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| sometimes I do... |
Wednesday night I awoke with a headache. This isn't all that unusual as it happens on occasion... but this one just wouldn't go away and I ended up taking a Tylenol and using my ice-headband that I use for migraines.
It seems like I've always had migraines - started when I was pregnant with my 2nd child at 23. Figured they were hormone related at that time. Later I wondered if they were caused by a fall on my head from a horse when I was about 9. (BTW, I've fallen several times since, but never again on my head).
And then sometimes I wonder if it has anything to do with sleep apnea. I do find that many times I awaken in the night with my heart beating fast and I can't catch my breath. But by doing the slow breathing technique (breathe in through nose, count to 5, hold breath to count of 10+, then breath out through mouth), my heart rate returns to normal. One day I should check it out.
With age, my full blown migraines have developed into ocular migraines - usually only affecting my vision with the jagged light aura, but luckily no pain (or some soreness or slight headache,but nothing like they used to be). These come a few a month, but don't last longer than 15- 20 mins. However, they do affect my sight and come on suddenly - so, because of them, I don't drive on Highways anymore.
Then... there's the weather. We had overcasts stormy weather this whole week. Some think the changes in the barometric pressure play a part in headaches. I've never read any scientific research on this, but I imagine there could be something to it.
Hm...mm, I didn't think "I awoke with a headache" would lead to a a total post. But maybe some of you out there experience headaches and also wonder what causes them. I do know some of the 'triggers', but apparently not all.
Anyway, since I've obviously devoted a whole post to headaches, I will ask if anyone else out there suffers with this? And if so, would you like to share what works for you?
Thanks (as always) for coming by. I spent the morning learning to Zoom with 6 others in my pottery group. We are all 'older' and talked about all the things we were learning during this pandemic... like Skyping, Zooming, ordering online, some still working - but learning to work from home, etc. And we all wonder how long this 'situation' was going to last... with the general census of opinion being "for a while".
So when I saw this poster on Pinterest, I thought it said it all:
Hugs,
Rian
I have had migraines, enough make me throw up, but typically now I will get what I assume to be sinus headaches. Bad but rarely extreme anymore (knock on wood). However, like you, I do get ocular migraines. Usually the right eye first, then sometimes the left, each lasting 15-20 minutes, sometimes a bit longer. I never had them when I was young, all these headaches and ocular migraines started when I was in my 40s. The ocular migraines took a hiatus for a year or so but I've had several this winter/spring. I do think the weather has something to do with mine. I've never tracked food + headache (other than knowing too much sugar and all alcohol will give me one).
ReplyDeleteOne of the full time bus drivers told me, a few years ago, that her own doctor recommended Midol (is it the same brand in the US?) for migraines or other extreme headaches, because it has both a pain reliever and a muscle relaxant. Tylenol and Advil (or generic Ibuprofen) don't touch my severe headaches, not even taken when taken together (an hour or so apart, I mean). I have had more luck with the Midol, but often that only takes the edge off. I can't take regular Gravol (anti-nauseau), but I do take children's Gravol when the headaches get bad, as often they make me feel queasy. I also take Tylenol Sinus sometimes, that helps for those headaches. I have hypertension, though, so try not to take too much of anything.
Anyway, I hope you are headache free now for a long time to come!
BTW, I especially like your last graphic/quote, seems very fitting on so many levels.
Take care!
Kim, I'm so sorry you had migraines. They are horrible. Glad age (or menopause) seems to lighten them. I had to go to the emergency room on occasion to get a shot of Demoral. Otherwise Tylenol 3 or 4 with codeine would help some. Now regular Tylenol x-tra strength does the job for the ocular ones. I know what foods (bright lights, some smells) will bring on a migraine for me. But the ocular ones seem to pop up without a reason.
DeleteNever used Midol - although I know what it is and it makes sense.
Take care and hope you stay headache free too!
Waking up with a headache is definitely a symptom of sleep apnea. It's because your oxygen saturation goes down too low. I used to have them until I got a cpap machine.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, I suspected that... but just never checked it out. Seems to be giving me more probs lately. So maybe when this pandemic dies down a bit, I will check it out.
DeleteOh I do feel your pain. I had 4 day migraines every other month for 10 years. It took serious pain meds to get me through the 4 days. They had to be hormonal for my Dr said I would out grow them and I did when I hit menopause. Ahhh. So far none since then though I do get the occasional ocular migraine.
ReplyDeleteYou really should get those night time rapid heart beats checked though. Could be AFIB which I do have and am treating. Or possibly sleep apnea which is very treatable. The possibility of stroke can accompany those attacks so I hope you get checked out.
You are way ahead of me with Zooming and Skyping.
Stay safe.
