Migraine Advice

[margaretta]

A member of my family has paralysis when they wake up, unable to speak or move, this wears off over several hours and they are still recovering the following day. This happens up to 2x a week, and has gone on for 10yrs.

It is a type of migraine apparently - does anyone on the thread have anything like this?

Sounds like a hemiplegic migraine. I have friends who suffer with them.

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

I've suffered with migraines for years and years, it's hormonal as its always when I'm due on. I was prescribed Sumatriptan in January, it does get rid of the Migraine but it makes me feel drunk, unsteady on my feet, I feel spaced out and they make me violently sick so I can only take them before I go to bed to try and lessen the effects slightly. I work full time and have 2 children so I have to pick between the Migraine and it's effects or the tablets and their effects. I need to call the doctor and ask for something else, can anyone help with what else they may prescribe and what their effects are please?

I had quite a negative reaction to sumatriptam but I am able to take rizatriptan with far fewer issues.

 

[LifeOfMog]

Fingers crossed all comes back okay! Keep us posted. How long until you get your results?

Thank you, me too! I never really worry about my health but this is stressing me out I believe 2-4 weeks x

 

[jimmyj123]

Been prescribed propranolol a month ago for almost daily migraines and seems to be helping for the most part but has anyone has this and suffered from any weird side effects like swollen fingers ??

 

[toffeejelly]

@LifeOfMog did you get your results?

 

[toffeejelly]

id make an appointment at the opticians and have an oct scan that can show some issues,also too many medications can cause the headaches too which is annoying.

same sort of thing happened to me and an eye test flagged it.

x x

what did the eye test flag up? X

 

[queenamber]

Has anyone had success using Ubrelvy/Ubrogepant? I've been having migraines for the last few months (mine seem to be hormone related so I'm having some further tests done) I got this from my doctor today and wondered if anyone had any experience?

 

[Blonde_moment]

If they're hormone related, it might be worth asking for the pill? I did and had virtually no issues for 6 years. I then started getting them again and switched to the injection. Not had a period since and not had hormone related migraines since.

Thanks, I have tried the Pill (several variants) and it doesn’t suit me unfortunately. I’m also going through the roller coaster of peri-menopause. Early menopause runs in family; my Mum was fully menopausal at 39. It’s fun being a woman

 

[Into_the_tunnel]

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

I had no side effects to the pills or nasal sprays (but they did nothing to ease the pain). The injection made my heart race and then I felt drowsy.

But, like with anything it is so individual. I can cope with topiramate but others on here hated it (vice versa for the tricyclic).

Hope you find relief.

 

[bcfc999]

I had migraines regularly from my mid teens to mid twenties, then it switched to near-constant headaches. Now I'm back with a weird mix of both, as of about a year ago - I have naproxen for my headaches and sumatriptan for my migraines. Sumatriptan has about a 50:50 success rate for me. My migraines are definitely not as bad as some here - I get an aura, tingly or numb arms and pounding head, nausea sometimes. I can usually sleep it off but had one last night and have had a banging headache all day. I think my triggers are stress, lack of sleep and generally not looking after myself properly. I've been in a bit of a slump the last few months and I know I need to pick myself up but it's a struggle.

 

[Kim Mild]

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

I did the first time I had one. My parents called the doctor out .

 

[Nosymum]

I take migralieve but often find I need to be sick to relieve the pressure. Other than that I believe having an orgasm helps as releases endorphins and plenty of water.

 

[hol20x]

I gave up caffeine when I was a teenager cos it was one of my triggers. Now I only really get them when I’m stressed or tired. I take propranolol to prevent them and it’s definitely helped.

 

[Irishgalperth]

I've suffered with migraines for years and years, it's hormonal as its always when I'm due on. I was prescribed Sumatriptan in January, it does get rid of the Migraine but it makes me feel drunk, unsteady on my feet, I feel spaced out and they make me violently sick so I can only take them before I go to bed to try and lessen the effects slightly. I work full time and have 2 children so I have to pick between the Migraine and it's effects or the tablets and their effects. I need to call the doctor and ask for something else, can anyone help with what else they may prescribe and what their effects are please?

Mine have always been hormonal and absolutely debilitating. I’m in Australia and take Eletriptan. The only thing that works for me. Nothing else gives me relief. Saying that I feel like I have a hangover when it passes. I’m prescribed 80mg but 40mg works for me so I half them. Both strengths cost the same to buy.

 

[Fallfromgrace]

Wow I didn’t know there was a migraine board here. I’ve had the bleep things since I was 10. I was diagnosed with having tons of migraines in 1998 all different including weather related ones too hot or too cold migraine, much prefer the seasons of spring and autumn when I didn’t see much of one.
I’ve finally got a neurologist who I see next March after having a doctor say I do not have migraines just run of the mill headaches. This doctor I’ve never seen before in local practice. And she cancelled all 10 of my migraine appts from 2020 which I had no clue about until I had to see the MAXFAX consultant about constant jaw ache. Been at MAXFAX for 2 years and didn’t know anything about the cancelled appts and he told me we have been on at the neurologist for the past 3 years asking for a appt and they get cancelled told him it’s one of the female drs at my local surgery.
also he told me that the numbness I’m feeling on the left side of my head is something called a hemiplegic migraine aka stroke migraine.

 

[margaretta]

Has anyone who has tried topiramate suffered when coming off it? I was fine when starting it and had no side effects at all. It didn’t work for me at all. Might as well have taken smarties but coming off it is horrific. I’m having an awful time. I’ve only got this week but really it’s horrible.
Im starting Botox this week too so hopefully that will help.

Sorry to hear that.
How are you coming off it?
With any of these meds you need to taper off gradually, you can’t just stop, your body has to adjust.

So cut down the dose gradually.
if you’re on 100 mg, go down to 75 mg for around a week, then down to 50 mg, then down to 25 mg or alternate days. In my experience it takes 4-6 weeks to come off meds like this successfully with low side effects.

 

[Chickenandgravy]

I'm hoping for the Botox injections when I see my neuro in August. Anyone else had them?

 

[Melian]

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

I was given a nasal spray which kept giving me nasal / sinus infections. I don't have a good sense of smell (this was way before covid; so it's not that) now.

 

[Marmitelover]

Hi everyone.

I'm just starting on Topiramate this week for migraines (have suffered since the age of 10, I'm 42 now). I was wondering what your experiences are when drinking alcohol on them?
I don't drink during the week, but like to have a social drink one night at the weekend. I'm wondering how the drug affects you when drinking.

Thanks in advance

 

[Marmitelover]

I wouldn't touch this stuff with a barge pole ever again

It left me with mild hearing loss. This is quite rare. I remember everything (including water) tasting like metal. Also had a 24 hour fever on it and constant thirst

I had to beg to come off it. No one understands why I don't want to go back on it

It did help but I couldn't stay on it

I'd agree! I asked my initial question a few months ago when I was starting back on topiramate, and wow, it really messed me up.
The doctor wanted me to increase to 200 a day, but I only got to 100 and the side affects were so bad. I'd be driving along the road then all of a sudden forget what I was doing and where I was going. I have gone right back down to 25 which so far (touch wood) is keeping the migraines away. But I do sometimes still have an odd moment. I'm much more over sensitive and emotional too. I do wonder if it's worth the side affects at all. It completely altered my personality!

I'm glad you managed to come off them, have you found an alternative that works well yet?