OP here - the hardest part for me is that I’ve had about a total of 20 migraines over a span of 25 years, yet I think about them every day. I obsess about them. Sometimes after I go a year or two without one I will start to forget about it, and even though I think about it a little bit every day, I don’t obsess. But coming off of one it really sends me into a spiral of this OCD like thinking. So it’s not even the migraine itself that is ruining my life. It’s the thoughts that come with it.

Thank you! I like the idea of a preventative one - that might take away some of my anxiety because a lot of it is being scared I will miss something important. I am also going to up my Zoloft bc clearly I have anxiety issues, and maybe the extra seratatonin will help with migraines

Use an abortive, if the one you use doesn't work for you, try another one. Also take it at the first sign of migraine, don't wait until it's full blown. If you have a very important day where you cannot get a migraine, you might be able to take it preemptively even (I used to do this with triptans before I switched to Botox for chronic migraine, for work trips or vacations). Talk to your doctor about this use though -- not sure if want to do this with Nurtec.

Study/practice mindfulness or meditation. I use a mindfulness practice to help me deal with the pain while I wait for the medication to kick in. If possible I do it in a totally dark room with eyes closed. If that's not possible, just eyes closed. Part of the routine involves a full body relaxation technique. Breathing awareness is also essential. This work helps you get through it without an anxiety spike. And you could use it to help deal with anxiety about getting another.

CBT is also useful for anxiety.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to your doctor. I’ve had those migraines for decades. You need to have your anxiety treated.

They don't cause you anxiety? How?! They are so scary to me.
What should I ask my doctor about.

NP but for me, I don't get anxiety about it because there isn't really anything I can do about it (beyond the things I do to try to prevent them). Being anxious whether or not I am going to get another one makes no difference. If I get it, I get it and have to deal with it.

I get migraines daily so I don’t know what it’s like not to but occasionally I get anxious when they are so bad and last days. Usually I can break them to get a few hours per day of relief. If you don’t get them often it’s scary.

Do you get the aura daily too? I’m so sorry. Honestly I am so sorry. I’m sure you’ve tried everything but that just sucks

Migraines, never go away except a few hours with imitrex. I plan my life around those few hours. About 10 years ago in my late 39s I started to get the occasional aura. Just a few times a year. It’s scary.

You should try acupuncture or a natural dr?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to your doctor. I’ve had those migraines for decades. You need to have your anxiety treated.

They don't cause you anxiety? How?! They are so scary to me.
What should I ask my doctor about.

NP but for me, I don't get anxiety about it because there isn't really anything I can do about it (beyond the things I do to try to prevent them). Being anxious whether or not I am going to get another one makes no difference. If I get it, I get it and have to deal with it.

I get migraines daily so I don’t know what it’s like not to but occasionally I get anxious when they are so bad and last days. Usually I can break them to get a few hours per day of relief. If you don’t get them often it’s scary.

Do you get the aura daily too? I’m so sorry. Honestly I am so sorry. I’m sure you’ve tried everything but that just sucks

Migraines, never go away except a few hours with imitrex. I plan my life around those few hours. About 10 years ago in my late 39s I started to get the occasional aura. Just a few times a year. It’s scary.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had debilitating migraines with auras for over 20 years. Imitrex and sumatriptan didn’t touch them. However, Elitriptan + odansetron (Zofran) taken at the very first sign of aura was a life changer for me. It literally stops it from progressing. I finally discovered my trigger (caffeine, ironically), completely eliminated it from my diet, and haven’t had a migraine in 3 years.

OP Here - it is hard because sometimes I will go a year or two without one, so figuring out the trigger is near impossible. But then sometimes I will have a couple clustered together, and then will take a long break. I do drink coffee daily, but have been for ages, so not sure how to figure out my triggers!

