Curing migraine with acupuncture
"Migraines ruined my life until I tried acupuncture," says artist Charlie Camilleri.
Charlie, 54, is married to Henry, 55. They have two grown-up children and live in Teddington, Middlesex.
"Until recently, if I left the house without painkillers I would start to panic. The idea of being caught without any way of relieving one of my migraines was frightening.
They struck without much warning. I would get a blinding pain on the left-hand side of my head that would spread and make me feel as if my brain was about to explode. The pain would radiate into my shoulders and my neck would feel stiff. It was absolute agony. Shortly after the pain started, I was violently sick. This lasted up to three days and all I could do was lie in a darkened room. It was frustrating and depressing. I felt as if I was missing out on life, as plans would have to be abandoned. Even on a good day I would worry, "When is the next migraine going to strike?"
My mother suffered from migraines and, like hers, mine started in my early twenties. Initially, I would only have one every few months. My GP prescribed Imigran, a type of pill known as a triptan, which is supposed to reduce the duration and severity of the migraine. It did little for me and, by my late thirties, I was getting a migraine two or three times a month. I had a residential letting business and was under a lot of pressure, but when a migraine struck I had to delegate and leave the office. The only time I was free of migraines was during my two pregnancies, but they soon started again. People who talk about a migraine as if it is nothing more than a bad headache have clearly never had one.
My GP referred me to an NHS migraine clinic where I was prescribed beta-blockers, which work for some people, but had a limited effect with me. I needed to take painkillers on top of everything else just to cope with the unbearable pain. I gave up the business to reduce stress and it did help, but still my life was ruled by my migraines.
Then, about four years ago, a friend suggested I go to the Galen Naturopathic Centre in Richmond, Surrey, as she had been treated there with great success. I was keen to try anything and felt I was rattling with pills, which were having little effect.
I saw a naturopath who asked about my character and lifestyle, as well as the physical symptoms. She suggested intensive acupuncture, three times a week for a month, and a special blend of herbs to take daily. At the same time, she said I should gradually reduce the medication I took.
She also suggested I cut out all wheat and dairy from my diet. This was difficult, as my husband is Italian and we eat a lot of pasta, but I had rice or rice noodles instead.
Within three months I was having fewer and less powerful attacks. Because I could see an improvement, it made my new regime much easier to stick to. The acupuncture was gradually reduced to once a month and, after six months, migraines were becoming a rarity for me. It has now been two years since I had the last one.
I have an occasional acupuncture session and even though I do indulge in a bit of pasta and bread, I have never felt better. I can book a holiday or arrange to see friends without fear that my plans will be ruined by a migraine. My life has been transformed and I am so much more relaxed."
To find a registered naturopath, call 01458-840072 or visit naturopaths.org.uk. Charges vary, but expect to pay about £50 for an initial consultation.
Do you suffer from migraines? Help is at hand
Migraine affects nine million people in the UK, 70 per cent of them women. The child of a migraine sufferer has a 33 per cent increased risk of developing them.
Women are more prone to migraines, as fluctuating hormone levels make the blood vessels in the brain more likely to dilate, which is thought to cause migraines. In this case, oestrogen patches can help. Triggers include stress, a change in temperature, poor posture and dehydration. Also certain foods, missing meals or dieting.
There are a number of medications that your GP can prescribe, and you can ask for a referral to a specialist migraine clinic. Other treatment options include herbalism and osteopathy.
For information, call Migraine Action on 0116-2758317; migraine.org.uk.
