First ever migraine has freaked me out - advice please...

[MooMooFarm]

I had a migraine on Thursday night. I was looking at the computer screen and suddenly there was a blur at the centre of wherever I looked and I started to feel a bit wobbly and strange, like i couldn't get my thoughts straight. I started to panic but thankfully my mum was visiting and said it sounded exactly like a migraine (which she gets a lot). I had a lie down in a dark room and within a few minutes the 'blur' had turned into a bright zig zaggy line which gradually moved across from one side of my line or sight to the other.

The lights went away after about another half an hour, but I had a terrible headache for about 12 hours afterwards and slept loads. The next day I didn't feel quite right, almost like having a hangover like my mind was a bit foggy. And although it's now two days later, I still have a bit of a headache.

According to my mum this is normal, and I'm probably being a drama queen, but I can't believe something as benign sounding as a migraine headache could be so horrible! Honestly, if my mum hadn't been here I would have called the doctor because I was seriously frightened I was having a stroke.

So - can anyone reassure me please? Do any of you have migraines, and does this all sound like one to you? I know I must sound like a complete hypochondriac, but it's just really worried me

I get loads of headaches. Apparently the classic sign of a migraine is that it's onesided (and I believe alternates), but also yes the lights, blurring and needing to lie down in a dark quiet room.

If you have another one I would go to the GP and get some tablets, I have some which kind of fast-forward the attack so I still feel a bit wobbly but it's over quicker and I don't get the pain.

Also you need to think about triggers: stress, coffee, tiredness, diet (I score full house there ). When I went to the GP about it I had DS2 and DS1 with me, he just looked at them and said "Two little reasons to have a headache there for starters"

Hope you feel better soon.

I suffered from migraines for about 4 months before getting round to going to drs, mine are down to stress too. I was prescribed different things but nothing works except diclofenac, and for me this speeds up the attack. I just wish I went to the drs earlier instead of suffering in silence.

p.s. i think you can buy diclofenac over the counter at boots but in a lesser strength. hth

I've had them infequently since my teens but mine sounds exactly like yours with the zigzags and the wierd feelings and the sharp headache that makes you feel as if you want to die. The after effects can last for a few days aferwards. I can't bend my head forwards for a few days afterwards as I will get pain in the back of my head.

I know it's horrible but everything you've described sounds normal for a migraine. Shocking but true.

That's why I want to murder people who've never had one when they say, it's just a bad headache. It's very scary, agonising and takes a while to get over.

I think you can buy imigran in boots which is a pill specifically for migraine.

Just to reassure you - I have the zigzag lines too. It's a very clear arc that gradually grows and drifts off to the left of my field of vision. Lasts about 15 mins usually.

I'm lucky in that I've never had the headache - just feel slightly groggy and tired afterwards - but doc diagnosed it as migraine.

Nothing benign about a proper migraine. They can have a significant effect on your life.

You're describing classic migraine with aura ( the other type is common migraine - which has more sufferers but not the loss of vision / scintillating scotoma ( arc))

Migraine Action www.migraine.org.uk has lots of information and has been of real use to me ( along with a neurologist!!). Everyone's different but you should take it seriously and , if they get more frequent, there are various treatments.

Drama queen you definitely are not.

I have suffered with migraines just like you've described - although havn't had one for about 12 months. Mine seem to be stress related.
I take Migraleve (available over the counter) which is affective as long as you take it as soon as you feel it coming on.

Sorry that should be effective

Sounds exactly like my migraines. Could'nt have described them better. Poor you, they are horrid - if you get them more often, do go to GP as there are meds that can help, and make them go away quicker/hurt less. Also, drink lots of water when you feel one coming on.

Brilliant description MooMooFarm. I've been a migraine sufferer for the last 20 years or so and couldn't have put it better myself. I hope that this was a one off for you as it's taken me ages to get mine under control.