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Original poster

Does Anyone Else Suffer From MIGRAINES???????????

29 replies

ludaloo · 29/12/2006 18:19

I started getting them after my dd1 was born 5 years ago. I get at least one a month near the time my period is due. This month however I have had 3 of the bleeders and it is really beginning to get me down.
I haven't had a change in diet, it is usually hormone triggered I think.
They start off with a fuzzy speck in one or both eyes, which progressively gets bigger over 20mins or so..until I pretty much can't see anything but fuzz! I then feel nausious and have on ocassion been sick. Then I get vision back..and a belting headache...which can last days.
Sometimes my hand or arm goes tingly too.

Does this seem like a normal migraine or should I be getting a bit worried?????

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Original poster
ludaloo · 29/12/2006 18:25

?

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Original poster
ludaloo · 29/12/2006 18:35

sorry...shameless bump in the hope a medical type may see it??

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jalopy · 29/12/2006 18:42

Poor you, ludaloo. Don't suffer the headaches but get the optic migraines you have described.
Always worth getting yourself checked by GP for a diagnosis though.
Bit quiet here but other migraine sufferers will see this. Hope you are not in too much discomfort

Original poster
ludaloo · 29/12/2006 18:45

Thankyou Jalopy!
I'm on day 2 of one..I got one yesterday evening just as I was putting the kids to bed.
It isn't too bad today, luckily I could get an early night and slept the worst of it off last night.
They are just so awful...I dread them!

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FioFio · 29/12/2006 18:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

prettymum · 29/12/2006 18:49

do you experience pins and needles in your legs or arms?

Original poster
ludaloo · 29/12/2006 18:50

Um no not tried that...I usually down two or three Ibuprofens when I get the fuzzy eye. I will get some next time I'm out...especially if they are going to get more frequent..

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Original poster
ludaloo · 29/12/2006 18:51

prettymummy....yeh pins and needles in my hands or arms....not every time though..

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prettymum · 29/12/2006 18:52

i think you have classical migraine (reading up on my Boots notes on migraine)

DumDiddyDum · 29/12/2006 18:54

I used to get migraines quite bad, but no tingly limbs, so I would ask GP about that ASAP.

I now have 1 small chocolate bar a month.
Decafe Tea always
1 coffee a day max if any and only before miday.
And I drink more water than I used to.
No coke or fany fizzy drinks.

Hope that helps. I started getting them when I was about 17 (1st time was when I nearly passed out waiting for a bus, vison went and had to walk to a friends house) They lasted on and off for years. Changed to things above about 8 years ago and hardly suffer now unless I am very overworked and tired. Then I just go to bed as soon as I can.

Original poster
ludaloo · 29/12/2006 18:55

hmm.....whats that then? Just a normal migraine? Thats ok then...I was just getting a bit worried it might be something else!
I'm clearly too hormonal!

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prettymum · 29/12/2006 18:56

it can be triggered by

  • certain foods and drinks such as chocolate, cheese, red wine, citrus fruit, coffee

*missing or irregular meals which can lead to a drop in sugar levels

*too much or too little sleep

*hormonal changes caused by periods, use of contraceptive pill or the menopause
*bright flashing lights

*loud noise

*intense smells- e.g.paint,perfume

foxinsocks · 29/12/2006 18:57

hi, I'm always harping on about these guys on here but they are very good - the migraine trust

if you go to the sufferers bit, they have a migraine diary which is very useful for figuring out triggers - I realised from this that mine were triggered entirely by my period (goodness knows why I needed the diary to tell me that but I did ).

Migraines are really horrid. I would go to the GP if I was you (and get your eyes checked at the same time if you can!).

Tiggiwinkle · 29/12/2006 18:59

ludaloo-Migraines can be linked with a fairly common condition caled Hughes Syndrome. Both my DH and I have it (purely by coincidence) and both suffer from migraines. My Dh has had the tingling in his arms, legs and face. A simple blood test can check for it although many GPs are still unaware of it so it often goes diagnosed. Have a look at the Hughes Syndrome website (sorry cant do links).

Original poster
ludaloo · 29/12/2006 18:59

oh you see...my coke addiction probably isn't helping...or my chocolate addiction!

I kind of assumed these were not really factors as I always drink coke and eat chocolate! No changes or anything...

I might well just check with my gp to be on the safe side too

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Tiggiwinkle · 29/12/2006 19:01

Sorry-meant to say "undiagnosed"!

Original poster
ludaloo · 29/12/2006 19:05

I am fairly certain they are triggered by my period...when I was pregnant and breast feeding I don't recall having them...or at least not many...
I didn't go back on the pill after dd2 (now 17 months old)and stopped breastfeeding about 6 months ago, so my periods are back to being normal and regular...and I have had one every month for a while now.
This month though I've had three!

