Let's talk headaches!

[k2bdeutmeyer]

I've had them for as long as I can remember. I recall waking up in the middle of the night with unbearable headaches as young as 7 or 8 years old. Pounding so bad I couldn't stand it, sometimes to the point of vomiting. I have since been diagnosed with migraines (in my teen years).

 

I regularly (probably close to daily, but at least 5x a week) have headaches. Maybe only 1 of those would qualify as migraine intensity - at least to me. They ALL (even those that might fit more of a common headache description) come with extreme fatigue, a sense of almost dizziness or lightheadedness - though it's not really either - it really feels like being drunk with a lot of pressure in my head, a sore neck (like you might associate with a tension headache), pounding (like you would expect from a migraine), and often nausea.

 

If these "regular" headaches are left untreated, they will often last for days and usually reach migraine intensity at some point. DH has noticed that they must be at least somewhat hormone related as the worst ones are often during AF. As you can imagine, it really affects my daily life!

 

So, is the tiredness causing the headaches? Or, is the tiredness just a precursor to the headache, and the headache really the cause? Are they mostly "regular" headaches with a few migraines? Or, could the "drunk" feeling be an indicator that these headaches are really migraines too?

 

Anybody have experience?? I'm sitting here with a headache after a nap, and quite honestly, I'm just tired of this.

[Mrs Mungo]

Do you have triggers like chocolate or nitrates? Do you drink plenty of water?

[k2bdeutmeyer]

I drink a lot of water, and haven't noticed any triggers - other than being tired. I'm almost ALWAYS guaranteed a headache if I'm tired.

[Dobela]

With my headaches I find that tired and migraine are a bad cycle. The migraine makes me tired so then I can't sleep which makes my migraine worse.

 

Have you spoken to your doctor about them recently? When mine were worst with my hormones, my gyn recommended I take 1500 mg or more of calcium a day for 30 days and then report back to her. By the end of the 30 days my migraines had dropped by about half and after 60 days to less than once a week.

[Hypatia.]

I have chronic daily migraines and when I'm not current on my preventive meds then the headache/exhaustion cycle is intertwined for me. I'll wake up with a headache in the middle of the night, which interrupts my sleep for the rest of the night and then the headache will worsen the next day because I'm exhausted. Or if I have a particularly rough night with my youngest then I know I'll be in for a bad migraine the next day. I've had these headaches as long as I can remember.

[JudoMom]

My middle son has chronic headaches in addition to migraines. His neurologist had us pull him off of ibuprofin (he was on that to help with his arthritis) because of rebound headaches. That did help quite a bit (he now takes alleve for aches and pains).

[Ria]

I don't get headaches...maybe once or twice a year, thank goodness...but my mom sounds very similar to you in terms of onset, frequency, and severity. Her docs have ruled out migraines and say they are tension headaches. There are no triggers for hers, though fatigue seems to make her more susceptible. She has suffered since she was a child.

 

I'm sorry.:grouphug:

[JoJo]

I get a lot of headaches as well. My research has shown that hormones could certainly be a trigger, as could dehydration, stress, chemical additives such as MSG or nutrasweet-like products, even food dyes, etc. I've tried to cut out as many processed foods as possible, while adding in supplements, more water, and regular chiropractic adjustments. While not GONE, so far they do seem to be improved.

[Dobela]

I get a lot of headaches as well. My research has shown that hormones could certainly be a trigger, as could dehydration, stress, chemical additives such as MSG or nutrasweet-like products, even food dyes, etc. I've tried to cut out as many processed foods as possible, while adding in supplements, more water, and regular chiropractic adjustments. While not GONE, so far they do seem to be improved.

MSG and aspertame are HUGE triggers for me now that I have had a hysterectomy. Well, they probably were before as well. Too much dairy can also send me into migraines.

