Migraines & trigeminal nerve

[Hallelujah2020]

Started having migraines two years ago. Only ever affects left hand side, so left sided headache, facial and arm numbness.

Right side would feel totally normal. Has brain scan and all normal and after a few months worked out it was hormonal. Was started on progesterone and immediately felt loads better. Since then had approx four in last two years, last 16hrs or so and go.

Started with one two weeks ago and it’s barely shifted apart from a few hours respite daily. Generally has come on in early hours with left sided headache, facial numbness especially upper cheek, really really intense pressure in left eye that I can only get relief from by pushing eye in.

And then last few days I’ve been getting intense pain in left ear. It’s a flash of pain and then goes but never know when it’s coming.

GP aware, had an urgent eye check and all ok. Had a referral for urgent MRI.

I’m on codeine&paracetamol along with Gabapentin for fibromyalgia which doesn’t touch migraine stuff. But I am finding ibuprofen dampens pain down so therefore think this must be inflammation.

?? inflammation of trigeminal nerve, just wondered if could be this and if anyone suffered with anything like this

Thanks in advance

Gosh so sorry to hear that, it sounds debilitating. Don’t have any help to give regarding nerve inflammation but reading your post it does sound like you’re describing cluster headaches. I hope you find some relief soon

Thanks, not sure re this but speaking to GP again tomorrow

I have hormonal migraines that affect the trigeminal nerve on the left side of my face. They are treated by my taking daily beta blockers and also Triptan at the onset of a migraine.
The beta blockers lessen the severity and frequency of the migraines (but can't stop them altogether). So when I do get one, I take a Triptan which stops it.
I usually get about 3 or 4 hormonal migraines a month and because I'm peri-menopausal, there is no pattern to them. I also have other triggers which I try to avoid (alcohol, tiredness, dehydration etc) but I can't do anything about thunderstorms!
The triptans are great and stop the migraine, but as these are hormonal migraines it usually comes back the next day, and this cycle usually lasts for 3 days - so I take a Triptan - although you can't take more than 2 in 24 hrs.
As the Triptans stop the migraines from lasting for 3 whole days, I no longer get the facial numbness from the irritation of the trigeminal nerve.
Is this something that you can investigate with your Dr?