Migraine.

[Dale.]

A bane of my life has been migraine headaches. I'm currently on the tail end of one.

I got the tell tale aura begining on Sunday morning, just flashes in the corners of my vision, what look like grids lit up but only for a split second at a time over a few hours.

Then, I was watching a YouTube video Sunday evening and there was a guy in it demonstrating bear spray (Adam Gibbs) and I couldn't see him, my vision was now begining to go blank in some areas, just like a fog but with zigzags around the blank area. My tongue started to tingle, as sometimes do my arms and thumbs and I sometimes can't put 2 words together. It's a very stroke like experience, not that I've ever (knowingly) had a stroke but if it were experienced by somebody with no experience of migraines, that's what they might think was happening.

Anyway, symptoms for me are, amongst others

aura, which lasts about an hour,

tingling tongue,

pins and needles in my arms, sometimes my hands,

slight nausea,

a really peculiar one, I sometimes lose the power of speech,

brain fog,

then a headache a few hours later, or the next day which makes it really painful to cough, sneeze or even bend forward.



triggers seem to be,

coffee (caffeine),

stress,

spicy food,

too long at the computer,

or most of the time, nothing apparent,


Frequency tends to be erratic, I've had 2 within this last month but I have gone years without one, the trigger for this bout seems to be a change in reading glasses.


Remedies for me are just to take it easy. I sometimes feel I need to lie down and instinctively cover my eyes but to be honest, once the aura has passed, I can function quite well, though not 100%. I'll try to avoid a monitor or screen if I can. I'll pre empt the headache and take a painkiller. The older I get, the worse, or more visible the aura seems to be getting.

I also suffer with chronic sinusitis and I'm sure there's a connection, although my doctors say there isn't.


That's my experience of migraine.

Does anybody else get them and what are your experiences, remedies etc?

 

[Paul W. H]

I suffer and they are completely random, but you know when they are on the way as you said with vision difficulties.

I find "over the counter" (Chemist) Co-codamol works 90.00% of the time for me IF I take it as soon as I realise it's coming, I always have a strip in my wallet.

 

[lindsay]

For many years I have experienced what I believe are mild visual migraines, although I didn't think that's what it was until relatively recently, I thought it was just stress and tiredness. My experience is the aura then spots and zigzags lasting maybe 30-60 minutes. Sometimes I get a weird feeling that my head is being squeezed and my vision is compressed into a sort of narrow tunnel. I have to close my eyes for a while (10 mins or so) to clear this, which isn't of course possible if I happen to be driving, in which case I have to pull over asap to rest for a while. It's scary but thankfully I get no actual pain, unlike my wife who is plagued with almost daily severe headaches that are only sometimes prefaced by visual effects.

 

[Ricardodaforce]

I used to suffer them until I found a medication that killed them dead when I lived in Spain. Whenever I go over I get some more. I asked my doctor here if they were available and was told they are not.

 

[sphexx]

I used to suffer them until I found a medication that killed them dead when I lived in Spain. Whenever I go over I get some more. I asked my doctor here if they were available and was told they are not.

There must be a reason why you don’t name it .

 

[tijuana taxi]

Sumatriptan is what you require, available in tablet, self administered injection or nasal spray form.
Available as tablets over the counter under the brand name Imigran.

I'm not going into it here, but I have extensive knowledge of headaches and all the possible treatments

 

[Ricardodaforce]

There must be a reason why you don’t name it .

No, there’s not. I just didn’t see the point if you can’t get it here. Hemicraneal is the name.

 

[Nod]

For many years I have experienced what I believe are mild visual migraines, although I didn't think that's what it was until relatively recently, I thought it was just stress and tiredness. My experience is the aura then spots and zigzags lasting maybe 30-60 minutes. Sometimes I get a weird feeling that my head is being squeezed and my vision is compressed into a sort of narrow tunnel. I have to close my eyes for a while (10 mins or so) to clear this, which isn't of course possible if I happen to be driving, in which case I have to pull over asap to rest for a while. It's scary but thankfully I get no actual pain, unlike my wife who is plagued with almost daily severe headaches that are only sometimes prefaced by visual effects.

Sorry to like that post, Lindsay but that's what I get occasionally. VERY rarely the visual disturbance develops into a headache as well, it's almost always just the light show. Only once had it happen while driving and I was literally 2 minutes from home so made it back before the vision got compromised.

