Candesartan

[moongazer100]

I have suffered from migraine for many years but recently they are becoming more frequent, 2-3 times a week. Eletriptan does help if taken promptly. My GP wants me to try Candesartan as a preventative, I am reluctant to take a blood pressure medication as my BP is normal but wondered what other people’s experience was of this medication? Thanks in advance.

[Onthemove1971]

I suggest you seeing a migraine specialist. They only treat people with migraines.

I also recommend you taking magnesium 2-3x daily. There are many types and doses.

Start slow and increase dose as you can tolerate.

[moongazer100 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thanks for your reply. I have been referred to a headache clinic previously however the GP seems reluctant to refer me again and says they can help instead. I already take a magnesium supplement 375mg once a day. What dose do you recommend & has it helped you?

[Onthemove1971 in reply to moongazer100]

I am not sure how long you have been taking it, but the max dose is 1600mg daily. This sounds like a lot, but 2 different Neurologist have verified this amount for me. You could double the dose and see if there is a difference. When it is working each migraine will get less painful, then you will get less in a week.

If you still don't see a difference, switch types and increase.

Studies show people with migraines are deficit in Magnisium.

I take Magnisium Glycinate 500mg 3x daily. I also take Fever few 2x daily 250mg each.

Also, do you know about the Heads up podcast? It is free and very good. They have guest speakers, search back and listen to all that apply to you.

[moongazer100 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thanks so much for the useful advice. I will have a listen to the podcast.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to moongazer100]

I always want to add, when you first feel a small tinge of pain you should treat it. Make sure you eat 3 meals a day and drink lots of water.

Things that could help, peppermint, ice/heat and consider getting injections that you can give yourself so that if the pain goes away you can inject yourself. You should not go more than a short amount of time in pain.

[moongazer100 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Hi, what are the injections? I was not aware of these. Thanks

[Onthemove1971 in reply to moongazer100]

I use both pill form of Triptans (Imitrix) and injections. The injections are like an epi-pen. A small, thin needle that injects the medication into your muscle and helps dissolve the migraine within minutes. Being able to do this helps me so much and prevents me from having to go into the hospital. I never wait in pain, longer than 1 hour. There are a number of Triptans that you could try.

I live in the US and some other countries have different medications.

[Cb1963]

It's essential to getting the right diagnosis for headaches/ migraine there's numerous types, I had an absolute awful time with cluster headaches and it was only after speaking with a neurologist that I was given this diagnosis.Before I had seen him the doctor were prescribing propananol used for blood pressure, I was then passed over to the specialist who originally put me on topiramate, this worked for a while, but a few months later they came back with a vengeance, cluster headaches are known in the medical field as

" suicide " headaches and are the worst known pain for mankind, so I was then prescribed verapamil, and sumaptrapin injections, and what a difference a few weeks made, the tablets were introduced gradually over a few weeks and you require a ECG just to make sure your heart is beating a the right pace, the injections were useful in stopping the headaches becoming full blown, I never had such severe problems like these headaches, but I'm just using the injections, and instead of getting 4/5 headaches per night I'm now just using them 1/2 times a week and aren't so powerful anymore, I hope this helps you!!!

[PurpleTranmere]

Hi I have tried candesartan for chronic migraines. I have quite low blood pressure and it didn’t affect my blood pressure. I felt a little light headed and sick for a few days when I started it but then no side effects. It was the only preventative treatment that I’ve tried that helped at all but unfortunately it only worked for a few months. Definitely worth giving it a try as compared with a lot of preventatives the side effects are few.

[Lactosebitb]

There are new migraine drugs on the market - so you should definitely speak to a migraine expert. Keep a diary of what you eat, when you wake up, how much water you drink etc. Sometimes its the small things that can trigger a migraine - a food, a wine, the weather, changing a sleep pattern etc. Check this link - cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-... - to learn about recent news in migraine

[Brychni]

after trying EVERYTHING including blood pressure meds the only thing for prophylaxis that has worked for me is Ajovy (fremanezumab) a monthly injections which I do myself . Immigran Subject or pills for during an attack.

[Lovecake]

Thanks for posting this question. I have been advised to try it by the headache clinic via my GP.

