Just had a "proper" migraine. How do I make myself feel better?

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

I've had one or two optical migraines a year since my late teens, then more recently I've had one or two where I've felt a bit nauseated and have been better going and trying to sleep rather than just waiting for it to go away.

But today I had one accompanied by feeling like somebody was stabbing me through the eye and like I'd actually be sick if I do much as turned my head.

I'm feeling a bit miserable about the whole thing, but also haven't eaten for 24 hours which I know won't be helping! I still feel a bit queasy though. I'm drinking lots of water, but is there anything else that helps you?

[LittleCandle]

Migraleve and sleeps works for me. I haven't had one for ages, thankfully. Sometimes nothing worked and I would have the for a couple of days. I was advised to take a painkiller the moment I felt a headache coming on, as I had had a hemipleagic migraine and I never want to have another one!

I hope you feel better soon, OP.

[twinklebee]

Sleep is the only thing that helps me. Maybe try eating something small since it's been so long but rest is all that I can advise from my own experience! Hope you feel better soon!

[TheQueef]

It's post drone.
Stay in bed if you can and rest it lasts 2-3 days.

[Miltonroad]

Full sugar Coca Cola and a couple of aspirins

[Icedlatte]

The post migraine hangover is a weird feeling, though I tend to find that when it lifts I suddenly feel euphoric and full of energy, which is nice!

In the mean time, rest and sleep as pp's have said, as you are still experiencing the migraine, even if the worst is over.
Personally I find salty foods (eg Frazzles) and caffeine help, but for others these may be a trigger. If you're craving anything give in to your body, it knows best!

[EustaciaVye]

For me, painkillers, chocolate (sugar + caffeine) WILL NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE, and sleep.

[HundredMilesAnHour]

The only thing that works for me is Midrid (prescription only) but I have to take it asap and it must be before the aura clears (I get classical mgraines) or I'm f*cked. Even when I've taken Midrid in time, I still feel nauseous and rubbish but I can at least function enough to work etc. I never feel fully recovered until after I've had a full night's sleep. I just get to bed as soon as I can and wait for sleep to do its magic.

[Babyfoal]

My mother used to have a can of Guinness post migraine.

[Heyha]

Ibuprofen as soon as it starts, try to get to sleep before the worst kicks in. If you need to be sick just do it, don't fight it off as it will delay your sleep. Then when I wake I have full sugar and fat coke and some plain crisps and then some more Ibuprofen as soon as I'm allowed. I feel sluggish for the rest of the day but usually better by the next.

Again won't work for everyone and I know mine aren't TOO bad as they can be managed by normal painkillers. I get the sort with the eyesight disturbances so I get a good 20 minute warning that one's coming, I've very occasionally been able to stop one in its tracks by ibuprofen and a lie down.

[AwdBovril]

I get 2 types of migraines- for 1, cold on my head helps. For the other type, I need my head to be warm. I have several hats, fans, packs of cold strips etc. Try to drink plenty of water. Eat a little if you can, don't worry about food too much - try complex carbs, fats & protein- nuts, boiled eggs etc. Biscuits will not help, sadly, as you'll get a sugar crash.

[CMOTDibbler]

Post migraine, lots of fluids and salty simple carbs work for me.
If I take migralieve or asprin and caffeine as soon as I get my warning signs (runny nose and an urge to click my neck) I can stave them off, but will often then have that a few days in a row

[Haypanky]

Totally agree with the sugar and aspirin suggestion above. Best thing for the migraine hangover. Posh migraine drugs such as migraleve can actually lead to rebound headaches. A migraine specialist I randomly saw at the doctors once recommended sticking to aspirin. If you get an aura before your headache, down a couple of soluable ones ASAP. And I find chocolate helps with the after effects. Not sure if it's a placebo or real but I'll take it either way!

[picklemepopcorn]

Stodge- porridge with cream and sugar, or a bacon sandwich.
Caffeine- coffee and coke
Painkillers
Sleep.

[Haypanky]

Strong coffee too!

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Thank you for being so nice about it everybody, that on it's own has made me feel a bit better! And finding out that a hangover feel is normal — I didn't know that.

I did have the aura first, but didn't take painkillers because I don't usually get any pain! I'll know to do that if it happened again though.

I think I might have some toast and peanut butter and go back to bed. Hopefully I'll feel better in the morning.

Thank you for all being so helpful and I'm sorry that you all suffer with them.

[TarquinGyrfalcon]

Painkillers, a can of coke and a packet of ready salted crisps works for me. I have my emergency stash of coke and crisps in work and at home. DH knows he can eat anything else in the house but the final can of coke and the last packet of crisps are forbidden.

[Hollowvictory]

Yes get zolmitriptan on prescription. Migraines are a nightmare you have my sympathy. In meantime cocodamol and sleep. 4 head patches help

[picklemepopcorn]

Yes, you might well feel washed out tomorrow.

My first migraines were a weird detached feeling all day, followed by vomiting. Then the visual disturbance started. Then the headache.

Now I feel it coming on, take my preferred remedies to stave it off, and feel better after a few hours sleep.

[labazsisgoingmad]

i find migracool very helpful but a nice cool wrung out face flannel helps too migraine is brain swelling so you need either migraine tablets or ibruopen to bring the inflammation down hope you feel better soon

[flameycakes]

I get really bad optical migraines, it is like being in a tunnel and seeing through a really trippy kaleidoscope, only thing that really helps me is rest, stress normally brings them on with me x

[drspouse]

Yes to sugar, caffeine and sleep. We don't have full fat coke in the house so I have been known to nick the DCs' Haribo.