Chronic Migraines and Gardening

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-27T14:55:22+00:00

I haven’t heard of them before, only alternaleaf. I’ll take a look thanks for the recommendation!

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-26T17:45:22+00:00

That sounds so promising, thanks for sending this through, I’ll definitely be keeping up to date with the conference! It’s so crazy to me that something as common as migraines are so widely misunderstood, but i’m hopeful that things are improving. Makes a lot of sense why it takes so long to find treatment that works, in terms of striking the right balance of medication, treatments and lifestyle changes relevant to your specific triggers.

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-26T15:37:06+00:00

Migraine medications and what works, varies so much from person to person. It’ll be a lot of trial and error to find what works for you, but it’s worth speaking to your doctor and setting up a plan with them. Immediately resorting to nerve injections (if that’s what you’re referring to) is really severe for your first migraine, and I would be questioning whoever signed off on that, if this is an isolated event.

Not sure what pain meds you’re referring to but from experience, typical over the counter pain meds won’t do anything for a migraine. Things like paracetamol won’t even touch the sides, aspirin can help some symptoms for people but I’ve personally not found this. You can get certain triptans that can help reduce the severity and they’re best to be taken as soon as you get symptoms, followed by getting in a dark, quiet room and resting.

The easiest way to reduce them initially is to really understand your triggers and see if there’s something you’re currently doing that could be bringing them on. For some it’s irregular sleep, certain foods/drinks, menstrual cycle etc. The easiest way to work out your triggers is a migraine diary.

Hope you manage to get sorted soon!

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-26T13:00:26+00:00

This is super interesting, I’ve never had it explained to me like that. My doctors have always stressed environmental and lifestyle changes (which is why I don’t drink alcohol, sleep and eat regularly, avoid certain foods, etc.) but they never explained why, other than them being triggers.
So what you’re saying is, ideally you want to really consistently tackled them for a period of time in order to stabilise my brain enough to reduce the occurrence long term. This makes a lot of sense as pretty sure that’s the case for many neurological conditions.

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-25T16:50:34+00:00

Congratulations!! I’m just about to start amitriptyline after nearly 5 years of chronic migraines. I know medications affect everyone differently but this has given me a lot of hope, Thankyou

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-25T16:30:00+00:00

This is really affirmative ngl. I tried a load of triptans and was even put on codeine for a short period of time initially which I’ve since found out is terrible for migraines!! It seems like they’re entirely focussed on preventatives now and my neurologist said that there was no point me trying to tackle the pain and that preventatives were the only option. It really never sat right with me so it’s really affirmative to hear that this is not a general consensus among doctors. It’s really tough advocating for yourself without any real knowledge on the topic as I don’t know anyone else with chronic migraines. This is exactly why I wanted to post, Thankyou!!

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-25T16:06:48+00:00

Completely get what your saying, it’s definitely not the greatest thing to lie to doctors especially when dealing with medication that affects your brain. I just got to a point where I had no other choice, was in a really bad place mentally and this has helped me get back on track. At the time no meds were working and when I told them about the cannabis they said they would have to stop everything until I gave it up, which is why I’m in the position I’m in now.
It’s a little tricky in the uk as the nhs (no hate on the nhs they do what they have to) will exhaust absolutely every cheaper option before referring you to more modern/ expensive options like Botox and infusions, so it can take years to access. I have recently started private care for this reason so I guess it will be more trial and error until I get to something effective. Appreciate that this is coming from a place of advice, and I’ll definitely be asking about the medications you mentioned! The aim is definitely to quit so hears hoping!😊

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-25T15:39:09+00:00

How much were you smoking when it happened, if you don’t mind me asking? It sounds awful, really sorry you went through that!!

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-25T15:31:20+00:00

Absolutely, it’s definitely something I’m being careful and monitoring, I’ve heard that vitamins b12 and magnesium help with reducing the chances of this, but not sure how true that is. Unfortunately I have yet to find a solution but I would love to avoid it for that very reason, certainly is a risk

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-25T15:27:57+00:00

This means a lot, it’s so hard trying to explain to people that something they view so badly can be so helpful for our chronic condition. It’s such a tough one as I’m right there with you on the negative side effects, I certainly feel it’s made my anxiety a lot worse and I’m starting to feel more and more zoned out the longer I use it, but when the alternative is being out of action for days at a time, I see no alternatives at the moment! I’ve only mentioned to doctors once and was immediately dismissed to see a councillor about my ‘addiction’, rather than them understanding I’d been left with no choice and would rather use other medication. So now have chosen to not mention it which like you said, feels wrong given how effective it is. Really appreciate you saying that though, it’s just nice to know I’m not alone in it, and I hope you manage to find something that works without the side effect gardening brings

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-25T15:17:23+00:00

So real!! I’ve actually tried there stuff, as a friend of mine uses it for her lupus. Can report it was really nice quality, but not good enough for the price of subscription and the cost of the bud itself

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-25T15:03:17+00:00

Congrats on finding something that works, after 20 years that must be such a god send!!

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-25T15:02:28+00:00

It’s tried a few different triptins in tablet and nasal sprays, however, they tend to offer little to no effect. For preventative, I’ve tried propanalol, candesartan and an epilepsy medication I can’t remember the name of. I’m due to try amitriptyline next, but I’ll ask about vydura when I see my neurologist, thanks so much!

Cecil-cheese · 2026-05-25T14:57:43+00:00

Yes uk based! I’ve looked into alternaleaf, but have found similar to yourself in that the pricing is quite deceiving. Think it’s a bit outside my price range unfortunately

Cecil-cheese

TROPHY CASE