[Ecclecticmum]

Drink water, lots of it. Also look into the type of water your drinking, its rare, but noted that certain types of tap/bottled water can end up making a person feel worse, not better. Possibly something to do with hard/soft water, and areas where bottled water is taken from. :001_huh:

 

Also try having some sort of electrolytes water, or gatorade. Not ALL the time, but every now and again. Because being a mum is a LOT of work, and should be counted in the "sports" category. Whenever I'm feeling the slightest bit downwards, I get DH to get me some Hydralite (its a hydration drink available from the chemist in Aus) I also keep some Sports Cordial in the cupboard, just for me. I have found if I have a big glass of that, then take some painkillers, it can help with some of my pretty bad ones.

 

Dehydration is a major key in headaches/migraines. As well as stress, tiredness and numerous other things.

 

Unfortunately I have other tied in problems too, like Anaemia and CFS.

 

AND for me, at least, normal supermarket painkillers don't work. I had to go to the doctor about it, I was hesitant to use prescription migraine tablets, for the moment, but we have found anything with a groggy or calmative measure in it (Mersyndol, Panafen plus) does work okay. It would honestly be very bad if I lived in a state/country where codeine was prescription only, as it could of been much longer before I had the headaches under control, especially with us moving a lot, over the counter meds are our only option.

 

Mine do get quite bad from time to time. I have to act fast when one comes on, sometimes I wake up with one, if I don't take action about it within 10-15 minutes, I'm pretty much guaranteed it will stay for the rest of the day and get worse and worse cause vomiting and other upsets.

 

DH was with me a few years ago, right before I'd seen a doctor about it. It was late at night when one came on, in a country town (so no open late chemists), it honestly scared me quite bad. All I saw was flashes of lightning in black (in my head, I was in a dark room) and apparently I was screaming quite loud and writhing around. It went on for about 5 hours, before I passed out from the pain.

 

Maybe I missed it, but have you seen a doctor about it? For migraines at least, there is a new (well new in Australia) migraine tablet that according to my friend, works quite well. I was actually planning to trial it to see how I go.

 

xxx

 

PS. Local Anaesthetic doesn't work on me either, now thats great fun lol.

[learningmama]

:grouphug: I started to have weekly headaches after I had my first child. It's been 7.5 years now and I still get them, but they are much better. I do have more during the first half of my menstrual cycle. I have taken the herb feverfew the past few years and it helped ALOT. I know how annoying headaches are and I hate being useless on my headache days. So lots of :grouphug: to you!

[swellmomma]

I have always had bad headaches, and was Dx with migraines as an adult. They are really really bad right before aunt flo comes. After my 4th was born I had daily headaches, enough that it was hampering my daily activities. After about 8 months of that my dr sent me for a CT, good news was no issues with the brain. BAd news was I still had headaches. So he told me to go get massages. My muscles get so tight in my neck/shoulders that it was literally pulling the skin on the top of my head tight and causing headaches. For a while it was so bad my hair in that area was actually falling out due to the tension. I went for 3 massages and sicne then mostly deal with pms headaches though the other ones creep up on me too. I have to carry mortrin with me everywhere so that i can take some at the first sign of a headache. I don't get an aura or something like that, but I always can tell when one is starting up due to the increase in pressure on my head.

 

I have used Rx strength migraine pills but now that I am normally down to 2-3 days a month and always predictable, as long as I take 800mg of motrin (generic ibuprofen does not work the same for me) at the very first sign of the headache I can usually prevent it from becoming more than an annoying pressure. Otherwise I am left with nausea, vomiting, blurred/double vision etc. No fun at all.

 

Both of my sons have started complaining about headaches in recent months (ds 12 about a year ago started getting them, ds7 about 4 months ago). So far ibuprofen and sleep helps them, I am hoping they do not end up following in my footsteps and having migraines too.

[swellmomma]

duplicate post

[Negin]

I have lots and lots of tips for headaches, enough tips to possibly exacerbate a headache :lol:, but for now, I just want to share that magnesium is key.

Magnesium is a mineral that most of us are deficient in.

Anything that is tight, irritable, crampy, and stiff -- whether it is a body part or an even a mood -- is a sign of magnesium deficiency.

Helps occasional headaches that can come with caffeine withdrawal

Magnesium helps eliminate peripheral nerve disturbances that can lead to migraines

There’s a strong correlation between migraines and hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen hormones (right before, during, or immediately after your period) can block the body’s absorption of magnesium, leading to low blood levels of this mineral.

