Preventative medicine

[Janiedeyn]

Hi I have been getting migranes for about fifteen years. Get about one a week which last for three days but lately every day so constantly taking 100mg sumatriptin t relieve it. Anyone found effective preventative medicine?

[babs1234]

Ooooooh don't take too much sumatriptan, it causes rebounds. Just been told by a specialist I hav Hemicrania Continua. He's stopped ALL meds and I'm currently going through hellish withdrawals. I was better when I stopped the sumatriptan.. headaches weren't as painful and not as frequent but now I've been told not to even take paracetamol.. I'm having nerve block injections in a couple of weeks. No preventative worked for me without terrible side effects but everyone is different. Good luck

[Moon_Struck]

Agree here - don't take too much Triptan, occasional use only. I find dissolvable aspirin (Alka Seltzer, the effervescent helps with absorption) relieves somewhat, only if taken in time though. Also Magnesium has proved to be quite effective in trials, I take it nightly, seems to help.

Maybe think about trying some alternatives.

Some really good advice here in this article written by a Nutritionist, recommending:

Magnesium (Citrate), CoQ10, Ginger, B Complex, Omega 3 and dark, leafy green vegetables.

migraine.org.uk/latest-news...

Hope you find some relief.

[ME65]

I'm afraid Babs is right. You will get rebound headaches so you end up worse off. I have had to go cold turkey a couple of times when I've overdone the sumatriptan. For me the best preventative has been vit B2. If you are in UK you can get it from Holland and Barrett. I take 3x100mg a day. You can take up to 400mg a day. The only side effect is that your pee goes bright yellow! But it's totally safe to take as it's water soluable so doesn't build up in your system. It doesn't totally eliminate the migraines for me but does lessen the intensity and duration. There are drugs you can try from the doctors but they all have side effects which gives you something else to deal with.

Good luck x

[Gambit62]

Not quite a preventative medicine but some people (myself included) find that various forms of exercise can help with migraines - for me it is running - 1/2 mile or so a day helps with frequency and severity ... and sometimes running can actually help when an attack starts.

Do you know what triggers yours - mine are hormonally related .... they also got a lot worse when I was severely B12 deficient so may be worth asking for some blood tests - B12 and folate - just to rule things like that out.

[Countrysidegirl]

Hi I feel your pain. I have tried many preventatives but find that all have varied side effects so I'm afraid you just need to try some. I am currently on a beta blocker which mainly is used for people suffering with anxiety. Ironically it gives me anxiety.. but I'm hoping that in time this will settle.

I also find that gentle stretching helps the muscles that get tense from the pain from a migraine.

Epsom salt baths-good for magnesium, muscles, and just Bit of me time!

Dispersable aspirin-less side effects than triptans

I also take a supplement for stress as when my migraines are bad I struggle with being able to do things, which makes me stressed.

Most importantly-don't take more tablets than you need to!

I hope you find some relief x

[kittysmummy]

I agree, triptans can bite you back sadly. I've found a huge difference taking 400mg of magnesium glycinate at night, and adding 200mg of ubiquinol (a better form of coQ10). Both of them seem to really work for me. Have you tried epsom salts in a footbath? a good way to get your magnesium up.

[designer111]

Try taking 3 dissolvable aspirin in ordinary coke on first onset of attack to hopefully nip it in the bud. This may help before having to resort to triptans. The caffeine in the coke helps to get the aspirin in your system quicker.

[Shawnie]

Sumitriptan is not normally used as a preventative medicine, and is really an abortive medication to be used only occasionally. It is effective for me and would be ideal if I had episodic migraines. My migraines transformed 6 years ago and have become chronic daily migraines. I have tried so many preventative meds but all had side effects that became unbearable (or didn't work). I am now on flunarazine and have had some success. Everyone reacts differently so I would suggest trying out a preventative and use sumitriptan very cautiously. Good luck!

[Valelady]

Hi babs I suffer every day with migraines I take zolmitriptan 2.5 I do feel it is rebound headaches but I have tried to do without zolmitriptan even taking 1/2 a tab but it keep on I feel I am not strong enough to go through withdrawel on my own as I live alone very happy on my own after the new year I am going to see my gp for a chat thinking of you jean

[Pippwin]

Huge symapathies. Its like living under a black cloud, I find!

To get out of a daily headache cycle where you are over-using triptans , I sometimes find this works:

My migraine usually start on waking so, I would have a small snack (not a sugary one) late in the evening and take a triptan before bed to (hopefully) stop me waking up with a migraine. In the morning have early snack/breakfast and take 500mg naproxen. Take one or 2 x250mg naproxen with lunch and evening meal. Continue to take the naproxen for a few days. The migraine clinic advised me on the use of naproxen ...you need to take it with meals and its ok to take the high dose for a few days, but obviously you should check with your GP.

I also agree magnesium is good and generally relaxing. I take it in the form of Floradix magnesium tonic.

B2 is good too I hear and takes maybe a few months to work, but magnesium has an effect within hours I find.

Wishing you all the best.

[anneaylward]

B12 folate and mini aspirin every day. Magnesium gave me a horrendous migraine. Good luck