thread: A new found sympathy for migraine sufferers...

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  1. #1
    BellyBelly Member

    Sep 2007
    799

    I've only started suffering from migraines in the last 6 months. The first one I had I ended up in hospital as to begin with they treated me as a potential stroke victim. That one took about 10hours for my speech to return to normal, followed by 2 days of being completly spaced out and then 2 days of just being tired and lethargic. Since then, my gp has prescribed me maxalon and told me to take a maxalon followed by 900mg of aspirin when I start feeling the sypmtons. So far, that combination is working. My last migrain I only took the aspirin, and it was the worst I've had since my first, and I slept for 4hours, and then groggy for the rest of the day. I'm still trying to figure out my triggers, to begin with, we thought it might be the combination of coffee and chocolate (not the caffeine apparently, but a different chemical), then my last one I think was triggered by a glaring light, which is what sets my dads off. Since my last migraine (last week) I've also come off the combined pill and gone back on to the progesterone only pill as my migraines started not long after I started taking the combined pill again. I think its just trial and error though. Also, in terms of warning sign, with my first migraine, I had been feeling dizzy all morning, but this latest migraine I got funny twinkly things gonig on in my eyes. Its definately worth seeing your doc about though.

    Hope you feel better soon, there no fun

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jan 2005
    Down by the ocean
    6,110

    I used to think mine was pill related but after not being on it for over 10 years now and still getting them I'm sure it wasn't the case. My Dr also said that you can get them from relaxing lol. Kind of weird to explain but he said when you're stressed or anxious the blood vessels in the brain constrict and then when you relax the vessels also relax but the tissue surrounding them has adapted to the constricted vessels and you feel pain from the tissue adapting. Don't know how right that is but it made sense to me when he said it

    I know if I'm not looking after myself properly by getting dehydrated or skipping meals I am more susceptible.

    I have an acute sense of smell and strong perfume or artificial flavourings can start mine off if I already have the beginnings of a headache.

    I'll feel nauseous and then get flashes and blind spots. Can't see, can't stand up etc and am zombified for a day or two after.

    It's really scary the first time you have a migraine. I hope you have understanding people around you

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    140

    A trigger for me was MSG which is in an amazing array of foods especially Asian dishes but also things like chicken flavour for noodles and potato chips as well as snack food like twisties, burger rings, Corn chips etc. You can see if it is in your food by looking for flavour enhancer 621 in the ingredient listing. I found good chocolate was ok but cheap compound chocolate could set me off. Nuts could also trigger me. It was also hormonally related as it had gone for years only to reappear during my pregnancies.

    If you have another one keep a list of the foods you ate the day before and then you might find some common food triggering you. Hopefully you don't they are really a horrible and sometimes scary experience with the loss of vision, body sensations and the severe pain in your head.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jan 2010
    282

    Dp gets them, he doesnt get the 'aura' though. Its just BAM and there it is all of a sudden, he doesnt know his triggers but ive found them to be sleeping in. Zomig 2.5mg works for him usually but he has to take it with prior warning or it wont work for him. If he takes it within 2-3 minutes of feeling it, he generally will be ok. He still throws up and cant see/eat/sleep. Cant remember who said it but he also hates people who say they have a migraine but can somehow still continue shopping for the next 3 hours. Or people who say that they had a migraine and 1 pandaol worked to treat it. He's only ever had to have 4 injections at the ED.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Nov 2010
    Perth, WA
    3,172

    Mine seem to also be over-tiredness and stress related, I don't get the visual aura but do get about an hour's warning from suddenly becoming very restless, jittery and often quite irritable. Darkened room and sleep plus painkillers is usually the only thing that works, DH made the mistake of flipping the light on one day when I had one just after we got together - resulted in him being snarled at to turn it off and me curled in a ball wimpering from the pain...

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Victoria
    561

    My goodness thank you all so much for sharing and for the hugs.
    I am feeling much better today - just a little hungover... if that makes any sense!
    Alot of people I have spoken to have said that they could be hormone related and to note where I am in my cycle. I will keep a close eye on it and mention it to my GP at my appt next week.
    I am sorry you all suffer so badly with them
    Thank you again xxxx

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Nov 2010
    Perth, WA
    3,172

    Glad you're feeling better - and yes, post-migraine hangover makes perfect sense to me