A ROSYTH mum who suffers from debilitating migraines can't get treatment on the NHS.

The bank worker, who wishes to stay anonymous, is currently signed off work due to her agonising migraines which practically keep her housebound.

She has tried all options available apart from botox and Aimovig injections which have been proven to help chronic migraine sufferers dramatically.

Although treatment is available in neighbouring trusts, it's still not funded by NHS Fife.

The woman says NHS Fife is "letting down their patients" by not allowing these potentially life-changing options to be available.

She told the Press: "I was diagnosed with chronic migraine in 2010.

"I've always had them but the older I get the worse it seems to get.

"The only way forward is these botox injections.

"What's frustrating is if I lived in Dundee and Edinburgh they would be funded.

"The government said this treatment should be funded through the NHS 18 months ago and that's been confirmed by my MP.

"I don't know why it is taking them so long to jump on board and do something for their patients that are suffering."

The mum paid privately through her insurance at work for one session recently but it won't cover any further.

Her migraines have reduced since the treatment but to see the full benefits, her neurologist says she needs a second.

Funding this herself would cost £505 every three months.

"I would say 25 days out of a month I get migraines," she explained.

"I've been off work since September but before that, I was working full-time and trying to manage as much as possible.

"I manage a team so that's stressful enough!

"My migraines are triggered by smell so that can be perfume or petrol.

"They're so bad they the wake me up through the night.

"It affects my whole life and you can't really plan to do anything in case they strike.

"Sometimes it can be hot and cold that trigger it."

Experts have found it impossible to pinpoint the exact reason why migraines happen.

It can run in families and this Rosyth woman's mum also suffered from the condition, as well as her children.

She added: "It feels like someone has hit you with a sledgehammer.

"Going into a dark room can help but lying down can actually make it worse.

"I also get pins and needles in my hands.

"My concern is that there are others like me who suffer in Fife.

"It's costing my business money, it affects my colleagues, I'm paying less tax so, in the end, it's having a detrimental effect on everybody."

NHS Fife medical director Dr Christopher McKenna said: “NHS Fife is currently looking at options for the introduction of botox treatment for patients with migraines.

“As with any new treatment, we must ensure that the necessary governance arrangements are in place, and staff are appropriately trained, to enable us to deliver this treatment safely.

“Once these measures have been put in place, we expect the treatment will be made available to eligible patients recommended by their neurologist.”