OK; home now.
I have found that general analgesic type medication like panadeine is not effective. When my GP kept wanting me to take panadol and nurofen when I was at the height of my headaches--I basically took them to shut him up as they did nothing for me--BUT--if I am feeling "shadows" I will take them and then find they can be quite helpful for the low level pain.
So........... use what works for you. If you take panadeine and you still have the pain 30-45 minutes you can fairly safely say--didn't help during the acute stage.
Just listen to your body and react quickly when attack imminent. You both sound as though you are "waiting" for an attack as if you are unsure of what is happening. I can tell you‚ at one stage‚ when I thought I was going absolutely nuts‚ I refused to acknowledge that I had an attack‚ took no analgesia or oxygen and even tried to lie down. Well can tell you I soon learnt that I had failed (or did I pass). The pain just escalated past the point of complete agitation distress and even anger until it slowly eased off. What I did find was that I was left with a low level pain--more than shadow--the pain never really left‚ and another attack followed on within an hour.
So........you need to learn more about what could kick an attack off; and be open to seeing that eating/drinking/smoking or hanging upside down from the ceiling or whatever are the catalysts for you. For instance for me: as much as I hate to admit it--RED WINE. Tie that in with a cigarette and I know that I am playing with fire.
Then.........work on a plan to manage during the acute period and the chronic stages.
And........if/when that stops working being proactive in recording what happening and giving your neuro some information he/she can work with!
Let us know how you are going!
I am pleased to say that I have been pain free for nearly a week now--I am out of the acute part of my cycle. Wooppeee!
Cheers
Heather
*fingers crossed* 
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