u/hometown_heretic

I got in touch with my neurologist yesterday and suggested a longer acting triptan for my menstrual migraines. I've been taking sumatriptan for somewhere around 18 years and have always responded well to it. There's only been a handful of times it didn't help or I needed to take 2 in a single day. I'm grateful for how much it's helped me throughout the years.

The side effects suck, yeah, but I put up with them because they take away my pain and allow me to function. However, I find when I take them, especially during times of hormone fluctuations, my migraines tend to come back for a day or two afterwards and I get stuck in a prolonged cycle. I'm hoping a longer acting triptan will help combat this. Neuro thought it was a good idea as well and I'll be picking up my prescription on Monday.

Has anyone done this switch and had better luck with it? How are the side effects compared to sumatriptan?

I feel so defeated and let down by my care team.

I scheduled an appointment with my pcp for a shot of toradol today to break up 3 days of headaches. I have a neurology appointment coming up on the 2nd of June but in the meantime I was hoping for some relief. She refused the toradol shot and totally wasted my time even though I explained to the receptionist that was my reason for coming in during the call. She accused me of overusing medications when I specifically stated I had not taken anything for this headache. I don't ever take otc meds other than Benadryl on occasion because they do not help me and I've stated that over and over again. I'm trying to be conservative with triptans and for the most part I have been.

My pcp more or less told me I'm not her problem and it's up to neurology to manage my symptoms. Which normally, yeah, I'd agree with but I go 4-6 months in between visits with neurology and they are an hour from me, whereas my pcp is 12 minutes from where I work..

Sorry if this is all over the place. I am overwhelmed and I sobbed as soon as I got back into my car. I know you guys will understand this better than anyone else. I hate how much we all suffer. 💔

I've had migraines a good portion of my life but in the past year they've become more complicated. I believe I'm experiencing vestibular migraines and the most difficult part for me is the dissociation.

For those who experience these, how do you deal with the mental health challenges of it? I am really struggling so any suggestions are welcome.

I just got mine this past weekend. Used the acute mode yesterday during my silent migraine and doing prevention mode right now.

I like the sensation honestly. I feel like it definitely helps take the focus off of how shitty I feel.

Anyways, I just wanted to ask how long it took you to see improvements, if any, with the prevention mode? Also, at what intensity did you notice the most significant improvements?

With every ajovy shot it appears my side effects become more and more intensified. Mostly head pressure and weird neurological issues separate from my usual migraine episodes. However, I administered my fourth injection on the 28th and it has caused me to absolutely spiral! Every day since then I have near constant anxiety/panic attacks. I'm having a hard time eating, sleeping, and just functioning in general now. I've dealt with anxiety my whole life and had a pretty decent amount of control over it before this happened, just to clarify. Anxiety is not new to me but this level of panic absolutely is.

I will NOT be taking my fifth shot.

I have an appointment with my psychiatrist on Tuesday which seems so far away when my anxiety is this unbearable. But I am really hoping he can get me close back to my baseline.

Has anyone dealt with this? How long did it take for you to feel relatively normal again?

One of my most significant triggers is the estrogen crash before my periods. My body has such an extreme reaction to the start of my period I almost always get sick and sometimes I'm completely bed bound.

I am considering asking my doctors about the possibility of HRT but of course I have aura with my migraines, so I don't know if that eliminates the possibility completely.
I don't experience aura with every single migraine but I do get it from time to time.

I guess I just wanted to know if an estrogen patch is something I could potentially use? Has anyone else had any luck with using estrogen patches to avoid the extreme hormone dips? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I'd like to start working out again but find that even low-impact exercises give me migraines :(

I used to be very active. Biked for 12+ miles 3 or 4 times a week. Then depression took over, I developed fibromyalgia, and my migraines got worse.

I am on Ajovy and it has lessened the frequency of my migraines substantially but unfortunately I still get one every time I am active.

I took my dog for an hour walk yesterday and by the end of it my head was pounding.

Does anyone else deal with these issues? If so, how did you combat them? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.