I'm feeling really scared because due to being told I had over used zomig and codeine ( although I hadn't been told about overuse) I spent a year from oct 2012 to oct 2013 not being able to take anything, under the instruction of my neurologist. My headaches did decrease from 24 days of the month to now an attack about every 10 days. Does the fact that it is coming back after a few hours mean that I am now getting to an overuse stage with sumatriptan? A year with nothing will see me off, I just can't face that again.
I've had 2 lots of Botox which made very little difference,and tried a variety of drugs, this was the only one that worked. Have also tried aromatherapy massage, and accupuncture.
I religiously don't touch caffeine, drink loads of water, have regular sleep patterns, don't drink alcohol yet it seems to make no difference. Sorry to moan but I feel really desperate. I've been told that it's likely to settle down once I've gone through the menopause, I'm 41, does anyone know is this the case? If this was the case I would have a hysterectomy without a second thought. This is just all so hard!
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I don't want to be all doom and gloom but about 12% of women dod not get relief after the menopause. I come in that 12%. I don't want to sound gloomy because they can be controlled with the right medication. Have you tried wrapping a packet of frozen peas( or something similar that shapes) in a damp Teatowel and place it on the back of your next for about 10 minutes? Lavender oil rubbed on the temples also helps and is drug free. I also take sumatriptan and I did swop to another for a few months then came back to the sumatriptan. Do you make sure you take it the moment you get any clues a migraine is coming. Instant action can really prevent them coming on strong. I also find a mix of Ibruprofen with the Sumatriptan very effective.
I have used frozen peas, but not for a while, so will do that again. I have some oils that an aromatherapist blended for me that I use at night when I'm bad, but I don't feel they do anything. I must admit I don't always take the sumatriptan straight away- it always seems to be a balance, I have a part time job so I sometimes slightly delay taking it so i can get through my working day. With that and children to ferry round to various activities I find it so hard to manage. I took it Monday night this week as it had been coming on Monday afternoon at work, then had to take it again at 9am to get me though the day, but by 3 I was in a right mess and don't know how I survived an hour train journey home. I've been told not to take more than 2 a month so for the rest of this month I'm left with nothing to help me and am still feeling rubbish.
I take 3 aspirin with the sumatriptan, bit my neurologist has told me to steer well clear of paracetamol, codeine and ibrufen full stop.
Jilly, I'm sorry you're not in that 12% xx at the moment it just feels like an impossible life sentence.
I agree with Jilly reference menopause, I was thrown into surgical menopause after having an hysterectomy to remove ovarian tumours, my migraines got worse and like you the sumatriptan was not working, went to docs now on slow release beta blockers 80mg a day, they are working I get a slight headache but a couple of paracetamol seem to get rid of it, occasionally I get a really bad headache and they don't work but nothing like I used to get but very few and far between, my only issue is what will happen once I start to come off them. So please don't rush into a hysterectomy because believe me it's a long recovery not just on body but mind as well. Take care x
Good to hear that you are so much better on the beta blockers, they just made me really fed up and freezing! We are all different aren't we. Take your points about the hysterectomy, just feel like I am really running out of options to try and tackle this, and I need to have some kind of plan.
My migraines have definitely got a lot worse as I go through the menopause, I'm 52 now as for the past five years they have increased in intensity and frequency, even though I'm. Ow on HRT. I've also made things worse by taking too many strong painkillers like Solpadol (30mg codeine 500mg paracetamol) in the past. I find they can trigger an attack now so I avoid them like the plague. I've been on every drug and have yet to find a solution. Basically nothing works. Just had my first lot of Botox but no difference really. I've woken up this morning with yet another stinking head but have to go to work so I might try an aspirin and save the max melt for when I'm really desperate later but all I want to do is lie down in a dark room until it goes. Does anyone else get ringing in their ears when they have migraine?
In England the recommended dose of sumatriptan is 2 a day (and no more than 8 a month). In OZ and New Zealand it is 3 a day (they come in packs of 3) and 12 a month. I too found that one brand of sumatriptan lost its efficacy after being on it for a few years. My doctor switched me to a different brand and that worked fine - at 3 a day., I have found that sometimes if I dont rest when i have a migraine and rely on sumatriptan to keep going then (sometimes unavaidable) i will get another migraine within 24 hrs - rest and medication seems to work best for me, Having a job kids and migraine puts you under a lot of pressure. Could someone else share the ferrying activities when you are ill. You could always do something for them when you are not ill so you are not constantly the recipient. Good luck.
Thank you Katya. I do try to rest and find that sometimes it does shorten my migraine. My husband is a star and does the running around when he can, but is often pulled away by work, which means I have to keep going and that comes at a price. I guess I was so amazed at how well the sumatriptan worked, that I am scared if I can't have it. I think yesterday I was feeling very low another side to my migraines, but this morning I do feel more positive. Thanks for your support
I was told at the National Migraine Centre that taking 10 or more sumatriptans a month constitutes overuse. I try to limit myself to eight a month but that means I have to put up with 12-24 hours of migraine on some days.
That's really useful, thank you. At the moment I ve been told to limit it to 2 occasions a month, so I'm guessing I still have some options with them before I need to change again
PLEASE please do not jump straight into this, but have you tried Feverfew, it is a herbal/natural supplement. I did not realise how much it helped, until I stopped taking it, how much it helped. It does not stop everything but my head pain was not so aggressive.
As with all herbal things they can be as dangerous as taking the wrong meds so make sure you have all the info before trying it
Hi, my migraines increased during the menopause, at least 2 a week. After the menopause they settled into a pattern of 1 a week, I am 62, so I too am one of the unlucky ones that still have migraines after the menopause. I have tried everything but nothing works for more than a few months without their being complications or it fails to work at all. I am currently trying Migralief, which has reduced the frequency to one every 6 weeks, maybe worth a try? A word of warning about feverfew, I was taking it a few years ago for about a year or so and went for a routine blood test and doctor said that my blood was not clotting properly, can't remember the exact term used, so please be aware, as 1stgls said, herbal remedies can also be dangerous. Hope you find an answer soon.
Has your neurologist recommended any daily medications to prevent the migraines like Topamax, then of course there are the beta blockers? With these meds you may begin to see an improvement within about 3-4 weeks. However the topamax does have side effects dizziness and blurred vision that you can feel within the first week but will go away just as quikly. I personally am on it and it reduced my migraines and helped quite a bit. It is a quite serious drug however so are the narcotics and the side effects of the daily ibuprofen. I myself have had bleeding ulcers from too much aspirin, excedrine and ibuprofen.
No not had topamax, but yes have had beta blockers which did nothing. Sorry you are having so many side effects from the drugs. It's just so frustrating and difficult to lead a normal life. Only a sufferer, or family of a sufferer can have any idea how debilitating migraines really are. Just wish there was an answer for all of us x
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