Struggling with migraines

[Eddie1611]

Hi all, I got diagnosed with fibromyalgia last Friday and started on Gapabapentin 100mg 3 x daily on Saturday, slowly to be increased.

My question is hold do you deal with the brain fog! I suffer with migraines anyway but I'm struggling with a constant migraine because of these pills. Because I can't regulate my body temperature, I'm so hot!, just can't cool down and this is causing further tension in my head!

Does anyone have same? Or can suggest anything (not tablet) that can help me. I take over 13 tablets a day already!! With sprays and I haylers.

I have asthma, bladder issues, sinus issues, allergies, I've got 2 bulges in lower spine, 1 bulge in neck which causes great pain, I've been pei menopausal since I was 30! I'm now 48!! So on HRT , suffer terrible migraines and my hormones are all over the place, I suffer terribly with depressionand anxiety, so panic attacks are regularly happening. So really not enjoying my life at the moment. I have limited capability of walking or standing for to long due to pain, which all is so exhausting 😪

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello, it’s pretty rotten to be struggling with a lot of symptoms and peri menopause. It’s trial and error but I would keep at it with seeing your doctor or even practioner nurse, i ve found seeing my PN has been very helpful especially when they have been done the same road and can relate to menopause . Have they given you anything for the anxiety/depression ? This is the area you sound like you really need help with, I had early change, I was on Citalopram but found being on duloxtene over 4 years has certainly worked for me personally and stopped the awful anxiety I was living with day to day and yes your just so exhausted all the time. I would differently push to get an appointment ASAP, try getting the PN nurse as they are trained to do most things ie prescription s. Try and get a follow appointment too as they can see how things are going, some will do this automatically, I’ve even had call backs recently ,since Covid a lot surgeries are doing this to keep in touch with patients with their progress. Even now I have my fan going as I still get warm and bought 2 gel head packs you can put in your fridge and rotate ,I find that really helpful. Xx

[Eddie1611 in reply to Yassytina]

Thanks, yes I was on Citalopram but came off that and was put on amitriptyline which also supposed to help with pain! On 100mg of that, I also have diclofenac 50g 3 x daily, then on a tablet for bladder, tablet for asthma which supports inhalers, then a antihistamine as suffer with allergy, HTR tablet, I also suffer with IBS so can't have anything with codine in as affects my IBS, I'm limited to anti inflammatory due to the asthma. So have to be very careful.

[557755]

The most effective treatment for me has been Duloxotine. I started on 30mg and increased another 30 every 3 months until I was on 120mg in a single dose. I had dry mouth and hot sweats each time I increased the dose but they mostly settled although I still get them occasionally now. Since being on them I can function most days and manage to swim, walk, do yoga - all gently of course! But of course for everyone who says it's worked for them, there will be others who had bad experiences. There's very little that seems to work for all of us. Good luck with your journey - this forum is a wonderful place for information and knowledge.

[Eddie1611 in reply to 557755]

Thanks you

[Butterfleye]

Hi Eddie1611, just a quick non medication item that I have found that has done wonders for my headaches and migraines are Migra Lens. I used to get headaches and migraines everyday and such painful eyes but I now wear these everyday (I have a pair I wear over my prescription glasses. My eyes are also very light sensitive which is another reason why I wear them) and my eyes are A LOT less painful and I'm having A LOT less headaches and migraines. They were expensive but I was desparate!, if you don't wear glasses maybe you could try just a pair of glasses with a tinted glass in. A kind member on here recommend to me that she had found a rose tint one from Amazon soothing for her eyes.

Hope you manage to get something sorted soon. xx

[Eddie1611 in reply to Butterfleye]

Thanks for the reply but my migraines are hormone induced mainly, also dehydration, low sugar, tiredness (which I am most of the time) I have tablets which work brilliantly but they knock me off my feet for a couple of hours so, limits me no end. Just trying to deal with the new medication, alot of firo fog head.

Nor to bad today just tired.

[PenelopeClearwater]

Sorry to hear you’re struggling - I struggle with migraines too. I use peppermint oil in an incense bracelet and necklace (just got it on Amazon) and it really helps to ease the migraine pain.

Magnet jewellery (again Amazon) is actually very helpful for migraine and muscle pains… I was very skeptical about it, but found that it really worked for me.

I also have Epsom salt baths all the time - if you have a body temperature bath, you’ll hopefully cool down a bit. I would live in the water if I could.

I get awful hot flushes, even before I was menopausal and never really managed to find anything to help, other than carrying a hand fan with me and looking incredibly exotic 😜

I know you said no pills, but I do find that Holland and Barrett sage pills help me with hot flushes (although they are very expensive).

It’s always worth speaking to your GP if you don’t settle with the gabapentin. It did take a while for me to get used to it, but just keep an eye on how you feel because you don’t want to just carry on struggling, when something else might suit you better.

As for brain fog, I struggle to cope with it, as I used to be really quick on my feet with quips and was very articulate - now I forget words like “door”, which is very frustrating. I’m still trying to come to terms with so many aspects of this condition (diagnosed in February), but I read one very helpful article, which was just a list of 18 pieces of advice from fellow fibro warriors - and it essentially champions being kind to yourself and not comparing your progress/journey with anyone.

Here’s a link to the article:

creakyjoints.org/about-arth...

Good luck, I hope my rambling is of some use - sending gentle hugs 💙

[Eddie1611 in reply to PenelopeClearwater]

Thanks, you are right about the fog, it's mainly frustrating when you can't remember words. I'm early stages I know, and I'm relieved that someone finally believed me and was able to put a name to it all, that strangely gives me comfort and hope!

This has been the best foot forward in being able to chat to people who know just how bad it can get.

X

[PenelopeClearwater in reply to Eddie1611]

Yes! Finally getting a diagnosis is incredibly reassuring. It’s taken years of visits to the doctors, physio, X-rays, scans, blood tests, etc… and I thought I was going insane! As soon as the consultant said fibromyalgia, I looked up the symptoms and found I fit all of them! Other doctors had suggested several other conditions, but my symptoms never aligned.

And this forum is just so great - even just to come on here and have a moan, and not feel like a burden! Plus, the people who run this group are so helpful. Definitely come on here as much as possible - especially on bad days, as there are always plenty of wonderful people here to just hear you and relate 🥰

[Rita1404]

Hi Eddie i empathy a lot what what you are experiencing. You can gt cooling towels of Amazon (not plugging) but we got them for when we went on holiday and they worked a treat so used them on our return. You can get 3 for roughly £11. Don't give up as it could be your body adjusting to getting something else put into the system. Keep a note of it all and see if there are other triggers sometimes its easier to "blame" one thing but it may be something else and then if no improvement speak with a health professional and they might be able to offer something else

IN the meantime you always have this forum to share

Take care