Sometimes you will never know. Zero idea what sets me off.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had debilitating migraines with auras for over 20 years. Imitrex and sumatriptan didn’t touch them. However, Elitriptan + odansetron (Zofran) taken at the very first sign of aura was a life changer for me. It literally stops it from progressing. I finally discovered my trigger (caffeine, ironically), completely eliminated it from my diet, and haven’t had a migraine in 3 years.

OP Here - it is hard because sometimes I will go a year or two without one, so figuring out the trigger is near impossible. But then sometimes I will have a couple clustered together, and then will take a long break. I do drink coffee daily, but have been for ages, so not sure how to figure out my triggers!

Do you keep a log? I tracked what I ate/drank, my cycles (in case it was hormonal), and the weather

Anonymous wrote:I had debilitating migraines with auras for over 20 years. Imitrex and sumatriptan didn’t touch them. However, Elitriptan + odansetron (Zofran) taken at the very first sign of aura was a life changer for me. It literally stops it from progressing. I finally discovered my trigger (caffeine, ironically), completely eliminated it from my diet, and haven’t had a migraine in 3 years.

OP Here - it is hard because sometimes I will go a year or two without one, so figuring out the trigger is near impossible. But then sometimes I will have a couple clustered together, and then will take a long break. I do drink coffee daily, but have been for ages, so not sure how to figure out my triggers!

I had debilitating migraines with auras for over 20 years. Imitrex and sumatriptan didn’t touch them. However, Elitriptan + odansetron (Zofran) taken at the very first sign of aura was a life changer for me. It literally stops it from progressing. I finally discovered my trigger (caffeine, ironically), completely eliminated it from my diet, and haven’t had a migraine in 3 years.

I never had aurus when my migraines were the worst in my teens -30s, but ever since I had my kids 18 years ago, I only get the aura and no headache about once a week for 30 min.

Imitrex was what helped me too.

I have had auras without or with migraine pain for years. Perfumes, stress, strong light/sun are triggers. I usually can get relief from a nap or at least closing my eyes in a quiet place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to your doctor. I’ve had those migraines for decades. You need to have your anxiety treated.

They don't cause you anxiety? How?! They are so scary to me.
What should I ask my doctor about.

NP but for me, I don't get anxiety about it because there isn't really anything I can do about it (beyond the things I do to try to prevent them). Being anxious whether or not I am going to get another one makes no difference. If I get it, I get it and have to deal with it.

I get migraines daily so I don’t know what it’s like not to but occasionally I get anxious when they are so bad and last days. Usually I can break them to get a few hours per day of relief. If you don’t get them often it’s scary.

Do you get the aura daily too? I’m so sorry. Honestly I am so sorry. I’m sure you’ve tried everything but that just sucks

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to your doctor. I’ve had those migraines for decades. You need to have your anxiety treated.

They don't cause you anxiety? How?! They are so scary to me.
What should I ask my doctor about.

NP but for me, I don't get anxiety about it because there isn't really anything I can do about it (beyond the things I do to try to prevent them). Being anxious whether or not I am going to get another one makes no difference. If I get it, I get it and have to deal with it.

I get migraines daily so I don’t know what it’s like not to but occasionally I get anxious when they are so bad and last days. Usually I can break them to get a few hours per day of relief. If you don’t get them often it’s scary.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't let people make anxiety the issue. Aura's are scary. Get an abortive from your doctor. Just remember they will go away.

What one is the best one? I have Nurtec but it's not like it lets me function after I take it.
I also tend to spiral when I am somewhere where I need to be "on" because "what if I get one then" type of situation

The best one is the one that works for you. Only imitrex works for me. It’s all trial and error. You cannot stop the auras but can the other pain. It’s scary.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get anxiety too OP especially about whether I could be alone with my young kids when it happens. Not sure I’ve found a good solution :/

What does that look/feel like and how do you move beyond it?

I just try to keep my anxiety managed and accept that I’m not in full control. And always have a plan of who I’d call if I needed backup, especially if my husband is traveling. I have also had a seizure which was much scarier but similar in some ways. I do my best to stay hydrated and take magnesium every night too.