My general practitioner recently advised me that I could switch the abortive medication that I take for migraines when they are happening, from a tablet that I swallow to a nasal spray. She said the medicine works faster because it goes straight into your bloodstream through the blood vessels in your nose and doesn’t have to be metabolized through your digestive system.
The doctor said, however, that one of the main side-effects reported by her patients is that the medicine leaves a bad taste in your mouth (it presumably runs down the back of your throat from your nose). She also advised that she would only prescribe one form of medication, not both, to avoid overuse. So, if the nasal spray was no good, I would have to come back for another visit to renew my old script.
The Australian healthcare system is pretty efficient, but no one enjoys multiple trips to a doctor’s waiting room. So, whilst the idea of a faster-acting medication was tempting, I worried about the effect of the bad taste. I suffer bad nausea as part of my migraine attacks, and have an overreactive gag reflex. I tend to be very careful what I eat and drink to avoid triggering any vomiting. I decided that having a bad taste in my mouth was too risky.
Whilst it didn’t come up in my consultation, one of the things I discovered in researching the spray since, is that there is a recommendation that you don’t use it more than 10 times a month. As such, the spray might not even be suitable for patients with chronic migraine.
Here are some links to more information if you’re curious (they tend to be very repetitive and don’t include personal accounts):
Nasal Sprays and Powders for Migraines
Migraine Nasal Spray: What You Need to Know (verywellhealth.com)
Migraine nasal spray: Does it work and how to use it (medicalnewstoday.com)
I’d be interested in any stories from you about the bad taste effect and whether it’s offset by the rapid improvement you get from taking the medicine in this way.
PS: just after I saved this post in my drafts, I bumped into a neighbor at the supermarket. We go to talking about migraines (as you do). She said that although hers had finally stopped (due to menopause), the second biggest ‘life-changing migraine event’ for her had been the switch to nasal medication. She said she never had a sour-taste in her mouth and benefitted from the feeling of almost instant relief. She couldn’t have been more impressed and highly recommended the switch.
First-hand feedback means a lot to me – so – the next time I’m back to see my doctors I think I will try the alternative and I’ll let you know how it goes.
The Mindful Migraine 
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