FWIW, Hemicraneal seems to be a combination of paracetamol, caffeine and ergotamine tartrate, all of which are available here in the UK.

 

[sphexx]

No, there’s not. I just didn’t see the point if you can’t get it here. Hemicraneal is the name.

Thanks. Its ergotamine + caffeine + paracetamol and does seem only to be used in Spain. Though the NHS warns against using it with the Sumatriptan referenced by @tijuana taxi above which makes it sound like it might be prescribed.

The ergotamine is used in making LSD which might be a clue.

Edit to say, I see @Nod has beaten me to it.

 

[sphexx]

No, there’s not. I just didn’t see the point if you can’t get it here. Hemicraneal is the name.

NICE says it’s unlicensed for “cluster headaches but I think (no expert!) it implies that it is prescribed for unlicensed use. More research needed .

Ergotamine tartrate | Drugs | BNF content published by NICE

View ergotamine tartrate information, including dose, uses, side-effects, renal impairment, pregnancy, breast feeding and contra-indications.

bnf.nice.org.uk

 

[Ricardodaforce]

NICE says it’s unlicensed for “cluster headaches but I think (no expert!) it implies that it is prescribed for unlicensed use. More research needed .

Ergotamine tartrate | Drugs | BNF content published by NICE

View ergotamine tartrate information, including dose, uses, side-effects, renal impairment, pregnancy, breast feeding and contra-indications.

bnf.nice.org.uk

All I know is that it’s the only medication that I’ve found that stops my migraines whenever they start.

 

[tijuana taxi]

Ergotamine is an older migraine treatment and is sometimes tried for Cluster Headaches.
Its not an especially pleasant drug for side effects and I would suggest trying Imigran over the counter from a pharmacy.
Speak to the pharmacist first who will then ask if you have any condition or are taking something that it may not be used with.

Over the years I have taken pretty much everything available to treat chronic cluster headache.
I am currently trialling a new device that can also used for Migraine prevention.
This was only available after seeing a consultant neurologist, but may be available if your condition demands it
https://www.england.nhs.uk/2021/04/nhs-rolls-out-headache-busting-gadget-across-the-country/

 

[tijuana taxi]

If you do find Sumatriptan in tablet form helps the nasal spray is often considered quicker acting, but is only available on prescription.
I personally prefer the injection form that works very quickly, but its very expensive and you might find they are not keen to issue it for Migraine.
Due to the cost i would consult a GP and see if you can get these medicines on the NHS.
I think 2 x 50g of Imigran is about a tenner, not something I would want to pay for when I often get through 12 x 100g tablets a week

 

[JohnC6]

I was surprised at the number of responses ..of course it's most likely that those suffering migraine will respond but nevertheless, I wondered how common it is in the UK, especially as it's so debilitating. Having read the above it sounds awful. Approximately 10 million sufferers in the 15-69 age bracket and most often runs in families, so genetic.

 

[tijuana taxi]

I was surprised at the number of responses ..of course it's most likely that those suffering migraine will respond but nevertheless, I wondered how common it is in the UK, especially as it's so debilitating. Having read the above it sounds awful. Approximately 10 million sufferers in the 15-69 age bracket and most often runs in families, so genetic.

Cluster Headache is a registered disability, not so Migraine
I suspect this is because of the amount of sufferers who might be covered by the DDA regulations.
Fortunately for me because it helped when I needed breaks from work during the day to deal with a headache

 

[JohnC6]

Cluster Headache is a registered disability, not so Migraine
I suspect this is because of the amount of sufferers who might be covered by the DDA regulations.
Fortunately for me because it helped when I needed breaks from work during the day to deal with a headache

It sounds to me (re the above posts) that it should be a registered disability per se.

 

[john.margetts]

I used to suffer frequent migraines but now only very occasionally.

They start with the traditional zigzag arc of pink flashing lights and then followed by pain. I always found that aspirin was a good cure. Occasionally, instead of the pain, I would lose my central vision which was completely debilitating.

In the last few years, my migraines rarely continue past the flashing lights.

 

[sphexx]

Long story of mostly non-headaches, but maybe it fits someone else’s experience But probably irrelevant .

