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Propranolol and migraine

Posted , 40 users are following.

G111
G111

Just to say how well this drug has worked for me, I have been on it for about 6 months now. I spent years resisting taking a preventative migraine drug, maintaining that I only needed to take my Sumatriptan when I had a migraine. But the frequency of the migraines increased, even though I had given up work. Finally I went to the doctor who prescribed propranolol, 1x40mg tablet twice a day. Even though the Dr said it would take time to build up in my system and start working; I noticed an effect from the morning after the first pill. Previously I nearly always woke up feeling stuffy, having to move around gently until the 'potential' headache disappeared, likewise during the day I would have to be careful of things that would trigger a migraine. Now I wake up feeling absolutely fine and am able to get on with life. The only side effect is that I do wake up more during the night, however I seem to need less sleep and have gained at least an hour of useful time each day. I do still get the odd migraine, but they are less severe than before and I recover faster. I also still avoid my triggers like lactose, alcohol and too many late nights.

3 likes, 98 replies

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  • maria02551
    maria02551 G111

    Posted

    Hi Michelle,

    ive been on and off oropranolol for the last 4 years due to chronic migraine.  It is a lifesaver drug as you know for migraines but there can be side effects.  You mention being on them for 6 weeks, in all honesty every time ive gone back on them it's taken me a good 2-3 months to get used to them and feel like me again, I do think it would be a good idea to give your body a full 3 months on them before coming off. I also only take the slow release 80mg, this way you take it first things no the morning and it slowly releases in to your system as opposed to a 40mg whack twice a day.  I also found tiredness an issue but found that once I got myself pt and about and moving this side effect went away.  I'm pregnant at the moment so been off them since September but looking forwards ongoing back I  theme hen little one arrives, I'd take the tiredness any day over the migraines and headaches lol!!! Good luck, I hope you try to stay on them xx

    • Shelly0069
      Shelly0069 maria02551

      Posted

      Hi it's not because I want to come off them, my doctor thinks all the symptoms I'm getting ( tired, weight loss, mood swings) are some of the side effects from taking propranolol, I've had some blood tests done which will confirm either i'am or am NOT ok to carry on taking this drug!?. So I now have to wait, if it is that I have to come off I will then have to try something else! Which I'm not happy with, BUT on the other hand I want me back, instead of a constant zombie through the day!. I went to see the doctor because I thought I was starting PERI as I had been online &seen the 66 symptoms which a lot I have. My symptoms started back in November 2014 I didnt start taking my medication till jan this year?!!!!. But he was/is adamant it's to do with Propanolol ? I on the other hand don't think on this occasion that he is right?! We'll see,?!!.
    • Shelly0069
      Shelly0069 maria02551

      Posted

      Hi Maria, I have had my blood test results back and hey they are normal!!!!!!. Which I knew they would my doctor was so adamant that it was the side effects from propranolol. So I'm still on this drug. I know have to make an appointment to see a lady doctor as I said before I think I'm peri?. Talking of propranolol are they all the same with the same ingredients? I have had 2 different brands? The one I have is a slow relise 80mg a day. X
    • maria02551
      maria02551 Shelly0069

      Posted

      Hi Michelle, that's great news your blood has come back fine.  The propranolol will slow you down a bit in general but you should not feel like a zombie on it, it usually takes a wee while for my system to get used to it as well. 80mg slow release is a good dose, I isually have inderal brand. It may be an idea to try some exercise to counteract the tiredness, but I do really think give it another few weeks for your system to get used to it.  I'm definitely more tired when on them and I gave sleep side effects with them but I'll take that any day over the crippling chronic migraines without them, it's whatever is the easiest for you to handle.  Peri will also be effecting you as well so exercise, meditation, relaxation etc will all help you lots. Xx
    • Shelly0069
      Shelly0069 maria02551

      Posted

      Hi maria, I knew anyway as I told u that the problems I was having was not anything to do with Prranolol!!!!. Yeh so my blood test was normal!!!. You said you usually have the Inderal brand sorry but was is that?. I have this morning called at the doctors & requested that I want to stay on one named brand only. As when I start a new pack for a few days I'm extremely tired is this normal? Does this happen to you?. To keep on a particular tablet I have had to fill a form out giving a reason why I wish this?!!!. Do you know if it's safe to drink alcohol while taking propranolol? I do drink at a weekend but I have never questioned if it's safe or not? I do so agree with you, I think this is a miracle drug works brill to for me your right  I can take tiredness  it's absolutely brilliant how migraine free we are yipeeeeee. Anyway Thankyou for your support  I will keep intouch & hopefully I will b allowed to stay on one named brand (finger's crossed for me ). Speak later when I have news, take care. Xxxxx
    • maria02551
      maria02551 Shelly0069

      Posted

      Hi Michelle, inderal is the brand name of the oropranolol I am prescribed, it's a UK one.  I've never had another brand so can't help on that one I'm afraid. I would definitely not drink alcohol at the moment in them as sounds like your bodies not used to them yet, once your feeling more stable on them then a couple of glasses of wine should be fine.  Everything in moderation, the alcohol can make the effects more, so if your tired on them then drinking your going to feel lousy. I cut my drinking right down when I went on them and wine for me is a massive trigger for hangover and migraine, but I do enjoy a couple of glasses so I try to balance everything out. Hope this helps. Try not to worry about all this, taking it easy will help you lots.  X
  • natalietur29064
    natalietur29064 G111

    Posted

    Hey there,

    I'm so glad I'm not the only person that feels like this. I have suffered for 7 years,having a migraine attack 5 days per week! It got to the point where I didn't want to be here anymore, butte thought of not seeing my kids snapped me back.

    i tried everything but nothing worked... Until propranolol. 

