Migraine

[amy1808]

Hi guys

I have had the worst migraine for two days now . Does anyone know what can be taken stronger than co codamol when on warfarin 🙏

[Annie5678]

Oh no! I have migraines myself so I know they can be absolutely horrible. When I was in the hospital with DVT, I was allowed to take Ibuprofen with food when paracetamol didn’t help.

They told me that Ibuprofen doesn’t interfere with Warfarin but there is increased risk for stomach bleeding, so limit the intake and only take after eating. I hope this helps.

Please also check with your GD if possible! I was hospitalised in Asia, so I wouldn’t take their advice for granted.

[HollyHeski Administrator]

Amy, sorry your suffering, please contact your GP, as any thing stronger will need a prescription.

Sometimes it's a combination rather than something stronger.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Ray46]

You can get "paracetamol and codeine" over-the-counter in the UK, up to certain strength, it definitely has more painkilling strength. You can also get higher strengths or other similar drugs on prescription.

BUT, I would definitely talk to doctor, or at least a pharmacist first as:

(a) Codeine or similar may not work on migraine, or may not be best thing

(b) Migraine might need further investigating anyway, esp if on warfarin

(c) Codeine (and other opiates) infamously mess you up elsewhere, nasty and painfully

(d) Codeine might be OTC but it is still evilly addictive (in the words of a pharmacist "of course it is, it's why we sell so much of it")

I was given prescription strength codeine (by a doctor) for persistent (non-migraine) headaches, it wasn't the right thing (a decent neurologist got it right in the end), didn't really work, and both side effects and withdrawal were horrible. I wouldn't actually recommend it to anyone, but you can definitely take it with warfarin...

[amy1808 in reply to Ray46]

Hi , got some high strength Co codamol from 111 , they made me throw up but shifted the migraine thank god

[WendyWoo50 in reply to amy1808]

Meditation / Relaxation with deep breathing.

Cold compress on forehead.

A Sacro -cranial point Applied (The Still Point)

In hospital I was given Morphine. I have it at home but rarely take it as don’t want to be addicted or dependant. But it offers relief when in extreme pain with Migraine.

I really feel for you. I hope u find some relief 💋

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

Poor Amy!

I agree with Holly- you need to let your GP know. ( just so he/ she knows...)

Also- paracetamol will raise the INR in many people. It certainly does for me. Just one may not, but any more that one will shoot mine up. There are studies on this.

Sumatriptan is probably what you need. You have to take it as soon as you feel it starting for it to be effective- and you have to lay down right away and close your eyes.

It’s not the best if you have heart issues- it is a beta blocker - it can cause chest pain- so be aware-

[amy1808 in reply to KellyInTexas]

I’m on triptans Holly , they had no affect at all , it was awful , never had a migraine like it

[KellyInTexas Administrator in reply to amy1808]

This is very concerning... triptans usually ( not always) help mine.

An abrupt / remarkable change in your normal pattern needs to be reported to Dr-

I hope you are now ok. ( and stay ok...)

[amy1808 in reply to KellyInTexas]

I think it to do with the menopause, I’m going to get a blood test to see if my magnesium and B12 are down . I eat a good healthy diet , plenty of fish and veg.

Just self checked my INR and it’s 5.7 😱hope this is due to all the pain relief I have been having

[KellyInTexas Administrator in reply to amy1808]

Paracetamol perhaps, yes.

And perhaps vomiting? ( I tend to have diarrhea with my migraines as well.)

[Vailea]

Amy I’ve only been in Warfarin since Christmas but one thing they stressed was any severe headache I should let them know . I was a migraine sufferer for many years so feel for you .They did stop after menopause for whatever reason

I took co dydramol which worked for me but also used cool packs lavender acupuncture points .

Hope you are feeling better

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, sorry for late reply, I am currently on a very large job at the moment, plus some illness, (better now), I would be checking in with your GP or main consultant for Hughes Syndrome/APS, for advice, many are doing phone or video appointments, it would be worth doing this, to be safe and to also receive some help. MaryF

[amy1808 in reply to MaryF]

Thanks Mary spoken to clinic and Dr this morning, they are arranging someone to come to house to take bloods . Warfarin clinic sorted disease out xx

[MaryF Administrator in reply to amy1808]

Good news, and well done for being so organised, it is all so difficult currently. MaryF

[butlertammy]

I had the exact same issue this week, migraine started Sunday and didn’t shift till Friday... I tried all my normal go to’s including my sumatriptan ... and the had the same problem, it wouldn’t go away. Worst one I’ve had in months.

