Am i the only one who feels that my doctor doesnt empathise with the pain i am in with my migraines and is all too quick to write me another prescription.I last visited my doctor 2 years ago along with my wife who arguably suffers albeit in a different manner.I was in tears in the surgery trying to tell him how much i suffer but again he wanted me to try more medication.I asked him if i could get a scan or something but i was told they dont scan people in my position because if there was anything seriously wrong it would have shown before now.(im 44 yr old male with 28 years of migraines behind me).Anything i suggest to the doctor as an alternative to tablets is dismissed especially if ive read about it on the internet.
I begrudgingly took his prescription for Topirimate , had the dosage topped up 3 times until i decided to forget it.I always find my body gets used to the tablets until they become ineffective.
Migraine suffering is a very lonely place.,My wife suffers, the children suffer and the dog suffers when i get an attack. Stuck in a dark room with eye throbbing pain pleading for it to stop is no way of life.
Waking up with a headache, going to work with a headache and getting home with the same headache is no fun.
Having just joined the forum i am hoping to find something new to try in this battle.
I hope all who read this are having a good day and long may they continue...
Hi Richard, you exceed my suffering by 26 years. I cannot comprehend how you have coped. There are theories about magnesium glycinate and the hormone adrenaline. There must be a medic out there somewhere who can give us hope . Best wishes to you and your family.
Thank you Liz,
It doesnt sound right when i say im glad there are other people out there like myself but it is comforting to know you are there.
I think the problem is a large proportion of people visit primary care just wanting a quick fix with a pill of some kind. This along with a 10 minute appointment time conditions physicians to just provide the take a pill and see what happens approach as it gets you out of the door and it will 'fix' a fair number of the people.
You may have had the migraine for many years but if you think that its symptoms have changed and worsened then you need to start taking a detailed diary of symptoms. Maybe photograph your face mid migraine and when not symptomatic to see if there are any subtle changes to your eyes etc.
Then it may be worth approaching the GP and saying I am loosing x days a month to this, I have tried these drugs, here is some evidence, would you consider reffering me to a neurologist.
The alternative if finances allow may be a private neuro apointment, again I would take a detailed diary to this but for 200ish quid you would get 40 minutes of dedicated time which you could use to discuss the impact, what has been tried any what ideas they may have for the furute.
Hope you manage to fjnd some relief from your symptoms soon!
Hi Matt, thanks for your tips. I did present a diary to an eminent neurologist but with a 6 minute appointment was actually extremely upset when I left to the point where I sat in the car park for 20 minutes in tears. I am certain there are many people out there who have similar stories, but migraine does not have the appeal that curing a brain tumour has. My sister in law had the best brain surgeon but only survived. 3 years. Migraine affects huge numbers of people and I would concur that most manage to look after their symptoms well, avoiding causatives where possible, but there has to be people out there who are dedicated to this problem with a view to a cure. Serious migraine causes loss of working days and ultimately loss of income. In this day and age no one should have to suffer severe and constant pain.
Liz, I totally agree. Its about finding the right person that wants to share ownership of solving your problem with you. 6 minutes must have been terrible that is barely long enough to get through introductions and start describing :-(
To be honest, as I sat waiting to go in, I timed all the people who went in before me so I wasn't expecting much. I waited 8 months for 6 minutes. What can I say!
Hi Richard!
sorry you are having a rubbish time I have probably being on every type of tablet over the years and the only one that worked with no undesirable side effects before I became immune to them was Epilim. In terms of non medical treatment again I have tried loads! The best I found was a osteopath as there is a strong link with neck issues particularly is you have a job sat at a desk. Also in terms of aborting pain I use a hot pack around the back of my neck as soon as the aura strikes which is incredibly effective and can be teamed with a cold patch on your forehead for double effect! 😀
Liz, thats shocking!
Do you get any back up from your GP?
Yes, drs can be so bad at helping people sometimes, even though that is their job. The only thing that brings any kind of abortive relief for me is Sumatriptan and you can get epipen injections or tablets. For preventative I use Pregabalin and Verapamil. Also Flunarizine from Neurologist, I recently started Botox as I have 2 types of migraine, Hemi[legic, that can hospitalise me as it mimics a stroke and cluster headache when the eye pain can become unbearable and watery.
Good luck and also in my experience you have to nag nag and nag the drs to get anywhere with this
i completely empathise with liz's experience with the neurologist.
I got referred to a neurologist in 2008 whilst i was takind propanolol for my migraines.The appointment consisted of me giving her a history of my migraines, severity, regularity etc.A series of reflex tests were carried out on my knees and elbows.
The 10 minute appt then concluded with an OFFICIAL diagnosis of migraines for me (this was blindingly obvious anyway) and she told me to continue with the propanolol.
I left thinking what a bloody waste of time that was.
Hallo Yola
if im at work with a migraine i regularly press a cold compress from cold water tap to my head which offers short term relief.A hot shower also helps, the massaging feel around my neck is nice.
The only time tablets work is if i find a new brand that i havent taken before, but it doesnt take long before my body realises this and they then become ineffective.
Hi Richard
Sorry to hear you are suffering so much. I can image how difficult it is for you, especially having a young family. I can understand how difficult it is for the medical profession to treat migraine as every cause and symptom is so different, but you deserve better care than you seemed to have been given.
