn’t help.

[heisthegaffer]

Thanks all. Will let her have these tips.

[TheAngryDog]

LHRFlightman said:

Wife takes 3 aspirin at onset plus sumatriptan.

She's has gone from 2-3 days in bed with 24+ hours vomiting (30 years of that) to being able to work, drive and live normally with a 'bad' headache. Been better for 10 years now.

Good luck.

I take either 3 aspirin or 3 ibuprofen tablets. I tried sumatriptan but it had a really bad affect on me. I gave me a second migraine. I have been prescribed almotriptan as this is supposed to be better, but I've not needed to take it yet. My GP says to take the almotriptan when the headache hits, not before.

Oddly, my last migraine was silent. I had the aura, took 3 ibuprofen, went to bed for 30 mins and just closed my eyes. Once the aura had gone I was left without a headache, didn't feel fuzzy or washed out, and I was able to continue on with my day as if nothing had happened.

[heisthegaffer]

TheAngryDog said:

I take either 3 aspirin or 3 ibuprofen tablets. I tried sumatriptan but it had a really bad affect on me. I gave me a second migraine. I have been prescribed almotriptan as this is supposed to be better, but I've not needed to take it yet. My GP says to take the almotriptan when the headache hits, not before.

Oddly, my last migraine was silent. I had the aura, took 3 ibuprofen, went to bed for 30 mins and just closed my eyes. Once the aura had gone I was left without a headache, didn't feel fuzzy or washed out, and I was able to continue on with my day as if nothing had happened.

Thanks for this.

Rather coincidentally my poor wife is in bed with a particularly bad one as we speak. One of the worst in a long time and she is struggling to get a botox appointment I with the hospital.

[MYOB]

Does she know what her triggers are? Took me years to work out that mine are caused if I miss lunch.

First sign of a headache, I take 2 panadols and 1 ibuprofen. Mostly works for me, provided I have had lunch.

[Rotaree]

My wife uses Syndol as does a good friend of ours.

The composition was changed a while ago, removing one of its active ingredients and they both found that it no longer worked for their migraines, however, after a short time off the market it has come back in its original form and seems to be just as effective as before.

[TheAngryDog]

heisthegaffer said:

TheAngryDog said:

I take either 3 aspirin or 3 ibuprofen tablets. I tried sumatriptan but it had a really bad affect on me. I gave me a second migraine. I have been prescribed almotriptan as this is supposed to be better, but I've not needed to take it yet. My GP says to take the almotriptan when the headache hits, not before.

Oddly, my last migraine was silent. I had the aura, took 3 ibuprofen, went to bed for 30 mins and just closed my eyes. Once the aura had gone I was left without a headache, didn't feel fuzzy or washed out, and I was able to continue on with my day as if nothing had happened.

Thanks for this.

Rather coincidentally my poor wife is in bed with a particularly bad one as we speak. One of the worst in a long time and she is struggling to get a botox appointment I with the hospital.

I hope she recovers soon. I don't know where in the world you are, but I know there is a Migraine specialist in the Bedfordshire area.

[bucksmanuk]

for starters, go de-caff, it worked for me and for my mum

[TheAngryDog]

MYOB said:

Does she know what her triggers are? Took me years to work out that mine are caused if I miss lunch.

First sign of a headache, I take 2 panadols and 1 ibuprofen. Mostly works for me, provided I have had lunch.

I thought my triggers were sugar free drinks containing aspartame, but I still get migraines despite not having the drinks, so I am going to slowly re-introduce them to see if they trigger one.

[kurt535]

Triptan tabs are too slow to take effect...liver strips out a lot of drug so really quite pointless but cheap hence doctors sneakily prescribing them...nasal spray far more effective. for really bad sufferers, epipen triptans.

oxygen 15lpm delivered from a high flow mask also works very well for migraines. see HOF on website below for more details.

I suggest any person fed up to the teeth with heads visits

ouch.org.uk

brilliant site, brilliant people who will help 101%

[TheAngryDog]

ouch.org is mainly for cluster headaches. There is very little on Migraines.

[heisthegaffer]

Thanks for everyone's responses, it is hugely appreciated.

Sadly she cannot pinpoint any triggers despite 25 years plus of suffering.

We go to the Royal free in Hampstead for check ups and botox but as mentioned they are increasingly difficult to get an appointment with. She is now calling every weds to get a cancellation.

Interesting about the place in Bedfordshire - will look it up.

Thanks again all.

[judas]

TheAngryDog said:

MYOB said:

Does she know what her triggers are? Took me years to work out that mine are caused if I miss lunch.

First sign of a headache, I take 2 panadols and 1 ibuprofen. Mostly works for me, provided I have had lunch.

I thought my triggers were sugar free drinks containing aspartame, but I still get migraines despite not having the drinks, so I am going to slowly re-introduce them to see if they trigger one.

You can have multiple triggers. Aspartame is one of mine (and probably the worst); stress, missing meals and alcohol can also be triggers for me. But the threshold for them triggering a migraine isn't constant - it does go up and down. I've got mine mostly under control now and am able to drink again after 15 years

[heisthegaffer]

TheAngryDog said:

I hope she recovers soon. I don't know where in the world you are, but I know there is a Migraine specialist in the Bedfordshire area.

Thanks for this, have you got the exact details of this specialist please?

[TheAngryDog]

Unfortunately I cannot recall their name, but I will see if I can find out and will let you know.

[heisthegaffer]

TheAngryDog said:

Unfortunately I cannot recall their name, but I will see if I can find out and will let you know.

Thanks mate

[TheAngryDog]

heisthegaffer said:

TheAngryDog said:

Unfortunately I cannot recall their name, but I will see if I can find out and will let you know.

Thanks mate

I've sent you an email.

Anyone come across this? https://www.migrainetrust.org/nice-issues-guidance...

[Imasurv]

I used to suffer migraines frequently when younger, 2/3 a month, with visual aura then pain centred around the eyes with intense nausea and vomiting. I worked out it was triggered by too much sugary breakfast cereal.

Changed that and they went away, mostly. Still get them occasionally and had my first for around 8 years last Sunday. Noticed the visual disturbance and immediately took 3 ibuprofen, cold towel on forehead and eyes, another towel over that and went to bed with blinds closed. The impact was a lot milder than I recall, and after around 4 hours I was able to get up with just a light headache, but feeling very delicate.

Those who continue to suffer frequently have my sympathies, it must be awful and I hope you get sorted.