Help with daily migraines

Brain and nerves
1

Hi all

Looking for advice. I didn't have a migraine until I was 30 where I had quite a few in a short space of time and then they went away. I'm now 36 and for the past 6 or 7 months I have been debilitated by migraines most days.

My GP and I have tracked it down to a drop in blood pressure when I stand up. I always know when it's going to happen - I stand up and get a whooshing, pounding noise in my ears and feel like I'm wearing a heavy diving belt around my waist. The thing is my symptom really vary.

Most of the time I get occular migraines - I get the precursors above and then 20 mins of severe visual disturbances and nothing else (sometimes this can happen 3 times a day, which has an impact on my ability to see my computer screen to do work). In these instances I get no other symptoms, no pain, apart from the next day where my head will hurt if I cough.

Then I can also get the aura followed by 2 day headaches.

Rarely I get the above with gastric symptoms.

Sometimes I just get the visual disturbances on one side of my vision and the pain occurs on the opposite side of my head.

Then rarely (but becoming more frequent) - like the one I'm currently suffering - I get the precursors followed by a thunderclap headache that goes on and on and my right foot goes floppy and I can't walk on it for a minute or two. This headache started at about 2pm, it's now almost 10pm, still raging with no response to painkillers and I have a rising temperature and sweats because it is so bad.

A few bits of background. I have bipolar disorder but am currently medication free for this. I also have suffered from extreme acid reflux following gall bladder surgery for which I'm supposed to take daily omeprazole - but I only take it when needed as I know it can cause headaches. I eat a vegan diet but have my bloods regularly checked and am not deficient in anything. I have tried triptans in the past (namely zolmitriptan) but had a massive allergic reaction and had to go to hospital.

Two GPs I've seen have told me that there's nothing to be done as it's just a blood pressure drop and I have to live with it. I have private health insurance - is it worth me getting it investigated further? I don't want to cause a fuss if I'm going to get the same reply.

I have just got a really prestigious job and also have a music career and both are being adversely affected. I just want my life back.

Thanks guys

Xxx

2

Hi I've had migraine attacks like this and gut problems and other health issues too and I was diagnosed with an auto ommune disorder 12 years ago.

I don't have them now at all as I had a long tteatment and cutrently in a kind of remission. It was hard to get a diagnosis as there are no specific blood tests.

3

Dear Madraykin

I never suffered migraines until I reached 51 and now suffer silent ones (just the aura) I have them monthly, I also suffered the digestive issues and went on Omeprezole for gastitis but for me I associated it with menopause as these can be symptoms for it. Thankfully the digestive issues settled but the silent migraines continue, the doctor did prescribe beta blockers but i'm not aure if I want to take them! I thought not having any in may and June they had subsided for I have had six this month. (so far) mostly they happen in the mornings and light can trigger them but sometimes i'm not sure what causes them

4

I too suffer gastritis. Sympathise. Omeprezole sometimes works but not always.

5

Yes it did for a while then made my stomach worse, switched to zantac then

6

I too get just the auras.  Never a headache after.   But I do get daily,  really bad pressure in my face.  This also gives me a plugged up left nostril and ear, and makes me all off balance.    Daily for many years.   The neuro thinks it is silent migraines.   I think he is only guessing.        I saw several ENT'S.....they are useless......

7

Dear lolasmum

Yes I remember conversing with you before on here about the auras, yes I feel I havent had much help with them (just offered beta blockers)

8

Oh yes, I now remember.   Good luck with the beta blocker.  I have never heard of beta blockers for auras.  I took beta blockers (Bisoprolol)   for my   tachycardia  (atrial tachy)...They were a nightmare being on, and the cold turkey stop on them was even worse.

9

I think the scariest thing right now is losing control of my foot. Have managed to get a referral to a private consultant specialist so let's see how it goes

10

Yes Idont think I want to take them, at the moment I'm just learning to live with them