The five-day migraine let up! I’d like to be celebrating by cleaning the bathroom, but am instead still idle, waiting for the migraine hangover to pass. I’m sluggish, vaguely headachey and spacey while my body sorts itself after the “extreme neurologic disruption” (I just love that phrase) of a migraine episode. Though the symptoms vary from person to person, anyone who has had a migraine know exactly what I’m talking about (as evidenced by the 120+ comments on an earlier post). What are your migraine hangover symptoms?
seeking joy in a life with chronic migraine, chronic daily headache and chronic illness
Hi Marie,
it is normal to have nausea with a migraine but should not last longer than the pain of the headache. I have had migraines for 60 years since a child and do not get nauseous anymore but as a child I had to vomit and felt relief afterwards. However it was always after aura was over and headache started. It’s not part of the hangover in my experience.
Hope you feel better soon, nothing worse than being nauseous.
Sharon
I had a bad migraine Friday and didn’t find relief until I vomited twice. Is it normal for my tummy to still be upset? Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question but I just recently began experiencing migraines.
Hi Marie, I’d check with your doctor. I don’t think that’s unheard of, but it’s not a migraine hangover symptom I hear much. You may have a virus that just happened to kick of with a migraine attack–it’s pretty common to have a migraine attack when you’re sick with something else.
Take care,
Kerrie
OH YES THANKYOU
I started havin these AURA Ocular Migraines, I thought it would last on e day a few minutes now it has been 6 weeks and i find every day don;t have clue when and what time it only lasts about 20 minutes, I lay down use a towel around my eyes, wait till the Aura dissipates, then I can go on my daily cleaning. shopping.etc. i am 82 in great health have a CATSCAN nothing showed,, seen an optometrist, Opthamologist, and nothing , lab test nothing serious showes. ThNow I am on Itamine Migraine is real mild, at first I didnot notice, always in the left eye. have tried Motrin, Tylenol extra strenth, excedrin for Migraines, Advil. nothing.
After 5 server migraines this month, last night it started with restles leges(normal for me.) then i went ot the bathroom and my left leg wold not work righr and draged, als my left hand and arm would not work right. It really scared me and even this morning I stll have a slight problem walking and motor skill weak.
Hi Tim, please check with your doctor. Any increase or change in migraine symptoms is worth a visit.
Take care,
Kerrie
One thing that has Super helped me is sleeping on an ice pack, I have a large one that is for the back from chiro. that wraps around my head. Relieves most of it every time.
I would so like to know: What exactly is going on with our brains to feel like a really, really bad hang over has taken over our lives ?? My brain feels like mush. It feels like it’s bleeding out in there, that any thought or movement is a vibration traveling through my bloodvessels. I’m so sick and tired of things stressing me out and making my body do this to me. I think I’m handling the stress, but really…..I guess I’m not (migraines !) Stress and migraines and the “migraine hangover” afterwards is DRAINING !! And if the ear is involved can’t something be done to the nerve connecting the balancing part of our brain ? This is really making me insane with numbing pain inside my brain !!
Hi Chris,
It sound like migraine to me, I had them since I was twelve I’m now 56! occasionally my noise sensitivity starts before a migraine also sensitivity to smells, the noise sensitivity shows up as what I can only describe as: for instance if there is a dripping tap, it sounds so much more high pitched and seems to ring through my ears also the slightest noise will make me jump, my migraines last for 72hrs and I feel washed out afterwards and sometimes get another migraine a day or so later, the only advise I can give you is: try not to get too stressed as in my experience stress and anxiety cause migraine, as you don’t then get enough sleep and then tend to eat rubbish food also for me I have to keep hydrated I cannot drink to much alcohol or eat too much chocolate and I’ve also found the atificial sugar they put in fizzy drinks, sugar free gum etc causes migraine, although you may have your own triggers that set them off. You will find the sensitivity to sounds goes away after a week or so, so try not to worry too much as this May cause another episode.