A number of scientific studies found low levels of magnesium in people with migraines. Many women with monthly migraines have low blood levels of magnesium.

Remember that the more calcium you take, the more magnesium you need. Try cutting back on calcium while you increase your magnesium and see how this change affects your migraines.

For most people on a healthy diet, 400 mg of Magnesium daily should be sufficient. But for those who have symptoms of deficiency (such as headaches), I would recommend more, but probably no more than 1200 mg. Add in more magnesium gradually. Your body knows how much it can handle according to how much your bowels can tolerate. The stools should feel soft, but not excessively loose.

Take in divided doses and with meals to ensure optimal absorption – preferably more at night

I have read that it’s preferable to not take magnesium at the same time as calcium. Others say that it’s fine. This is where I am confused. I think the former makes more sense.

The most absorbable forms are:

Magnesium Citrate

Magnesium Glycinate

Magnesium Taurate

Magnesium Aspartate

Magnesium Malate

Magnesium Succinate

Magnesium Fumirate

 

Avoid:

Magnesium Oxide

Magnesium Carbonate

Magnesium Gluconate

Magnesium Sulfate

These are not absorbed well and are the cheapest forms

 

Side effects from too much magnesium include diarrhea, which can be avoided if you switch to Magnesium Glycinate.

People with kidney disease or severe heart disease should take magnesium only under a doctor's supervision.

 

NATURAL SOURCES

Almonds

Avocado

Barley

Beans

Brazil nuts

Brown rice

Buckwheat

Dark Chocolate

Dates

Figs

Garlic

Greens (including Collard Greens and Dandelion Greens)

Kelp

Molasses

Millet

Parsley

Pecans

Rye

Sea vegetables (seaweed and kelp – but make sure they come from non-polluted waters and are high-quality)

Shrimp

Walnuts

Whole Grains

Wheat bran

Wheat germ

 

EPSOM SALTS BATH

Taking a bath or a foot soak with Epsom salts is one of the best ways to increase the body’s absorption of magnesium. Epsom Salts are Magnesium Sulfate and are easily absorbed by the body.

Take a hot bath with up to 2 cups of Epsom salts and 1 cup baking soda (optional) to help draw toxins out of the body. Try to do this once a week, but for no more than 20 minutes. A foot soak can also be very beneficial.

Epsom salts are so helpful in bringing relief to:

• Arthritis pain, stiffness, soreness, and tightness of joints

• Muscle aches, pains and tenderness

• Painful bruises, sprains and strains

• Pain from over exertion as a result of exercise

• Insomnia and Sleep Problems

• Stress

• Insect Bites and Splinters

[k2bdeutmeyer]

Very interesting information! Thank you!

[gardenmom5]

I had those too, they got better as I got older. If they are impacting your daily life this much, you probably will want to talk to a Dr. since they will ask about pattersn, start a headache journal to take with you to your first appointment. even if you don't go it, you may see patterns where you can change in ways it will help.

 

hormones (keep a headache journal along with your other PMS symptoms and when your cycle starts/ends)

not drinking enough water - big, HUGE cause. will also cause dizzyness, and even nausea

food sensitivity (keep a food journal so see if there are patterns. chocolate is a big trigger. so's caffiene. warning - cutting caffiene out cold turkey can give you a rebound headache, so wean off for a couple weeks and see if there is improvement.)

sleep position/ especially head/neck pillow

Edited August 17, 2011 by gardenmom5

[gardenmom5]

I have lots and lots of tips for headaches, enough tips to possibly exacerbate a headache :lol:, but for now, I just want to share that magnesium is key.

Magnesium is a mineral that most of us are deficient in.

Anything that is tight, irritable, crampy, and stiff -- whether it is a body part or an even a mood -- is a sign of magnesium deficiency.

EPSOM SALTS BATH

Taking a bath or a foot soak with Epsom salts is one of the best ways to increase the body’s absorption of magnesium.

