The Drugs DO Work! (Migraine drugs!!) February 28, 2008
Posted by Michelle in General.trackback
I have always been prone to headaches, some of them pretty bad, but it was only a few years ago that I started to realise that they were migraines. I don’t get any sort of aura, nor so I get sick.. and that is what put me off thinking of them as migraines. What I did realise however, was that I experienced two very distinct types of headaches.
The one that I can get any time is most probably a tension headache.. it’s pretty much all over, or across my forehead, it often doesn’t respond that well to painkillers, but at the same time, it’s something that I can cope with.. daily life can go on.
The second type however, is almost always on the right side, and it quickly builds up into something very painful. I do get a slight nauseous feeling, lights obviously make it worse, as does moving about.. but the main difference is the affect it has on me. I feel ‘ill’, and I start to find it hard to concentrate. It makes driving scary, and work almost impossible. (Do you really want me injecting you with something, if I can’t concentrate on picking the right thing out the fridge!?)
A few weeks ago, I had to do something I hate doing.. leave work, and go home to my bed. I know it can cause problems all round, but I really had no choice. Then a few weeks later, it happened again.
I decided to go to the local chemist, to ask if I could get the over-the-counter triptan drug. I have tried triptan’s in the dim and distant past, but had taken them too late, along with other painkillers etc, and hadn’t really been able to assess them.
Anyway, the chemist was out of stock, but she did suggest that I spoke to the GP I work with, to see if he would write me a prescription. He was quite happy to, so I gave it a go.
This was definitely a migraine, and I already knew that nothing else was working, so it was a good test. Sure enough, after about an hour, the pain had gone! I was very happy, to say the least!
Last night gave me a chance to try again. I had had an annoying tension headache all day, but it was starting to settle over my right eye, and that pain get pretty bad. Having the two types together is no fun! I had to head to the supermarket, so I took a tablet, and sure enough, within an hour, that pain had lifted.
Apparently, these tablets don’t work for every migraine, but if it clears the vast majority it will be a great help. In case you’ve never heard of them, there’s some info here.
It’s good that you have found a drug that works.
As you know I suffer from migraines as well so you have my full sympathy, horrible things.
xx
I’ve had bouts with this. I found out that a high blood pressure drug I was taking had migraines as a side effect.
Hmmm interesting my doctor didn’t mention it when I told her I had VERY bad headaches.
I stopped taking the drug and boom! No more migraines.
Who knew?
I’m so glad you found something that helped.
Hi Jen, I wish I could find a cause (a friend discovered hers were caused by peanut butter!), but the main cause seems to be my periods, followed by stress , and a day out in bright sunshine. Sometimes I can pinpoint that cause, sometimes it’s a bit more vague.. but I don’t take regular meds, and I can’t see a food link anywhere.
Nici, a friend of mine didn’t get on with triptans, but one of the preventatives keeps hers at bay. I, however, tried a couple of those, and made myself feel ill.. so the solutions vary. What have you tired?
Headaches are strange things, most are caused by dehydration and a good glass of water usually does the trick. I suffered persistent headaches some years ago and found it to be due to the toxic effects of coffee (the strychnine content to be precise). I just stopped drinking coffee and the headaches went. Now when I have a cup of coffee, I can tolerate 1 every 2 days, and I exceed my tolerance, I get a headache a couple of days later. Finding the trigger for the headaches will lead to a more comfortable life.
It would seem as if my migraines are severe stress related (like when Uncle Peter died) as I haven’t had any for a while now : ).
I am quite lucky that over the counter medicines seem to do the trick; as I get an aura first it gives me warning that one is begining so I quickly take something as soon as my eyes go on me.
Hi Paul.. as a practice nurse, I know all about general headaches, and you’re quite right that dehydration and caffeine can be a cause.
I also know that alot of migraines have triggers.. unfortunately mine are very hard to avoid!
I rarely get headaches, so when I do, I always think it’s a tumor *hangs head in shame*
Mine always seem to be related to sleep…either too much or too little. I’m trying just to stay hydrated (which does wonders) and to manage my sleep better. I’m glad you found something that works!
Yep, I have occasionally started one by sleeping in at the weekend.. and also by letting my blood sugars drop too much. But the difficult ones for me are those caused by stress, sunlight, or my cycle.
I also have trouble narrwing down the cause of my headaches Michelle, so I know how you feel. I know they are mostly work related though
I may take your suggestion and see wha the good ol’ doc says.