Good luck and I hope your feeling ok soon
Hi,
Just looking for a bit of information from you migrainers about migraine sound sensitivity and what its like?
Last week or so iv let myself get too stressed out, anxious over a huge list of things. Had actually booked an ENT appointment for today as i noticed tinnitus and a sound sensitivity. Anyway, Sunday afternoon i developed a blazing headache. Very unusual for me, despite pills it got worse and worse over night, stil there the next day. Last night i was feeling shivery and sick, today totally wiped out. I think iv got myself in such a state iv brought on this migraine.
ENT said it soumded like a migraine – my first one! Which brings me to the question, what is your sound sensitivity like? Im having issues with certain sounds. It doesnt fighten me or sound loud but i get what feels like a sound wave/pulse through my ears. Its not sore, its just this wave and happens with the sound. Same one as if im yawning/straining my jaws if that makes any sense? Its hard to explain. Dont think ENT understood.
This noise sensitivity defo started late last week long before the headache. Im trying to work out if its all connected and hopefully going to ease off/get better. This sensivity is worse than dealing with the headache or T, as iv got two young kids, so im a bit anxious that it is something which is going to affect me.
thanks everyone for sharing your stories.
my migraines are debilitating, last month i lost 15 of 30 days to excruciating migraines and those disconcerting recoveriy days.
mine come on with no warning on the right side of my head, and within 5 minutes, irregardless of taking my tryptan, i lose all sight, my head feels like mt. vesuvius is exploding inside it, i get projectile vomiting and naseua and am generally under the covers because of extreme light and sound sensitivity. i’m also so fragile i cannot bear to be in bed w my husband. poor thing, he’s relegated to the guest room for my average 5 day wish i could die episodes.
if i go to the er they can disappear within a couple hours if i’m given 5 mg of toradol, 15 of tylenol, and a compazine boost. but i’ve been in so often they will no longer treat me at my local kaiser er. go figure.
i recently saw a migraine specialist who did trigger points in my neck and shoulders and an ocipital nerve block. It sure helped with the muscle spasms in my neck and shoulders, but two days later woke up with a blinding migraine accompanied by severe muscle weakness and my usual debilitating symptoms.
what is really bad for me is that i just sleep or toss and turn trying to avoid all stimulation for the first 4 days. i have found the only thing that helps is to take 10 mg of cannibus in edible form about every 4-6 hours. this, accompanied with my meds does generally allow me rest uninterrupted for 5-6 hours at a time.
lately i’ve been waking up with them, which is frightening for me as i have sleep issues and adding this nightmare to that makes me afraid to go to sleep fearing i’llwake up to excruciating pain.
i’ve kept a diary, cut out all triggering foods, quit work altogether, and have tried every remedy anyone has mentioned, to no avail.
i’m usually an energizer bunny, but like today, the hangover is completely draining. i am nauseous, hungry, have a shadow headache, feel like i’m not strong enough to even walk to the bathroom.
i’m about at the end of my rope dealing with these. i feel my vivacious life has been stolen from me and i’m powerless over my day to day activities, being shut off from my world for literally a week at a time.
and what’s even more trying is no one in my life understands the severity and level of pain and discomfort i experience with each of these.
it’s somehow helpful to read others experience similar symptoms tho at the same time i’m so sad to learn this is a crisis in so many lives, and none of us seem to have found concrete solutions.
one problem i have is not eating or drinking during the first four days of an episode. this only plays into the extended recovery period i know. recently i lost 6 pounds during a 5 day episode, and that’s getting more common, sadly. it makes recovery even that much more complicated.
i too find using an anti-anxiety medication, and muscle relaxants, when i can keep them down helps my body relax, and sometimes can bring a bit of relief.
i so appreciate everyone sharing their stories. it helps normalize what ive felt so lost and alone in.
thanks for having this forum to share our experiences. it really is helpful.
now, during the holidays especially, i wish all good health and happiness.