 

magnesium is also beneficial for children (and adults) having leg cramps. I've had three who got/get them.

epsom salt baths are encouraged for sensory processing/integration disorder kids because they are claming to their nervous system.

[yslek]

Dh used to get regular intense headaches (migraines?) until he started drinking coffee daily. (Now he gets a headache if he misses his coffee--I don't think it's so much of a caffeine-withrawl thing, though, since he had the headaches for years before he started drinking coffee. Many migraine meds have caffeine as a main active ingredient.)

[Rosie_0801]

Chiropractor. They can even help with PMS. My dh doesn't even believe in chiropractors, but wants me to go anyway because the month I skipped my appointment I was ferocious! :001_huh:

 

Plus all the other things everyone else has mentioned. If you have headaches because your neck is out of alignment, though, none of the other remedies will be able to work as well as they could.

 

Rosie

[k2bdeutmeyer]

I went to the doctor more than once even (which is how I got the migraine diagnosis). I did have a scan of my head at one point - it came back fine. I tried the chiropractor - several times.

 

Caffeine does help when I have a headache come on. Usually that and some ibuprofen can at least lessen the symptoms to only pressure & the "drunk" feeling - unless, of course, it's a full on migraine. Then, that doesn't do anything either.

[Dolphin]

Do you have insurance? If you do, call your doctor and get a referral to a neurologist. They are not just for scary brain things, they are the specialists that deal with chronic headaches and migraines.

 

I went for the first time when I was 19. I went again 2 weeks ago. Like my gyno that I see once a year, I am a headache sufferer and one of my doctors in life is a neurologist. I have been seeing him on and off for 18 years. Headaches change, treatments change etc... It is not something that you have to live with.

 

Like other people said, you will be given a list of foods and told how to go through to see if any of them are triggers. (for me it is artificial sweeteners) That doesn't mean that now that I have cut those I no longer get headaches, just that as you are prone to them anyways, some things will guarantee that you get a headache.

 

I am currently on Propanol. It is for blood pressure, but they have found that it helps with the chronic headaches migraine sufferers can get.

 

Best of luck!

[k2bdeutmeyer]

I am currently on Propanol. It is for blood pressure, but they have found that it helps with the chronic headaches migraine sufferers can get.

 

Best of luck!

 

I was actually put on that when my dr diagnosed me with migraines. I didn't take it for very long. I can't remember why.

[Dolphin]

I was actually put on that when my dr diagnosed me with migraines. I didn't take it for very long. I can't remember why.

 

did it work?

 

I took it just when I got headaches for awhile. My headaches took a change a few months ago. Now I have to take it daily for 3 months, and then check back in. It seems to be working though. I went from having headaches 24-7 with 1-2 migraines a week, to 1 headache or so a week.

[Rosie_0801]

I tried the chiropractor - several times.

 

What did he or she say about your xrays? A few trips to the chiro isn't enough to maintain your bod for life any more than a few trips to the mechanic is enough to keep your car working properly for life.

 

Of course, if your migraines are not chiropractic issues, a chiro can't fix it.

 

Rosie

[k2bdeutmeyer]

did it work?

 

I honestly don't remember?!?

 

What did he or she say about your xrays? A few trips to the chiro isn't enough to maintain your bod for life any more than a few trips to the mechanic is enough to keep your car working properly for life.

 

Of course, if your migraines are not chiropractic issues, a chiro can't fix it.

 

Rosie

 

I didn't phrase that very well. I actually meant that I tried a series of chiropractor visits on several different occasions (several years apart - different chiros too). The last one had me doing this horrible traction contraption. I gave it a shot (though it was torturous) for several months - several times a week, before I just couldn't do it anymore. Especially since I wasn't seeing any benefit. With the rest of the "regular" chiropractor visits I didn't notice any improvement, in fact, I often felt worse.

[Rosie_0801]

I didn't phrase that very well. I actually meant that I tried a series of chiropractor visits on several different occasions (several years apart - different chiros too). The last one had me doing this horrible traction contraption. I gave it a shot (though it was torturous) for several months - several times a week, before I just couldn't do it anymore. Especially since I wasn't seeing any benefit. With the rest of the "regular" chiropractor visits I didn't notice any improvement, in fact, I often felt worse.

