1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Migraine

Drugs to prevent migraine ? Help

Posted , 3 users are following.

Tezes
Tezes

Hi 

I have posted my question under migraine and propranolol, please read for full details, basically I would appreciate some advice on how effective drugs are to prevent migraines

Many thanks

1 like, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • StevenRose
    StevenRose Tezes

    Posted

    Hi,

    the effectiveness of any drugs that a dr or neurologist prescribes for someone, varies from one person to the next.  Propranolol, is one of a number of drugs used to prevent migraines, but the effctiveness is only measured by the side effects that they may cause.  That is to say, you have to offset the benefit with the side effects that you get from them.

    Hope this helps.

    Good luck

    • cazwhitt
      cazwhitt StevenRose

      Posted

      Hello to you as always you are a supportive and give straight forward advice . Could not of said anything better to Tezes myself once again Thank You for your valued support x
  • cazwhitt
    cazwhitt Tezes

    Posted

    Welcome Tezes

    I fully agree with personal20, what works for one person may not for others , so do give up there is a one for you some side affects are short term or not even relivent to some. We are each indivdual complex creatures especially when it comes to Migraines . Do come back here and keep intouch i myself have found the support here alone a huge help . Kindest wishes x

    • Tezes
      Tezes cazwhitt

      Posted

      Thank you

      I am just emerging from a three day migraine taking three triptans and as I have at least one day pre migraine headache and at least two days of banging headaches following the use of triptans I am desperate for anything that might help reduce them. I have counted how many days of headache inc migraine I had in August and it was 12 days.

      Its so debilitating, I will ring the neurologist for advice

      thanks again

       

  • cazwhitt
    cazwhitt Tezes

    Posted

    Tezes

    I too have just had a Three day Migraine and so agree with you . The tiredness and getting back on track however there is a answer and inbetween there is always some here who can just listen and nod and support . Knowing that helps , when i tell people i had a migraine for three days most say yes i get headaches i smile bless i wish it was a simple headache we here can all agree and live with them easily . Kind wish Tezes arrowconfusedxxx

    • Tezes
      Tezes cazwhitt

      Posted

      Thank you so much, I have never known anyone who has as many migraines as I do and haven't ever been referred to a specialist. I've been having them for more than 20 years and have just taken triptans, never anything that might prevent migraine, I know my triggers but unfortunately it's everyday life. However Over last few months I have been seeing a neurologist and after many brain scans and tests I have just been diagnosed with a rare type of dystonia with a dystonic tremor and myoclonus. It's a lot to take in because I had no idea what these conditions were but she has started me on clonazepam and suggested adding propranolol. When I mentioned migraine she did say that propranolol can help reduce migraine frequency etc. I was suprised when she asked me how many days a month I have any type of headache which was 12 days last month. She said that most people don't ever have headaches at all  !

      its become normal for me but it's so frustrating and does spoil and restrict activities.

      anyway I don't want to moan and I am so grateful I have found this forum, couldn't get hold of my neuro so will see if I can see my GP for a prescription, maybe I can come off sertraline when I start proponalol 

      So all the best to all and thank you again

    • StevenRose
      StevenRose Tezes

      Posted

      Wow!  You have a complex medical history.  But getting the right preventative meds will help you so much Tezes.

      Hope things start to improve for you now you are taking the propranolol, so you have a better quality of life.

      As cazwhitt has also said, support and people who listen are here!

    • Tezes
      Tezes StevenRose

      Posted

      Thank you again , I have been waiting for the neuros report from my last app which was on 4 th aug to reach me and my GP but hasn't arrived yet. Think I will just get an app with my GP and see if she can start me on propranolol anyway . 

      Still have banging headache this morning sure it's after affects of the triptans even though last one I took was mon !

      Thank you for your support - it's good to talk ! Xx

    • StevenRose
      StevenRose Tezes

      Posted

      Your GP should have a report from your neurologist by now, so absolutely, make an appointment with your GP to check up on this.  Its not good enough that this is taking so long.  In my experience you have to nag the medical profession to get somewhere, so try to do a bit if this at your drs appointment.

      You need those preventative meds, so you can reduce the triptans.  What triptans in particular are you taking if you dont mind me asking?

