Migraine Advice

[Blanche Hunt]

What are the side affects to the sumatriptans? Do they leave you feeling drowsy?

 

[HoGi]

I have a daith piercing made no difference whatsoever.

There is a lot of talk on the ear piercing thread about it. Lots of mixed reviews

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

Yeah, around 20 mins after taking them I’d get extremely drowsy and have to nap for a few hours. Then I generally felt really nauseous and dosile

I have a similar problem with Sumatriptan but don't have the same reaction to Rizatriptan. It's odd really because rizatriptan isn't recommended for my type of migraine.

 

[Notworthy]

I have tried to participate in a drug trial twice in the last 2 years and both times got booted off as I got a migraine and vomited. It's literally the only time it's happened. After the 1st time I thought it might either be dehydration or caffeine withdrawal so the 2nd time I went on a trial I made sure I tapered my caffeine 1st and drank lots of water while there. Exactly the same thing happened, 24 hours after arriving I got a migraine and then vomited. I'm now pretty sure it was the lighting in there that was causing the problem for me, something to be aware of if you work in an office or hospital.

 

[Lizzie Mintdrop]

Great news - are you getting any side effects from it ? I tried it years ago but it made me feel like a zombie but wondering if I should try it again now ?

I'm not getting any side effects, thankfully. I take it just before bed and wake up feeling groggy but that goes as soon as I eat something

 

[uncleted]

i did have a blood test for coeliac a few months ago which was negative but will definitely look more into it! this was after a folate deficiency and high lymphocytes. i do have hashimoto's thyroiditis so wonder if it is autoimmune and /or hormone related beyond the link i've made myself with estrogen. also have rosacea so burning on my cheeks can flare with other symptoms too so probs doesn't help the facial pain. i might get back in touch with neurology tbh, when i was referred for migraine they tried to help it as a knock on effect to my chronic pain by changing those meds, but when that wasn't working they just never revisited the migraine issue? need to keep pushing it i think!

Yes advocate for yourself! I’m in the US and have to almost deny medications because I feel like I’m being pushed and sold to. You know your body. All the doctors say “oh there’s no side effects to this” as well when there truly is. I had an awful experience with topirimate. Sadly it did work as well I also tested negative on a blood test for celiac. I did one of those 23andMe kits and it said high likelihood for gluten intolerance, im Irish btw and I think it’s all in our genes. I cut gluten myself and I reintroduced it for a year last year and was depressed, brain fog worse than migraine brain fog, insomnia and gained a load of weight. I could have made myself intolerant now by giving it up for so long so who knows. Don’t be afraid to switch neurologists either or get a second opinion if funds and insurance allow. If I stuck with my first neuro I don’t think I’d be where I am today. I feel like this man (the maxiofacial specialist) has given me my life back. Hope you find relief soon xx

 

[JSK90]

I've suffered with migraines for about 11 years. About 3 years ago, I was put on amitriptyline 10mg and sumatriptan when needed. The amitriptyline wasn't working so I upped to 20mg. It still isn't working and I've come off it now because I'm about to start a medical trial for Rimegepant. I'm not usually one to trust in medical trials and don't want to be the guinea pig so to speak, but this one is already approved in the EU so it doesn't bother me as I'd be able to get it from my GP if it wasn't for brexit. I do have considerably more migraines when I am stressed and only sumatriptan helps so I hope this new medication helps to prevent them.

 

[Hemerocallis]

I've started using Migraine Buddy as someone suggested but I can't see any triggers or trends.

Takes time, be patient.
Using a diary helps. I discovered that I get migraines when I don't drink coffee in the afternoon. The last attacks have all occurred then. I don't drink much coffee, one cup in the morning and one in the afternoon, but that's obviously extremely important for me to avoid migraine attacks.

 

[Snippysnips]

I got my daith pierced, for me it sorta limited the amount of migraines I got, I'd be getting them monthly an now I can go a few months without one but it didn't stop them fully, it didn't quite work with the headaches either as I still get those

The one time things actually cleared up for me was when I did a 100 day challange where I cut out chocolate, biscuits, cakes, crisps, take aways, fizzy juice, ice cream of all kinds, I done it cold turkey as well an honestly the first week I could have ripped my hair out with cravings but once the cravings left I was actually surprised at how clear my head become, I'd use nuts like almonds if I did get a craving, am back to eating it all now an the headaches are back, I wonder if anyone else is more food related with headaches as it seems maybe I am, nothing else changed when I done that, still kept my sleeping the same an what I did during the day the same, so I think maybe the sugar is what goes for me an the caffeine in the chocolate

 

[Lizzie Mintdrop]

I love my propranolol! Started it a couple of years ago and have only had three or four since, whereas I was having at least one a month before.

That's fantastic!

 

[knivesnflowers]

Hormonal migraine:

Aside from the pill (there are certain types you can't take if you have migraine) and the injection, does anyone else know what's ok to take? I've been pestering my GP about this for the last month and they've not even discussed it with me.

Struggling so much at the moment. Wasn't too impressed that I've had to beg to come off Pregabalin (it doesn't work and I've needed to come off it for the last 2 months - it was just increased instead) and had to beg to change what I take when I do have migraine. Can't have nasal sprays as I just end up with sinus problems and Sumitriptan just causes Raynaurds. I ahd to do my own research as to what else was out there.