    I have maybe one migraine a week which is incredible but my doctor has put me on a 80mg twice a day and it makes me feel abit strange but who cares when I'm pain free! I feel like a new person. Just hope it lasts and does not stop working after a while.

    i will literally be at breaking point.

    • Shelly0069
      Shelly0069 natalietur29064

      Posted

      Hi there Natalie, yep I suffered likewise terrible migraines for year. On different drugs which were only when a attack came on. Xmas my migraines became MUCH worse and I was put on propranolol. And In time my migraines became less severe, and now cut right down. Which is absolutely brilliant. I would never come off them. My blood test came back normal ( my gp thought my symptoms were because I was getting the side effects from propranolol ) I think I'm peri as I have most of the symptoms. I to have children & I to was terrible when a migraine attack came on ( felt awful snapping at them) now its totally different, people moan about a headache god if only they knew how bad a migraine is.????. You have to give this drug a while to get into your system (so I have been told) I'll be starting my 3rd new pack this Friday ( so I will have been taking this drug for about 6 or7 weeks, some have said 2-3 months to get properly into your system?. I still have days even now where Im tired I mean real tired & into bed early!!!!. Give it time. X

      ,

    • Shelly0069
      Shelly0069 natalietur29064

      Posted

      Hi my email read at beginning year! I wish no I have been experiencing really bad migraines for years probably 16 years!, 
  • aimee03420
    aimee03420 G111

    Posted

    Hi,

    I just wondered how you were getting on with this. I have just been prescribed with this drug, and was on Zomitriptan. So a similar situation to you. I must admit, it has helped enormously with my anxiety Today I am having a migraine, and although a bit painful, I am controlling this with paracetomol and 4Head. I am 44 and probably starting the menopause, so I am hopeful that once I come through this, they will subside. I am slim and eat very healthy, don't drink or smoke (I know.. I sound boring....but I do have 3 children who keep me busy). So, I am really hoping this will help me. I was always scared of taking a preventative med, because I felt it might make me reliant. But although, I don't get aura's and the migraines are not wholly debilitating, I need to be on top form for the children at all times. So, I would be keen to know how you are getting on. I hope it is still working for you.

    • G111
      G111 aimee03420

      Posted

      Hi

      ?Your situation sounds remarkably similar to mine, except that I am now 57.  I am still taking Propranol and have no plans to stop soon.  I went through the menopause in my early 40s after illness and it had little effect on my migraines, although I am now detecting a slight reduction in frequency.  I don't seem to have any side effects from the Propranalol and it doesn't seem to matter if I miss one every now and again, also I don't feel like I am reliant on it in an addictive sort of a way.  When I do detect a migraine coming I still take Sumatriptan as soon as possible and generally after a quiet half hour and a snooze it goes away.  Over the counter medication is no help whatsoever.  My triggers are tiredness or lapses with lactose or alcohol.  I too am slim, fit, active and otherwise healthy. 

      ?So, I would say stick with it if it is working and make the most of your migraine free time!

    • aimee03420
      aimee03420 G111

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. I'm glad to hear your migraines are manageable. Your right.... Make the most of migraine free time! Regards Aimee

  • shelly78623
    shelly78623 G111

    Posted

    Ive just been prescribed Prop 80mg but twice daily. Seems a very high dosage compared to what other people are taking. Also Sump Nasal Spray. I'm 41 yr old and have never suffered from any form of attack until the end of Feb this year. I was fine me one minute next minute a weird sensation of pins and needles in my head, I just dropped. No headache whatsoever.  Anyway, cut a long story short I was diagnosed with complex migraine. I never received any meds, I was told to take your normal painkillers blah blah.. Then I abused co codamols as it wasn't touching the pain which caused rebounds. I work permanent nights Mon-Fri and I just haven't a clue when the best times are to take these tablets. Also still waiting on the Neuro, 24 week wait or something. That Sump nasal spray doesn't sound pleasant are the chest pains while taking it that bad at first ? Thankyou for reading 

  • gail65599
    gail65599 G111

    Posted

    Hello i am new here to this forum and i have recently been very depressed and discouraged. I am 44 and last novembre i started loosing my eyesight in my left eye. This would last about 15 minutes and graduely come back. It was on and off until february then it stopped. I didnt have any headaches so i didnt associate with migraines. In june it started again but almost everyday since then. I have been diagnosed with ocular migraines. They tired me on topomax for a month and this did nothing. I had to bé admitted in thé hospital twice since thé loss of eyesight is almost everyday. If i dont loose my eyesight i see fireworks in my eye. Now they have started me on propranolol...its been 4 days and i lost my eyesight again today. I.guess i just would like to know when i can expect this médication to kick in. How long does it take to see if it works. Can someone provide some good advice for me. I am soo depressed about this i am scared i Will never have a normal life again.

  • taku89
    taku89 G111

    Posted

    I suffered from migranes from the age of 13-17 and they one day just went away they werent that bad and I didnt have many symptoms so didnt really know much about migranes just that i had them and i would sometimes black out. Now at 27 they resurfaced and have come with a vengence, I suffered from nausea, fatigue and ould occassionally be light headed. my doctor put me on propranolol about 5 months back 1 tablet twice daily I also take naproxen and sumaratin but I've been having side effects so i stopped taking them one by one and found that the propranolol was the cause of all the weird things happening. Started feeling dizzy while I was walking, my heart rate would drop suddenly, I'd get extremely confused I honestly didnt know what was going on. revisited my doctor earlier this week and he's told me to cut down the dose to one tablet daily. for those of you who have cut down the dosage has this actually worked for you? I'm scared the side effects wont go away but also dont like the intense symptoms i get without them.

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