I was diagnosed with migraine headaches when I was a kid and they became very frequent when I started taking Wellbutrin some months ago. Ever since then I’ve been relying on weed as my go to painkiller but my plug is out of town atm and annoyingly the pain’s particularly bad this afternoon. My health anxiety is also through the roof today, i’m dealing with my usual “what if it’s brain cancer” shenanigans, especially because i had a brain scan in May and cannot afford to get another one.

Basically it’s been a rough day, I could really use some support rn and I’d really appreciate if you wrote some nice comments to make me feel less alone. Feel free to open up about how you’re feeling as well, and i’d be more than happy to reciprocate your kindness if you happen to be struggling too. Thanks in advance.

  • grillpilled [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    Fellow migraine-sufferer. Ask a doctor for triptans. The one I take is called Rizatriptan. It's a pill that dissolves under your tongue, and your migraine slowly goes away and is totally gone in an hour. Then it's gone for the rest of the day. Side effects are dizziness and feeling weak, but they're worth it. The pills are expensive, though. They're $20 each in Canada. Triptans are amazing. Lifesaving medicine, imo.

    I signed up to post this because everyone with migraines should know about this amazing drug.

    • childishpizza [she/her]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      oh yeah triptans are the best. i used to take zomig and it worked amazingly, but my doctor stopped prescribing it when i started Wellbutrin + Zoloft because they said there was some interaction between triptans and antidepressants and combining the two could cause seizures.

      thanks for signing up to comment this tho, i hope other migraine sufferers read ur comment too

      • GottaJiBooUrns [they/them]
        ·
        4 years ago

        Yep, antidepressants like Wellbutrin and Zoloft cause neurotransmitters (like serotonin) to stay in your brain longer. Triptans directly activate serotonin receptors, so combined with the other drugs that can be a bit of an overload for your brain. Wellbutrin on its own is also well-known to lower the seizure threshold, so definitely not something to combine with a triptan.

        If you are unable to use abortive therapy like triptans then it might be worth asking your doctor about preventative therapy? Plenty of people are able to prevent migraine recurrences with a class of drugs called beta-blockers, or a different class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. I don't think either would have any interaction with antidepressants afaik.

        Also I'd like to try and douse the "what if it's cancer??" fire if I can! Brain cancers can cause seizures, or they can cause headaches (that are usually worse in the morning after spending all night lying down), but they aren't known to cause migraines. Cause as you know, migraines are quite a different beast from just regular headaches. Also, you are young! McCain was an old fart that got what was coming to him with a very very rare type of brain cancer. So this really doesn't sound like brain cancer to me.

        Another forum I frequent has a running joke where the solution to anything and everything is to just dim the lights and play some Allman Brothers Band, so perhaps try that? Either way, I hope you feel better soon!

        • childishpizza [she/her]
          hexagon
          ·
          4 years ago

          Thank you so much.

          That does make sense about triptans. I try to avoid certain foods and other triggers, but I definitely feel like I would benefit from trying other forms of migraine prevention. I really insisted with my doctor to get botox injections, but he said he was against performing those on teens/young adults.

          That is reassuring thanks. I’ve researched a bit about symptomatic differences between migraines and brain cancer headaches, and apparently the second seem to be most frequently accompanied by other persistent (so not like auras) neurological symptoms, for instance I think McCain experienced double vision. I also read that if my headaches fit the usual pattern I’m most likely fine, so hopefully you’re right.

          Oh I’m in complete darkness browsing chapo chat on dark mode, bright lights during migraines are the worst. I’ll also listen to some ABB for the good vibes haha thanks x

    • hagensfohawk [none/use name]
      ·
      4 years ago

      Not sure what status is elsewhere, but in the US you can get Botox injections specifically for chronic migraines. Insurance typically doesnt want to pay for it until you've tried several different abortive and prophylactic meds, but it's an option.

  • GrouchyGrouse [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    Do the migraines cause your eyes to ache? If so you can put some tea bags in the freezer and they'll be nice and soft and soothing (without being wet like ice) and you can just lay them down on your eyes. Also good for black eyes.

  • sexywheat [none/use name]
    ·
    4 years ago

    If I were your brain I would simply not have a migraine.

    Just kidding sorry to hear hope you feel better soon.

    • childishpizza [she/her]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      Oh i’ve defs thought about that, but honestly my current combination of Zoloft+Wellbutrin has done wonders for my mood. I’d had an awful experience on lexapro and when switched to Wellbutrin it was as though I had finally been pulled out of the black hole and I could feel joy again. However my anxiety was still pretty bad so my therapist added Zoloft and since then i’ve been doing really well mentally, except for my migraines having become more frequent. in all honesty tho i really dont want to quit Wellbutrin because i cant imagine going back to being suicidal. hopefully there will be a way to work around it. thank you for advice and concern 💜

  • KiaKaha [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    I’ve had one migraine in my life and it was awful. 0/10. Do not recommend.

