Wonder if anyone has any advice

[KellyWilliams1011]

Hi, I'll try and keep this as brief as possible.

I've suffered with migraines since the age of 12, I'm now 29. I've been on numerous types of medication over the years to try and ease my migraines.

When I get one I get loss of vision in one eye, then the pain starts and I get terrible nausea. The only way to make them stop is with sumatriptain, which sometimes doesn't work, or going to sleep. Sleeping is not always an option though, I have two children and work full time.

For the last few weeks I have been waking up every morning with a migraine, so as soon as I open my eyes it's like I've skipped the loss of vision part and go straight to the pain. It has been awful and it's really starting to get me down. My loss of earnings have been terrible as I don't get paid sick pay and every day is now becoming a struggle.

I take amatriptilin and antenolol (excuse the spelling) and as mentioned above I also take sumatriptain when the migraine strikes.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

Look forward to hearing from you.

[Hidden]

Hi I wake up every morning with a migraine take the first tablet copious amounrs of coffee and 2nd and 3rd meds.

I hear you and feel ever so sorry for you.

I am in my 3rd lot of botox not working as fast or as good as I thought it would, getting very down.

Have you seen a neurologist yet could be your next thing stronger drugs.

[designer111 in reply to Hidden]

Have either of you ensured that you have a bite to eat before bed to stop the blood sugar levels dropping overnight which could be a cause of waking with a bad head? Was told to do this on the weekend as used to get migraines Mondays and Tuesday (was told there is a rollover effect of migraines building up over a 24 hour period and due to my change of lifestyle at the weekend, I would get headaches early week). Low GI foods and fats and proteins as my consultant always says are good for that time of night. Turkey sandwich or peanut butter on toast. Defo not toast with sugary spreads. Hope that helps.

[Hidden]

Hi Kelly

I have problems with my vision and my neurologist prescribed 800 mg of non-flush niacin, and I found it helps a lot. I also use propranolol and topiramate to help prevent the migraines. Now they are not as intense but still weekly. I had to try different medications - it took about 3 years - until I found a combination that works. It was very frustrating. It sounds like the medication you're taking might have to adjusted or you might need something else. Good luck.

[anneaylward]

Hi, I am 65 and have suffered from migraines since 16. Very similar to your story. I have recently been for an MRI following a visit to a neurologist. I apparently am taking too many sumatriptan and then neurologist prescribe topiramate to be taken daily. I have researched this and it would appear to have a lot of side effects. So I upped my daily b vitamins and have tried a morning and evening mini aspirin. For the last three days, I have been migrain free (hallelujah). I am still watching and waiting but not waking up to a nightmare of a head is wonderful!!

Also, no coffee, no alcohol, no msg,

Good luck and worth trying th mini aspirin .75 dispersive. I put it in my mouth with some water and wait for it to disperse there befor swallowing. Seems a ridiculously simple solution, but have fingers crossed.

[designer111 in reply to anneaylward]

Also agree with the MSG and sulphites (found in processed meat and dried fruit). Found evidence of this in a book. I certainly feel the eating clean trend can help as long as fats and protein are also taken into consideration.

[Frodo]

B vitamins are definitely worth a try. Some headache specialists recommend magnesium (magnesium citrate in a powder added to small amount of juice/water is easier to swallow than large pills, though harder to measure the dose) and vitamin B2 specifically.

I stopped waking up with daily migraine and vomiting when I completely gave up gluten. I still get weekly migraine though but don't wake up with one in full swing (usually).

Presumably you've had general blood tests. You could also ask your doc for tests: B12, ferritin and folate, and a test for coeliac disease (it's not just stomach issues, it can cause/exacerbate neurological problems). Some people are worse if iron is low but you shouldn't just take supplements without knowing it's low. Thyroid issues can exacerbate migraine.

There's also Hughes Syndrome or APS, an auto immune disease which can affect different parts of the body, for some people it causes migraine from an early age. Not generally tested for unless you also have a history of blood clots and miscarriages.

Some people find acupuncture is effective, if you can afford it. I should think you'd need to be able to programme a rest for a while after each session.

[Ceedee]

For some reason a real coffee last thing at night has stopped my waking headaches !!

[Badknee]

As I've posted before, I'm suggesting that you might try Candesartan - brand name, Atacand. It's a blood pressure medicine, but I don't have high BP. My physician b-in-law suggested it. It has CHANGED MY LIFE!!! Since January 14, 2014, I've had one bad headache where I had to vomit. Over the past 48 years, I used to get sick sometimes 3-4-5 times a week. SO wish I had known about this medicine decades ago. It does take a physician's prescription. Hope it helps. It has helped a LOT of my friends and students. Good luck to you. 🙏🏻

[Julielux66]

Did you have the migraines when you were pregnant too? I have suffered hormonal migraines for over 20 years, when I ovulatewas the worst and I would have a migraine for a week , then when I had s period again for a week, when I was pregnant Ivwas fine not one migraine, now I have a progesterone IUD which really helps they are less frequent and less severe, ask your GP for a full hormonal blood test of ask to go and see a gynaecologist and keep a diary if it is proving they are worse around your hormone cycle hope that helps you x

[flannerygrace]

Migraines are forever transforming and changing, neurologist, Dr. Oliver Sacks said in his book that it is as if the body 'needs' a migraine to correct some imbalance and therefore even though a migraineur does things to avoid them they will ultimately transform into something that gets around barriers. I've always found that concept intriguing, I think he was correct.

I've taken a calcium channel blocker for several years and they do decrease my migraine frequency and severity. When one breaks through - barometric pressure changes always get me - then sumatriptan treats it pretty well.

I hope you can find some help.

[Meguinn]

Interesting..

Sudden weather changes always get me too.

Increase in amitriptylines make it slightly more livable. Still suffering with daily chronic vertigo though.