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Migraine sufferers.
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"After some advice in fact anything at all from long-term sufferers on how and if you have learned to treat and cope with them.
Asking for a friend.
Many thanks xxx"
Zomig and a 30mins nap once the signs start (flashing lights for me) |
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By *lovisMan
over a year ago
Twickenham |
"After some advice in fact anything at all from long-term sufferers on how and if you have learned to treat and cope with them.
Asking for a friend.
Many thanks xxx"
Been having them since I was 14. Took me until a few years ago to discover it was my stomach that would trigger it. MSG is the biggie so I avoid anything with than in it - for example Pukka Pies include MSG.
Before I discovered that I had brain scans, acupuncture, Sumitriptan on prescription and homeopathy - luckily as I've got older they are milder and don't end with me projective vomiting as my stomach resets itself.
Keep a food diary and see if you can find a food trigger. I had a few recently and discovered that it was the jam I was eating for breakfast- who would have guessed.
You have my sympathy as I know how debilitating it is. |
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Be aware of prodrome (warning signs it's coming) and take painkillers before the pain starts to try to short circuit the cascade. Sleep it off, or at least rest in a cool room, keeping painkillers up until it stops.
Also be aware of triggers and prevent, and be gentle during postdrome (after effects) |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Magnesium citrate every day, and migraleve if I do have one (rarely these days). A pint of high mg dissolvable paracetamol/water helps too if that's all you have. But ultimately, get into a dark space/cover eyes as soon as you can. |
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By *adyJayneWoman
over a year ago
Burnleyish (She/They) |
Pizotifen for prevention (I tried propranolol, amitriptyline and topiramate first).
Sumatriptan the second I get the aura or sinus pain and 1-2 hours sleep is the only thing that works.
If I don't get sumatriptan in time I'm done for about 3 days. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Pizotifen for prevention (I tried propranolol, amitriptyline and topiramate first).
Sumatriptan the second I get the aura or sinus pain and 1-2 hours sleep is the only thing that works.
If I don't get sumatriptan in time I'm done for about 3 days. "
my mum takes that so i know what its like |
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Identify and, if possible, avoid triggers (stress, bright lights, red wine - sadly - and Ikea in my case). Keep well hydrated. Take painkillers as soon as it begins. Don’t fight it, just give yourself enough time, space and peace and quiet as required, if possible. See your GP, who can prescribe triptans, which can be much more effective than ordinary painkillers at tackling g migraines. Good luck, you (or your friend) has my sympathy. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Nothing works for mine except being horizontal as they're vestibular.
Although I have found that a diet high in sodium and caffeine exacerbates my symptoms so try and reduce both.
Thankfully I only get them a couple of times a year. |
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When I feel it coming I’ll slow right down. Calm deep breaths. I’ll try to stop what I’m doing to just zoom out but being a parent that’s not always an option. Failing that or if I can’t stop it’s water and painkillers and I’ll just push through until I can just curl up in a ball and ride it out...
Not really helpful but it’s how I deal 
Bx |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I've suffered with them for as ling as I can remember.
Have identified some triggers.
For example, on occasion I may suffer from a barometric migraine.
Basically this happens when atmospheric pressure changes - i.e a change in the weather.
For instance, sometimes I will know that rain is expected by about a day in advance.
I identified this about 20 years ago on a flight to the states.
Took off and as we gained altitude I felt migraine come on.
Suffered throughout the 11 hour flight. When we touched down in LA it dissappeared as quickly as it had come on |
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I really recommend Migraleve they are the only thing that has helped ease my migraines and my mum who has suffered for years.
I haven’t had one but you may also like to look into a Daith piecing ,which is an ear piercing as a more natural remedy.
I hope you find something that helps them .
|
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Get an eye test then see a doctor.
May be blood pressure / stress related.
Lots of drinks of water, VDU breaks, stress management, self care, blah blah.
I’ve had them on and off for 15 years, but my deteriorating vision and work stress are huge triggers for me.
I get mostly visual migraines now, but I have had cluster headaches where I genuinely wanted to die.
They’re called “suicide headaches” for a reason and thank fuck I haven’t had one for years.
Sumatriptan helps but it’s very expensive over the counter and only available if you’ve had a diagnosis / script. Can’t take it with some antidepressant meds (it’s basically serotonin).
If it’s more of a tension migraine headache, then paracodol helps. Glass of water, walk in the fresh air if you can, then sleep. Experiment with heat and cold.
I used to lock myself in the office loo with the light off until the flashing stopped. Wfh is LOADS better. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I've suffered with them for as ling as I can remember.
Have identified some triggers.
For example, on occasion I may suffer from a barometric migraine.
Basically this happens when atmospheric pressure changes - i.e a change in the weather.
For instance, sometimes I will know that rain is expected by about a day in advance.
