I'm new to this site and I went to see my GP last Thursday as I've been diagnosed with migraines since January 17. I had one last Wednesday with 2 auras which I believe is the same migraine and another the next day with just one aura. Due to the increase in frequency I went to see my GP who has put me on Amitriptyline. He also mentioned being referred to a neurologist and finished the conversation with what to look out for when having a stroke. I'm 45 years old, have stopped eating chocolate, don't drink (honestly) don't have caffeine, don't have cheese and been to see a nutritionist about my diet. Still can't find my triggers. Feel as though I'm living on a knifes edge with the increased risk of strokes and other brain illnesses. Has anyone felt the same? If so, please offer advice to put it all in prospective. Feeling pretty miserable and frightened at the moment with the after effects again from another migraine yesterday (Friday)
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Becky11
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I've had migraine with aura since i was 12yrs old, i get multiple aura too. Yes they can be scary and there is a lot of info linked to stroke danger but worrying about it would just make you worse. I don't drink alcohol, eat cheese, chocolate, drink citrus juice,excersise and do what I can but still get them.
Trying keto diet to see if that helps.
I'm 52 and now have a few conditions that all cause migraine but I'm still fighting it but i have to say since i got green migralenses the sun doesn't get me 😁 my eyes feel more relaxed and i haven't had an aura for 4wks which is a record for me.
Thank you for your kind words. I've just not got used to living with them yet. I thought I'd at least got the frequency sorted and then I get caught off guard. I just wanted to seek comfort and a bit of support from people who also experience them. No one in my family suffers so don't know where this has come from although my suspicion is stress from the mother in law after my father in law passed away last year, we're now left to look after a person who is used to having it all done for her. Set your sights high and continue with your respite from auras if you can wish you all the best. 😏
Your very welcome Becky I'm sure lots of wonderful people will also give you words of comfort. There are lots of great people on this site who understand.
Take everyday one at a time, i had that exact situ 2yrs ago. It will get better.
If you feel your getting really stressed with it all try calms from the chemist they helped me.
Thank you for your suggestion of the migralenses .......how fab are they. My husband says I look like Roy Orbison cheeky devil but I don't care. You can feel the relief instantly. Something else to help with the symptoms. xxx
Hello there. I've had migraine all my life now 51 and in menopause and they're very bad. Even now they still frighten me and on bad ones I vomit have diarrhoea vertigo awful aura consisting of pins and needles and mimicks a stroke. I wish I had an answer but sadly not I just had to adapt my life around it as nothing really works much. Sleeping and eating regularly and keeping hydrated with lots of water def help and avoiding choc cheese citrus and for me, peppers. You will discover your triggers. It's unusual to develop migraine over 35/40 and I feel for you. Feel free to msg me if you need support or advice I think I know more about it than the doctors through sheer experience lol. Hang in there.
I've suffered with migraine since I was about 24 but was not diagnosed until I was early 30s. Mainly menstrual related migraine but now I'm a bit older 38, I get them throughout the month, just a greater frequency near my period. Horrible. Debilitating too.
I've tried amitriptyline, it was ok for prevention but I got some side effects.
So after nothing apart from sumatriptan and cocodamol which was not helping my GP has put me on topiramate.
I know my triggers are menstruation, tiredness, stress, weathernof somekind, don't know what.
Hi Becky. Not very tactful frightening you about strokes etc. Thousands of people suffer with migraine and yes a few are more at risk of strokes. I think your migraines are most likely hormonal. Have you started the menopause? If not you are at the age of premenopause. Amitriptalyne can be a good preventative but the side effects weren't good for me. Maybe ask for a triptan. Good luck
Thank you for your reply. Any words of support are extremely helpful and uplifting. Yet again I had the aura early this morning and again about 11am. Have had breakfast, mid morning snack, water and herbal tea so surely can't be dehydrated or starving! I've had blood tests and nothing indicates the menopause or pre-menopause. Have a coil fitted so don't have monthlys. The amitripityline doesn't seem to be helping at all. I'm really still at a loss. My main worry is that I've started suffering with them and the increased frequency. Waiting to be referred to a neurologist to see if anything comes of that. No my doctor wasn't very tactful he also mentioned temporal artritis which again was another frightening thing as I've read all about that. Going to try and get another apt at the docs tomorrow. Trying to stay positive but struggling today. Thank you soooo much again.
I was about your age when I first started getting migraines. Are you taking enough magnesium? That can be a cause though it's not done anything for mine. The only thing that works for me is beta blockers which I'd rather not be taking. And sparkling water!! I have no idea why, and when I googled it I read that it can cause migraines, but it really does help with some of mine.
