Hello, my introduction

Hi,
I'm new to this!
My names is Figgy and i've been getting migraines since i was about 8yrs old. I'm now 33 and have yet to find something that helps.
I Have 4 children and reckon my migraines are hormonal yet things like flashing/bright lights can set me off.
My migraines start with a few days of blurry eyes, photosensitivity and smells are stronger. My brain feels like its wired up completely wrong as i get confused. When it starts i have aura,and often have partial loss of eyesight. Sometimes it starts with loss of speech, i hate it sooo much.I get very scared especially if i have the children with me.
Next my fingers go numb,tends to start at my little finger on one hand and washes over it and onto the next hand as my mouth/lips go numb too.
Then the headaches starts.
My migraines have varied over the years, i used to have all the symptoms but no headache, then the headache and no warning. The last one i've just had took a week to build up,cam on very strong and fast and nearly a week on i'm finally feeling a little more lively. I find it so hard especially as i'm expected to deal with it all and taking kids to school and do mum duties
I tried propranolol in january but suffered really bad side effects which made me feel like i was going mad, husband had to take days off work and had to get my mum to help with kids. I hate having to get others to do stuff for me. Had to go to hospital as i was panicing so much,was having such strange numbness up my left arm i thought i was having a stroke,terrified!! So dr told me to stop them.
He has now prescribed sodium valproate but after last time i'm so scared to even start them.
There i think i have waffled on enough, nice to meet you all

Welcome Figgy to the forum. I can assure you you are not alone in how you are feeling, especially with regards to not wanting others to help you but sometimes it is essential we have support. If we are unable to look after ourselves, then we can't expect ourselves to look after others. I don't think we ever get used to how bad a migraine attack can be and how scary they are too.

Have you tried any acute treatments, for example NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin), or even triptans, of which there are seven varieties?

How often are you experiencing an attack?

If you have any questions then please feel free to ask away, and we'll all offer any help and advice that we feel able to offer.

Best wishes,

Michala
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Hi Figgy

Glad you made it

Sorry your having such a rough time - but you are amongst friends who understand.

Medication is a bit hit and miss - but please do not give up - I was on sodium valproate for 2 years and have to say it has been the only medication to help reduce my symptoms. I only came off it as it was making very sleepy - but I have it in mind to go back to it if all else fails. It does take a while to kick in so bare with it.

Tee

Welcome and try not to worry (easy said than done)..especially as I called the out of hours Doc the first time I had a triptan cause I was convinced I was having a heart attack LMAO...
SO you see you are not alone we all react differently to the many medications there are on offer and as my esteemed friends have said you have to give each one time etc. Sometimes the inital side effects wear off within a week or two and it can take a few months of dosage increases and adjustments to get everything working effectively.
Ask any questions you like and we will do our best to answer or point you in the right direction..hang in there .

My strategy:
Run around shout,wave my arms about and panic
Then Stop running around, shouting and panicking and try and work out a better strategy.

As you can see I have a very mature way of not coping ...
..I tend to get there eventually.

Jane
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Hi Figgy
Nice to hear from you.

We all take a while to settle in to new meds I took Gabapentin firt and cause it was for epilepsy Iwas so scared I would have a FIT! LMAO now but it was a real fear back then as I had no one to talk to about it.
But all in all take Janes advice. It sounds good. If in doubt or in a panic run around waving arms and screaming! It makes you feel better and the kids laugh