Migraine while horizontal

Hello,
I'm new to this site but someone may benefit from my experience. I have had daily migraines for about 11 years now. I started with occasional migraines during the cold months. Slowly they became daily then 2 and 3 per day for several years. I consider myself lucky that I only get them once a day mostly but my headaches are a little different. I get a headache EVERY morning. That is pretty much my alarm clock. I can't be horizontal for more than 5-6 hours. If I go to sleep at 10pm I will wake with a headache by 4-5am. It doesn't happen only when I'm sleeping. If I try to watch TV or read while lying down I can feel the headache developing after a few hours. If I don't sit up or stand it will become a migraine. I have tried everything possible and have seen so many doctors, herbalists, holistic specialists, etc. I can's even count any more. I have tried accupuncture, yoga, exercise, swimming, diets, vitamins, teas, pot and special foods and nuts. Since my insurance will only pay for 9 pills per month I am in pain for the other 21 days. I use the triptans as a preventative but obviously I don't have enough for every night. I did find an alternative to take the headache away in 30 to 40 minutes but it doesn't work for me if I happen to get a headache mid day. It only helps the headache that wakes me in the morning. I cook a VERY strong 12oz cup of expresso coffee. It's actually a Turkish blend made in a small pot on the stove top. It must have a high concentration of caffiene that gives me that 'punch' I need to knock it out. Your run of the mill coffee will not work. It has to be something really strong. Stronger than Starbucks' strongest brew. It's pretty bitter unless you put a little sugar in it. I'm not sure if anyone has the same problem but maybe this remedy will help someone. Good luck to everyone.

Have you ever had a sleep study done? I used to wake up with a migraine every day as well. I found out that I had sleep apnea and that my oxygen level dropped down to 59% during the night. I started using a CPAP and it's now unusual for me to wake with a migraine. It happens on occasion, but not often. Unfortunately, it didn't help the migraines I get through the day.

I agree on the sleep study idea...the in lab ones (not the simple take home ones) can diagnose hundreds of conditions, not just apnea. They didn't find anything to diagnose for me, but it did make me aware that I literally can't breathe through my nose while laying down, get very little REM sleep, and twitch a lot (but my hubby already knew the last one). If you are worried about being able to sleep with the equipment, talk it over with the sleep specialist before you schedule the overnight study. Its common for them to prescribe a sleeping pill (which apparently doesn't mess with the results). I wish I had taken them up on the offer as my usual meds weren't enough.

I find I do much better sleeping at angle with a wedge pillow, but that is for my airway. Have you tried sleeping propped up? Not just elevating your head with pillows, but from your waist/hips (so you don't put pressure somewhere else). Ideally you also prop up your legs. I then use a dogbone shaped pillow (which is quite small, maybe half size) under my neck as a regular pillow is too much with the wedge. I went to a specialty back store for these three pillows. They ran me just over $100, so not too terrible in the scheme of how much we spend on treatments.

As for Triptans, have you got your doctor to submit an override request? Besides that double check your plan doesn't let you pay a second copay for another 9 pills, or allow you to fill scripts for multiple Triptans in one month (few do though). Some patients have success eventually with appeals/overrides for the quantity...it just takes some effort/time, and will have to be re-done at intervals such as yearly.

I agree about sending a request to your insurance. Just call them and ask them what they need. My previous insurance requested a note from my doctor to be sent to them. After they got it they did end up agreeing to allow me to fill the triptan once per 20 days instead of 30. It wouldn't give you enough pills for everyday but it would still be better.

Thanks for all of your tips. Unfortunately I have tried all of your suggestions. I tried sleeping in a recliner but I can't sleep sitting up and if I recline too low the outcome is the same. I have more 'special pillows' than a hotel. I've had my sinus' checked, allergy tests and I have had the sleep apnea test a couple of times. Results were negative. As far as the prescriptions go, my doctor called, wrote a letter and changed my diagnosis to chronic daily headaches thinking it would change the outcome but it didn't work. I appealed in writing and spoke to the insurance company but they denied my request. Without the coverage the cost would be about $580 per month for the 21 pills. It's just not sustainable. I have a friend that is going through the same thing but worse. She has a couple of headaches per day. Once she's out of meds she goes to emergency for a shot. Needless to say she spends many a nights in the hospital. You can imagine what that will cost the insurance company. Really doesn't make any sense.
Any tips or remedies are appreciated. Thanks again for your support.

Once she's out of meds she goes to emergency for a shot. Needless to say she spends many a nights in the hospital. You can imagine what that will cost the insurance company. Really doesn't make any sens

Maybe that's what we all need to start doing. We are making it too easy on them by suffering in silence at home. The insurance companies won't get reasonable about providing what our doctors know we need unless they see their costs escalate from their own stupid policies.

I'm sure you have already checked this, but could your daily headache have anything to do with blood pressure being too low or irregular?

Lynn

I do have low blood pressure but the doctors don't feel it's low enough to cause a migraine. I also have a blood pressure monitor and my bp doesn't seem to change when I have a migraine.
Thank you. I appreciate the input and suggestions.

Mrsace, I suffer from the daily migraines, especially when lying horizontal. I have been sleeping in a recliner for about 5 years now. It's the only way I get a few solid hours of sleep.

I had to try a few different recliners in order to find one that I was able to sleep in comfortably. I found that I'm most comfortable in the Best brand (my son and his wife had one). It is more cushiony and doesn't put my neck at an odd angle that causes neck pain.

I also prop my arms with pillows and place a pillow next to my head to keep it straight (keep it from falling to the side when I sleep). These things seem to help.

When I sleep horizontally in a conventional bed, I always wake with a much worse migraine in addition to neck and upper back pain (between my shoulderblades). I've tried propping, elevating and many different collections of pillows in the bed to try to attain some comfort, but it did not help.

I had a sleep study and it showed now sleep apnea.

I hope you're able to find something to provide you some comfort for sleeping. I understand totally how miserable it can be.

There are times when I'm away from home for doctor appointments when I'm forced to sleep horizontally in a bed, and it makes for some miserable days for me.

First off my neuro writes 1x yr for 45 Triptans to last 90 days to my insurance & they have always covered it for the past 8 yrs. I have federal BCBS. It is just plain cruel that you can't get the same coverage! I too wake up most every night @ 4a w a migraine. Getting up seems to help. But staying horizontal puts me in agony so I know exactly what u are going through. I talked to my doc who recommended 2 things that have worked 4 me. 1. Drink plenty of water per day as the neuro transmitters in the brain need fluid to work right as migrainers we are very sensitive to any minute change even slight dehydration that a " normal" person would not notice. During the night that fluid level drops & can get too low for us if we are even a little dry....leading to a HA.
2. He also put me on trazadone an antidepressant that has sedative effects. Keeps me asleep & also must even out those neuro transmitters because I am waking up less &less w a HA. Migraines now coming during the day but a bit less frequent. Hope things get better 4 you!