Podcast PTA FUNK: Einfach Englisch lernen – Migraine

Dialogue

Customer: Excuse me, I’d like some information on the treatment of migraine.

PTA: What exactly would you like to know?

Well, I suffer from frequent attacks and it’s starting to interfere with my job. I work online most of the time. I have had some kind of headache for years but now it’s getting worse. What can I do?

How often do these attacks occur and what symptoms do you get?

Sometimes there are three to four weeks in between but I often get an attack every ten to twelve days. I have visual problems and numbness in my face before the pain sets in.

Can you describe the visual symptoms?

Yes, first I become very sensitive to light, then a kind of blind spot develops with zigzag lines that seem to spiral around it. I can’t see my screen anymore.

How long does that last?

It fades after 20–30 Minutes and then the pain starts.

Can you describe your pain exactly?

It’s only on the left side of my head and it pulses as if there’s a hammer at work. I have to lie down in the dark and keep completely still. If I move, I have to throw up. It’s dreadful.

And how do you feel afterwards?

It’s difficult to explain. Getting through the day is like walking on raw eggs. All the senses are on alert. I have to be careful not to do anything that could bring the pain back.

How have you been dealing with this so far? Have you seen a medical specialist?

I usually take ASS when the aura starts but it doesn’t really help and I haven’t seen a doctor yet although this form it is quite new to me. Migraine is widespread in my family. The others just seem to accept it but they don’t get it as often as I do. I’ve recently heard that there’s something called triptan which is now available without a prescription. Is that right?

Yes, that’s right. There are also migraine-specific treatments, so-called triptans. Four of them are currently available over the counter without a prescription. However, their use is strictly regulated.

What does that actually mean?

They have only been approved for the acute treatment of migraine headache without aura and only then, if it has been previously diagnosed by a physician. These triptans are supplied in small packs containing just two tablets.

How should they be taken?

Triptans work best when taken, as soon as the headache phase begins. However, the problem here is that you’ve described your migraine with aura symptoms, which means that you definitely can’t buy this medication without a prescription.
For migraine sufferers, the OTC dosage of ASS and similar painkillers is one gram and not 500 mg, so you’d need to take two and as with the triptans as early as possible. Treatment is restricted to a maximum of ten days a month and no more than three days in succession, otherwise you’d risk getting medication overuse headache, which can become a vicious circle.

So, I’ve obviously not been taking the correct dosage. Do you think I would benefit from seeking professional advice?

Definitely and make sure you stay well hydrated. Try keeping a migraine diary; that way you’d become aware of any trigger factors and learn to avoid them.

Thank you, I’ll do that. I hope that one day the pain will disappear. My mother still gets the aura but no pain anymore. I could live with that.

Yes, that’s known as silent migraine and is quite common in older people. I am sure your physician can help you to find a satisfactory solution. Good luck!

Thank you.

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