Migraine and fibromyalgia: Hello... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Migraine and fibromyalgia

Trippys profile image
26 Replies

Hello! Newbie here. Is there anyone here who suffers from migraines and fibromyalgia? How do you balance the two?

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Trippys profile image
Trippys
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26 Replies
crochetjoy profile image
crochetjoy

Hi and welcome, im also quite new to hereYour post reminded me of severe headaches I used to get before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia

I never had them diagnosed as migraine but I was sure that is what they were

Anyway, once I had a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, my doctor started me on a small dose of amitryptiline and this dramatically improved my headaches .. this was a happy side effect because I really take it to help my sleep

Everyone is different, but this works for me

Hope you get some relief soon 💜

Trippys profile image
Trippys in reply to crochetjoy

Thanks for the reply. I use to take amitriptyline for migraines but then I came off it. It's not been long sinced I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia-struggling to balance both conditions. 🙂

ButterflyHorse profile image
ButterflyHorse in reply to Trippys

Hi I have the same conditions it is a very hard balancing act. I wish you all the best on your journey to find some relief. I’m on flouxitine and amitriptyline. I’m currently going to go up on my dose as I am still getting a lot of migraines! From sarah

Mobill profile image
Mobill

I have suffered migraines all my life,with fibro on top it is hell,the only thing I do is take migralieve and sleep in a darkened room until it passes.

Selecter profile image
Selecter

Yes, severe headaches preceded by pain. Almost daily. Prescribed propranolol which has been effective in treating the headaches and pain. Not completely resolved but greatly reduced. Quality of live has improved as a result

PurpleTranmere profile image
PurpleTranmere

Hi I too suffer with chronic migraines and fibromyalgia. I have tried various preventative treatments for my migraines and have been on ajovy for the last 6 months. Due to being on this medication my neurologist does not want me to have any treatment for my fibromyalgia which I was diagnosed with last year. It’s such a hard balancing act as I need to restrict taking painkillers too. I have to rely on pacing myself, heat pads, baths with Epsom salts and a tens machine.

Lovecavatese profile image
Lovecavatese

Hi Trippys, migraines are part of fibromyalgia I was told by first neurologist who diagnosed me, I’m chronic as I wake up with the watery eye and eyebrow pain every day, it can develop further if I have a trigger , usually dehydration or tiredness with a white sky. The second neurologist just upped my amytriptiline dose to 50mg a day at night, it’s helped but I still have moderate symptoms. I also take pregabalin and duloxetine , I doubt I’ll ever come off meds. Hope this helps .

desquinn profile image
desquinnPartnerVolunteerFMAUK Trustee in reply to Lovecavatese

They are not "part of fibromyalgia" but perhaps we get more of them than the rest of the population but it is not a given that you will get them. I am lucky in that I used to get them with regularity and then worked out triggers but after developing fibro they are an uncommon occurrence.

good thing is that migraine med development has come on a great deal with prophylactics being used but migraleive works for me.

Cat00 profile image
Cat00

Hi I am very similar to PurpleTranmere I've had chronic migraines for 30 years and fibromyalgia. I too can only take painkillers on 8 days a month and I am on a the same CGRP injector Ajovy. Only difference being that I've had both conditions since I was a child.

I tried a lot of meds for fibro back in the day, Gabapentin, Pregablin etc but none of them helped so I don't take anything for fibromyalgia. I've tried about 10 or more treatments for migraines, the only one that helped was Botox, but that was stopped when Covid started. My experience with Ajovy over the last year and half is mixed.

I have about 5 different chronic pain conditions and a 3 and 7 year old. So there is no question of balancing them, I just have to try and get through each day!

Fibrogirl2 profile image
Fibrogirl2

Hi I usually find drink even more water and under the covers. Keep warm also. I put on some migraine music in the background. Find this on you tube or Spotify. Xx Just rest and take your tablets its crap my darling. If you have a partner let them rub your head quite hard to release the muscles in your head and neck. Xx hope it passes quickly xx

Andy-65 profile image
Andy-65 in reply to Fibrogirl2

Hello Fibro will hit you every were you have to handle it May I ask what medication do you take May be I can help somehow Iv had fibro25 years I'm not a doctor but been through a lot with this aw full condition🙂

BlueTofu profile image
BlueTofu

HelloI have a history of migraine, mostly hormonal and everyday headache.

I now seem to have less headache. My doctor would say it's because I'm on 10 mg nortriptyline at night. I had migraine after migraine with that tablet and have to build up from 2.5mg over 2 months to 10mg.

I think it's because I only take sumatriptin when it's definitely a migraine. I don't take painkillers like ibruprofen or paracetamol for the every day headache. I occasionally take it for other reasons, otherwise I get rebound headache. I use quercetin complex by Solgar.