When I was a teenagerI used to get headaches a lot and took APC (Aspirin Phenacetin* & Caffeine) and/or Codeine* (probably quite high doses back then) which were readily available because my Mother suffered too. As far as I remember I never saw a doctor for them. Eventually I found they didn’t work and that I could get rid of the headaches by relaxing lying down — what nowadays would be called Mindfulness I suspect. I know I haven’t misremembered this because my Mother in later years told me how much she envied me that I could do it. (Phenacetin has long been withdrawn for being carcinogenic and codeine is addictive )

Probably irrelevant but, I also found leather or hard rubber soles gave me headaches when walking on hard surfaces and they still can as I found recently.

I didn’t have other than very occasional headaches for the next 70 years — ie I still don’t.

About 8 years ago while on chemotherapy I had a severe vertigo attack, could not stand without support and vomiting everywhere. It was suggested it was down to the chemo and had no lasting effects. Then a few years later I had a cluster of these and minor ones over a period of months. After the first, with all the vomiting etc, I found I could sit them out provided I sat, kept my eyes closed (other than brief glimpses to see if the nystagmus was still there), this might take an hour or more before I felt OK to walk about.

I’ve been “investigated at York Balance Centre and they failed to induce any vertigo and decided it was a “brain problem” rather than inner ear though no abnormality was visible in a brain scan. It doesn’t fit Ménière’s disease either apparently.

Since then and apparently unrelated I had occasional disturbances in my visual field when a small part would appear broken up/shimmering like a couple of pixelated lines. Disturbing but not painful and wet away after a bit. When I described this to a stroke consultant (who was telling me I’d not had a stroke) he said I was suffering “migrainous vertigo”. First time migraine had been raised and frankly I though he was making it up though I later found it is a thing.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I had been having various odd disturbance in my vision, and then one morning I had visual disturbances and a severe vertigo attack to the point that I couldn’t walk. First time the visual flickering and vertigo had come together.

So, I’m grateful to all those who’ve described their migraines here and maybe I’ll try some of the remedies — though I’m taking enough pills already .

 

[AgentOrange76]

My "Migraines" are infrequent fortunately - I say Migraine as I have no Idea if they are Migraines or really bad headaches. It usually starts with a niggly ache over an eye that makes me tired. If I close my eyes images run like a video in fast forward. I can usually head off the worst pain and symptoms with a promptly timed Migralieve. At its worst the waves of Nausea interspersed with the pain. Quite often Im sick and instantly feel better.

Cocodamol doesnt touch it, Migralieve is now hard to get as one of the componets for the Pink tablet was in short supply. Will check out Imigran as an alternative

 

[tijuana taxi]

Never had Migraine, but my wife and daughter both suffer with it.
Took me a while to get a diagnosis of Cluster Headache.
Not sure why because I had all the classic symptoms and described them often enough.
All of these headaches can have a big impact on ones quality of life.
Thankfully modern drugs can alleviate the pain to a good degree.
Obviously a preventative soution is the best answer, but not always easy to find.
Narrowed my triggers down to heat and strong smells/fumes being the worst.
Always get them on Tuesdays and other random days between 3.00am and 3.30 am.
Nobody knows why, just works like that, all to do with the hypothalamus which is our timer and thermostat.

 

[Mr Bump]

wierd one i also have never been one for headaches.
get the odd dehydration head, not enough water.

only one i have had for like ever was after my first covid jab and that was a big symptom

 

[Dale.]

Interesting to hear everyone's varied experiences and remedies.

I'm over my weekend migraine now but it was possibly one of the worst I've had recently. The brain fog was horrible and my head was still sore yesterday (Weds).

I was at my doctor on Tuesday with an unrelated ailment but the migraines came up as she said I seemed 'off colour'. I explained what had happened and she checked my records and said she saw no reason why I couldn't take an Aspirin at the first sign of symptoms, as it is believed to open up the blood vessels that constrict during a migraine and can help shorten and weaken a migraine. I will try this next time.

I'm not suggesting anyone take Aspirin as it's not for everybody but the next time I get the flashes, I'll be taking one, just to see if it helps.

 

[JayceeC]

I get them a few times a year. I used to take two Paracetamol as soon as I got the Aura, then two more an hour later, and two more two hours later. As long as I followed this routine my brain wouldn't rattle in the morning. I can sense when a migraine is coming on now, and if I catch it soon I can get away with only taking four.

