Do migraines make you feel generally unwell?

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I've just been diagnosed with migraines, bruxism (teeth grinding/ jaw clenching) and tmj by a consultant.

I thought it was sinus pain/issues which is why I was refferd to ENT. Anyway it was quite a surprise as I when I get headaches (which he said ar migraines) and facial pain I will often have general body aches, feel exhausted and just run down so thought it was a virus / sinus issue. But the consultant said migraines can do this and then said something I've slightly forgotten about migraines causing a change in blood vessels which can effect the whole body. Obviously a consultant knows their stuff but after searching online about the blood vessel thing and effects on the body I still feel a bit unsure if this is the right diagnosis. I'm obviously not expecting anyone here to diagnose me!

But I'd really appreciate anyone who has experienced migraines sharing if they have this generally unwell feeling and if you know anything about migraines effect on blood vessels. Also anyone with similar issues caused by bruxism and tmj I'd live to hear your experience.

I do understand migraines aren't just headaches so I don't want to sound skeptical that they have an impact on people and their lives. I'm just trying to get my head around an unexpected diagnosis.

Yes migraines are like a neurological attack. I often feel flu like with a migraine. Pain alone can have a hard effect on the body.

Yep migraine is a neurovascular disorder which can have whole body effects.

It's common to have a recovery period ("postdrome") after a migraine attack which can last for several days and can include fatigue, body aches, residual headache, nausea etc.

Physiologically a migraine is due to vasodilation of blood vessels in the brain, this causes them to become leaky, leading to increased blood being diverted to the brain (meaning your extremities and gut aren't getting enough, leading to more symptoms!) and inflammation. The whole event is stressful for the brain & body, so can have a huge range of effects.

If you're struggling I wholeheartedly recommend the national migraine centre - excellent doctors and known to be the best place in Europe for getting migraine help. They're based in london and do online booking, as they're a charity you're expected to make a donation for the appt They've also got loads of resources and factsheets on their website.

www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/

Yep - as the poster above says. I feel like I have flu for a day or two after the actual attack.

I have around 26 migraines days per month, but am one of the worst my neurologist has seen, so not a typical case.

I get flu like feelings, nausea, bowel issues, facial paralysis, poor sight in one eye, dizziness, forgetfulness, anxiety, depression and suicidal feelings.

It's a whole body experience. My entire life has been taken over by them, was fine until age 24 when they just switched on one day.

Hope they find some way to help you through your symptoms. Un-mumsnetty hugs.

I struggle for a few days after a migraine. A sore spot on my head, severe tiredness, nausea etc.

After one I feel like I have a massive hangover for a few days. Also get so hungry, ravenously hungry.

They make me feel so poorly for a few days after they are horrendous..

@Bustup I'm sorry to hear how frequent yours are - I have had similar periods of non-stop migraine days and it's relentless. You've no doubt tried everything under the sun, but just in case this helps the OP or any other chronic migraine sufferers, I've recently discovered that eating very low carb/keto has brought my migraines completely under control. There are some small studies and lots of anecdotal evidence to support, so worth a try for anyone who's tried the conventional methods?

Yes, migraines used to make me feel generally ill and weak. I don't get them now.

I sometimes feel like I’m about to die. My whole body is sore, I physically can’t open my eyes, I am hot and cold shivery. It’s awful. I feel horrendous.

My migraines are triggered by certain smells. My nose will physically hurt too with a migraine.

Yes absolutely can make me feel generally unwell. I don't get them often anymore, but when I did, occasionally I barely even got a headache, but it was all the rest of the feeling unwell afterwards that was as much of an issue. It was usually only about 24 hours though, not ongoing.

Oh god! Thanks for the replies but I'm also so sorry you're all feeling like crap. Particularly @Bustup 26 days a month is horrible.

I also did some research into migraines and the consensus seemed to be that it normally effected people on half of the head/face but that's not what I'm experiencing. Is that what pp's are getting?

I also wasn't mega clear on the cause / effect cycle with the bruxism. The consultant said that migraines make you feel tense (clearly very much so from what you are all saying) so then that can cause the clenching and grinding. But the equally the grinding or clenching can cause migraines due to the pressure/pain from it.

