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Migraines

(12 Posts)
tanith Tue 15-May-18 12:36:45

My daughter has suffered for years and has had every test going to find the cause to no avail. They have tried many medications, scans etc via GP and hospital consultant and although she has now got medication that dampens it down just enough that she can carry on, still they come most weeks. She just started a new job so doesn’t feel she can go sick on the odd day it’s really bad.
I feel so sorry for her and just wonder if anyone has these migraines that seem to defy the medics and did you find something else that helped as this has been going on for a long time. They’ve tested her hormone levels too but all normal.
So what helped you?

stella1949 Tue 15-May-18 13:20:57

Yes I've had them since I was in my 30's. I take medication for them, but the best thing I ever did was to get acupuncture for it. My doctor does this as an extra specialty , and he highly recommends it for migraine. I find that if I get a course of 6 treatments over a couple of weeks , about once each year, it really makes a difference in the frequency and the severity of them.

Previously I'd get a migraine at least once each week ( and they made me feel as if I was having a stroke, they were so painful), now I might get one in a three month period and they are more easily treated with Sumatryptin tablets.

Good luck to your daughter - I hope she can find some relief.

Teetime Tue 15-May-18 13:32:00

DH suffered from horrendous migraines resistant to treatment until we found the triggers the usual chocolate but also oranges and any processed biscuits and cakes. It was mainly the organs that foretold an attack. He used to eat several a day but once we got it down to none and then gradually introduced one a day he has been OK and just has ordinary headaches. He can barely tolerate alcohol though and usually goes without.

bmacca Tue 15-May-18 13:40:47

I've suffered with migraines since I was a child. After reams of tests, a neurologist prescribed Imigran injections (sumatriptan) which I used for 20 odd years. These are effective but you have to use it when you feel a migraine coming on and sometimes this can be difficult, especially at work. However, a couple of years ago a new GP persuaded me to try a low dose of antidepressants and I have to say these have been brilliant. I can get a bad headache but these can be treated with paracetamol, instead of the totally debilitating 3 day migraine with constant vomiting.

Besstwishes Tue 15-May-18 13:41:49

tanith has your daughter been examined for POTS?

has she had her jaw checked to see if that could be the cause? (I think this is CTD) but I’d need to google it to check the initials are right.

tanith Tue 15-May-18 20:28:24

Thanks for all the suggestions I’m not sure what POTS is or CTD?

silversurf Tue 15-May-18 21:07:23

Years ago when I was a blood donor, several people I met there said that after donating blood the didn’t have migraines for several months. Don’t know if this would help if she takes regular medication as they are stricter these days.

Besstwishes Tue 15-May-18 21:11:55

POTS is to do with posture and the other is misalignment of the jaw, if you google them there is a lot of info, it might help your daughter.

tanith Tue 15-May-18 21:42:18

Thank you Besstwishes I will look into them both.

SueDonim Tue 15-May-18 22:52:19

I've had migraines since I was 11yo and I'm in my 60's now and still get them. I manage with painkillers & a triptan medication.

A friend gets dreadful migraine, though, far worse than mine and she has found relief from botox injections. I'm not sure how often they're required but it's given her the best respite she's ever had. I think you need to see a specialist for it so your Dd could ask at her next visit.

Faye Wed 16-May-18 10:44:10

I get them and have found the pressure spots on the dip on top of the shoulders. I get someone to stand behind me and press hard on both shoulders with their thumbs for about five minutes. I then don’t get any for a year or two.

DD has a completely different experience to me and the pressure points don’t work on her migraines. For about the last year DD was getting a headache or migraine every day. She thinks they are caused by her severe back problem. She really is unwell, two long stays in hospital and she has been in severe pain, another overnight stay because her migraine was so severe. DD has now been on organic cbd oil since Good Friday, I can’t say how much this oil has helped her. She now has no headaches or migraines since she has been taking the oil. She is still having back pain because of the nerves being squashed and had two large injections into her spine yesterday. She said they really hurt, she is due to have her back operated on in about two months.

The great thing too is since she started on the oil she has been slowly cutting down on her pain killers. Her new GP is very supportive.

CazB Sun 27-May-18 17:47:43

I've suffered with migraines on and off since the age of 8. They became very bad when I reached the menopause, but now have settled into chronic migraine. I have up to 10 headaches a month, which I control with Imigran otherwise they would escalate into a migraine. I have tried a lot of preventative drugs, and the only one that helped was Flunarizine, but it isn't liscensed in the UK. It does cause some weight gain though. At the moment I'm considering Botox, which apparently has good results. I'm so sorry for your daughter Tanith, it's a miserable condition, but new treatments are coming along all the time. I've found Migraine Action very helpful, and would advise you to contact them.