thank you for allowing me to share my experience
rochelle
Hi all,
I have been getting migraines since I was 12 I’m now 56 and when I do get them they usually last 48 to 72 hours and I feel awful! Does anyone occasionally get one that last 7/8 days? I’ve just got over a 7 day migraine and I now feel awful with a post hazy head, feeling sick and ache all over with the out of body feeling you all seem to describe, I seem to have so many triggers and have just found that chewing low sugar gum is a new trigger!?! I’m thinking of asking my GP for beta blockers as he seem to think they work although I don’t really want to take them but I really can’t handle the pain anymore as nothing even takes the edge off. Maria
This morning I am thinking of all of you and wondering if you have ever had a migraine and the next day woke up with flu? Yesterday I had a migraine which was not a bad one but during the night I developed a cough and this morning have laryngitis. My head is so sore and I am afraid to say I feel very sorry for myself! I’ve only had this once before many years ago and it’s awful. I am not going to the doctor, I feel too ill to drive there, but if I am not better tomorrow I will go. The headache with the flu is scary. Sharon
Glad to hear you are feeling better Fabian and that it was the migraine and nothing more sinister. Good luck and hope you do not have such a bad headache again. Sharon
So sorry folks! I would see a specialist if the double vision happens again. Better to be sure because migraine should not cause double vision. To the person who’s boss complained tell him to look up disabilities! Migraine is classed as one now and so it should.
Personally I found in my lifetime it was harder to handle people not understanding than the actual attack!
Stay calm, try to stress less, don’t miss meals and drink enough water.
After aura stops have a hot cup of decaf tea with your pain tablet and sleep for at least two hours if you can. I’ve lived with them for 60 years started at 11 and now I’m 71. Thought they would go by now but realize I must just accept them and try to not feel too sorry for myself. Hard not to though. Good luck everyone. Sharon
Thanks Sharon. Just to let everyone know that I now saw a neurologist a few times and had a MRI brain scan done, which was absolutely fine. My doublevision also got better after about two weeks. All doctors I saw told me that they are pretty sure that those came from my very strong migraine I had a few days before I got the disturbed vision. I justed wanted to share my experience here in case someone else have it. Still you have to follow up with your doctor as double vision could also be a sign of something worse. The worst time for me was the time between the MRI and until I got the results, while still having my symptoms. You imagine all the bad stuff you could have until you get your results and then start to relax. Hope that helps. Thanks Fabian.
I used to feel out of it and really spacey but I’ve been getting these strong violent (in my head) migraines this week and I’ve had to work 8 hours every of those days. By the time I come home I sit on the couch and sleep for five hours 🙁 it’s the only thing I want. I hate it!
Hi all. My migraine usually starts with an aura, then loosing vision or at least can’t focus. When I reach that stage I just wait for the colourful triangles and zig zag line to appear which then wanders until my vision comes slowly back. After that I have headaches and just a very dull head. It takes me then often 2 ton3 days to get back to normal. I had a really strong migraine attack about 2 weeks ago whilst Bering our with my wife and my kids. Had the usual recovery, except that I got a week after suddenly some kind if double vision on both eyes together with dull headaches and everything seems to be a bit slow. I have it now for about four days, with headaches and dullness on and off. Have already been to ER and my GP and both saying looks like another migraine to them. Just wondering as I never had those symptoms, at least not the vision part. Any similar experiences? I am already off work for 4 days now and hope things improve soon… all the best
I’m just getting over a migraine. I’ve been sleeping most of the day. My migraines are usually hormonally triggered. They usually last at least a week. I always know they are coming because I get the smell and vision aura, heightened hearing, irritable, weakness, loss of words, lack of concentration. It’s just terrible. I’m nearly 45. I can’t wait for my periods to end. I was working at targe! (Yes, I wrote it that way on purpose). I had a major migraine. I called out a few days, I had two days off, I went to urgent care, got treatment and a note, but they still punished me. My boss said “you call out a week straight,…I give you 11 hours” meaning she gave me 12 hours to work for the whole week. And no, I didn’t call out a week straight. I’m really not sure how people have a real career with these damn things?! I’m so frustrated.
