Severe chronic migraines

[XF2012]

Hello all,

my fiancé suffers from severe chronic migraines for some years now. We have been in contact with GPs and other professionals, however all we have had so far is sumatriptan. This medication can cause severe pain in my fiancé, and seems to have limited effects, and we are concerned about overuse of this.

Is there any other treatment we can try? I’m very desperate at this stage to try anything which may help her, as it really affects her quality of life.

Thank you very much

[MOLKO1972]

Hi XF2012,

I'm really sorry to hear your fiancé is having a terrible time. I know how she feels as I have been in the same situation and was getting migraines every day for about 2 years!

Has your fiancé been referred to neurology? I know you mention GP's and other professionals. Was wondering if one of them was a neurologist?

[Cat00]

How many meds has she tried? There are many many options...

[PurpleTranmere]

Hi I would get a referral to a neurologist as there are lots of preventative medications your fiancé can try. Maybe have a look at the migraine trust website there is lots of information on there and you can direct message them with any questions.

[DRunnerchick]

We have four generations of migraines in our family. I would say the treatments now are the very best. Yes, by all means, get a referral to a proper neurologist to be properly diagnosed and rule out other more nefarious contributing factors.

There are non-drug things you can do that are found to support the neurological physiology to prevent them. Learn to manage stress. Migraine sufferers have a hypersensitive/hyperactive neurological system in certain portions of the brain 🧠 that can be triggered by noise , bright light, strong smells or odors, lack of sleep etc. They also have consistently tested low in VitB2, Co-Q10, and Magnesium.

I have tried (and failed) many medications. I am currently taking 100mg topiramate daily plus 70mg of Aimovig injected 1Xmonth, and the above listed supplements. I do breathing exercises, yoga, limit toxic people and try to get out in nature.

I tried beta blockers, SSRIs etc. I have other conditions so it’s a balancing act. Everyone is different. Find a neurologist who is adept and familiar with migraines but is also compassionate. I wish your fiancé all the best.✨

D🏃🏽‍♀️

[Pingez in reply to DRunnerchick]

Hi. Forgive me for tapping into this conversation, but I notice you mentioned Aimovig and wondered how you were getting on with it. I have tried Emgality and it worked brilliantly for 9 weeks then stopped working.

Currently I'm trying Ajovy but it doesn't seem to have had much effect. Hence my interest in Aimovig. Has this worked for you at all?

Kind regards.

[DRunnerchick in reply to Pingez]

Hi Pingez,I’ve been on the Aimovig since November’21 and I only have a very occasional migraine (1 every 6wks-2mos, usually near the end of my injection cycle). My daughter is also on it and has done very well. She’s been on it 2years. Of the 5 CGRPs approved for migraine, Aimovig is the most effective. I believe the statistic is 89% are still on it after 6 month and meet effective criteria and the next two are 85% and then the last are 83%. So they are all pretty close. It’s a matter of finding what works. However, it does take 6 was to 2mos to reach prime effectiveness. Also, it is thought that if you discontinue for more than a few weeks, it is less likely to work as effectively as before and may have to try a different brand formula.✨💐

Hope that helps.

D🏃🏽‍♀️

[Pingez in reply to DRunnerchick]

Thanks. Will bear this in mind if I run out if other options. X

[DRunnerchick]

I wish that those w/o migraines truly had a grasp of the disease process that goes with migraines— that it isn’t “just a headache”. They don’t understand that with it comes a complete list of other complications and risks, as if the horrific pain and intrusion on daily life isn’t enough. But, then again, people are slow to pick up on anything to do with chronic pain or illness until it touches them personally in some way. I know not everyone is that way, but it is the great majority.

I hope your treatment plan brings you hope and healing. Take care. 💐✨😘

D🏃🏽‍♀️