(N.B. For those not interested in migraines, don't worry - next week I'll be back to talking about crafts and kittens!)
My migraines are a lot better than they were 6 months ago - even if to the untrained eye they still seem bad. Last weekend in fact, I went to a family gathering and several people commented "Oh you are still getting them so badly!". But the thing is, they are actually much improved.
After going cold turkey from all my medication back in February, I have slowly been upping my preventative medication. I had to do this very gradually because I get such awful side effects from most preventatives (hallucinations from Proprananol for example!). As a result I'm taking a drug called Amitryptaline which is usually a "starter" preventative for migraine sufferers and I am now up to 100mg.
As well as taking preventative medication I also have a migraine strategy. If I feel a migraine coming on - I first try and determine how bad it might be. If it feels like it might just be an intense headache (these are always on the right side of my head) then I take 3 aspirin in coke (this is a great technique that the National Migraine Centre advised me about). The coke helps the aspirin get into your system quicker and also helps to increase your blood sugar. If however it's definitely a migraine (always on the left side of my head) then I take 100mg of Sumatriptan, 10mg of domperidone (an anti nausea drug - even if you don't feel nauseous these help to keep your stomach going - as during a migraine your stomach can shut down meaning you can't absorb your medication quickly) and 500mg of naproxen (an anti inflammatory). This medication regime usually takes about an hour to work.
As well as medication, I also use relaxation techniques. If I can't take any meds (usually because I've taken my maximum that week or month or because it's late at night and I choose sleep over medication) then I use an iPhone relaxation app. I find this really helps actually and sometimes can even get rid of a migraine on it's own (I should point out this is very infrequently though).
I've probably got my migraines down to about 4 a month with a further 6 intense headaches. Ideally I'd like to get down to just 4 migraines and headaches a month. I've been there before - and I know I can get there again.
One of the hardest things about managing my migraines is still the side effects. Amitryptaline has caused me to put on weight - and gives me an incredibly dry scalp which means I have to be super conscious when wearing black and have some steroid cream to massage into my scalp when it gets really bad. These side effects are definitely a lot more appealing to other ones I've had though, but sometimes it is a bit of a knock to the old self esteem.
Managing my migraines is a daily chore but it's becoming much more routine now. I know I need to take breaks from the PC or my phone, I always make sure I eat on time and don't let my blood sugar drop and I get regular sleep which means going to bed and getting up each day at the same time.
The biggest trigger for me is, and has always been, stress. Being made redundant back in May and starting up my own business have obviously been very stressful and as a result triggered me to get more migraines. However, I am hopeful that now I work for myself I can manage my migraines more effectively. Of course there is always the risk I won't be able to meet a client deadline because of a migraine, but being able to work from home means if a migraine hits me I have evenings and weekends to do work. When I was employed full time I used to have to take the day off after a migraine to make sure I was fully recovered (because the day after I am really likely to get another one unless I completely rest) but now I can do a bit of work when I feel I am able - and also in the comfort of my bed if needs be!
I guess the main update, is that I do have plenty more days where I feel really well. In the past 6 months, even when I didn't have a migraine I felt awful most of the time. I can definitely see that I'm having much more time feeling well which is amazing and I appreciate it so much. It makes me so much more driven and proactive and I'm determined to make those days the majority in my life.
Managing my migraines is a slow process which is tough because I'm really not very patient. But, I'm getting there - hopefully my next update will show even further improvement!
After going cold turkey from all my medication back in February, I have slowly been upping my preventative medication. I had to do this very gradually because I get such awful side effects from most preventatives (hallucinations from Proprananol for example!). As a result I'm taking a drug called Amitryptaline which is usually a "starter" preventative for migraine sufferers and I am now up to 100mg.
As well as taking preventative medication I also have a migraine strategy. If I feel a migraine coming on - I first try and determine how bad it might be. If it feels like it might just be an intense headache (these are always on the right side of my head) then I take 3 aspirin in coke (this is a great technique that the National Migraine Centre advised me about). The coke helps the aspirin get into your system quicker and also helps to increase your blood sugar. If however it's definitely a migraine (always on the left side of my head) then I take 100mg of Sumatriptan, 10mg of domperidone (an anti nausea drug - even if you don't feel nauseous these help to keep your stomach going - as during a migraine your stomach can shut down meaning you can't absorb your medication quickly) and 500mg of naproxen (an anti inflammatory). This medication regime usually takes about an hour to work.
As well as medication, I also use relaxation techniques. If I can't take any meds (usually because I've taken my maximum that week or month or because it's late at night and I choose sleep over medication) then I use an iPhone relaxation app. I find this really helps actually and sometimes can even get rid of a migraine on it's own (I should point out this is very infrequently though).
I've probably got my migraines down to about 4 a month with a further 6 intense headaches. Ideally I'd like to get down to just 4 migraines and headaches a month. I've been there before - and I know I can get there again.
One of the hardest things about managing my migraines is still the side effects. Amitryptaline has caused me to put on weight - and gives me an incredibly dry scalp which means I have to be super conscious when wearing black and have some steroid cream to massage into my scalp when it gets really bad. These side effects are definitely a lot more appealing to other ones I've had though, but sometimes it is a bit of a knock to the old self esteem.
Managing my migraines is a daily chore but it's becoming much more routine now. I know I need to take breaks from the PC or my phone, I always make sure I eat on time and don't let my blood sugar drop and I get regular sleep which means going to bed and getting up each day at the same time.
The biggest trigger for me is, and has always been, stress. Being made redundant back in May and starting up my own business have obviously been very stressful and as a result triggered me to get more migraines. However, I am hopeful that now I work for myself I can manage my migraines more effectively. Of course there is always the risk I won't be able to meet a client deadline because of a migraine, but being able to work from home means if a migraine hits me I have evenings and weekends to do work. When I was employed full time I used to have to take the day off after a migraine to make sure I was fully recovered (because the day after I am really likely to get another one unless I completely rest) but now I can do a bit of work when I feel I am able - and also in the comfort of my bed if needs be!
I guess the main update, is that I do have plenty more days where I feel really well. In the past 6 months, even when I didn't have a migraine I felt awful most of the time. I can definitely see that I'm having much more time feeling well which is amazing and I appreciate it so much. It makes me so much more driven and proactive and I'm determined to make those days the majority in my life.
Managing my migraines is a slow process which is tough because I'm really not very patient. But, I'm getting there - hopefully my next update will show even further improvement!
Fran, im so glad for you that things seem to be a bit better under control (compared to how they were) and that you have so many strategies to turn to, you are an inspiration! It's so horrible that it has to have such a hold over your working and social life. xx
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