I'll check the Hughes syndrome thing out too though

Thanks

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Original poster
ludaloo · 29/12/2006 19:07

thanks for that link foxinsocks..I'll have a read of that too

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peanuthead · 30/12/2006 15:38

Hiya ludaloo
I started getting migraines when I went on the Pill years ago and after I came off got menstrual migraines for years - thanks Pill. Still get them sometimes but I have medicaation - you can now get it over the counter - called sumatriptan or something.Can't remember the exact name but I've seen ads for it recently. Ask the chemist - it's not a painkiller it works on neurochemicals and switches the migraine off after abouit 4 hours. I don't take it anymore though as it sends me loopy the next day- it acts on serotonin and I am prone to derpession/anxiery but should be fine for you! And if it's expensive you can get a prescription. If not there's another really old fashioned thing that is prescription only and that your doc won't have heard about - cafergot - they have to go up your bum unfortunately and they can make you puke (and can give you gangrene if you overdose - but then you're not likely to overdose up ypur bum... I had to convince the doc I was trustworthy...)
But you do't need to suffer! There is good stuff out there - you can pretend a dr friend recommended stuff!
Migraines are so grim...I once got stuck at work after a night shift puking for 10 hours...couldn't get on the tube home.

iwouldgoouttonight · 30/12/2006 19:22

Migraines are horrible aren't they. I sometimes get them around the time of my period (although I've not had one since I had DS touch wood!). Your symptoms sound very similar to what I get, one side of my body also goes tingly - even my tongue which was very scary when it first happened!

My doctor prescribed tablets called Naramig (naratriptan) which I take when I get the very first blurring in my eyes. For me they work brilliantly and stop the migraine before it starts, but I don't know about any side effects so obviously they might not be so good for everyone - but I'd definitely see the doctor and see what he suggests.

Are you on the pill? I'm now allowed to take it because of migraines.

AbbyLou · 31/12/2006 08:26

I suffered from migraines a lot as a child and the hv told my mum to give me a biscuit before bed on the days when I had been out doing something physical like gym club or swimming club and this worked very well. I guess they were caused then by low blood sugar. I still get them now but different casue. I had a few in my last pregnancy and I've had a few in this one too but my main casue is lighting. I have to wear sunglasses for most of the year when it's bright - the worst days are the ones where it's very cloudy but very bright. I also get them if there is a mix of natural light and artificial light eg if it's not really dark enough outside and someone puts the light on inside. These sorts of thngs are the worst for me. I am lucky in that I can feel them coming now and if I can I go and lay down in a darkened room, preferably with something over my eyes and take two Migraleve. The pain starts as a little pinpoint in my head and growns sreadily worse if not treated. I also start with a fuzzy spot which develops into shooting bright lights in both eyes and I can't see a thing. I have alsi had tingling in my arms and hands.

mumandlovingit · 31/12/2006 09:00

my mum has had migraines since she was little.se now has tablets from the doctors that she has to take within the first 30 minutes of a migraine that take some of the effects away and make it shorter.

she gets bright lights and cant see, a numb muth, tingling down arms and legs and is sick. she cant even walk on her own.

she cant eat chocolate, drink fruit juices or fruit squashes, alcohol, certain perfumes etc set hers off.

mine are hormonal each month or when i'm stressed or really busy. im on tylex (co-codamol 30/500) fr mine.they work quite well but mainly make me sleepy so i sleep through alot of it.i cant drive with them but i doubt if anyones got a prper migraine that they'd be able to concentrate to drive anyway.

id visit the doctor and see what they recommend. i take ibuprofen 400mg with the tylex too an eat giger biscuits to help with the nausea.forehead roll on for your head helps abit too or a cold wet wrung out fannel across the forehead in a darkened room.

there are quite alot of different approaches, id ask for advice at the chemist/doctors.

as you've already been advised, the migraine trust are really good.

Original poster
ludaloo · 31/12/2006 09:06

I'm not on the pill at the moment. I really can't get on with it.
I think it might of been actually starting on the pill that triggered my migraines...like you peanuthead

I decided not to go back on the pill after having my last baby.
I wanted to be sterilised actually but the consultant decided I was too young (but thats a whole other story!!)

iwouldgoouttonight I am going to see my doctor...and check out medication....although I don't fancy the "up your bum ones" !! I don't think I'd be able to manage that in the throws of blurred vision and tingling hands

Thankyou all for your help

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Original poster
ludaloo · 31/12/2006 09:09

I've actually had a migraine start whilst driving...I couldn't actually see the road! I had to pull over and sit and wait until the blurred vision went and then had to carry on driving with the headache part!

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iwouldgoouttonight · 31/12/2006 09:27

Ludaloo - I didn't know you could get up your bum ones for migraines! Mine are just normal tablets that you swallow!!