I have had absolutely no success in taking any medication meant to stop a migraine in its tracks, pain medicine does nothing and my doctors donāt even bother to prescribe becuase they say its a waste of time. Why does it work for you, did you have to specifically ask for it? or is that just how your migraine brain works? Love your blog by the way :)
Sorry this is so late in coming... I only have Tumblr-capable internet when I make a special trip into town to get it, so I just now saw your ask.Ā
I actually had to quit Amitriptyline within a month or two (I don't remember exactly how long I was on it) because of the side effects. Nightmares so bad I wasn't sleeping, the intense drowsiness never got easier to handle, and I just plain got so depressed that, for the first time in my life - and it's been one HELL of a ride, let me tell you - I realized that I would ACTUALLY rather die than continue doing what I was doing. So I quit. Dealt with the withdrawal and was done. And it had never actually succeeded in stopping the migraines anyway.
The one good thing it did do, however, was it helped prolong the prodrome phase of my migraines to the point that I learned what my symptoms in that phase are.... Now, if I'm paying attention, it's possible for me to catch a migraine early enough that I can take something non-prescription, like Excedrin or BC Powders (they are amazing for kicking in quick while I'm at work!) so I can knock out the migraine before it gets too bad.Ā
If I miss that window, though, I'm outta luck. I'm stuck with it. There are some really tough days when I think a migraine is coming on, but I'm not sure, and I have to decide whether I want to take meds or not... (I don't like feeling dependent, even if I'm pretty sure I actually am at this point) And sometimes I waste so much time deliberating that I miss the window anyway, and the meds don't touch it.
But I do have some non-medication tips and tricks, that might at least help take the edge off for you :)Ā
Chamomile tea is great for helping me get to sleep, and sleep is the best remedy for a migraine I know, even if the dreams are trippy. The tea tastes like rosy feet, but it's better if you mix it with something like Sprite or peppermint tea.
Peppermint tea is also helpful, and if you can't have that, carry a tin of Altoids or other peppermints with you. The mint will settle your stomach if you're prone to nausea during attacks, like I am.
A hot bath with a cool cloth on my forehead helps when I can afford to take the time to indulge. I think it's supposed to encourage blood flow away from the head, therefore taking pressure off overtaxed nerves. I think. Whatever it does, it helps.
And to combat brain fog, I drink orange juice and recite lists in my head. Usually it's just numbers in different languages, as high as I can go, but other things can work just as well. I sometimes use my "Migraine Exorcism," which I've posted here. Other times, I recite song lyrics, or lines of Shakespeare, or other things like that. If it's something with a tempo, or at least a nice, orderly progression, I find it works better, because I'm less likely to lose my place in the middle of everything.
Even when these sorts of things only help the tiniest little bit, I still feel better, because I feel like I'm in control. I am being proactive. I'm fighting back, and that means I'm not a victim, and good morale is as important as anything, I've found.
I hope something in all of that (cuz whoa that got long - sorry) helps you. Good luck!