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Lilidoodles

Updated 9mo ago

Dealing with frequent migraines, any tips?

Hi guys. I’ve started having issues with migraines recent and I’m a little concerned. I never even had normal headaches until about last year, and then I started getting the very occasional migraine, like maybe one every few months. It started happening a bit more often more recently but I didn’t think much of it until it pretty suddenly went from happening a couple times a month, to about once a week, to now almost daily if not multiple a day. The speed this happened at is freaking me out a little and I can’t get into the specialist until October. Excedrin doesn’t help anymore. My Dr prescribed Sumatriptan for now but from my understanding it’s got so many side effects I’m trying not to take it unless the pain is just completely unbearable. Does anyone have any home tips for dealing with migraines or any thoughts on this in general?

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Some home tips for dealing with migraines include using a weighted eye mask to sleep, wearing theraspec glasses to help with light sensitivity, and having a good pillow that supports your head and nec...See More

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BraeburnGirl

1y

I’ve not had an issue with side effects from triptans personally. Some things that have helped me include peppermint essential oil on my temples and on the base of my neck. There’s also a product I use called SuperMint from a company called Seventh Sojourn Soaps that is like an extra super minty stick that I can put on the big nerve cluster at the base of my neck and it really helps.
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Kittypop

1y

Try not to take excedrin or anything with caffeine in it. You don't want to get into a loop where you become reliant on those things. Try a low tyramine diet! You can find lists of foods that contain tyramine on Google easily. Eating less of these or eliminating them from your diet can help keep you from going over your migraine threshold. There are multiple things that can push you over this threshold & a lot of them are out of your control like the weather/pressure, etc. but that's one thing you can control- along with the caffeine! Obviously another one is to stay as hydrated as you can & get the proper amount of sleep: not too much, not too little. Meditate, stretch or do yoga for just a few minutes each day to help yourself relax or if you like tea- have some chamomile before bed (: these are a few of the things that've helped me over the years. When you get in to see the specialist, definitely ask them about a preventative (topiramate is one) especially if you're not liking the way sumatriptan is working for you. I barely have any migraines now being on the topiramate daily...although it can be used for weight loss as well & no one told me that when I was put on it. I wish they had. Good luck! Feel better 🤗
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Lilidoodles

1y

I’m not really sure that yoga and meditation are gonna fix a neurological problem but cool I guess 😭
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Tinystigger

1y

I’m on sumatriptan and have not had any issues.
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Kittypop

1y

same! I'm glad it works for some of us 👍 I always have to take the second dose after an hour & I take the 100mg (which is a bit annoying). When they gave it to me in an IV at patient first once it gave me a burning sensation in my head for a few minutes, but then my migraine completely dissipated! That was ELITE✨
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Aria17

1y

Medication has helped the most for me, but non-medication support I use includes: Weather-X earplugs (for barometric pressure shifts/weather changes), ice packs on my face and back of my neck, electrolyte hydration (I like using DripDrop), staying hydrated in general, MQ motion sickness patches and Sea Bands for nausea, and an acupressure headband. I experienced something similar. I used to get migraines mainly with hormonal changes- only get a cycle every few months due to medication, which helped with the frequency. I started getting them daily when I unknowingly moved into an apartment with a mold problem. The HVAC system was sucking up air from the disgusting, damp basement and blowing mold spores all through the house. Luckily I've moved out now, but between getting COVID a couple times and the unpredictable Midwest US weather, it's not much better. (My mom had almost daily migraines for decades so I'm not surprised something triggered this for me; still sucks though.) I started taking Flonase daily, and when the weather is stable, that helps a lot. Also, surprisingly, eating a lot of salt. My question would be, has anything in your physical environment or other health changed recently? Have you been through any high-stress or traumatic situations? (Sounds like the BS doctors ask, I know, but since it's all connected to the neurological system, it can trigger migraines.) If there's anything you can think of that happened or changed around the time your migraines started and/or got worse, you may find something you can shift.
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Macks

1y

If you’ve had COVID, that could be what started this; one of the post-COVID effects that’s been consistently reported is new or worse migraines. that doesn’t really change anything, but could potentially answer the mystery of how this started for you. Another type of medicine you could potentially ask your doctor about is CGRP blockers, like Ubrelvy or Nurtec. They don’t work for everyone, but they have way fewer side effects. Ubrelvy has been a life-changer for me. Another thing you could also ask about is a migraine elimination diet, like the Hopkins Migraine Diet. I definitely recommend working with a headache specialist (a type of neurologist) if you aren’t already! I’m sorry you’re dealing with this.
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FS_cookielove

1y

I liked nurtec. I had awful sixe effects with suma- and riza- triptan. Nurtec doesn't always work though
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FS_cookielove

1y

My doctor is putting me on a preventative instead of a rescue. Depending on how long you've been dealing with migraines you might want to try.
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Tiara

1y

I had to start getting botox injections to help with my migraine pain. The "triptan" medications weren't very helpful for me, personally, but I hope you find something that works for you
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wellerhoopoe

1y

First of all, I’m so sorry you’re dealing with such constant pain with such a long wait to see a specialist. I’m not sure how your doctor’s office works, but if possible, don’t be afraid to be the annoying person who calls in every week to see if there happens to be a cancellation. I can’t tell you the number of times this has worked out for me despite supposedly being on a waitlist already. Personally, I take sumatriptan when a migraine comes on and I have not noticed any side effects aside from feeling a little relaxed/sleepy. I make sure to follow the guidelines about how often I can take it, but it does work amazingly well for me. This may or may not be relevant for you, but one of my migraine triggers is TMJ and neck tension. I used to sleep on my stomach and once I trained myself to sleep on my side that helped cut down on the headaches that woke me up in the middle of the night. I also use a small heat pack on the back of the neck and jaw each night to ease tension as a preventative measure. When you’re already experiencing a migraine, an ice pack or heat pack might also help with relieving pain. If you haven’t already, I would try keeping a migraine log including a food diary to see if you have any food triggers, even if it’s just to help you be prepared with more info when you finally get in to see your neurologist. There are apps that can help. I used to use Migraine Buddy, but there may be other better options.
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Zebrapotato37659

1y

I have no side affects that I can tell from sumatriptan and I’ve been on it a year or so. I might have more muscle twitches than before taking it but it comes and goes. That’s up to you though. Prayers!
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JoJo88

9mo

Getting Daith piercing can help tons. Plus using mint oils on temples neck and forehead can help over time
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StitchYang

9mo

Should go get an mri done I currently have a tumor & never removed it,now that was when I was 13 14 & now almost 35 DOCTORS said I wasn't going to make it up to 2 weeks or until I'm 20 years old, could take gabapentin at night it helps plus Exedrin might help
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JoJo88

9mo

Peppermint oils roll onto your for head and temples that can help.

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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