    • Tezes
      Tezes StevenRose

      Posted

      I take almotriptan now, in the past I have had maxalt and immigrants ( horrible).

      I found almogran to have the least side effects, but Oh my poor head.

      It's ridiculous waiting I had an MRI brain scan a DaT Brain Scan and ssep nerve tests at Kings College Hos in London and waited 3 months for the results even after I had written to the neuro asking for results. On one occasion last year when I was referred by a general neuro to a cons neuro specialising in movement disorders I had to wait 7 months for the appointment. I was sick of ringing them to chase it up. In the end I contact the  neuro who had referred me on to help chase the app for me, that worked and I got an app for 4 weeks later,

      It's hard work, will try to contact the med sec again today to chase the report otherwise just going ahead to GP - that's if I can get an app there, Another nightmare

      No wonder we get anxiety issues !!!

    • StevenRose
      StevenRose Tezes

      Posted

      Yes I know Tezes its crazy, thats why its good to have this forum to talk to someone about it.

      Have you tried sumatriptan epipen injections?  You can use them yourself and they work very quickly.  They are not painkillers, but will take away the migraine.  Ask your GP for some and he show you how easy they are to use.

      Good luck with getting the appointments and hope you get things under control soon.

      Take care

    • Tezes
      Tezes StevenRose

      Posted

      Hi there

      well I didn't know the pen existed ! 

      Guess it it injects the triptans and works much quicker than tablets, is it also better at preventing it coming back ???

      . See usually I get a headache that turns into a migraine despite painkillers, I take a triptan, pain goes but returns within approx 6-8 hours so take another triptan this goes on for 3 days and each time triptan wears off pain is more severe. Once migraine has subsided I then get hit with thumping headaches for 2-3 days which I think are caused by the triptan usage. 

      By some miracle I have managed to book an app with my GP for this afternoon.

      i rang the neuro,s sec to ask if she hasn't already sent the report to fax it to my GP so it is there for my app, but I'm not holding out much hope for that as I had to leave a message and she only works P/T,

      will post an update after seeing GP I will ask for propranolol and ask about changing the triptan to sumatriptan by epipen. 

      Many thanks

       

  • Tezes
    Tezes

    Posted

    Oh just found out that sumatriptan IS Imigran - I had horrible side effects with Imigran for e.g. Chest pain

    i will ask GP what Triptan will be more effective for me or whether there are other drugs other than triptans I can try. I do remember when I first started having migraine my GP at the time prescribe these large white dissolvable tablets that were effective but I don't know what they were called or even if they are still on the market.

    will post later x

     

    • StevenRose
      StevenRose Tezes

      Posted

      hi, yes sumatriptan is imigran and you can have chest pains with it depending on what othher meds you are taking. To prevent migraines they need to consider, verapamil, gabapentin, and pregabalin to name a few let me know how you get on
    • StevenRose
      StevenRose Tezes

      Posted

      painkillers are ususally useless against migrain, but with drs consent and some omeprozol for your tummy, you may be able to take 900mg aspirin in one dose for short term use only
    • Tezes
      Tezes StevenRose

      Posted

      Hi

      Had a call back from neuro sec who told me that the report hasn't been typed up yet ! There is a backlog apparently, nor could she tell me what instructions she had given in the report,

      Anyway Just got back from GP, the half inderal the neuro suggested to me was discontinued in March !

      So GP prescribed propranolol, modified release 80 mgs once a day. As i have low blood pressure (90/70) today she advised taking it at lunchtimes when I am around people in case I collapse ( reassuring ) !!

      She was going to replace the almotriptan with naproxen but couldn't because it's contraindicated with propranolol. So recommended I stick with almotriptan for now and hope I won't need as many if the propranolol works to prevent/ reduce migraine attacks. 

      The pharmacist told me not to take the propranolol at night because it will keep me awake, good advice I need my sleep. 

      Also he told me to take the sertraline in the morning with the clonazepam as sertraline keeps you awake and clonazepam is a sedative so they should counteract each other,

      Phew

      That's all for now folks xx

    • StevenRose
      StevenRose Tezes

      Posted

      wow! That sure is a lot for you to think about. Hopefully you will feel better soon.

      keep in touch to update us.

      Good luck and take care

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.