I identified this about 20 years ago on a flight to the states.
Took off and as we gained altitude I felt migraine come on.
Suffered throughout the 11 hour flight. When we touched down in LA it dissappeared as quickly as it had come on"
I should add that when I get one of these, pain killers are ineffective.
I had found a great tablet years ago, but there were licensing issues and it got withdrawn. |
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By *indergirlWoman
over a year ago
somewhere, someplace |
"I've suffered with them for as ling as I can remember.
Have identified some triggers.
For example, on occasion I may suffer from a barometric migraine.
Basically this happens when atmospheric pressure changes - i.e a change in the weather.
For instance, sometimes I will know that rain is expected by about a day in advance.
I identified this about 20 years ago on a flight to the states.
Took off and as we gained altitude I felt migraine come on.
Suffered throughout the 11 hour flight. When we touched down in LA it dissappeared as quickly as it had come on"
I get them like that too, always know if a storm is coming |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"After some advice in fact anything at all from long-term sufferers on how and if you have learned to treat and cope with them.
Asking for a friend.
Many thanks xxx"
Painkillers as quick as you can, dark room, cold flannel or similar to the forehead, and if anything like me bucket by the bed and to try not to want to die  |
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By *orny PTMan
over a year ago
Peterborough |
I've mentioned this elsewhere but I used to be a sufferer. Bright hazy (hazy being the keyword here) and faulty fluorescent tubes.
What does work is squashing the blood vessels above the arms on your glasses. here you should find a natural pit, squeeze this until the pain over rides the one inside. Keep going until it stops the aurora and the rest of the attack. Rest and darkness will help too. |
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By *andRCouple
over a year ago
barry |
Suffered for decades. Been through all the meds, pizotofen to ward off, propanolol which put me in the hospital with stupidly low heart rate , sumatriptan and rizotriptan which can both help with the headache. But as said by others the only thing that really helps is water and sleep.
When I can't due to work I just try a quick break in a dark room and consciously try to relax. Triptans for the pain and get through it once I can see again.
Ry tells me I get irritable just before an attack but thankfully they are down to one every couple of weeks, at the worst it was every other day. So just be aware and if the patient becomes grumpy or irritable try to cut them a little slack and give help to relax.
Xx G |
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The key is figuring out what sets them off and avoiding it. Dehydration is my trigger.
Other than that, take some painkillers at the first sign of an attack and try to sleep it off. Taking the pills early is important - some sufferers (including me) find that their digestion basically shuts down during an attack. My attacks always end with vomiting, and I've brought up ibupeofen gel capsules, completely intact, six hours after swallowing them when I didn't take them soon enough. |
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By *adyJayneWoman
over a year ago
Burnleyish (She/They) |
"Suffered for decades. Been through all the meds, pizotofen to ward off, propanolol which put me in the hospital with stupidly low heart rate , sumatriptan and rizotriptan which can both help with the headache. But as said by others the only thing that really helps is water and sleep.
When I can't due to work I just try a quick break in a dark room and consciously try to relax. Triptans for the pain and get through it once I can see again.
Ry tells me I get irritable just before an attack but thankfully they are down to one every couple of weeks, at the worst it was every other day. So just be aware and if the patient becomes grumpy or irritable try to cut them a little slack and give help to relax.
Xx G "
Glad yours are getting better. Mine have steadily increased in frequency over the last, hmm 10 years. But at a rapid rate since a breakdown.5 years ago.
I'm out of chronic migraine territory now. I'm down to maybe 7 or 8 a month. From 1 - 2 a day...
On that note. I may need sumatriptan now (cry) |
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By *andRCouple
over a year ago
barry |
Sumatriptan works amazingly for the pain. I now have rizatriptan, weird little pills that dissolve on your tongue and go straight into the blood stream, usually stop the pain in seconds but leave me feeling a bit weird.
Hope you find something that works , for me focusing on relaxing helps, when I have a bad one and get stressed more it just gets worse.
Xx G |
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Find out what triggers them, for me its coffee,msg, cheese, lack of sleep and stress.
Cocodine works abit but mine lasts for 3 days. Plenty of rest in a dark room with no noise.
Migraines makes your senses extra sensative. |
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Pink migraleve tablets & a minimum of 4 hours in bed lying as still as possible after getting cumfy. Move my head during that period & once the pain starts you can't stop it again.
I get the flashing lights & missing vision. Started in my teens but less now I'm older. Too much chocolate, too much cheese, lack of sleep & the flash of sun off a passing car window are my usual triggers & I'm gone.
