It looks like I'm one of the outliers who is developing migraines well after age 40. Today was the 2nd one I've had in about a year, for no reason I can identify either time. I woke up this morning with a mild headache that got worse until I had to return to bed about an hour later. I laid there nauseated with a pillow over my face all day, until an hour ago when I finally felt un-nauseuous enough to eat something. Now I feel pretty much normal. I welcome any advice on dealing with these in the event they should become more frequent on me. Thanks much. My Sunday was shot but I dread the idea of this happening during the work week.
I get a flashing arc shaped blind spot in one or both of my eyes before my migraine sets in. When the blind spots start, I immediately take two aspirin & drink a caffeinated drink. That lessens the pain considerably.
Those are called precursors or something, right? I don't recall anything like that...just starts as a headache that gets bad fast. I did take Alka Seltzer with aspirin (GREAT STUFF) before I crawled out, and the cup of coffee I had before eating seems to have helped too. Next time I'll remember to take them at the first sign. Thank you!!!
I get them about twice a year and I'm overdue for one. So ugh. I tried to describe it to someone once and the best way I could was: "It feels like you have someone clawing your brain out during the worst hangover of your life" I get small, short white 'flashes' and I know the migraine is a few hours or less away.
Mine feel like Moe Howard is cranking down a Jorgensen clamp on my skull. The Wife, who has gotten them for years like this, reminded me that hers are triggered by big changes in air pressure. I think that's what is causing mine too, and sure enough, I checked the barometer app on my phone...today's pressure topped out at the highest I've ever seen it in a couple years of using the app (30.63). So I guess that's the cause for me.
Make sure you are properly hydrated. You can take a look at the article below. http://www.medicinenet.com/migraine/article.htm
Have been guzzling water for days, fighting off the last of this virus or whatever it is. So I'm good to go there.
I sympathise with you no end. I suffer random migraine attacks. Probably average about one a month. I have tried no end to work out what brings them on. Food, computers, stress... The list goes on. I decided every time I cut something migraine inducing out, I blame it on another random thing. So now I have given up on the cause. I just get migraines. For me, because mine are not classed as too often, I treat them individually, instead of taking a medication that would treat ongoing episodes. Now I know we are in different countries, with very different health care systems, but I get prescribed by my GP a packet (8) of tablets called IMIGRAN. The drug in them is called SUMITRIPTAN. I'd go as far as saying it has changed my life. Within an hour after taking them the head really begins to ease. I have very rarely had to take a second. The side effects are manageable. You get really heat sensitive. So a warm cup of tea feels like scolding, and when you wash your hands warm water feels like it's burning. It's not so much as uncomfortable. Just strange. Obviously, I don't know if you take medications, of if its an option for you. But they really work. The flashing lights, dizziness and pins and needles some people get before an attack is commonly known as an AURA. Some people get only the aura, some aura and migraine, and some just the migraine. My wife has had auras quite a lot, mainly when she's been pregnant,, but only ever had one migraine. I hope you find a solution that suits you. They're no fun at all.
Thanks much, Jasio. I knew a lady some years ago who'd frequently have to leave work, they were so bad. I remember her saying the meds would knock her cold. Yours don't? You're able to stay somewhat functional? And I've started tracking air pressure today. Maybe that's your cause?
I've had migraines since I was a kid, didn't start treating them until about 14 years ago. If you're over 40 and they're starting, I'm going to go ahead and say you need to go see a doctor. If these are migraines, there's not something that would just randomly start up without some kind of a catalyst. Something has changed, something is happening now that hasn't happened in the past. As this is happening in your head and is generally caused by your circulatory system, you really want to make sure there's not something bad happening. Also, a doctor will give you medication to fix it. That said... take all the pain medication you want. It's not going to help. It's not being caused by trauma, it's being caused by pressure. Caffeine and sugar can help, and occasionally OTC pain relievers may take the edge off. Actual migraine medications work to change the blood flow to the brain, which is what stops the migraine and alleviates the pain. And while migraines can be as much YMMV as shaving, realize that a headache is actually only one symptom of many. Sound and light sensitivity will go along with it. Slight disorientation can occur too. Nausea can be a side effect of it, but a headache and nausea can be caused by a lot of things, which is why you want to visit a doctor about this. And while I keep saying go see a doctor, something like a brain tumor is just one thing that's possible, there's a lot of other things it could be too, things that are much more benign. Headache/nausea are also allergy symptoms, symptoms of overdosing or withdrawing from a certain chemical and other things. They're also signs of a migraine too, but you'll never know without a doctor visit. A doctor will also work with you to figure out triggers and food allergies that may cause it, and help narrow down what's changed to make you start having them now all of a sudden so that you can figure it out how to avoid them in the future. That all said, you've got my empathy there. I woke up with one too, took a sumatriptan pill and it went away and I'm cool now. Because I saw a doctor (Sorry, I had to say that!! lol) Below are some tips to try out. No promises, and it's all YMMV. 1. Stay in a dark environment. 2. Lay down. 3. Get a shiatsu pillow massager like this one and use it to massage and loosen up the muscles on the back of your neck. 4. Drink a coffee with extra sugar or a softdrink. 5. Sleep 6. Drink a lot of water. You may not want to drink anything. I don't. So what do is get a quart of gatorade and a bag of salty chips. Eat the chips, you'll want to drink the gatorade. Fries work too. Salt and fat will help for some reason to alleviate the migraine too sometimes. Very odd. Before I had medication I used to go back back to bed, put a movie in that I knew well (to listen to, not watch) and bury my head in pillows. Having the movie to listen to helped to not concentrate on the migraine. YMMV. Good luck and I wish you well in all of your migrainal pursuits.