I have suffered off and on with migraines since I was 22. I triggered the first one when I decided to try birth control pills. I have had years of not having any headaches, back to now having them twice a month. I have never found a medication that prevents them. I am now 71 years young. I am retired from my career in education after 42 yrs. my recent headaches are triggered by the med that I take for hypertension which, ironically, is taken by some as a preventative of migraine. Norvasc makes me tired and if I sit still I will doze. Disrupted sleep is the biggest trigger for me—no naps. I have always been up and moving but fatigue caused by this med has caused a complete shift I my life including the return of migraines that suck the life out of me. I am totally washed out right now as I try to recover from a headache that happened this morning. I don’t wish this on anyone! And apparently, my new workout regime is causing fatigue— which makes me fall asleep—which triggers a migraine. I just started yoga 2 weeks ago to see if it helps. I’m happy to know that I am not the only person suffering like this! I have every condition mentioned: ringing ears, tight shoulders and neck, sinus issues, runny eyes, dizziness, loss of equilibrium, fuzzy thinking,etc. I cannot eat yellow cheese or any seafood of any kind. No bright flashing lights. No strong smells.
I am reading this, and thinking of my daughter who is experiencing an episode like no other she has had. It was intense enough (and then the brain fog) for her to be hospitalized for testing. It’s been 6 days of torture. Nothing seems to work. They have done CAT, MRI, EKG, EEG and now a spinal tap.
I’m so glad I came across this group! It sure helps to know that I’m not the only one who goes through these terrible bouts of migraines. I live in Wisconsin for which I love my state… 4 seasons and all but suffer a lot for living here. That being said Barometric pressure is a all time low today 29.24! I fell like I’m 10 leagues under water! Vertigo with the migraine is my favorite!!! NOT! Ok thanks to all of you
I feel for all of you. People without migraine dont understand and are quick to dismiss the horrible disease. Im 22 now and have had them since 15. Been to hospitals and have done every test available.
1. No trigger.
2 aura which always freak me out. Tingling fingers. Slowly losing the grasp of my native language (swedish) and soon after a troublesome time constructing a coherent sentence. Just a bad feeling all over my body and Cant see shit!!!!
2.After 25-30 minutes the godawful pain unlike anything in my life. Suicide thoughts, Daydreaming on getting a hold on a drug dealer and the asking them “whats the strongest most iligal thing you have”, Thinking “this probably isent the last time im getting a migraine” “why is my body doing this to me” etc etc.
3.. 4-6 hours later pain start to go down. Puking everything out (feels good) Start to smile worse is over and i start to feel cold and tired.
4. Sleep! The sleep is so wonderfully deep and almost like a euphoric high.
5. Post migraine. Stressing about it coming back, Nervous whenever something pops up in my vision. Feels like my brain is loose inside my head made very clear if i sneeze.
Side note: Who else have bought new migraine medicine and tried reading the label to determine dosage whilst having aura. So you move the bottle around for optimal viewing angle. NEVER WORKS
Hello every one , i suffer migraines 1 a month for 20 years after my second child before that it was just the zig zag in my eyes …I have intence pain behind my right eye slured speech feeling sick until i throw up they Used to last 3 days ..But now last 2hrs with bad pain nausea and slight dizzyness as soon as i feel an attack coming on i take 1 imigran which the Dr prescribed me 10 years ago .. Depending when i catch the migraine and take the tablet it takes 2 hrs to go off if not i have it for 3 days …The after feelings are like most of you feeling drained slight headache and achy and feeling down this passes by 3rd day feeling back to myself …In my case it’s hormonal and either before
a period or with or after …So i cant get away from them until my periods stop and hopefully then I’ll have an end to all those years of of pain …Best way i deal with them is to try and find a tablet that helps take it go to bed and use a cold cloth or ice in a cloth plenty of fluids and rest in a dark room and take it slow untill you recover …Hope you all find a relief to your migraines no one should feel guilty as no one knows the pain untill you go though it your self ….Good luck all hope this help s some of you ….All the best
I am lying here with a migraine hangover and decided to google and look at migraine problems. I haven’t looked for years because usually there is little new advice. I wanted to say to all you young people out there that you have to remain strong and accept your migraines. I have had migraines with aura and all the symptoms like numbness, nausea etc since eleven years old and still get them at seventy! It was a rough road in my early years because growing up in the fifties and sixties people did not understand migraines as they do today. I was treated for sinus. I missed school and later stayed off work because of this terrible infliction, and nobody really seemed to understand what it was. I began to get anxiety attacks more because of what people thought of me than being afraid of the migraine attacks!