Nothing has been put in place now that I've come off Pregabalin. I was told I should be seen by neurology soon. Unlikely. Still waiting for unrelated referrals that were made in February.

your situation sounds kinda similar to me! i have pcos and found my migraines got more severe at certain points in my cycle and were triggered by estrogen. now on desogestrel and was on provera for a bit to help manage period symptoms mainly - they're both progesterone only so fine for me.

i'm on amitriptyline and pregabalin for chronic pain. i haven't found them to have an impact on migraines but was on them before mine started so i dont actually know what i'd be like without them

also started off on sumatriptan and it worked ... but then kinda didn't. i also had sinus issues seperate but the nasal spray antibiotic (?) made my nose so much more sensitive when i did get an attack (have wrote on earlier pages what a typical migraine is like for me - lots of nose burning). i'm now taking naratriptan and it's so much better for me but it doesn't immediately reduce the pain but rather stops it from getting worse and then it'll gradually wear off. i'm still at a fairly early / manageable stage with my pain but hope this helps anyway! i also got a neurology referral a year ago and had a nightmare with them changing pain meds and then not wanting to help with migraines why is why i was sent!

 

[Meldrumlurker]

I have suffered with migraine with aura since having severe pre eclampsia with a twin pregnancy. The only thing that works for me is rizatriptan (for anyone that sumatriptan doesn't work for, I would urge you to ask for this, it's more expensive so drs are reluctant to prescribe but the side effects are much better). The other thing I've found that helps is a balm.feom an online company called Herbs on the Hill - I was extremely sceptical and of course it doesn't get rid of migraine symptoms, but whether it's in my head or not, I don't care! It definitely helps and I can't recommend it enough

 

[LennyBriscoe]

I’ve had a lot of different things over the years. My migraines were worse when I was a kid but I’ve had preventative medicines, stuff you dissolve on your tongue (used to come in a blue box, can’t remember the name of them). I am prescribed Sumatriptan and they work if I take them with two paracetamol at the same time.

 

[Nelly's mum]

Are they able to get their neurologist to give them botox or aimovig?

Hi, I asked my relative, here's their reply;
I've tried Botox, and I've tried Ajovy (which is similar to Aimovig) which was the injection I had bad side effects from, so I've declined to try others that work the same way ! Keep em coming lol

So the search continues! Thanks for all your suggestions Margaretta and TwitTwoo, I am sure there is something that can help

 

[Peggy5]

What are the side affects to the sumatriptans? Do they leave you feeling drowsy?

Yeah, around 20 mins after taking them I’d get extremely drowsy and have to nap for a few hours. Then I generally felt really nauseous and dosile

 

[zetta buttons]

You won’t be given topiramate if you are or thinking of ttc. I would ask for oxygen or Gammacore. The Gammacore can either work as to stop the cluster mid flow (like oxygen) or as a preventative.

Sorry you are struggling

 

[SamKe]

Did anyone panic that it was something more serious than just a migraine? Currently had two migraines in the past two weeks, one lasted a full week and the other 3 days

you can get your eyes tested which can show if there are any issues

 

[1001 others]

I used to have them years ago but thankfully haven't had one in a while (touch wood!).

Up until last year, I'd get a massive headache (not a migraine) every Saturday morning; I put that down to it being my body releasing all the stress of the working week. Since I got my daith pierced (which I did in the hope that my hearing would improve [it has helped]), I've found that I only get slight headaches when I'm under pressure or haven't had my daily coffee.

The only drug I found that would help when I used to get migraines, was Mersyndol (https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/m/Mersyndol.pdf), but they'd leave me feeling really hungover for days afterwards (no headache, just drowsy and nauseous).

 

[StrawberryAscot]

Hormonal migraine:

Aside from the pill (there are certain types you can't take if you have migraine) and the injection, does anyone else know what's ok to take? I've been pestering my GP about this for the last month and they've not even discussed it with me.

Struggling so much at the moment. Wasn't too impressed that I've had to beg to come off Pregabalin (it doesn't work and I've needed to come off it for the last 2 months - it was just increased instead) and had to beg to change what I take when I do have migraine. Can't have nasal sprays as I just end up with sinus problems and Sumitriptan just causes Raynaurds. I ahd to do my own research as to what else was out there.

Nothing has been put in place now that I've come off Pregabalin. I was told I should be seen by neurology soon. Unlikely. Still waiting for unrelated referrals that were made in February.

We have a lot in common! I would definitely get an answer from your doctor, but my doctor told me that progesterone-only contraceptives could be used. I tried Pegabalin at one point too, and the side effects were terrible for me. I had no idea it caused Reynauds though. My sinuses won't tolerate nasal sprays either and oral sumitriptan doesn't work on me, so I use the sumatriptan auto-injectors and oral zolmitriptan.

When I could still afford healthcare, they wanted me to try one of those new preventative monthly injections, like Emgality. Never did, but it works for some people.

I don't miss the days of begging for specialty referrals. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself. I'd be dead if I hadn't done the same. You know more about your health than any one of your doctors. Good luck!

I would recommend magnesium supplements alongside the prescribed preventative meds. Since I started the supplements last Oct I’ve had far fewer migraines. It might be a placebo but it’s working for me!

I highly recommend magnesium too, supplements have helped me with several issues. I also take Epsom salt baths, which help control my muscle pains, and it is the only thing I have found to help restless legs at night.

 

[bcfc999]

It’s so hard not to stress as most who don’t suffer don’t really understand how debilitating a migraine and the after effects can be. I don’t know my triggers either but if you are on Facebook there is a great support page UK Migraine support and I’ve gained lots of tips to help manage my migraines from there. Hope it passes for you soon x

Thank you, I will go and have a look at that group.