I’m very wary of any tablets as I can’t tolerate generic sumatriptan, it makes me really poorly with a massive migraine and 7hrs of throwing up. I take the original Imigran and that is ok for me. But like you the need for taking the Imigran is getting more frequent and the buildup and postdrome days are also getting longer.

I’ve only just joined here, so I wondered as your post was 2months ago whether you have tried the Candesartan yet? My BP is generally ok too, but occasionally goes up a bit higher than I’d like.

[moongazer100 in reply to Lovecake]

Hi, I was very reluctant to take the candesartan but after giving it a lot of thought decided to give it a try. I have been taking it for almost 3 weeks now & have had 2 migraines in that time, which is good for me, as before this I was having them almost every other day. I realise it is early days but if it keeps reducing the number of migraines I will continue to take it. I haven’t had any side effects. Obviously we are all different but it is worth considering. Best wishes.

[Lovecake in reply to moongazer100]

Thanks for your reply. I am erring towards trying it. But do I risk it while my daughter needs me over the summer hols? (only one day a week, but I don’t want to let her down or miss out on seeing my 2 lovely little grandsons).

I’m also thinking of paying to speak to a migraine specialist. So I might chat with them first. Then maybe try the Candesartan sept/oct…….or anything else they recommend that might help in between. Certainly can’t afford Qulipta on private prescription as it’s mega bucks. But maybe one day it will come down in price for the nhs to prescribe it more easily.

[moongazer100 in reply to Lovecake]

Hi, totally understand how you feel. I was concerned about trying it as I really don't like taking any medication! I am hoping to see a migraine specialist, but have been told it will be a long wait. It is awful that we have to jump through so many hoops to try and get some help. Best wishes.

[Lovecake in reply to moongazer100]

Thanks. Yes, my GP said the neurologist waiting list is 18 months. She also contacted the headache clinic in our area and they replied to her based on her letter. To be fair my GP is very good. But I think the headache clinic will not help me any further if I don’t try the Candesartan. I’d like to have a good chat with a professional, and it was my GP who said have an initial one privately to move things on.

Hope all goes well for you too 🙂

[Brychni]

I've been on Ajovy monthly injections for just over 2 years and back in full time work. I would insist on a referral to a migraine clinic. I spent decades, faffing about with GPs who didn't have a clue and was put on horrendous drugs which did nothing and/or caused hideous side effects.

I also saw neurologists and although migraine is now classed as a 'brain disease ' (it was thought to have something to do with blood vessels dilating, but it's not, something to do with nerves releasing calcitonin gene related peptides) neurologists aren't migraine experts.

[Lovecake in reply to Brychni]

Yes, that’s what I’ve worked out during my investigations. I found that neurologists seem to specialise in memory issues - Alzheimers, Parkinson’s etc.

It’s a bit like seeing an endocrinologist for thyroid issues, most of them are diabetic specialists and know less than some of us mere patients. Healthunlocked is an invaluable source of brilliant information

[MissMatch01]

I have had a wholly positive experience of Candesartan which I was reluctant to take but have made a huge difference to me. No side effects except occasional lightheaded but only when it’s really hot out.

[moongazer100 in reply to MissMatch01]

Hi, thank you for your reply. Great to hear that Candesartan has helped you. Can I ask how long you have been taking it & what dose you are taking? Thank you.

[MissMatch01 in reply to moongazer100]

I have been taking it for 3 years now at 16mg. I started on 4mg then increased over weeks to 16mg. It has helped me enormously with pain and frequency much reduced.

[moongazer100 in reply to MissMatch01]

Thank you so much, that's very reassuring. It's early days for me and I'm only on 4mg at the moment but so far it does seem to have reduced the frequency, so I am hoping it continues to help.

[MissMatch01 in reply to moongazer100]

I wish you all the best on it

[AFnotworked1981234 in reply to MissMatch01]

I have been taking Candesartan 8mg for 4 weeks and so far so good. Ramipril gave me a terrible cough and was so loud I got headaches so they took me off all blood pressure medication and restart with just Candesartan and see how that goes. First time I took my blood pressure 2 weeks after it had gone right down from average 189/99mm/Hg now 130/69mm/Hg

[MissMatch01]

I would be happy to share more about my experience if helpful