Neck & jaw tension are quite likely factors too so I think mine reduced after chiropractic work too & resetting of muscles & lower jaw to improve teeth crossbite. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Try to find what triggers your migraines. I used to get terrible ones and as a youngster the only thing that helped was sleep in total darkness and quiet. After nearly 40 years and lots of sumitripton I found out it was chocolate that was my trigger and when I stopped eating it completely they became less and less frequent and thankfully stopped altogether |
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What pisses me off is the "I've got a migraine" brigade who want a day off work just for a regular headache & love the drama of being centre of attention. When you have all the flashy lights & nausea & bed, you know what a real one is & these fakers are full of shit! |
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I don’t suffer myself but have a friend who used to very badly.
She would be completely incapacitated for a couple of days, a couple of times a month.
Her doctor prescribed he beta blockers and now she rarely gets one at all. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Mine are often worse when my blood pressure isn't under control. It's always worth checking out as a starting point.
When they start to hit, I see rain. Migraleave or Co codamol, lots of water and if possible sleep.
It doesn't always get rid of them but does make it possible to function.
If I wake up with one then I usually make a point of drinking 1l of water before attempting anything else. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Paracetamol and and a dark room to go to sleep"
this but cocodamol for me , and if i can manage it (usually easy enough with the nausea) i throw up before doing either - means i know i won't throw up just after taking the painkillers so they get a chance to be absorbed, and for some reason that event of being sick removes the pain entirely for about 10/15 mins which is just enough time usually to let me drop off to sleep easier than if my eye feels like is being stabbed from the inside |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I really recommend Migraleve they are the only thing that has helped ease my migraines and my mum who has suffered for years.
I haven’t had one but you may also like to look into a Daith piecing ,which is an ear piercing as a more natural remedy.
I hope you find something that helps them .
"
not sure if you get these on prescription, but if you are buying them a helpful pharmacist told me the yellow are just expensive cocodamol
the pink have the anti nausea though which are worth sticking with |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Mine last up to 3 days ,nothing gets rid of them, awaiting a brain scan at present.."
ive been the same in the past, at my worst it would last 3-3.5 days on one side of my head , ease up for s few hours then return on the other side for another 3-3.5 days
if if gives you hope your body does just go through natural changes that mean the phases of them get worse or better so it will ease up at some point , scared to jinx it but i seem to be in a phase where i dont get them very often now , maybe every few months and they last maybe 1-2 days |
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"Paracetamol and and a dark room to go to sleep
this but cocodamol for me , and if i can manage it (usually easy enough with the nausea) i throw up before doing either - means i know i won't throw up just after taking the painkillers so they get a chance to be absorbed, and for some reason that event of being sick removes the pain entirely for about 10/15 mins which is just enough time usually to let me drop off to sleep easier than if my eye feels like is being stabbed from the inside "
Same for me. Mine lasts for exactly 3 days.
Have to ride it out.
End up taking the pills every 4hrs for 3days and putting 4head on my head or tiger balm just to ease the pain, sometimes I put so much that the skin flakes off.
On the plus side I lose abit of weight as I cant eat much over the 3 days. |
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I take magnesium supplements to avoid them happening. But please, don’t take magnesium citrate, it’s not good for your indigestion.
If I get one, dark room, hydrate and take pain relief plus extra lysine.
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I just to get them alot and still do now, but not the same frequency. Switching to decaf coffee cut how many but not stopped them. Sleep is the best cure though not always possible. So to get to that point, 3 Anadins and I soak a flannel with cold water and put that across my head. The effect of cooling down REALLY does work and help.
You have my sympathies OP, it's not pleasant. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Interestingly there's apparently been a rise in people suffering with migraine attacks the past year or so then ever before. And people that have suffered with them for a while are reporting that they are more severe.
I've been prescribed sumitriptan as I being a trainee teacher I can't get myself to dark room. So my migraines would worsen throughout the day and they often got to the point where I was violently sick. I now take a sumitriptan as soon as I see the lights or as soon as the pain starts and so far, they seem to keep then at bay for a few days  |
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By *ost SockMan
over a year ago
West Wales and Cardiff |
I posted about my struggles the other day, and got some excellent advice - I’m glad you have had such in-depth responses.
I don’t have much to add to the above comments - I’m still trying to establish the toot causes of mine.
One thing I’ve noticed is that migraines became more prevalent around the time I started wearing varifocals. I do wonder whether they don’t help. I’ve had my eyes tested a couple of times since, but I suspect that I often don’t look out of the “correct” part of the lens, thus putting more strain on my eyes.
I’m focusing on drinking more water first thing in the morning - I think that may help somewhat.
If I discover any more hints/advice, I’ll let you know.
Best wishes - I know just how debilitating they can be.
LS |
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"After some advice in fact anything at all from long-term sufferers on how and if you have learned to treat and cope with them.
Asking for a friend.
Many thanks xxx"
Know and be aware what preceeds them, don't be fobbed off by anyone, try triptans for treatment but you have to take them at the first sign of the devils syndrome.
