Please talk to me about your migraine triggers

[Caramel81]

I’ve started suffering with migraines regularly over the past couple of years. They are definitely migraines and not just bad headaches as I get the visual disturbances, pain on one side and just feel very weird and unwell while it’s happening. The following day I feel spaced out like I have a hangover and could sleep for 100 years.
I don’t drink alcohol or coffee. I do have chocolate every day though which I know is a bad trigger. I love the stuff and will really struggle to give it up but I know I need to try.

What are your main triggers and do you have any tips on dealing with them? Also what sort of contraception are you on and do you find it helps/hinders things?
Thanks x

Mine can be hormonal, lack of sleep, stress, dehydration, and other as yet unidentified triggers.
I'm not on any contraception.
But I do take propranolol 3x day to stop the migraines.

Eggs were a big trigger for my daughter but also she had a neck injury so going for physio helped a lot.

No contraception as wasn’t allowed to use the pill.

I’ve get if I have left it to long to eat or drink.

Flashing lights even on TV or a bike light. A few seconds and boom.

Used to be cheese now it’s chocolate

Ovulation and pre period are major trigger

Strong smells chemical or perfumes are worse

Busy patterns even on people clothing that you have to look at more than half an hour. It excites the migraine brain to much and causes start of migraine for me.

Stress!

Dehydration

Sleeping late/being under slept, 3D movies, bright sunlight, flashing lights, rainy days, driving at night, certain contraceptives, stress, loud parties, being overtired

Stress, lack of sleep. The overhead lights in my office! (I think that’s a trigger)

Mine originate from tension in my shoulders and neck. Starts off as stiffness and muscle pain then progresses up to my head and behind an eye. If I see the chiro regularly I get virtually no migraines but as I’ve not been since Feb they are back. I’ve decided to risk Covid and have an appointment Tues as the frequency is increasing and I can’t take it any more.

No contraception here, currently BF a toddler. But they were marginally better when pregnant.

Mine are usually hormonal. Other triggers I know about are dark chocolate, perfume, other strong fragrances such as candles or air freshener and flashing lights.
I'm prescribed sumatriptans which help if I catch it early enough.

I had my teeth straightened with Invisalign and pretty sure this gave me migraines as never had them before and luckily never since.

Dehydration, strong smells, sleeping wrong seem to be mine.

@Megan2018 have you tried a cervical pillow? (I think that's what they are called). I get tension headaches which can become migraines and it helps.

Hormones and low blood sugar at lunchtime are mine. If I miss lunch or am late eating it's a 100% trigger

Definitely lights are a trigger for me and I'm not sure whether some hormonal influence as really ramped up in late 30s but trailed off again in last few years ( I'm now 53 and just post menopausal)

The lights in ASDA. Only ASDA. The last time I risked it, I was escorted out by a very kind lady who pushed my baby's pram for me and bagged my groceries. They are debilitating for some reason.

Dehydration is my biggest trigger. Also led lights when I’m tired and stress which makes me grind my teeth in my sleep.
I’m not on any medical contraception

My mum started getting awful ones in her late 30s until menopause. I’m terrified I’m going to be the same as I’m 33 now and seem to be getting them fairly regularly. Never had a single one in my 20s or teens.
People who have never suffered with them don’t understand how debilitating they are just assume it’s a bad headache.

[quote TheFormerPorpentinaScamander]@Megan2018 have you tried a cervical pillow? (I think that's what they are called). I get tension headaches which can become migraines and it helps.[/quote]
Yes I love my pillow @TheFormerPorpentinaScamander it goes everywhere with me!

It’s especially bad if I get them recently as whilst pregnant and now still BF I’m more limited medication wise. I can cope with tension headaches but when it’s a 2-3 day migraine which makes me vomit it’s really hard.

I’m hoping my chiro can work her usual magic, it all started with a riding accident 20+ years ago where I hurt my neck. Now if my posture isn’t right it escalates very quickly

Stress is my number one trigger. Lack of sleep is the 2nd. Too much caffeine can do it too as can eye strain.

Food related:

All pork products
Red Wine
Chocolate
Instant (but not real ground) coffee

Not had a single migraine since I cut these out of my diet - life changing!

Air pressure for dh

I meant one of these, not a sleeping pillow. Just to clarify :)

If you know that chocolate is a trigger, then that sounds like an amine sensitivity.

www.fedup.com.au/factsheets/additive-and-natural-chemical-factsheets/amines

www.fedup.com.au/factsheets/symptom-factsheets/headaches-and-migraines

My late dm would get amine migraines but also found air pressure changes would exacerbate her sensitivity.

@TheSandgroper thanks I’ll look into that. I’ll be gutted if I have to cut it out of my diet completely but if it will keep the migraines away then I’ll do it. I don’t drink, smoke, drink coffee etc so chocolate is my vice

Hormonal, always a day or so before my period. Stopped completely when I was pregnant. Peri menopausal is worse again, had a Mirena coil fitted last year to help (which is has quite a bit). Contraception and some HRT made them worse. Kool & Sooth gel patches help as does sumatriptan. Hope you find the cause

Lack of sleep
Chocolate
Red wine
Cheese
Coffee
There are many foods that may give people migraines - not everyone has same triggers, of course. I work for neurologists and we used to have a list of migraine foods that was really long.

The important thing to know is not to take too many painkillers per week/month because you will end up with Analgesic Overusage Headache (it is surprising how few you should take to avoid this).

What you can do, if they are really bad is:
a) stop all analgesics
b) avoid known triggers
c) try regular mineral supplements (magnesium; riboflavin, co-enzyme Q10)
d) acupuncture
e) Cefaly scalp stimulator
After that, if that's not working, go and see a neurologist who knows about migraine (that'll probably be most of them) for advice on medication (not analgesics).

The good news is that, post-menopause, mine have almost vanished - I get about 2 a year now and avoid the big headache by taking 2 x paracetamol as soon as I get the visual disturbance.