The best advice is Michelle’s. Just take it easy for a few days after the migraine, be kind to yourselves. Over all these years I have tried everything, cutting out certain foods, never drank, never smoked and never used hormone supplements. I went through menopause without taking anything. So as far as I am concerned it is something wrong with our systems. The body maybe builds up too much fluid for whatever reason. As we all know it’s not life threatening I am proof of that. Besides my migraines and the related vertigo I started with in my forties, I am healthy. With regards to anxiety, it’s a vicious circle, migraine causes anxiety, anxiety triggers migraine. There are lots of triggers but they are not the cause. In my experience Taking Inderal 10mg a day helps to lessen the pain but won’t stop one getting an attack. These days I get blocked ears,dizziness, tinnitus and also suffer from benign positional vertigo. The doctors at first said it was an inner ear problem but lately the specialists say it’s connected to the migraines. To me it all points to fluid build up. Sinus, colds, allergy. All in the head and eventually culminating in a migraine.
I hope for all of you that your migraines will disappear long before you reach my age. Be strong. All the best.
I not only get migraines but have chronic daily headaches as well. I have found a couple things that have dramatically reduced both. Daily I take about 400mg of B2 and 400mg of Magnesium prescribed by my doc. These two things alone have really helped with how often I get headaches and don’t have any side effects from the supplements like I do from Rx drugs. (which I have tried many with no success!)
Had a nasty migraine this weekend due to the changes in the weather… on day two it was getting worse and not even Imitrex would touch it. Took some Dramamine just so I could move without getting sick. Worked within an hour so that I could at least eat breakfast. Remembered hearing something about the IV cocktail they give patients in the ER, they use magnesium and benedryl as part of it. So decided on a hot bath with some Epsom Salts (which is magnesium sulfate), low and behold within an hour the pain of the migraine lifted.
Thought I would share in case someone else stumbled through here looking for some help.
I’m so sorry all of you go through things like this. I’ve had severe headaches since my teens, but nothing I would classify as a migraine until last night. I’d had a left temple and eye throbbing headache all day at work and by the time I got home, it really hit. My eye started to stream tears and pulse so painfully. I looked in the mirror and was surprised to see a swollen eye with the white so blood shot. It lasted an hour like that and then started to fade to a manageable throbbing. The next morning, my eye still feels off and I have a dull achy headache. Oh, and I was so tired today I only managed a few household chores and dinner in between bouts of napping. I guess What I’m looking for is someone to tell me this is normal? And it’ll go away so that I might feel like myself again tomorrow?
Hi Debbie, while I can’t give you medical advice, what you describe sounds mostly like what people with migraine describe. Tearing of one eye is unusual for migraine, though it’s a common symptom for another type of headache disorder called cluster headache. I recommend seeing a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options. Both are treatable–so that you won’t have to lose more days like this–but really need a doctor’s input. In any case, hangover symptoms tend to resolve pretty quickly.
Take care,
Kerrie
Thank you so much for sharing, I don’t feel so alone in this after reading your comments. The migraine hangover is a real thing and only people who’ve had one can truly understand but this site is a great way for family members to start to understand.