There are some amazing support groups out there.
There are also prophylactic treatments but be careful of the one beginning with T (I can't remember the name), they have some horrifying and common side effects.
If you get any that are associated with orgasm, insist on referral and you should get an MRI.
Don't be afraid of presenting yourself to the ED, I end up in hospital about every two years begging to be put out of my misery.
Some people get a post migraine euphoria, careful of that too!
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I try to control my migraines, I try and avoid all the triggers,
Cheese...but cooked is ok.
Coffee..hardly drink it, use to love it.
Cut down on stress, dont worry as much.
Drink more water and try and rest more.
Also stay out of the sun , dehydration.
Avoid msg.
Small price to pay to avoid migraines.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"After some advice in fact anything at all from long-term sufferers on how and if you have learned to treat and cope with them.
Asking for a friend.
Many thanks xxx
Been having them since I was 14. Took me until a few years ago to discover it was my stomach that would trigger it. MSG is the biggie so I avoid anything with than in it - for example Pukka Pies include MSG.
Before I discovered that I had brain scans, acupuncture, Sumitriptan on prescription and homeopathy - luckily as I've got older they are milder and don't end with me projective vomiting as my stomach resets itself.
Keep a food diary and see if you can find a food trigger. I had a few recently and discovered that it was the jam I was eating for breakfast- who would have guessed.
You have my sympathy as I know how debilitating it is."
Yes MSG and Sulphates are almost a guaranteed reaction. Unfortunately Sulphates are being added to many foods now so that they have a long shelf life. |
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By *adyJayneWoman
over a year ago
Burnleyish (She/They) |
"After some advice in fact anything at all from long-term sufferers on how and if you have learned to treat and cope with them.
Asking for a friend.
Many thanks xxx
Know and be aware what preceeds them, don't be fobbed off by anyone, try triptans for treatment but you have to take them at the first sign of the devils syndrome.
There are some amazing support groups out there.
There are also prophylactic treatments but be careful of the one beginning with T (I can't remember the name), they have some horrifying and common side effects.
If you get any that are associated with orgasm, insist on referral and you should get an MRI.
Don't be afraid of presenting yourself to the ED, I end up in hospital about every two years begging to be put out of my misery.
Some people get a post migraine euphoria, careful of that too!
"
What should the MRI show if they are associated with orgasm. I've just had mine back and it was 'normal' |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I really recommend Migraleve they are the only thing that has helped ease my migraines and my mum who has suffered for years.
I haven’t had one but you may also like to look into a Daith piecing ,which is an ear piercing as a more natural remedy.
I hope you find something that helps them .
"
I wad going to say this- my niece suffered terribly but since she got her daith piercing, she's not had one in three years. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"After some advice in fact anything at all from long-term sufferers on how and if you have learned to treat and cope with them.
Asking for a friend.
Many thanks xxx
Been having them since I was 14. Took me until a few years ago to discover it was my stomach that would trigger it. MSG is the biggie so I avoid anything with than in it - for example Pukka Pies include MSG.
Before I discovered that I had brain scans, acupuncture, Sumitriptan on prescription and homeopathy - luckily as I've got older they are milder and don't end with me projective vomiting as my stomach resets itself.
Keep a food diary and see if you can find a food trigger. I had a few recently and discovered that it was the jam I was eating for breakfast- who would have guessed.
You have my sympathy as I know how debilitating it is.
Yes MSG and Sulphates are almost a guaranteed reaction. Unfortunately Sulphates are being added to many foods now so that they have a long shelf life."
its really very different triggers for everyone , i practically live on chinese food which is full of msg
i was sent to a specialist as a child and we tried isolating things like chocolate, cheese, citrus fruit from my diet and none of it really made much difference
my triggers tend to be tiredness, hunger (so possibly low blood sugar), blocked sinuses and change in hormones - usually i need to have at least 2 triggers at the same time to kick it off |
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"I have one today don't normally but think it just down to lack of empty over last few days and staying up on here when I should be a sleep  "
Lack of sleep where the hell did empty cone from ha ha ha |
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Three S’s for me silence, still and sleep. If not I’ll be vomiting and the effects will last days.
Learning your trigger(s) and spotting the signs early to stop them escalating into a full migraine is useful to know, as well as ruling out any underlying medical issue. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Sumitriptran was recommended to me by another fabber a few months ago. I was on day 3 of a migraine and it worked. I was so grateful. I felt like I'd been hit with a baseball bat round the head till that kicked in.
Amitriptyline was recommended by a neurologist and also pregablin as a preventative. There are also some others meds used for blood pressure, epilepsy that can be used but I'm unsure of the names of them as I refused them. Not sure how good any are.
Then the usual like others have said, drink water, dark room, sleep and no screens. |
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