Already planning on it. Was reading up on that just now. Sounds like good stuff, but not OTC here in the States as it is everywhere else. How did you know the back of my neck was the 2nd problem area?! That's what started aching first, before the headache got worse. Still a little sore. Thank you!
I suffer from migraines also, go see your doctor. Edit: I have the same pillow massager, works fantastic!
Yep, I know. I live in the same country as you do. That's why you want to go see a doctor! Because I've had migraines since I was a kid. I'm no doctor, so bear with me on this, it's all from my bad memory. There's a strip of muscle on the back of your neck. Embedded in that strip of muscle is a big nerve. When something tweaks the muscle, the muscle tweaks the nerve, which then can activate the next step in the process that creates the migraine. There was an experimental surgery a few years ago where they cut into that muscle and remove the nerve from it (it's still there, just not embedded) but it was fairly risky and didn't take care of all migraines, just a certain type. A newer, safer, option you might have seen on advertised on TV lately is that Botox shot into that muscle effectively keeps it from tweaking the nerve too. It paralyzes it just like it paralyzes your face muscles. So it sounds like neck pain is a pre-cursor for your migraines. There you go. Bam! Before you get the migraine try cutting it off by using a heating pad and shiatsu pillow (or heated shiatsu pillow) to relax and comfort it. That's not going to work 100%, but it will help.
Just dug out my parents' big old Sears heating/vibrating back pad from the '70s. Has a big neck rest, I want to see what it does with my residual neck soreness.
Might try this... Caffeine (migraine) supplements. Hot bath. As hot as you can stand it. Or a hot heating pad. cold wash rag over your eyes. Dark quiet room. I get them a few times a year and if i catch them fast enough I can be good to go in an hour or two.
I've not had one for several years now, but I used to have them regularly. They were mainly triggered by stress, and also by the change in seasons. When I had one, I was down for the count. There were times when I couldn't move, and a few times when I passed out. I'm very sorry to hear of your troubles. Your neck is sore? Hmm... Sounds familiar. A few years back, I finally came to realize that I first had to learn how to let my body relax, and then my mind would settle down as well. What helped me most was a simple thing, but it surely was a change. What works for me is an extended warm bath, taken each evening, and in total quiet. This is where I focus on physical relaxation. I've learned to concentrate, and will each muscle group to relax, starting with my feet and working my way upward. For me, relaxing doesn't come automatically simply by sitting still, or lying down. Relaxing requires "thought effort". But something was hindering my effort, and recognizing the monkey wrench in the works wasn't easy. As it turns out, it was my racing mind. I wanted to relax, but I couldn't stay focused on it because of all the "debris" that was whirling about. But I overcame the storm, through relentless attempts at concentration. At first, I could only maintain focus and relax for a few seconds. Then my mind would wander, and I'd tense up again. I'd re-group, and focus on relaxing again. Slowly, I learned to maintain that focus for longer periods. Just as important, I learned what "relaxed" felt like. Now, I can slip into that warm water, and just melt away. Once I'm relaxed from head to toe, it's time for my favorite mental "movie" which has only one scene. It's a green pasture, more exactly a hillside, with a few sunflowers that wave about in a light breeze, and I can watch this movie for a long, long time if need be. It's better for me than anything that will ever be on Netflix. If I hadn't figured this out when I did, I don't think I'd be here now. It saved me. It may sound nuts, but it's true. Most of us are never taught how to relax. How many people do you know that are regular at Yoga, or meditation? For me, the answer is zero. I don't know anybody who does this regularly, but I think it would be good for each of us, young or old, man or woman. Allowing the body to relax and the "mix-master" to slow down and focus on one simple thing is essential. We can't run wide open for ever. Gorgo, I would try setting up a bit of quiet time for yourself each day, preferably shortly your regular bed time. It needs to be at least 20-30 minutes in duration, and in a place where there are no external sources of distraction. Whatever helps you to let go and relax is what you need. Once you can get all the major parts to relax, it's time to turn on that mental projector, and watch that sunflower sway in the breeze. (or imagine Eva Mendes giving you a back rub on the beach.....) Best wishes. and Happy Chillin'
Sometimes what seems like a migraine is really due to tension or spasms in the neck muscles. It manifests itself as a splitting headache. A lot of people have this and think they have migraines, when it is actually something else. If your neck is sore, maybe try getting a massage. A masseuse can work wonders.
I find rubbing a drop of lavender oil on the temples, then laying down for 20 minutes gets rid of mine. Not only does it smell nice...but it works very quick.
I can continue at work. I'm normally some what uncomfortable, and you left kind of tired and lacking of energy. But at the same time, the sheer relief of the damn thing going kinda helps you along. I go along with what so many people are saying. The dark room with a blanket over your head, but a tv or radio on so your concentrating on the sound not the pain in your head. For me that's all I can do. Nothing I've come across stops them. Or prevents them other than my gp's prescription. But I am led to believe that some people don't react to these. As for your theory on air pressure. I find that interesting. . As well as migraine , I also suffer from frequent head aches. Unlike the migraine these are purely just a pain in the head. Sometimes worse than others. Usually treated with paracetamol/ aspirin/ and or codeine. Often to no effect!!! But I've always said to people, it's the change of weather that does it. I don't think I've met anyone that hasn't just laughed at me when it said that. But I stand by it.
