Migraine and anxiety advice?

[Poppy96]

Not sure if anyone else feels this way but I have become so terrified of getting a migraine that it gives me very bad anxiety. I have no warnings to when mine will come and so I can be hit with the aura out of now where.

I really hate them. I have now began avoiding situations just out of fear of getting a migraine while in that situation. I know it is irrational but I just struggle to stop the fear and overthinking.

I currently do not take any medication for my migraines as nothing has worked in the past. I also get them a lot less frequently than ever but I just can’t shake this fear.

I know that anxiety can cause a migraine and migraine can cause anxiety but I am struggling to find any advice on anxiety that is caused by the fear of getting a migraine.

I was wondering if anyone else feels something similar? And how you manage or how you overcame it? I am currently on a very long NHS waiting list for CBT so I’m looking to see if I am able to manage/overcome it myself.

[Sleepyhead22]

Hi I've experienced anxiety to do things that flare up my symptoms, not always migraine but its something similar. I realised for me what ended up causing the anxiety and severe symptoms that made me anxious was doing more than I could manage at a time. If I forced myself to do something my body was telling me I shouldn't do made my symptoms worse, and that made me more anxious to do it again. It was like a cycle. So listening to my body helped with this as well as thinking of different ways to tackle things. For example, when I was really bad even cooking a meal was hard and I dreaded doing it for the pain I associated with it. So now I sometimes break it up into little bits, go and chop something and later do the next part ect.

Could you do something similar with doing the things causing you anxiety? Break it into little chunks and start slow? Keeping a record of when you get them and possible triggers might help too.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello Poppy96, the combination of migraine s then anxiety on top must be horrid for you and as you say a very long wait for CBT, Have you spoke to your doctor recently as I think it would be beneficial to have a catch up, seeking medical advice whilst your waiting is the best option, I did have CBT but went private as the wait was so long, although for me personally I found it helpful it didn’t stop my anxiety so I ended up taking a med that s stopped the anxiety and differently helps me calm when I get the odd migraine. I use a company called herbs on the hill (.on the internet) they do a headache balm which is amazing I’m never without it , the NHS are using some products on patients with good results I’ve read. Xx

[Cat00]

I have chronic migraines, have had them now chronically at least for about 30 years. I've had a few nervous breakdowns brought on by the fear of pain and pain itself. When we started renovating the house we bought, on our own so working long days and then staying in the wreck with no heating for years etc I started having migraines everyday and I completely lost my marbles. I developed a panic disorder that meant I was in a constant state of panic day and night, I barely slept and lost 2 stone in a month.

When asked what I was afraid I would always say "my body" none of doctors seemed to understand.

I did a course at my local buddhist centre that was called " living with pain", which helped but not immediately. I started using the gym a lot to try and give my body different physical sensations to focus on. I would also do breathing exerises called mindfullness to get me through bad moments. I do these things everyday now. It's important to find things you like doing and try doing them a bit everyday, give your mind other things to think about. I'm an artist and I got into gardening, although not the right time if year for that. Maybe you try to do some of these things while you are waiting for CBT?

[dani-is-in-pain]

I suffer from really bad migraines, and I do get scared of getting them and anxiety, I suffer really bad when I have one, I end up crying I can't lie down as it hurts so bad, I've started using migraine head strips and long lasting ibuprofen tablets, this helps me a lot hope this helps.

[CheetieCat]

Have you ever tried using a preventative like a beta blocker or topirimate?

Massively reduces the frequency & intensity for most people.

Made such a difference for me. I take Almatriptan when I feel it starting and can actually keep going where before I was throwing up bile in the dark for a full day or more.

Might help to reduce the anxiety you feel when you know you can deal with it 🤔

[Hardy99]

Hi poppy i am sorry ur struggeling i understand ur fear as i have alot migranes and make me very dizzy i also suffer with anxiety so get very scared when migranes do hit me i try to cut out to much caffine and have been prescribed amatriptaline which i was told helps with migranes have only just got them but may be worth talking to your gp and see if they can offer you anything else to try hope this helps 😊