I think also because I'm not just getting main in half of my head I'm struggling to differentiate a bad headache from a migraine. But I do feel unwell as you've described and they often go on for days. Then with periods where I seem to get more.

I also get a lot of aches and tension in my neck and shoulders which feel connected to the pain.

I think the nero vascular thing is what I need to read about and probably what the consultant was talking about. It was quite a surprise so I felt a bit overwhelmed in the appointment.

@BakedTattie

I sometimes feel like I’m about to die. My whole body is sore, I physically can’t open my eyes, I am hot and cold shivery. It’s awful. I feel horrendous.

My migraines are triggered by certain smells. My nose will physically hurt too with a migraine.

That sounds awful but some of those symptoms I identify with too.

This might be a stupid question. But if you're triggered by smell do yuu know why or is it just unexplained? Also do you know which smells it is?

Neck and shoulder pain are common with migraine. I have back problems but a migraine makes my neck lock up so I have to ice it (I get aura with my migraine so I know the neck symptoms are linked as they often occur together). I feel sleepy before a migraine and bloated and nauseous during it. The day after is like being mildly drunk, my vision is dodgy, my brain is slow but I am very happy!

I sometimes get a migraine which is a severe headache behind one eye (always the left side) but more usually I get the headache along with pain/numbness in my face and feel woozy and nauseous. Very infrequently I might be sick but it is mostly nausea.

I'm nauseous during the migraine, and I have the shits for 24 hours afterwards. I don't think anyone who has migraines would ever say it only affects their head.

Mine doesn't affect half my head. It's usually worse on the right side, particularly my right eye feels like a neeedly is being driven through it, but my whole head is sore

Neck and shoulder pain are common.

I get facial pain, teeth pain, tingling, blindness, fatigue, ear ringing, dizziness. It's fucked.

Smells like perfume or petrol will trigger one for me. Dh can't wear cologne around me, hate going to the hairdresser.

Yes, I feel like I'm wading through treacle, get quite achy and brain foggy and my guts play up.

Yes! I feel like I've got a sort of low-grade flu/fatigue. They're pretty soul-zapping.

Yes - I cannot keep my eyes open and need to lay down in a room with zero light. So rolled up clothes to stuff the gap under the door etc. No light can come in. My entire head hurts like I've been hit by a bus. I take painkillers and then I sleep for hours on end. I wake up completely drained, like I haven't slept for days, and have all the body aches and pains. My eyesight isn't great. My brain is very slow.

And then the day after that I feel amazing.

A migraine wipes me out for several days with exhaustion and what can only be described as brain fog. I don't even have to have had the headache to feel like that but I know I've had a migraine as I have aura and become very sensitive to flashing lights.

During the migraine I get the aura and slurred speech, then the pain builds all through my head like it’s in a vice. The aura comes and goes for hours (which is new for me, used to be aura, headache, vomiting, couldn’t speak). And for 2 days after I feel hungover and for about 2 weeks my eyes still go aura-like for split seconds.

In between the migraines I get spots of aura outside of my direct vision and first thing I tend to think is my posture must be poor and my neck is tight. I also have bruxism & wear a mouth guard at night but I’ve never heard of the two being linked until now. Mine are usually triggered by strenuous exercise.

I'll feel weak, shaky, dizzy and exhausted with a migraine. It was actually really scary trying to get home (public transport not driving) if I had a sudden attack at work. Two or three days are generally written off. Even after the actual attack my face feels wrong and sort of numb, my memory is shot and I lose words and cant explain things. I have the typical photo sensitivty but no auras, my sense of smell is off and extrenely sensitivitie. I'm often sick - never had any trouble the other end but i know that's pretty common.

There are so many symptoms!

Yup migraines make me feel awful all over

Neck and shoulder ache. Severe band of pain from top of head down behind left eye and down my neck. Plus rest of head aches.

Totally drained of energy. Feel sick. Really sensitive to noise. Tummy pains. Also ravenous like PP - its amazing how much I want to eat.

Really hate them but Ive had them 25 years and I don't know if they'll ever go as they're not linked to hormones.