I too get fatigue, dull headaches for sometimes days and fine it hard to wanna eat. I’ve gone years without them but they’re now coming back since I’ve started a contraceptive.
All the best to everyone.
I can’t beleive I haven’t seen this sooner. Have had migraines since puberty and barometric pressure changes and some foods (nuts/cheeses/wine) bring them on too. Entering menopause now and the migraine beast has reared it’s ugly head like never before and thrown in vertigo just cause it can. I’ll go two or three months without anything then 4-6 weeks of migraines/headaches and feeling that hangover feeling day after day after day. New twist for me is the sensation after of having a sort of lingering spasm in the right rear portion of my skull for several days along with really intense neck pain. Started going to chiropractor recently and that helps for a few days and then it starts again. Going to neurologist today to talk about starting Topomax. Anyone have experience taking it?
Hi Dee , I started my migraines in my 30’s with aura/migraine and they sort of went into remission until a couple of years ago I am now 46 and believe I am perimenopausal and they are coming all the time it seems so I do believe horomones are def playing a role some how
Hi….I am a year out from menopause and I also have had many severe vertigo episodes, migraines with a debilitating HANGOVER I had NEVER experienced before. I went to a neurologist while in a hangover and felt like I was laughed at and pushed along. I couldn’t speak right and had to really try hard to get my words out correctly. Now that I think of it how sad that the “professionals” would act like that. My Bucket List is to find out the reasons for our migraines and symptoms. I think mine have a lot to do with sinuses and hormones. I’m going to figure this out !!! I’m hoping that whilst we work that it can be a disability that will protect us from losing our jobs. We can’t afford for people to use this as an excuse either or it will fail for us that so desperately need the help. It wipes me out, sometimes for many days. I always use up my vacation time on migraines / :<
I find that if you have a headache for about a week then later you get a migraine last night was my first night getting a migraine and I could hardly take the Advil and Tylenol without wanting to throw them up it was hard and try having a migraine with Tourette’s
I have had migraines since I was young ( 13). I just found this site and all my migraines are in my right eye and have no sight. They last from 1 -3 days. Just coming out of one today after starting on Sat morning. But the after affects of weakness and tiredness are very real. Today I am so very weak and tired. And eating is very slow so as not to get nausea & vomiting. I find torydol works on my migraines and Gatorade & boost or ensure to give you back your strength.
Jojo,
Hope you are feeling better. That was the worst part of working, feeling ashamed when I got too sick to work. If you can’t go, you can’t go. I always reminded myself that I (and my headaches) would soon be forgotten at the job if I quit 🙂 You need to take care of you. Some places will give you coverage with no questions asked if you show proof ahead of time with a doctor’s statement.
Good luck!
Hi is anyone still commenting. I took a migraine yesterday at work had to go home off today. In the past i have had migraine attacks return and i sont know if i should try and go in late or rest and go in tomorrow. I worry so much as my colleagues dont get migraines and my boss must be fed up with me.
Although I’m sad so many of us have this problem it makes me feel so much better. I have been suffering for 8 years and have tried chiropractor physical therapy neurologists pain clinics and I will get relief for a few days then back to the pain. Mine start in the back right part of my neck connecting to my head then it goes to my right eye. I have had issues with vertigo after my first child 14 years ago. But now seems to be strong after I have had a migraine. Also like many of you I am exhausted for days then bam another migraine. I also get them 2 weeks into my cycle and when my period comes. I’ve told all drs and they say it’s not correlated. I totally think it is!!!!
Rebecca, migraine is strongly correlated to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Here’s some information on it: https://www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/types-of-migraine/menstrual-migraine/. If your doctors are unable to help, a headache specialist is probably your best bet. The top section of this page has links to finding headache specialists: http://www.thedailyheadache.com/resources. Best wishes finding relief.
Take care,
Kerrie
I had my first migraine about 35 years ago, I took some vicodin and was over it.
