Migraines

[happysaturday]

Hi

Over the last 10 years or so I have suffered with occasional migraines. However I have noticed they are becoming more frequent and seem to happen in the days just before my period - which I understand is fairly common. I've also noticed that in the build up to the migraines (what I believe to be the prodrome) I am extremely thirsty and feel very intense cravings for sugar, in particular fizzy drinks. Is this normal? Or is this an indication of another issue? Is there anything I can do about it?

For info I drink plenty of water throughout the day and only have 2 or 3 caffeinated drinks per day. I don't go near alcohol as I think this is a migraine trigger for me - feel rotten for days even after 1 glass of wine (sigh).

It's worth seeing a GP if frequency of your migraines have changed, you may want to try a preventative medication. I went unmedicated for years, I wish I'd sought help sooner.

Some people do get sweet cravings at the prodrome.

Yes I've been thinking about going as it's becoming more difficult to manage at work, so something preventative would be good.

Reassured to hear some people crave sweet things to!

Craving particular food, especially sweet things prior to migraine, is normal. For me it's chocolate. Thankfully the chocolate itself doesn't seem to trigger an attack. Definitely make an appointment at the doctor if your migraines are getting more frequent or severe - at least, they will then have the infon file so that if you continue to get worse, they will have a record of it. If you turn up only when it's becoming intolerable, they might take you less seriously because you'd not sought help earlier.

See if you can identify any specific triggers - lack of sleep, foods, stress, unrelated pain etc. Maybe keep a diary for a few months. I get a very predictable 3 severe migraines per month - 2 days before & 2 days after the start of my period, & around the time I ovulate. Plus a load of random attacks which are generally less bad.

Migraine Action are worth a look, I found them very helpful.

I suffered with migraines from being in school. Two years ago they got much worse so I went to the doctor. I was given a beta blocker to try which didn’t do much for me so I went back. Then I was prescribed a small dose of a seizure medication which has done wonders.

Migraines are a condition in its self so if you’ve been suffering for 10 years with no other symptoms apart from ones linked to migraines I would suggest migraines are you issue directly. Obviously you should check with your doctor.

Oh that's interesting that other factors can trigger migraines. I have definitely noticed an increase since returning to work from mat leave - my return was rather badly timed to coincide with our busy season and a couple of resignations for which the business has decided they will not replace - so all in all it's been a very stressful few months, alongside some serious sleep deficit (16 month DS still wakes multiple times a night). I will definitely speak to the GP. Does medication help the the prodrome and postdrome phases too (forgive me if I'm getting the terminology wrong)? I feel incredibly spaced out for days either side, it's really difficult to function some times.

Sorry to hear you all suffer too, but thanks for sharing your tips / advice

Sorry that should say preventative medication