Some started for no apparent reason , but I was getting them after exercise, if I overdid it, I could feel the build up of pressure in my head. Now I take Arnica 30c a homeopathic remedy after exercise perhaps one every 10 to 15 minutes until the pressure subsides which it usually does within the hour, or two just after exercise if no pressure. Have been doing this for a good few years.

 

[Dale.]

I get them a few times a year. I used to take two Paracetamol as soon as I got the Aura, then two more an hour later, and two more two hours later. As long as I followed this routine my brain wouldn't rattle in the morning. I can sense when a migraine is coming on now, and if I catch it soon I can get away with only taking four.

Some started for no apparent reason , but I was getting them after exercise, if I overdid it, I could feel the build up of pressure in my head. Now I take Arnica 30c a homeopathic remedy after exercise perhaps one every 10 to 15 minutes until the pressure subsides which it usually does within the hour, or two just after exercise if no pressure. Have been doing this for a good few years.

I'd been recommended Arnica before, I tried it and it seemed to help the symptoms. I don't think it stopped it for me but still, any relief is welcome.


I got the dreaded aura again last night and today, I've had an intermittent sore head and just feeling off a bit. Hopefully, it won't get worse.

 

[Dale.]

Well, last night was a new one, as far as I recall. I woke through the night with an aura, it was pretty scary as I couldn't figure out what was happening initially. We have a projector clock on the ceiling and I couldn't see it, it was just a blank area with red glow around it, then I noticed the zig zags. I don't ever recall waking through the night with an aura.

Sore head today, no aura and just feel a bit off.

 

[JayceeC]

I have been using a different homeopathic remedy for my Migraines called Bryonia (30 c strength) It felt like a particularly bad one but after one tablet, and sipping water with another tablet dissolved in the bottle it eased it considerably with only a mild "wobbly brain" the next morning. Very impressed with it.

 

[Mr Bastable]

I think there was an episode of House MD where he got rid of a migraine with LSD, not always a practical solution.

When I used get migraines heinz tomato soup seemed to help but a dark/quiet room and sleep were the only solution for me.

 

[Dale.]

I noticed yesterday morning, my coordination was a bit off. I was knocking things over, dropping stuff, that kind of thing. No real harm, just annoying. That was quite early, around 7-30 am.

Lo and behold, by 1PM, I was having an aura and today, my head is sore over my left eye and I feel a bit off. Also, bending forward really hurts.

I've not really noticed the coordination thing before, although it has happenned, I've just never made the connection until yesterday. Could be something in it and the first sign of a migraine.

 

[simonm8]

I have suffered bad migraines for years and was prescribed Sumatriptan, when I got them bad it would last a good 2 days and I would show symptoms of meningitis. Unable to lift head rash all over chest and worst headaches like I was being whacked with a bat. Not bad one for about 18 months then in February I was driving along. Left eye went hazy and lost use of left hand. Next day I was suffering partial paralysis down left side. Couldn’t speak mouth dropped no sternwght on left leg or arm. Ended in a&e with suspected stroke. Turned out they called it a emeolegic migraine. I have since had 2 more attacks and ended up in hospital due to it showing like a stroke. When it comes on and I lose feeling in hand I then have to sit down and lose a good hr or 2 where It remember anything. I had one Monday was walking down road working and went funny. All I temper after that is sitting in lorry going on break. 1.5hr had passed since I had taken a turn.

 

[Fuji Dave]

Interesting to hear everyone's varied experiences and remedies.

I'm over my weekend migraine now but it was possibly one of the worst I've had recently. The brain fog was horrible and my head was still sore yesterday (Weds).

I was at my doctor on Tuesday with an unrelated ailment but the migraines came up as she said I seemed 'off colour'. I explained what had happened and she checked my records and said she saw no reason why I couldn't take an Aspirin at the first sign of symptoms, as it is believed to open up the blood vessels that constrict during a migraine and can help shorten and weaken a migraine. I will try this next time.

I'm not suggesting anyone take Aspirin as it's not for everybody but the next time I get the flashes, I'll be taking one, just to see if it helps.

I use to get migraines and I hated them as I had to go to bed, years later my GP prescribed me one Aspirin everyday for another medical problem and since then not one migraine.