Migraines and Fibromyalgia.

[smiile]

Hi. I suffer with migraines ( mostly on waking) that I take sumatriptan for. Sometimes the migraine is manageable with the meds but I get awful stinging in my nose so I’m wondering if a change of triptan is needed.

Doc suggested beta blockers as I was getting a lot but I’m not keen. Has anyone with fibro tried meds that have helped with migraines? Some migraines leave me with a flare, muscles sore all over, very groggy 🥴.

So the sumatriptan works on the whole but side effects aren’t good. Any advice?

thanks for reading,

Michelle

[Zolis]

🌞Hi, I also hve migraines and sumatriptan helps me a lot, also I drink Mg and vitamins B, have you tried them?

[smiile in reply to Zolis]

No, what’s Mg?

[CheetieCat]

Hi smiile

I take Topirimate as a preventative with Almotriptan when I take a migraine. I personally found beta blockers made my fatigue much worse but I would definitely recommend a preventative of some sort.

I had really awful sickness with mine, just constantly bringing up bile. Once it started that was it, I couldn't even keep the one you place between your gum and lip down. Usually A&E for a Jag on the bum after 20+ hours 🤮

Using a preventative has stopped the sickness, lessened the intensity and frequency and I can actually keep working during an attack now. Total game changer for me.

As with all meds though the only way you'll know is to try it, they may work out ok for you. I tried quite a few before finding what worked for me and it took me two goes with Topirimate as I couldn't tolerate the side effects first time around.

Best of luck!🤞

[smiile in reply to CheetieCat]

thanks for your advice. Fortunately I don’t get sickness with mine but I do work so worry about waking with a migraine on a work day, that is stressful. I’ll look in to the meds you mentioned. Thanks.

[Cat00]

Beta blockers, I was given Propranolol, are generally the first drug of choice for GPs to prescribe for frequent migraine. I've been on roughly 15 different treatments for chronic migraine. Sumatriptan is the oldest of the triptans also. They like these drugs because they've been around a very long time and they have a lot of data on them.Propranolol didn't help my migraines but it didn't make me worse either if that's any consolation.

It really depends on how many migraines you are having a month, if its more than 6 you should consider a preventative. If you medicate migraines more than 6 to 8 times a month you are in danger of getting "medication overuse migraine" or "rebound migraine" bc sadly too many painkillers for migraines causes more migraines, this is where preventative can help.

[smiile in reply to Cat00]

Yes, propranolol was the beta blocker prescribed but I wasn’t keen. Fortunately I’ve gone from about five a month to two ( tho I have been on summer break from my school job) If they increase again I’ll have to try something preventative. Thanks for your reply.

[Cat00 in reply to smiile]

Yes this is so typical! My daughter, who's 10, was receiving treatment, physio, for headaches but it's just been the summer holidays so she hasn't had many. They are going to think it's their physio when really it's the reduction in stress.

[Chocoronnie]

Candasartan- low dose blood pressure medication can be used for migraines and its worked on mine

[smiile in reply to Chocoronnie]

Thanks for your advice

[Southport-beach]

Hi,My Dr put me on low dose Amitriptyline (20mg a day) as a preventative for migraines. It has really helped and I only get the flashing lights in my vision very occasionally now, usually as a result of being slightly dehydrated. Whilst I really don't like taking it long term, I couldn't cope with the flashing lights associated with the migraines everyday/every other day. The upside is that it has also helped with my sleep. Dr tried switching me to Nortriptyline, as it has fewer side effects, but the migraines came back within 48 hours so I had to switch straight back to Amitriptyline.

[smiile in reply to Southport-beach]

Interesting as I had thought about going back on amitryptyline anyway for ongoing fibro symptoms. Trouble is I’m up at 6am most days and so would need to take it very early in the evening I presume. I told dr about my fibro but he never suggested it. I’ll look into it, thanks

[Southport-beach in reply to smiile]

If it helps you I'm usually up by about 7am so I take it around 8.30pm so the worst of the drowsiness has passed by the time I get up. It surprises me that it wasn't offered to you as two doctors in my practice suggested it as apparently it can be used as at preventative. Maybe it's because I tend to get very disturbed vision and flashing lights followed only occasionally by a crashing headache. I hope they can sort it for you.

[smiile in reply to Southport-beach]

Thanks.

Having looked in to it I’m going to ask about amitryptyline. It also commonly helps with IBS so that’s a win. Weight gain is a worry but I’ve recently started eating healthier to lose weight so my mind is in the right place to stick to healthy eating.

Just got the chore of getting an appointment now! 🤣

Have a great day.

[Southport-beach in reply to smiile]

Good luck! I really hope it works for you.

[Trappedmoth]

Have you tried medical cannabis? ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[smiile in reply to Trappedmoth]

No. I’ll take a look thanks