I hope you are better now x

[amy1808 in reply to butlertammy]

Worst one ever Tammy . Had it since Thursday on and off

[butlertammy in reply to amy1808]

Bless you sweetie, I feel your pain, I wanted to rip my eyes out last week it hurt so bad.

I’m not on proper blood thinners as I have been incident-free for a few years, and noticed I had really loud tinnitus with this migraine (Which is not normal for me-but I can still hear it even now) so was thinking my blood pressure might be off... I tried taking 2 aspirin, and ironically 2 days later the migraine finally subsided... then took me 2 days to just recover from the exhaustion of feeling pain for so many days.

[Davideccroft]

I get a bad headache if my INR drops. So I self test INR At first sign. If a little low I check my recent diet for vitamin K etc. If my INR is fine then it’s normally for me that I’m not drinking enough water so I try to remember how much I had and increase if not enough. Mostly for me headaches are caused by dehydration. They are not the same as migraines my wife gets. She sits up in bed with lights off and has paracetamol. Interesting since the pandemic lockdown neither of us has had issues. But as we are both working at home, Eating better food as all home cooked, exercising and hydrating well, more family time and sleeping more, maybe lifestyle is also a factor.

[xSarahx]

Hi.. sorry to hear about your migraine. I live with them regular. And for me cocodomal and codeine etc all make my migraines worse and docs should have mentioned to yourself that it's common for them to make migraine worse. If brufen and paracetomal arent working seek doctor advice. They could try naproxen to start with which is just like a stronger brufen. Best trying things like this before any more other meds which you dont really want to get started on tbh as they just make you feel god damn tired or gain weight from my experiences lol hopefully you find a way to help ease the migraines. Plenty sleep and cold fan and dark room and loads of water. Always drink loads off water if you already dont. I've lived with mine for 20 years now and it's more surviving not living for me. They more frequent now but I have other medical problems which cause migraine and all women in my family suffer the migraines also. But defo speak to doctor and suggest naproxen if not already for to start. If you get more frequent ones there are preventers to try. I'm now trying high blood pressure tablets to see if it helps them ease a little but takes 3 months atleast to see if any affect. My blood pressure is fine it's just a last resort for me. I've tried sumatriptin and that but they didnt work for me or my kids. I now have rizatriptin and take anti sickness tablets when I get a migraine coming on then I drink plenty water and hide in a quiet dark cold room, then take brufen and paracetamol regular and just try sleep it off. All the best for you're future x

[amy1808 in reply to xSarahx]

Hi Sarah , I can’t take brufen as I’m on warfarin. I’m on triptans too . I think it’s hormonal to be honest. Dr taking bloods when they can get someone out to me !! X

[Hedwig-68]

Dear Amy ... sorry to hear about your migraine. Don’t use codeine as that can make it worse. Try eating a bit of toast before taking paracetamol. If possible ...lie down with a cold face flannel with some drops of lavender oil. Prepare two and keep one in a ziplock bag in the fridge. We are all on edge with this lockdown and anxiety about the monster Covid. Just try to rest but stay away from high doses of strong painkillers .. they play havoc with your digestive system. Also if you are a coffee drinking person .. try to change that with a cuppa of mint tea. Give it time it will help. I promise ! Good luck best wishes Hedwig (U.K.

[Stereolover]

Hi the only thing I can suggest doesn’t involve any medication. All you need to do is raise your head end of your bed by 6”. I recommend this for anybody regardless of health problems. It’s all about circulation and it’s fantastic. You can use wood, bricks, anything that’s stable. I bought bed risers from Amazon for mine. The Egyptians slept this way so they knew something we didn’t. There’s a fantastic Facebook group on this with people who want to help.

[KerryA]

Have you had you INR checked lately?

I always get migraines if my INR is a bit low, certainly if I go below my range but sometimes even if I'm near the lower end of it. As soon as it comes up again, migraine goes.

[amy1808 in reply to KerryA]

Hi Kerry yes I selftest ,codine put it up to 5.7 🤦‍♀️too low now at 2.9 , vicious circle

[KerryA]

Hi Amy

I'm glad you don't have to rely on hospital tests which can take ages to come back. At least with selftesting you can respond a lot quicker to changes in INR especially in response to meds and illness. Before I selftested I used to have terrible migraines as INR was often too low. I've hardly had any since selftesting.

Hope your head improves very soon. Best wishes

[KerryA]

Another thought Amy, have you had a think about causes of your headaches? Sometimes it can be positional and we might be sitting more and even slouching a bit during lockdown or using computers or mobile phones more which can give eye strain and add to poor posture too. So checking on how you're sitting might be helpful or reducing screen time and doing some exercises or gentle stretches can help too. There's also a whole host of other possible causes to if it persists, do contact your GP even during lockdown.