When triptans and preventatives aren't working
I wonder if anyone is in the same boat as me? I suffer from menstrual related migraines. Over the years these have become more frequent. Beta blockers worked for a while, then stopped working. As the frequency of my migraines increased so did my use of my trusted triptan and before long I had medication overuse headache (MOH). Neurologist has told me I cannot take triptans any more due to MOH as they will no longer help me. No preventative is working. I am now getting a migraine each week, without fail lasting 4-5 days. I will be having Botox soon. My concern is if that doesn't work, then what? I will be seeking a second neurologist opinion as I don't feel I'm being taken seriously and have been put in the too hard basket. I work full time and can't keep taking so much time off work. I'd hoped seeking specialist treatment would set me on the right path but I just keep hearing how hard menstrual migraine is to treat and that I just have to live with it. Surely that can't be right.
I had tried a few different preventive pills and they didn't work for me and I was taking the Imitrex too often, it was less effective each time I took it and I swear the migraines were getting worse. I had heard about daith piercing for migraines several months ago and had looked into some. Then over the course of the months people were telling me they knew someone that had it done and it worked for them, they haven't had a migraine since the piercing. I finally went and had it done a week ago and I swear it stop a migraine from coming on earlier this week but it's too soon for me to tell how well it will work for me. Might be something to consider if the Botox doesn't work.
Thank you, I have heard of the piercing. I hope it makes a difference for you. Do you get it just one side, or both sides?
Was only going to do the left side since that was the side I would get them on but the guy that was doing my piercing said most people that do one side end up coming back in to get the other side done cause the migraine moved to that side. So I had both done.
Hi raleigh8,
It's frustrating when medications fail us. Don't lose hope however, there are over 100 medications and supplements that can be used for migraine prevention. There are many, many options and the future is bright for us!!
I would encourage you to seek out a second opinion from a doctor who is educated in migraine disease. There are doctors, true experts board certified in headache medicine, which is different than being certified in neurology, you may want to check out. Here is information on how these doctors are different and how to find one;
https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist.It's not true if one triptan stops or doesn't work, the others won't either
There are seven triptans to choose from, and Frova has been shown to work well for menstrual related migraine. When you get a chance take a look at this information; https://migraine.com/blog/short-term-option-for-migraine-prevention-frova/.I hope this helps, please keep me posted.
Nancy