  • Gorn [they/them,he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    I don't know you, but I can tell by the way you write that you're a really great person. I'm sorry you're suffering right now. It won't last forever! And you'll be ok.

    Try to remember to be kind to yourself, not hard on yourself, and to take the time to do whatever you need to help yourself feel better <3

    • childishpizza [she/her]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      aww thank you, you sound really nice too. and don’t worry i’m defs intending on practicing some self-care :)

      • Gorn [they/them,he/him]
        ·
        4 years ago

        yaaay! :) all of this makes me feel good :) particularly than you're gonna do some self care . good luck comrade, and hit me up if you ever need anything :heart-sickle:

  • kristina [she/her]
    ·
    edit-2
    4 years ago

    I fucking hate those. It took me a long time to figure out how mine work, mostly due to the fact that my boyfriend is more observant than me, but here's some facts about mine:

    • When I started taking HRT and transitioning, my migraines with aura significantly decreased, which suggests a hormonal element.

    • I noticed that sugar 'drops' and sugar highs would give me migraines. Specifically, if I eat something sugary like a cake and didnt follow it up with a specifically very salty meal afterwards I'd get one

    • I was malnourished for a long period of time and getting a decent weight has helped a lot

    • Salty meals are very important to lessening my migraines, they seem to do even better than Wellbutrin and other painkillers. Ramen and pizza rolls are my go-to emergency foods.

    • Eating too much potassium / sugar seems to make it worse

    • Stress and lack of sleep seems to also be a factor, but as said before, salty foods save my life every time.

    • I really hate migraines lmfao, feels like I'm getting Leon Trotsky'd

  • QuillQuote [they/them]
    ·
    4 years ago

    Remember to always upvote effort posts, wholesome posts, and support posts (lookin at you people who are lurking /hot right now)

  • QuillQuote [they/them]
    ·
    edit-2
    4 years ago

    I'm sorry you're suffering comrade. I've never had a migraine (I don't think) so I can't say I know how you feel, but I do know how utterly exhausting it is to be stuck in the present moment due to pain or discomfort, especially when there's some aspect of it the dumb mean part of your brain can latch onto (i.e. health anxiety).

    We're here for you and we care about you. What kind of things could I send you to help distract you and take your mind off it without worsening the symptoms?

    I'll be thinking of you and sending you good vibes <3

    • childishpizza [she/her]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      thank you so much. it rly does suck, i had a brain scan not too long ago so im prolly fine, but still the pain is a constant reminder that there is a tiny possibility that there’s a tumor growing in my brain and that terrifies me :(( senator McCain died within a few months after his brain cancer diagnosis, i hope i’m not doomed to meet the same fate 😭

      oh and any kind of funny commie/chapo-type content would certainly cheer me up. <3

      • QuillQuote [they/them]
        ·
        edit-2
        4 years ago

        I've never claimed to be funny, but If you want wholesome I have wholesome!

        Edit: a selection of wholesome posts you may enjoy :)

        https://hexbear.net/post/6593

        https://hexbear.net/post/4663

        https://hexbear.net/post/4783

        https://hexbear.net/post/6311

        https://hexbear.net/post/3882

        https://hexbear.net/post/4701

        • childishpizza [she/her]
          hexagon
          ·
          edit-2
          4 years ago

          fuck i love this community so much. and ur absolutely right this is exactly what socialism is all about. it’s essentially caring for one another and fighting for a world where no one gets left behind. thank you for the awesome content

  • glimmer_twin [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    I have heard that microdosing LSD can help with migraines. It sounds like some wook shit but the dude I knew who did it was the most straight edge guy in the world, didn’t even drink, and he swore it worked for him

  • Owl [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    Try listening to extreme noise rock. Maybe Merzebow.

    It won't make your headache go away, but at least it'll make you feel like it's there for a reason.

    (Sorry you're feeling bad, I hope you feel better soon!)

  • GreatBearShark [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    i'm sorry for the shitty migraine friend. i've also had migraine headaches for years and it's just so debilitating.

    don't feel guilty for taking time to rest when you need it. the guilt associated with being unproductive is just capitalism trying to shame us into not taking care of ourselves.

    • childishpizza [she/her]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      sorry to hear you also deal w this hell of an illness. you’re absolutely right about that second paragraph too. hope ur doing well and following ur own advice :))

    • kristina [she/her]
      ·
      4 years ago

      definitely feel you on the guilt. my parents would always shit on me and tell me i was faking my migraines and would turn the lights on to fuck with me :\