Migraines , how common are they ?!

[Lifesforloving1]

Now and then I will get the worst head ache , and zig zag eyes .. they soon go .. does anyone else get these ?

All of the time. Sounds like migraine with aura. I’ve had them for years. They have now become hormonal so follow my period. Hate them with a passion. Totally ruin my life but doctors aren’t a bit interested, so I just put up with them!

Same. Used to be once or twice a year, and since pregnancy have them continuously. After years of jumping through different hoops with GP and neurology trying a multitude of drugs I now have Botox for migraines every 3 months and have my life back.

If they are getting more frequent, speak to your GP and get a referral to a neurologist.

In the meantime, things that have worked for me are tracking my cycle like a psycho - you need a notebook, track daily your moods, your foods, your days of your cycle, the weather, stress- anything that could be a trigger.
In a few months you’ll see a vague pattern emerge. Then you can clear your diary if you know you’re in for a shit few days/week

• Buy a 4head stick - one of the only things that actually work at the onset of a migraine, combined with
• migraleve pink (doesn’t work for everyone, but two of these and a regular coke helps me)
• two alka seltzer in a pint of water
• sumatriptan - can buy over the counter but can make you feel awful unless you have the space to sleep it off
• a calm, quiet room with the Meditainment app which has pain management meditations. If you’re crying in pain, and pulling your hair to alleviate the pain in your head all these things together can help.
• remember the postdrome (migraine hangover) lasts 24-72 hours and you may feel very fragile and emotional. Sleep & rest if you can, and ask for help.

Migraines can be incredibly debilitating and obliterating, research what works for you as much as possible and prepare answers for people who assume it’s just a headache. It isn’t. It’s more like an epileptic fit in the brain.

Good luck

I very, very rarely get headaches, but do get ocular migraines. They only last a max of 10min thankfully, and occur less than 4x a year max. I get the zig zag, warped patterns, and slight headache, but nothing debilitating at all. Mainly a bit dizzy sometimes with it.

I started writing it on a diary incase there was any pattern- time it occcurred in mentrsual cycle, was I wearing my glasses or contacts, any other meds or things going on at the time, stress levels, time it lasted and symptoms. I found no pattern or cause at all, and havent had one in over a year now!

Unless they occur when you happen to be at the optomostist, its difficult to get a proper diagnosis other than on your description alone. have you always had them or have they just started? Any head injury or other trauma? Any pattern you have noticed like mentrual cycle or anything else?

@inthekitchensink
Thankyou for you’re comment !
I’ve always had them , from a young age after having a stroke as a child . They don’t happen that often . Maby every 2 months. They are horrid aren't they ! The zig zags go after about half an hour ! But then left with an Awful headache . Annoying hun !

huh

You should ask you rGP about prescribing sumatriptan.

Mine are very similar to Elouera - mainly just ocular although the headache is worse if I don't take a couple of painkillers as soon as the eye zigzags start. I think mine are hormonal, I got lots when pregnant. I tend to get them now around ovulation time but not every month. I can go months without one and then get 2 or 3 in a week.

Really I count myself lucky that I have them so mildly - I have only ever had one really debilitating one years ago and it was awful. I really feel for anyone who goes through that regularly.

I get them far too regularly, sometimes they last up to four days if I don't catch them quickly enough. I'm on amitryptaline for prevention and sumatriptan. Awful awful things.

I have them now and then, since a child. Starts with a blind spot in vision. Even before that I have what I describe as whiteness, a wierd sense of both calm and confusion. Then crinkle edges. When that goes a nice blinding headache. Mine go really quickly usually. Drop in blood sugar often causes it. I cannot skip breakfast, that is my biggest trigger. Possibly linked to monthly cycle, not tracked it. There are apps like Migraine Buddy for tracking.

Mine hormonal
Terrible during pregnancy
Always just before period also
Have improved with menopause
Maxalt melt was a wonder drug for me.
Then gp changed me to frovatriptan not so effective.
Hangover effect for 72 hours was awful feeling fragile and head hurting if I moved too quickly.
Pain behind eyes and aura horrendous.
When my brother was admitted to hospital with a brain haemorrhage the staff initially thought it was a severe migraine which gives you an idea of the pain levels migraine can cause.
( He recovered btw).
But migraine - urgh it's a curse.