Have I been mistaking migraines for headaches my whole life?

[saveourtrees]

I often get headaches when I'm poorly. But they stop me doing anything. I can't have the light on or look at my phone. I can't move because it's just such a strong pain.

Every headache has been like this, but are they actually migraines? how do you know?

The only reason I'm asking is because my sister said she was given cocodomol (sp?) for her migraines and paracetamol doesn't even touch the sides.
paracetamol doesn't help me either. Does anyone know how you can tell?

I use to get them all the time but now I tend to get to my pre-migraine phase and I can head them off with Coke and painkillers etc. I become sensative to noise and light, euphoria and become mega productive, almost hyperactive. Full sugar Coke really helps.

I also get ice pick headaches and they are the worst pain ever but it doesn't last for more than a minute or so. It's horrid when they cluster though.

@saveourtrees I didn't have my migraines diagnosed until I was 25 and it was a revelation when I did. I went to the National Migraine Centre in London and they told me that I have a migrainous brain and that combinations of factors can trigger an attack eg tiredness, smoke (for me!), stress, dehydration etc. The reason you are saying paracetamol etc doesn't work is because your stomach lining is inflamed when you are having an attack. Nothing can be absorbed, hence the nausea. You really must take an anti-emetic along with a good painkiller. I take Migramax but the doctor also said that over the counter Domperidome (Motillium) with 1000mcg of aspirin would work just as well if I ran out of my prescription meds. Along with this, I take a preventative medication, a low dose of amitriptyline, which alters the blood flow to the brain and has significantly decreased the frequency of my attacks. Your GP can advise you but don't be fobbed off! Migraine can be a complex issue that needs careful management.

I’ve never been officially diagnosed. My mum took me to the doctor at about 12ish and he said I was just attention seeking to get out of school.

I’ve only recently connected the dots and realises mine are mostly hormonal.

Started in my teens, settled in my twenties, 2-3 times a week when I was pregnant, and now started back again for peri menopausal. All those years I spent avoiding trigger foods that weren’t really triggers.

I thought no you should see your gp. Mine prescribed me migraine treatment painkillers. I think the last lot were zumapitran. Luckily, post menopause, mine stopped.