Hi Patti! So sorry you had migraines too. Yes, they used to last 3 days sometimes. So glad that is over for you too. (something good about aging!!)
DeleteAnd when this pandemic dies down a bit (???), I will check out the sleep apnea. I was once told that I had 'flutters'... (not AFIB) but that he didn't want to give me meds as my BP was low and it might make me faint. The flutters would come and go... no pain, but made me cough.
My boss had serious migraines and had to go to the hospital when she was on a business trip. Please call you doctor and tell him/her everything you told us.
ReplyDeleteMy doctor knows about the migraines... maybe not about the other. I figure that at 75 (next month), we have to learn to accept a few inconveniences.
DeleteIt is never fun to wake up with a headache, let alone a migraine. I hope you were able to get rid of it quickly.
ReplyDeleteI used to have migraines about twice a year and like you, the onset was during one of my pregnancies (I can't recall which). In my case they always start with the ocular - I see an aura in the peripheral of one of my eyes. If I can immediately get a chance to lie down in a darkened room and take a couple of pain meds (usually Tylenol) it usually won't become a full blown migraine. But if not, I'm sick for a minimum of 24 hours. Really good chocolate is a trigger I learned one time a friend and I went to a specialty shop. Within 20 minutes of eating a single chocolate I could not see as I was in such pain, she had to drive me home where I went straight to bed.
I haven't had a migraine now in several years - perhaps menopause finally cured me. I do still get headaches occasionally, mostly sinus headaches but they are easily taken care with a Tylenol or simply a nap.
The last graphic is fantastic - a lesson for all of us these days!
Yes, chocolate can be a trigger. However, I've never given it up... especially good dark chocolate. My main triggers are nitrates... no dried meat, no deli meat, no hot dogs, also no red wine, no raw mushrooms, no yogart... and no artificial sugars! (bright light and perfume can do it too). Hope you stay headache free!
DeleteI don't have migraines but on occasion I get severe sinus pressure and I have just come off a two week constant sinus headache. I finally got to the dr. Anyway, I have wondered if my vertigo and my infected sinuses are related. Time to ask my dr. that question I guess.
ReplyDeleteLatane, my cousin in New Orleans had bouts of vertigo. She was diagnosed as having Meniere's disease. Reduced her salt intake and has been vertigo free pretty much since. Can't hurt to try??
DeleteI had one ocular migraine and it was scary but it never happened a second time. I had a series of monthly migraines in my early 30's. I remember the pain as excruciating. This lasted less than a year and then stopped.
ReplyDeleteI hope your migraine is short-lived. If you suspect sleep apnea, definitely get it checked out as it's a condition detrimental to overall health long term.
The ocular migraines are scary as sight is affected... and your head feels 'strange'... but after years, you get used to them and 'know' (hope) they will go away quickly. But I have no idea what brings them on.
DeleteAnd I will check out the sleep apnea... when this pandemic quiets down a bit... which isn't happening so far.
I don't get headaches very often, so I am always surprised when one comes on. I know that I am addicted to caffeine and if I go for too long without coffee one will come and can easily be fixed by a cup of you-know-what. :-)
ReplyDeleteTrue, DJan. I'll never be able to give up coffee... have tried to just go off it for a while... and that didn't work.
DeleteI get a headache if I'm tired, don't sleep well. I used to get stress headaches, but not anymore, not since I retired. Now I get a headache from too much screen time, and from even a small amount of alcohol. I used to be able to drink socially; but not in the last ten years or so. And then, sometimes, you just get a headache. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteI know we always try to find a reason for our headache... and sometimes as you said, a headache is just a headache. But I don't drink alcohol either because it isn't worth the headache and wasted day. I have, however, slipped an Irish Coffee in on occasion without incident.
DeleteMy sympathies. I started having migraines in the 1970s. Eventually they stopped. I have never figured out what made them disappear, but I am thankful that they are gone and that experiencing them made me aware of the agony that those who suffer with them endure.
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear that your migraines went away. Hopefully they will stay gone.
DeleteI have suffered with SVT for years. But, thankfully, no headaches. You take care.
ReplyDeleteAnni, I had to look up SVT, but now I know. Do you take meds for it?
Deletei have had migraines my entire adult life, they have been attributed to multiple sclerosis for me but who knows. the migraines are debilitating, i use a very strong medication called replax (the husband calls it heroine). it is the only thing that helps. it takes 24 hours for the loopyness to leave my body, but about an hour to get rid of the migraine!! that's the trade-off!!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I sometimes wonder if they really know the where and why of migraines... but you are right - they are debilitating. So sorry that you have to endure that. But glad you have a medication that works. Years ago when I had to get a shot of Demoral, it would make me loopy too - but it did work.
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