Hi Hurdity,
Can I just ask re the sumatriptan, do you get any side effects? Like Mogster I have really bad ongoing migraine like headaches on an unfortunately fairly regular basis. My GP prescribed the triptans for me. I asked for them after you recommended them last time we spoke about headaches. Now I know this sounds rather pathetic but after reading the patient leaflet listing all the side effects I have been too scared to take them. The doctor said he himself took high dose of asprin at the onset of a migraine which also made me feel that he wasn't that keen on the triptans.
Sorry I missed this.
Not pathetic at all!!! Like you I was worried about the side effects as I have never taken any meds apart from normal painkillers and anti-biotics. (Bio-identical HRT is not of course, medication - it is replacement of natural hormones). However I had suffered with the migraines for so long, maybe 10 years without diagnosis and then without proper treatment, that I was willing to go for it so that I didn't have to write off 3 days every so often when they occurred.
The only slight side effect I noticed but really nothing important was soon after taking eg an hour or two maybe, I could feel a slight tightening in the throat, but really only slight. Once I realised this is what it was then it was fine and it goes away. The other thing is when I've taken it throughout a migraine (usually when I haven't taken it soon enough right at the beginning almost before the migraine comes on but when I think one is coming) I have found that it goes on a bit longer than usual so maybe a day longer, possibly due to rebound of the tablets. Sometimes I have to work through the last morning. By that I mean put up with the headache and foggy head after the third day and shake myself into activity without the Sumatriptan ( because I feel it should have gone by then according to usual pattern!) and actually it usually does clear. Even in those situations where it hasn't worked perfectly ie I still have it mildly, it is still worth taking the Sumat as it really takes the edge off and clears the head amazingly i find.
That's not to say you will react the same or they will work the same but worth a try? I wouldn't be without them now. Key thing is if your migraines tend to come on overnight slightly so you deel one happening in the morning - takle a tab and it might just stop it. Instrictions say if mig goes away and then comes back after two hours then take another tab. I've never had to do this but sometimes have taken one on 3 consecutive mornings like I said above.
Good luck!
Hurdity x
