Naratriptan

[Slim66]

Has anyone stopped taking Naratriptan (Naramig) due to ‘possible’ rebound headaches. If so, how did you do it and approximately how long did the process take. I’ve been taking Naratriptan for 22 years. Thank you

[Cat00]

I haven't taken naramig specifically but I've had to have several detoxes bc of rebound headaches from other triptans. It kind of depends on which doctor tells you to detox as to how the process goes. I initially had to have no painkillers or triptans for three months before I was allowed to start taking them again. I have also been told a month off would be enough and I had one doctor suggest I could have different meds to ease the withdrawal phase.

My current neurologist has always been extremely strick, I have chronic migraines though, I am allowed absolutely no more than 8 painkiller days a month of any kind, permanently.

When I have had to withdraw the first 3 weeks were the worst and then it tended to settle down a bit after that.

[Slim66 in reply to Cat00]

Thanks for reply, I’m wondering how I can do it, I have approximately 20 migraines a month and work 11 hour days. My Dr gives me 24 triptans a month which are a lifeline but I don’t like to depend on them, which obviously I am. I’m 55 this year and was hoping that menopause would help but hasn’t. I’ve exhausted all preventatives and 2 neurologists have told me to stop wasting my money as there’s no cure.

[Cat00 in reply to Slim66]

Blimey 24 is ridiculous. You're bound to be having loads of rebound migraines, I would say that is negligent of your Doctor. I, without meds, have between 15 and 20 migraines a month so similar to you, I'm 43. I realized after I messaged you that actually I have had Naramig. I have tried 13 different preventative drugs none worked very well. I then started having Botox for about six years, off and on because of pregnancy, which sometimes worked very well but I still had the occasional very bad month although it did reduce the severity if not the frequency. I then started injecting myself with Ajovy CGRP which has been working even better than Botox which is a relief so I have very few migraines now, although still too many to donate blood it turns out.

There is no easy way to get out of medication overuse headaches I'm afraid, you just have to have a really horrible time, its why it always really pissed me off that some doctors call it a medication holiday. I was sick everyday for three weeks because I have a lot of nausea with my migraines, I had migraines everyday during the first month of withdrawal and then gradually less and less over the next two months. In the UK if you want access to other treatments, especially for chronic migraines, you simply have to go through withdrawal. They will not consider you for the more expensive treatments if they have not ruled out medication overuse first, plus it would be hard to find a doctor that would prescribe more than 10 triptans a month nowadays. It's brutal, my neurologist doesn't agree with some neurologists that will prescribe steroids and things to help with withdrawal, she says it would take longer and be less effective in the long run. I do think you are going to have to do it though.

[Slim66 in reply to Cat00]

I think my only option is to wait until I retire as I’m self employed and couldn’t possibly work with withdrawal. I’ve got about another 2 years left then I will find myself a part time job and withdraw in between. My migraines started when I first took the contraceptive pill, which I believe was the initial trigger, I had no migraines whilst I was pregnant with my twins. If only they could trick your body into thinking it’s pregnant! Thank you for your guidance. Keep well.

[Cat00 in reply to Slim66]

I presumed you've looked into getting a coil etc. I've gone onto a combined pill because my menstrual migraines are the worst ones, I stay on it permanently so I don't have periods anymore which has also really helped I think, although I had tried that before, about 10 years ago, and it didn't work then but it does now. I had a terrible time both pregnancies migraines almost constantly. I will probably end up on HRT for menapause as this was very good for my mother.

Have you tried CGRP injectors, I presume you have?

If I were you I would try and find a doctor that could find some meds to help you with withdrawal, you could find you have a dramatic reduction in migraines within a couple of months, much better than two years. You've got to remember migraines can cause brain lesions especially if they are severe and you also can't take triptans when you get older because of the possible negative effects on your heart.

[Slim66 in reply to Cat00]

Yes, I tried the coil and several types of pill before menopause. I still had periods with the mirena coil. I now have hrt patches which is all I can have as I’ve been told I can only have low dose due to my migraines. It’s my heart I worry about but I worry more that I cannot take a triptan to clear my migraine if that makes sense. It’s a vicious circle. I’ve asked for the new injections but have been told they are unavailable to me at present.

[Cat00 in reply to Slim66]

It's a real shame about the injectables Botox and CGRP have been the only things that have had any real impact on my migraines, I hardly take any triptans now, although they do not work very well for these days anyway. Easily half of your migraines could be rebound with so many triptans. If you really have no other options there are non opioid, non triptan painkillers you can take for short periods of time than can lesson the severity of withdrawal. That many triptans will be hugely overstimulating your pain pathways. Can you find yourself a better doctor?

[CINDY471]

I didn't take that, but I was on lots of other medicines and nothing seemed to help until I decided to give up dairy and animal products for 30 days.

I fought migraines for 27 years and never once was told it could be due to the foods I ate. But, I did take a food allergy test and it didn't reveal anything.

The day I gave up animal products, I also stopped taking all my meds, regardless of how bad the pain was going to be.

On day 11 my pain finally stopped.

I've been migraine free for over 2 years now.

I've learned a lot during my journey.

#1. The biggest lesson is that doctors do not want to cure you, they just want to treat you.

2. Dis-ease in the body is created by chemicals we ingest, breath in, or expose to our skin.

3. If you suffer from any kind of illness, request a food sensitivity test. It measures 96 foods and the Food Sensitivity Comprehensive Test measures 204 foods.

4. A food sensitivity test is not covered by insurance, but it's worth every penny, if it means living pain-free.