Migraines

Hi guys.

I've been heading towards remission and not feeling too bad in the last couple of weeks.

I tend to get migraines (maybe a couple a month). Last night I had to take aspirin (seems to be the only thing that gives me relief) and of course this morning I saw blood and mucous.

I've read that NSAIDs exacerbate UC and was wondering if anyone in a similar situation has any other remedies for migraines that don't have the negative impact on UC?

Thanks. Hope you are all well and staying strong.

I use Excederin Migraine or a cup of strong coffee. Caffeine can help hold off a migraine. But if it's full blown, it won't do a lick of good. Sometimes you have to weigh the pros and cons of Nsaids when it comes to Uc. I know that my migraines take precedence over my Uc any day because there is nothing worse then having a sore aching head that is sensitive to sound, light and smell.

I went to a neurologist and she gave me immitrex. The only problem I have is that it makes me dizzy, otherwise the headaches go away real fast. PS I also tried a year of acupunture-Still got headaches-at first they were milder but then it got bad again so I stopped.

I don't know if you heard but I was yelling on this forum about my migraines for quite a while but didn't receive much help. Even posted on migraine forum with not much avail.

I had migraines every 3rd day for almost 2 years, till last month. I used Zolmitriptan to begin with but the headache was too frequent to take Zomig. So I was prescribed Naproxen 250mg by my PCP. She didn't bother to listen that I have UC. It worked like charm for year and half when Naproxen induced flare kicked in (6 months ago and its going in remission from last 15 days) The life was hell (read my signature)

I begged my GI to do something. He referred me to a neurologist. (I live in Sweden, I just can't call up the consultant, I need to be referred) He sent a sort of SOS and the neurologist prescribed me Metaprolol and Mexalt (another triptan derivative). I am now on 100mg Metaprolol daily and mexalt when migraine kicks in. It took almost a month for metaprolol to stabilize and show some effect. Triptans don't work for more than 10 minutes on my migraine.

So currently, I take 100mg metaprolol daily, needs to be upped and Paracetamol 1mg when headache kicks in. This helps, as headache doesn't start instantly now, its rather slow so I get more time to intervene.

AVOID NSAIDs, first, they DO flare your UC, as mentioned in my case. Plus, your liver function will be erratic. The medications you are taking for UC are already putting enough stress on your liver. Our liver is very well designed to handle such stress, still all of us have different genetics and different lifestyles, better if you stress it less.

Hope this helps, make sure your GI knows about your headache. I was suspicious if Azathioprin was the culprit but my GI refused and pointed it to my stress (I am quite stressed at work) I tried my level best to connect the dots but I could not. I am quitting this job rather soon, then only will be point out if its stress related.
BTW, maintain a diary of your headache, it helped my neurologist a lot and she asked me to maintain it as long as I have headache. I note following information.

Date
Time Headache Began
Time Headache Ended
Any Warning Signs (e.g. Aura)
location of Pain
Type of Pain (Throbbing/Piercing/Pressing etc)
Intensity of Pain, 1=least, 10=Worst
Other Symptoms, Nausea/Vomiting etc.
Medication (dose) / Other treatment
Effect of Treatment
How Headache affected daily routine
Hours of Sleep before headache
What I ate before headache?
Activities before headache appeared
Important stressful events occurred today
Other medications taken today
Other comments

I really hope you will get well very soon. This is the thing we can not show it to anyone and if your work place is not considerate then its super difficult.