I too have suffered with migraine from childhood (now in early 60's). I also suffer with vertigo and tinnitus. When I collapsed and was admitted to hospital, five years ago, I was fortunate to see a consultant who specialised in migraine/vertigo and was able to give me a diagnosis. She herself had suffered from migraine which led to her interest. I was unable to work and had to retire on ill health. I couldn't go out on my own for three months and was unable to drive for two years.
It's been a long hard road, but now five years on I am able to have a good quality of life. I was initially prescribed amitryptyline, co-codomol and buccastem. When I didn't improve I was given imigran nasal spray, betahistmine hydrochloride, and prochlorperazine maleate. I didn't improve with this combination either.
I now take almotriptan when I get a migraine, which has been very effective, although there are still occasions when the migraine will persist. I've also recently been put back on almotriptan. I have regular chiropractic treatment and have tried a number of other alternative therapies, including acupuncture, which all helped to get me through.
The consultant said that migraine can cause depression. The medical profession can mistakenly think that depression is causing the migraine when it is the other way round. I've have been lucky not to suffer from depression with my condition because of the support I have had. I guess the lack of support can leave you wondering what to do and where to go. Don't give up!
I would suggest that you do a little research on some of the medication mentioned by myself and other Forum members and make an appointment with your GP to discuss alternative medication. I do believe that it is a matter of finding the right medication for you as what can be prescribed for one person may not be suitable for another.
Wishing you all the best.
I too have tried all sorts of tablets from beta blockers at age 20 to most recent topirimate.
Having lost my mom in 1995 and my dad in 2011 I have lost faith in doctors and am seekung out other migraine remedies.
Thank you for your thoughts
I think he too was disappointed and is now struggling to treat me as a result. I worked with consultants who rarely gave less than 1 hour for a first assessment. I was truly shocked at the way I was processed. No way could this have been an assessment.
Sounds like you have had more than your fair share to cope with Richard! I really hope you get the help you need soon. Again, keep pressing on.
So sorry to hear your experience but I agree I don't think some doctors really understand the pain and discomfort that comes with migraines. After suffering with migraines for over 40 years, really badly over the last 15 years, I have eventually found a GP who is very sympthatic. I first saw him about a year ago and he made it his mission to improve my symptoms. Between him, the neurologist and myself we have found something that works for me. I am not migraine free but they are more manageable and more importantly, not as painful. It may worth trying a different GP in your surgery if possible. Have you been referred to a neurologist, if not push for that. As you will understand from this forum there does not seem to be a cure but there are many different types of medication and treatments that do work. Persist with your GP, ask for a second opinion and good luck.
Richard,
I am sorry to hear of your suffering but after suffering 30 years myself, I believe I have found the answer for me which I gladly share in case it works for you. In defence of the GP's, no one yet knows the cause of migraines that is why they struggle to help.
I started having migraines at about 13 but also suffered with anxiety. I would get migraines aura + headache either during or after playing sport. I later also found that I got a migraine after eating oranges (they made my tongue swell up) What links both these triggers - adrenaline. It is released during exercise and in response to an allergic reaction to counteract histomine.
I am now on Propranolol which controls the release of adrenaline (anxiety) and is also used to prevent migraine. People who suffer migraine are 3 x more likely to suffer from anxiety.
Hi Phil
Back online after 24 hour headache yesterday, feelin ok now though.
Have previously been on propanolol but as with most medication either the dosage gets that high that the side effects outweigh any benefits or they just become ineffective.
Sorry if I just replied with a blank message; this is my first time on the forum!
I am only 21 and have been experiencing migrianes since I was about 15. My mum gets them too and she has missed out on so many things because of them. I don't want to waste my youth not being able to join in things because of stupid stupid headaches. The problem with doctors is that they give bandaid treatments rather than finding the root cause of the problem and treating that. Recently I have been lucky enough to find a physio who actually CARES and is determined to help me, as it seems a lot of the headaches for me, are neck related. Since seeing him, my headaches have reduced and I just feel generally better. No doctor had recommended this, I just decided to go on my own.
I say try a physio and get your neck/back and shoulders looked at. My posture is terrible and for someone so young I should not be feeling so ancient.
BTW i joined this forum because I am suffering from a migraine right now and needed some re-assurance... I feel your pain.
As a side note- topirimate was the WORST medication I have ever encountered.
Was on propanolol but some drs agree that I'm too young for that as it reduces the heart rate and I'm already tiny and have blood pressure already on the low side.
Am currently trying Maxalt... seems to work for a bit but wears off quickly 
Goodluck and take care
Hi Caitlin,
Welcome to the forum.
I agree about getting neck looked at, I have Indian head massage and this makes a difference, but I dont feel its the answer.
I dont have the answers as each person reacts to meds in a different way. But I do totally agree about Topirimate, it made me suicidal! The maxalt you take is good for getting rid of a migraine, but as you say it comes back quickly, because its only a reliever not a preventer. You could ask your drs to try you on Pregabalin, its a recognised preventer of migraines and if they still persist see a neurologist and suggest Botox.
Good luck Caitlin, let us know how you get on.
Best wishes