Migraines

acupples

Just to add my bit about migraines.... orange, chocolate, cheap red wine (bloody typical...) and stress seem to cause them. Stress-related migraines will usually come on after the stress is over, I believe this is known as a 'weekend' migraine. I often find myself euphoric and feeling really hyper before a migraine. I've had a few come on when using my new LCD monitor too, it's really bright, which I suspect doesn't help.

In terms of duration and severity, mine are short and sharp, and lying down for a few hours usually clears them, but you feel pretty drained for the next few days. My usual remedy is to take a couple of Ibuprofen as soon as the fortification spectra and scotomata appear, and immediately take a Zomig nasal spray thing - I highly recommend these to anyone with severe migraines, they act really quickly, and if you have an understanding doctor (they cost about 13 quid for two...), they can really help.

Jaw clenching and teeth grinding has been associated with migraines, due to vasoactive compounds released by the muscle, which cause all the vessels to contract and dilate and cause those headaches which we all love so well.
Andrew

La_Fenice

..........and immediately take a Zomig nasal spray thing - I highly recommend these to anyone with severe migraines, they act really quickly, and if you have an understanding doctor (they cost about 13 quid for two...), they can really help.

I've been taking Zomig in pill form for several years now and find it really good. Usually one pill at the onset of a migraine and within half an hour its manageable. Didn't realise it came in spray form...is it better than the pills do you know? Shall have to have words with the doc about this

margaretclare

I've been taking Zomig in pill form for several years now and find it really good.  Usually one pill at the onset of a migraine and within half an hour its manageable.  Didn't realise it came in spray form...is it better than the pills do you know?  Shall have to have words with the doc about this

Hi my new niece

Anything taken by nasal spray will have a quicker action, so might be advantageous. Taken in pill form it passes through the stomach and into the bloodstream that way...my daughter L who had very severe migraines was told that at the start of a migraine the stomach 'shuts down' so anything taken that way won't be absorbed. That's why, whatever you take, it's important to take it as quickly as possible at the start of a migraine.

Aunty Margaret used to be a nurse and a midwife.

Best wishes!

La_Fenice

Hi my new niece

Anything taken by nasal spray will have a quicker action, so might be advantageous.  Taken in pill form it passes through the stomach and into the bloodstream that way...my daughter L who had very severe migraines was told that at the start of a migraine the stomach 'shuts down' so anything taken that way won't be absorbed.  That's why, whatever you take, it's important to take it as quickly as possible at the start of a migraine.

Aunty Margaret used to be a nurse and a midwife.

Best wishes!

Hello Aunty M


Ooooh, wonder why my GP never suggested the nasal spray? Shall make an appointment to go and see about it a.s.a.p. I was just really pleased to find something that actually worked that I never looked into it any further. It was soo brilliant to go from having 3 day attacks where all normal life ceased to being able to zap 'em out within half an hour or so, (well, most times).

It's amazing the things that you find out on this site

Love from La_F

acupples

The nasal sprays work a lot more quickly, because the drug is absorbed through the mucous membranes in the nose directly into the bloodstream, and avoids first-pass metabolism by the liver (which happens to tablets), so there's a higher dose available quicker. The reason some GPs don't prescribe them is mainly down to cost - the GP picks up the bill for nearly 40 quid for a six pack, compared to probably 2 or 3 quid for the tablets. GPs are moneysavers too! I asked for them because I was getting a lot of migraines before my final exams, and didn't want to have a large blind spot and squiggly lines while trying to write exam answers. I think the drug company advises you to try Zomig (or another similar drug) in tablet form before moving on to the nasal sprays, due to the slightly increased risk of side effects with the larger dose. Oh, and it's not terribly pleasant having pressurised powder squirted up your nose, and it tastes a bit funny, but it sure is preferable to having a migraine. In summary... if your migraines are controlled on normal Zomig or a similar tablet, then there isn't too much of a reason to change; however, if you're in a situation where you need to quickly stop a migraine, ASAP, then it's nice to have one of the nasal sprays at hand
HTH
Andrew

PS, nobody should buy Migraleve - it's just paracetamol and an anti-emetic (stops you puking) in a fancy packet - it's much cheaper to buy these pills separately

La_Fenice

Thanks for that extra info acupples...certainly does help..will might sound as if I know a bit about it when talking to the doc

Cheers ;D

Mecoconuts

I usually take a couple of Migraleve at the 1st sign of a migraine, but what i've noticed is my migraine is 100 times worse if i lie down. I usually have to sit up in bed in the dark which seems to ease the pain greatly.

Has anyone else found this ? ???

malcolmord

very useful thankyou

floppy26

Wow!!!

Lots of good sugestions here... will have to try some of them...

I've been getting migraines for the past 23 years and nto quite worked out how to avoid them. Like many, i can go for months without getting them, then start getting 3 or 4 a week. Here's how i ease the pain (try anyway)...

- Normally resort to 4 x 200mg Cuprofen tablets which tends to work if i havent left the migraine too long to settle in

- Try to eat so that i knowits not been caused by lack of food

- Avoid flickering lights (flickering and Flourescent lights tends to trigger mine)

- I try to fall asleep in a quiet/dark well ventilated room...Head under a cool pillow...

Some might think my next suggestion is wierd BUT it works for me 9/10... When i have a migraine in evening and cant sleep, i go for a walk and buy some 'Airwaves' or 'Extra' chewing gum - Strong vapour chewing gum ... and control my breathing whilst out walking for about half hour. This tends to lesten the pressure inside my head!.

Last year i had a killer of a migraine... i walked for about 90 minutes in the end, ended up taking my shoes and socks off and walked around the streets barefoot... this worked a treat... the coolness of the pavement and the hard surface acted as a 'reflexology' and eased the pain enough for me to be able to get to sleep and sleep the migraine off...

I hope someof you find this helpful.
I have tried nuerous migraine tabs in the past and with very little effect...

There's never an instant cure... If anyone has any advice for Mouth ulcers kindly let me know... i get these as often as i get migraines!!!

Floppy :-[

jaybee

That's certainly some different suggestions. I definately find that heat (applied to neck and / or head) seems to help mine.