 

That is normal for a certain amount of time, as your body gets used to being positioned correctly. Bodies grumble when they have to break bad habits. (Just like the rest of us :rolleyes:) When I started going regularly as an adult, I went twice a week for two weeks, and felt much better the first and second times. Then I went once a week for a few weeks, and felt worse as my body adjusted, then I started to slowly feel better. If your spine is in a really bad way, it might take longer to start feeling better again. Since then, I've been going fortnightly. I should be able to cut back once I'm no longer hauling toddlers around.

 

So, the problem could be you didn't go long enough to get through that transition period. Or the chiropractors you saw were crap. (Traction machine? What the heck?) Some discomfort in the beginning while your body adjusts is normal, but torture surely isn't. :mad:

 

Of course your issues may not be chiropractic, but if you ever consider trying that route again, don't let anyone touch you without having ordered new xrays. When I move, if I haven't been referred to someone by my previous chiro, I ask the receptionist about the process. One said "Oh, the chiropractor just knows what to do, your body tells him." Like magic, eh? :confused: The next place I tried, the girl said "He'll talk to you all about the process and if you're not comfortable with proceeding with the adjustment, you can walk right out without a cent." That was a good answer! My current chiro orders new xrays if previous taken are more than two years old, then does a talk and shows a short movie for all new patients.

 

Rosie

[lmrich]

I have always had headaches... just like you I can remember being a young child with a headache. My mother told me she has suffered from 2 maybe 3 headaches in her lifetime!!!!!! My dh has a headache maybe 2 times a year. I have them 2 - 7 times a week. I wish I knew why. The ONLY time I ever felt really healthy was when I was nursing.... can't really keep that up my whole life. So I tend to think it could be a hormonal imbalance.

SO I am all :bigear: and can't wait to hear what others say.

 

and in the meantime...maybe misery love company.

[heartosunshine]

I've suffered from migraines for as long as I can remember. They've been especially frequent the past few months, sometimes daily. My neuro seems to think that my many allergies bring on the migraines. I think the extreme heat this summer has also made them worse.

 

I've had the spots/white zigzags prior to migraines as well as dizziness. Also, I do get VERY tired the day before a migraine shows up whether I've had enough sleep or not. They just totally wipe me out, sometimes for days.

 

I also recommend seeing a neurologist again because there's new meds & different treatments that you could try. I may try the "massage" that a PP mentioned! :D

[cuckoomamma]

The first migraine I remember was when I was 6. They were always horrible. I'd miss days and days of school. By the time I was in middle school I was throwing up with the migraines and had them at least once a month. I'd lay down for 4 days at a time, barely eating because I'd throw up.

 

During college I was hospitalized numerous times and took part in a documentary about people who had almost no relief from taking meds. I took every type of preventative medication there was and took some really heavy meds for pain.

 

I tried removing different foods to find a trigger but was unsuccessful in finding any significant link. I frequently saw a link to changing weather (big storm) or hormonal shifts.

 

After our first dd was born, she had food allergies and I needed to remove her allergens from my diet because I was nursing. I didn't have a migraine for a year. This was after having a headache every day for so many years and probably two severe migraines a month.

 

The migraines stayed at a low frequency for quite awhile. As dd nursed less, I added in her allergens. The migraines began to increase in frequency. DD2 was born and had more allergens than dd1. I pulled all of them from my diet. Just like magic...no migraines.

 

I've had only a few migraines since dd2 was born 6 years ago. In every case I was eating an allergen beforehand. Yes, hormones or a storm can trigger a headache, but only if I've also eaten something I shouldn't have.

 

None of the doctors ever told me to pull EVERYTHING from my diet and to slowly add the foods back in. My life is like a dream. There is so much I missed out on because of migraines. I can't believe it all could have been as easy as just following a really restrictive diet. While it isn't easy, it's a piece of cake compared to living with migraines.

 

You may completely change your life with an elimination diet.

[kolamum]

How To Heal Your Headache. :D Good book.