Cefaly gives me headaches!: Hello... - National Migraine...

National Migraine Centre

9,195 members2,684 posts

Cefaly gives me headaches!

Cat00 profile image
20 Replies

Hello everybody,

I've been using a Cefaly device twice a day for a week. Once a day for preventing migraines and once a day for the sedative effect. I have chronic migraines about 20 days a month and am an insomniac, I usually have Botox and meds but I am pregnant so can't have anything. My migraine doctor said they didn't think the Cefaly would be that effective on my migraines but might help with my 'sleep modification' however I find every time I use it it gives me a headaches and makes my face hurt for the rest of the evening, does anyone else find that?

It says in the instructions to use it to the highest intensity you can handle bc that is directly proportionate with how effective it will be, obviously I'm highly motivated to make it work as best it can!

Written by
Cat00 profile image
Cat00
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
20 Replies
designer111 profile image
designer111

Didn't get the 'hurt face' thing, but I didn't find it worked at all so I claimed my money back. Just wasn't seeing a difference.

Cat00 profile image
Cat00 in reply todesigner111

Hello designer111,

That seems to be the most common response I've read about. I did used to try and stick TENS straight on my face, against all advice, and that was considerably more painful than the Cefaly at least!

Cheers,

Cat

Cally01 profile image
Cally01

Hi Cat00, when i first started using mine it was for 3mths twice a day, didn't think it helped at all, 3rd setting definitely helped me sleep but 1&2 just done nothing but hurt my face. This highlighted that i had a problem with my jaw.

I stopped using it for a while but recently went back to using it on level 3 for 20mins, quite intense but does help me sleep.

I survived on migralieveall through my pregnancies.

Hope you feel better soon 😆

Cat00 profile image
Cat00 in reply toCally01

Hello Cally01,

Thanks for the reply! I'm not sure if I'll know if it helps or not bc everything is so different when I'm pregnant anyway, this pregnancy is already very different from the last one. Last time I was in enormous amounts of pain and hardly slept at all, my migraines were just as frequent but milder though. This time i'm not really in pain but i feel sick almost continuously! I'll probably end up keeping the device either way just in case it does make a difference when my hormones aren't clouding the picture. I'm glad it helped you sleep thats encouraging!

I didn't know you could take migralieve when you were pregnant so i'll look into that.

Cheers,

Cat

Cally01 profile image
Cally01 in reply toCat00

Awe Cat, yeah i lived on them. I had constant migraine with aura.

Yip, hold onto cefaly and try it again once your baby's here 😆.

Even if i had a chronic migraine i used level 3 for 20mins, my head feels numb to touch and that helps me sleep 😆.

Let us know how you get on. 😘

Cally01 profile image
Cally01 in reply toCat00

Meant to mention-- i was continuously nauseous too and the doc gave me tiny white tablets to leave to melt between my teeth and gum.

They were brilliant 👍

LarryDahlka profile image
LarryDahlka in reply toCally01

sounds like rizotriptan also called maxalt mlt that seems the best of the triptans at least for me and the lack of a need for water is a plus when your on the move.

Cally01 profile image
Cally01 in reply toLarryDahlka

No its not a triptan it's an anti-sickness tablet. Tiny tablet 😆

Cat00 profile image
Cat00 in reply toCally01

Cheers,

Had a killer migraine so couldn't reply (typical) used the Cefaly 3 times didn't make any difference but I understand its a cumulative so I'll have to wait I guess.

There is Domperidone (Motilium) is the anti-nausia tablet most commonly given for nausea in migraine but there have been no trials for it in pregnancy but has been known to have be given anyway with no known adverse affect on the foetus. However they have started to restrict the amount you can take of it because it has been linked to heart problems. It is a very tiny tablet but it doesn't work on me anyway, not a lot does really!

Cally01 profile image
Cally01 in reply toCat00

Gawd Cat it's bad enough having migraine but with pregnancy and hormone fluctuations it's even worse 😔. I have 2 girls and had migraine for the whole 9mths twice!! Honestly, migralieve saved my sanity!! Speak to your GP.

As for cefaly, well it is said to take 3/4 months b4 you know if it's helping but that's too long in my book. If i used the setting to prevent migraine it gave me a headache so i just used it at bedtime on number 3 for sleep.

Good luck, i hope you get this under control 😘

Cat00 profile image
Cat00 in reply toCally01

Pregnancy is SO hard, I have 7 different 'functional disorders' which means I have chronic pain that has lowered my pain threshold over the years. I'm so sensitive I can feel my womb growing, which hurts of course. I find midwives just don't know what to do with me so I can't say I'm looking forward to all that again. At least when its all done I can start having Botox again which was fantastic YAY!

Cally01 profile image
Cally01 in reply toCat00

Awe 😢 good luck huni. I hope it all goes as easy as possible for you 😘

seawarrior profile image
seawarrior

I had the Cefaly device for a very short while. It gave me intense pain and then cut out totally. It was a complete and painful waste of time and money. I sent it back, got my refund but also a comment that my trigeminal nerve was to blame by causing feedback! Hmmm....

Cat00 profile image
Cat00 in reply toseawarrior

Yeah I've heard about that before they seem to think some trigeminal nerves aren't compatible.....

seawarrior profile image
seawarrior in reply toCat00

That's a bit like blaming the patient if a medicine is ineffective or if the doctor isn't efficient enough. That response made me quite angry. It lets Cefaly off the hook!

Curtis33 profile image
Curtis33

Try amitriptyline worked wonders for me

Curtis33 profile image
Curtis33 in reply toCurtis33

Apologies i misread the part where you said "I can't take anything" my bad!

Cat00 profile image
Cat00 in reply toCurtis33

As it happens I'm being weaned off Amitiptyline at the moment I'm down from 170mg to 40mg, I miss it, I barely sleep without it!

seawarrior profile image
seawarrior in reply toCat00

For me, that's a secondary problem with amitriptyline - I want to sleep all the time.

seawarrior profile image
seawarrior in reply toCurtis33

Tried it. Doesn't work for me. :(

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Second Hand Cefaly Device

Would anyone like a second hand Cefaly device for migraine prevention? I bought Cefaly as my...
Pimenton profile image

Cefaly if you want to try it

I have a Cefaly (US original version) that I bought November 2014 for $349 US plus one unused...
NancyRo profile image

Cefaly for Migraine

Hi folks Has anyone on here tried the Cefaly headband for migraine? It is very expensive at...

My Cefaly 2 exerience so far...

Before I tell you about my experience with the Cefaly 2, I want to give you some background. I'm 62...
lyonsden10 profile image

Cefaly Duo For Sale

Hi all. I have a Cefaly Duo that I no longer use. Willing to pass it off to someone who wants one...
patchkno profile image

Moderation team

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.