I think being cautious about medicine use, for me, preserves it's ability to help, and minimises the side effects; as I always get loads of side effects.

Andy-65 profile image
Andy-65 in reply to BlueTofu

Ibuprofen are not good for your tummy or your health Please try co- cod Amol Iv had Fibro for25 Years

BlueTofu profile image
BlueTofu in reply to Andy-65

Use it only very rarely, as I have IBS; but for some things nothing else works. I can't take co codamol it's even worse. I got given morphine in hospital once, although I said I had this problem; and my stomach was in agony for hour and half. In the end they agreed to given me some diazepam to stop the spasms. Never again!

BlueTofu profile image
BlueTofu

Magnesium spray foot bath

Andy-65 profile image
Andy-65

Pregabalin will give you headache Iv been taken them for 20 years

Andy-65 profile image
Andy-65

Relax try to be very restful unfortunately Fibromygia can hit you any were any time Be strong 🙂

Yassytina profile image
YassytinaFMA UK Volunteer

Hello and welcome, when I have been unfortunate to get them they make me sick so I was offered anti sickness tablets to get through, they are quite horrid and differently peace and quiet is needed , I also use a company that does headache balm it’s amazing , I also use it when I wake up as I get headaches from using my machine/mask for sleep apnea every night, it’s called herbs on the hill , they sell online as their shop is based in Somerset, look on their website for reviews , I would never be without it @ they sell other products too, now using for NHS patients apparently. I think ride those days out quietly but if your at work that would be very hard to juggle for sure xx

BlueTofu profile image
BlueTofu in reply to Yassytina

I use lavender essential oil around my neck and on my hands before I sleep. I also had a peppermint stick, but I usually get headaches on top or sides of head, so can't apply it there. I used to it a lot with my hormonal headaches which forehead, above eyes and bridge of nose.

Yassytina profile image
YassytinaFMA UK Volunteer in reply to BlueTofu

Yes I like the lavender oil, I use that in the bath @ have a pillow spray, actually I do love lavender in general as they say it has healing purposes so try and keep it growing in the garden in Summer.

Midori profile image
Midori

Hi and welcome!

I've had migraines for as long as I can remember.

They eased with the menopause, but are coming back now.

I heard that the Moderna booster can trigger them off and it seems to have happened.

Oh well, what can't be cured must be endured. No point getting my underwear in an uproar over it!

Cheers, Midori

🤣

Ninapod profile image
Ninapod

Hi TrippysI was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia nearly 2 years ago and it was continual, never ending headaches together with face tingling, that gave me my diagnosis. I was never diagnosed with migraines, but when I explained to the neurologist that I had suffered with headaches in the past, when I had to lay down or fall down, she said that sounded like migraines. For me, these are part of my symptoms. I now take Fluoxetine and Amitryptiline which have really helped. Now, if I have a headache, which doesn't happen often, I make sure I drink enough water, take paracetamol and rest if I can. If I am at work, I try to take a 15 minute break to try and stem the headache before it has a chance to take hold. This is difficult as I am a teacher, but I can usually rely on one of my colleagues to supervise my class if needed.

Trippys profile image
Trippys

Thanks for the replies everyone, much appreciated! Sorry for everything everyone is going through but it's nice just knowing I am not the only one going through this. I use to take amitriptyline and propanol for migraines but it gave me side effects which I hated. Now that I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia my migraines are playing up. With migraines your triggers are easier to find but with fibromyalgia it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack!

Kaz58 profile image
Kaz58

I suffer from bad optical migraines which are mostly caused by sensitivity to light ( part of Fibro) I try to keep out of bright Sunlight and always wear sunglasses if I go outside.Also lights in shops or watching TV can cause them.

I asked my optician and she said some people are more sensitive to light than others but they don't really know why.

I can always tell when I am getting one because as well as the zig zag lights I can only see half of people's faces or objects.

Pollypo profile image
Pollypo

Hi. My lifesaver is sumatriptan for my headAches. And cbd oil for fibromyalgia and codydramal for when in more pain. Every one is different. It’s took me 10 + years of different meds injections Chiro physio osteopath . To find some thing that works. Pacing is a big must!

Wobblygirl profile image
Wobblygirl

I use a medication that dissolves in my mouth so there is no need for anti sickness tabs! Before I was so sick with migraines that I never knew if the first tablet had been absorbed?

GP recommendation so now I just suffer the 24/36hr migraine headache!!!

I am grateful they are lesser now but not sure why???

I had them yrs before fibro diagnosis

I wear migraine glasses in bright light and peaked hats in the summer to keep any sunlight away, which is so sad as I used to enjoy sunny days. Now, no more!! xx

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