Antibiotics and migraine

[Chleo11]

Hi everyone. I've had a bad throat infection and was given antibiotics (the generic penicillin type). I've had a shocking migraine since starting taking the antibiotics (3 days ago). No sleep and have now lost appetite. Triptan didn't do anything at all. I've had the experience previously of getting headaches with antibiotics but never on that scale. Does anyone has had this experience and is there a type/brand of antibiotics better than the other? I'm so desperate that I am considering stopping the treatment (I know, never supposed to do that!!!). On the positive side, my throat is back to normal. Thank you for you help!

[Blearyeyed]

Sorry , I didn't see your post at that time you needed help, how did things go?What I would say is if you are finding that your migraine is triggered more either because you are having an infection , or you are sure the antibiotic you need for an infection also causing migraine triggers ( unfortunately both of these things can be the cause at once ) it is worth discussing with the GP either when you are well , or when you call for the appointment for an infection.

Ask if the antibiotic you are being offered is a penicillin type. If it is ask if you can have a non penicillin type as you are not tolerating them ( the word tolerate is important) and the last few times you have taken them it has triggered your migraines and you actually felt you would have to stop taking them because of the pain.

There are many , many non penicillin antibiotics available for all the different infections , it's just that you usually get offered penicillin types as the "first line" antibiotic because (a) they usually work (B) they are cheaper so less cost to the NHS ( c) it gives them more options as second or third line antibiotics if your infection is resistant and doesn't get better with the first option.

It might be worth doing a bit of research when you well into the other options available for the type of infections you know you get quite often , then you can say to the GP can I use ..... or ...... instead , please.

From experience, I've always found its better for me for them not to phaff about with trying first line options and just give me the ones they eventually prescribed after the penicillin didn't work, but I have various chronic illnesses which give me low immunity and it takes longer for me to get over things and requires stronger antibiotics to clear it anyway. With your migraines you are probably better off with those too.

A word of caution though , you may find that just taking any medication could still cause a migraine trigger as the migraine could be caused by the fight going on in your body between the infection and the drug and your build up of antibodies, not just because of the type of drug being used. I myself get about 48 hours of extra harsh migraines as my body is fighting back and also getting used to the new chemical going around the system.

Hope things improved and again. Sorry, that I didn't see this at the time , Bee

[Chleo11 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Hello. Thank you for the reply even if late. I do believe that having any kind of "foreign substance ' in my blood triggers migraines. That includes any medication , toxins from infections, or even supplements. Anyway, my throat is fine now. At least, one positive thing. You take care.