I would suggest you also join the Thyroid UK section of Healthunlocked as you will find more posts there about migraine than you do on here. Has your thyroid been tested? If not, you might want to get your GP to do that and then post your results on the thyroid forum. If you're in any doubt about this suggestion just google migraine and thyroid and see what comes up.
I'm shocked to hear how you've been frightened by your GP. I thought their usual line was more dismissive eg no-one's ever died of migraine so don't make such a fuss. (They ignore all the suicides of course.) At least yours is taking it more seriously!
You could also look at Medical Medium.
And I highly recommend Migraine Mafia - the only book I've ever read twice, both times while suffering the after effects of a migraine, it really did keep me going!
You're doing the right thing by doing your own research and being on here: keep going till you find the cause/cure and I do hope you feel better soon.
Thank you for your response. It's so comforting to hear that there is at least one other person who started with migraines around my age. I've had my thyroid tested...all ok. I've taken your advice and ordered the books recommended and subscribed to the forums. Been again to see the doctor this morning. She clarified a few questions I've had, referred me for an MRI scan and booked an appointment to see a Neurologist (of course I've got to go private if you want to get things done) waiting list was months apparently.
There are so many lovely people including yourself who have lifted my spirits on here and I thank you all for that. It's true what they say, unless you've been there yourself how can you possibly understand and sympathise. Wishing you all the best on your migraine journey. 💕
I had my thyroid tested many times: in days of blissful ignorance, when I had no idea what a thyroid was or did, and was always told by my GP that my thyroid was fine. I was finally diagnosed by a private doctor. You will not be diagnosed or treated on the NHS for thyroid problems until they are really bad which is why I suggest you get your results from your GP (just ask the receptionist to print them out, you have a right to them) then post them on the thyroid forum here and ask whether they show a problem. Just because your thyroid is within your GPs 'fine' range, doesn't mean it's enough for you to feel well. The fact your GP tested you suggests you have some symptoms, and it could just be the cause of your migraines.
Thank you. I'm wondering if that might explain why I have an ESR of 30 which has doubled in the last 6 weeks. Doctor doesn't appear to be too bothered but it's unusual to go from having very little wrong with your health to then have a catalogue of problems in 4 months. Due to have another blood test on Monday so will get the results printed from that. I'm only just realising since these migraines that you have to keep pushing and pushing to get anywhere. Thanks for the advice.
You are quite right, we do have to keep pushing and pushing ... just when we feel least able to. But when it comes to our thyroids, I'm afraid we're pushing against a brick wall.
The thyroid does seem to control a lot of other things and I'm sorry to hear you've had so many problems in such a short time. I do hope you get some answers soon x
My Gp has never mentioned strokes or other brain things. But I was on the combined contraceptive pill Yasmin which made my migraine so much worse. Another Gp didn't think I had migraine she thought I had tension type headache but it was migraine.
I wanted to tell you not to over worry if you can help it, worry may cause stress which may trigger a migraine. Like I said in an earlier post, my migraines are much worse in the 10 days before my period and 2 days during.
Do yours get worse around this time?
Also, if your amitriptyline doesn't help, the tablet I'm taking, topiramate, is helping me. I'm only in a low dose of 25 mg working up to 100 mg I think. I don't seem to be having any side effects apart from a bit of drowsiness. The relief has been amazing though.
Best wishes and try not to worry too much about the stroke thing. I came off the pill for that reason 💗
I too am 45 and started with migraine at the beginning of January. This has completely rocked my world (in a bad way). I had to go for a CT head and waiting for the results was unbearable. Thankfully there was nothing sinister on the CT . My GP started me on Eletriptan which is to be taken at the start of an attack it’s a miracle drug for me as my migraine were so unbelievably painful and more like cluster headaches. He then prescribed propanol as prophylactic treatment to prevent the migraine as I was getting 1-2 migraine per day and the Eletriptan costs $32 for 4 tablets!! After starting the propanol the migraine stopped instantly, it was like I got my life back however a week and a half later I have developed horrible pulsatile tinnitus that is now keeping me awake ( it’s like a never ending nightmare) Apparently propanol can cause this as it’s a ototoxic medication and it can be irreversible
I really feel your pain and your worry and I hope you find comfort and support from this site like I have
I am a migraine sufferer since I was about 8 years of age. I have auras and I have pain which can last up to 5 days. It’s not a nice thing to live with. I find wearing sunglasses 😎 help me immensely, when I’m not well.
I just take paracetamols. I do feel sick aswell. But drink lots of water. Because you can be dehydrated. Which can bring on attacks. Best not to starve yourself either. Always have breakfast. And eat every few hours, so you don’t get low blood sugar. It above all, don’t panic. I’ve had it for years. I’m 55 now.
I’m here if you would like any reassurance okay 👌🏻
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