Migraine top tips?

[marcusjb]

It is definitely worth seeing your GP and having a general check over regarding the migraines.

Think about things you have eaten or done in the run up to the episode and see if, over time, you can identify any triggers.

I am lucky (ish), I have suffered them since early teenage years, but not severe (these days) and only 2-3 a year, though I have had flare ups from time to time due to stress etc.

I have sumasomething on prescription for attacks now, but prior to a major episode of back to back migraines for a week, I just used the nurafen over the counter tablets (pink and yellow ones) and they were pretty good if you get them in you within the first couple of minutes of sensing an attack.

But, get checked out as it is definitely less common to start getting them in later life. I hope you can figure out what is the trigger (I have never really got to the bottom of mine, but extremely hard physical effort is a probable contributory factor, which is a bit of an inconvenience as a cyclist!).

 

[velovoice]

I started having migraines in adulthood, and was given to understand it isn't that unusual especially around the menopause. I get advance warning in the form of a small 'absence' in the centre of my visual field, or a little arc of twinkling lights that expands. These can be so subtle that I miss them until it's too late, but if not I find taking ibuprofen immediately can stop the sickness and pain completely. Otherwise it's a case of vomiting and sleeping, nothing else helps.

I don't know about "untruths", @User13710 , since the only adult-onset migraine situation I am aware of is indeed with onset of menopause. It's rare: most women who suffer from migraine get them with puberty, have them through their "childbearing" years and then see them fade away with the menopause. (Fingers crossed this will be me and the signs are starting to indicate things are heading that way.) A tiny minority of women go through life without migraine only to start getting them with the menopause. Maybe that's you? Bad luck. No idea if women in that situation then have migraine attacks the rest of their lives... did your doctor say?

Back to the OP though.... what is concerning me is that Sara's description of her most distressing symptoms hasn't included what all the other migraine sufferers here have mentioned. A headache where nausea and dizziness feature prominently could be the result of a head trauma (even if it's not remembered), a tumour (benign or otherwise) or any one of a number of viral or bacterial infections. Sara really needs to get this checked out. T'internet is the last place to be seeking a diagnosis.

 

[Andrew_P]

My Wife started when she was 16 whilst on the Pill she was put on it for heavy irregular periods, although bizarrely neither the GP nor my wife pieced that one together.

They are always in her right eye and temple and almost to the day she could predict when they would come around her period due to how regular the pill had made her. It wasn't until we had our first daughter that they eased off but she still got one occasionally. With each child it seemed to ease off and stopping the pill. The Bizarre thing is that since starting the menopause they have come back around the time she should be having a period. So without a doubt my wife's are hormonal. The only real remedy she can find is painkillers a cold press and sleep. My wife's optician could see it in her right eye, so much so she panicked and sent her for lots of neurology tests CT, MRI etc.

 

[velovoice]

Of course, anyone who has unusual headaches should see their doctor, I don't think I said otherwise. It's what I did.

No, of course you didn't say otherwise and I know you wouldn't! It's the OP's attention I'm still trying to get....

 

[Dayvo]

I get advance warning in the form of a small 'absence' in the centre of my visual field, or a little arc of twinkling lights that expands.

That's very interesting. I haven't had the menopause and I hope I never do () but I do get that 'flashing, expanding ring of fire' which you describe, and always in my left eye. However it doesn't lead to a migraine.

It starts as a very small dot and takes about 40-50 mins before it sweeps over and 'beyond' my eye like a £2 coin-size ring. Weird: it doesn't ache, nor is it particularly debilitating, but it effects my balance to a small degree.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Sorry if you already have but I have migrants then had an eye test and discovered they were due to eye strain at work.

Now have glasses for when I'm on the computer or reading and they have gone.

 

[pawl]

Hmm that's a bit of a headache .

 

[Sara_H]

Not surprising: your GP could get struck off, proving meds or prescriptions to someone who isn't the one with the problem, and having not interviewed or examined you.

FYI, 2 doses is pretty typical for meds that treat ( rather than prevent/control frequency) migraine attacks. It's bloody expensive off the NHS. I spent 20 years paying for it myself in the USA without medical insurance. It was nearly $100 for 2 doses.That was 20 years ago.

He was buying over the counter drugs from the pharmacist. No gp required.

 

[gbb]

Can't offer much detail but I know my daughter uses Sumatripan ?(sp) Injections. (Is that the same as immigran (sp)
A bit low on detail but she used to suffer terribly as a teenager...slurred speech, tearful, a wreck, just terrible to see the state it left her in...she doesnt seem to suffer so much now in her late 30s. You have my sympathies.