My second one was a week ago. It hit me in the middle of the night, and continued through to the next mornrning. When I got out of bed and was sitting up the pain diminished, but I had the issue of not being able to say the correct words all the time, I again took a couple of vicadin and the pain went away except for a minor pain over my brow. It has been a week but the minor pain is still present. My energy level is down and I feel much more tired than usual. I am very glad to hear that these lingering symptoms are not unusual.
Hi Phil, I recommend following up with your doctor. While it’s not unheard of, it is unusual to go 35 years between migraine attacks. It would be go to make sure it’s actually migraine and not a different medical condition that looks like migraine.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hello fellow migrainers
I started with aura migraines in my 30’s , seemed it may of been weather related also msg from mr noodles lol . I also had unexplained off balance feeling at times , congested head which my doctor thought was allergies. He did a CT scan and results were normal. Other symptoms I had were lot’s of eye floaters , headaches without the aura and chronic pain in my neck. I went on a diet and started exercising and noticed that my aura’s disappeared but would get headaches but I am not sure if they were migraines or not , everything else like the floaters etc would come and go. Only thing I eliminated was mr noodles. But after stopping exercising gradually a few years later I started back with the aura which I find makes my anxiety through the roof at times i have full blown panic attacks because of them not the headache that follows though has me unnerved like the aura. I can take tylenol and lay down and the headache will diminish anywhere from a couple hours to 1 day and I can have the typical brain fog like others here tons of floaters either before or after an attack and sore neck. I had an aura 4 tines back to back one day with no headache that sent me to er and they checked me out , had another CT scan and again all way normal. Also had a vision test normal. I had gotten the aura with migraine from every 2 weeks to every couple of months until this week I have had them once a day then skip a day and realize now I have a head cold..plugged up sinuses sore throat. Is it possible that the cold may of been triggering the aura? Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am currently depressed and anxiety through the roof.
Thanks Carrie
Greetings my good people. I have suffered for 20 years. Usually they are menstrual. After the stabbing pain ends i feel lethargic and lightheaded. Sometimes my post can last 2 str8 weeks before I feel normal. Has anyone experienced this?
I hope I am not repeating someone else here. I think one of our biggest reasons for feeling “zoned-out” and tired afterwards is this: We just had 2 days of severe pain, we’ve been lying down all that time, not walking, not eating or drinking, and vomiting. We are mal-nourished and dehydrated and exhausted from the whole ordeal. I try to keep Gatorade on hand, and sips of this during and after a migraine replace lost sodium, potassium, etc. The extra fluid may alleviate a post-headache and help with energy. Be kind to yourselves. You are not alone.
Hi all . I also just found this website.
I have also suffered with migraines since a teenager. Both pain and auras. But about 2 weeks ago lieing on my bed typing on my phone my right arm went completely lame. I started to shout to my 18 year old daughter (Robyn). She eventually came upstairs looking very confused and asked why I was calling Sean (my brother). I said no I wasn’t but told her my arm went completely lame and then suddenly I could not talk. In my mind I knew what I wanted to say but what came out of my mouth was total garbage.
She rushed me to hospital. Their first throught was that I had had a stroke but as I am only 45 it was a bit strange. Long story short after CT scandal, MRI and lots of other scans and other tests they ruled out a stroke the nuro surgeon diagnosed it as a migraine aura episode. As I was seeing the auras while I was in the emergency room. Thank God that within an hour my speech and feeling came back but then my arm went slightly lame again. So they kept in in ICU for 7 days. They have put me on Epilepsy tabs along with some other tabs. Since I have been out I have not had one headache. I used to practically have one everyday. But I do have a little anxiety which I have tabs for. But I’m not sure if I’m tired from the trauma or from the tabs.
I had a migraine yesterday and even through the night… It left me this morning after loading up on pain killers. I got really really hungry two hrs after it left me. I feel at peace now that it’s gone like I could relax today. (Too bad I can’t relax all day.) lol ” But it feels almost like a dull headache as if my brain is bruised and needs to heal. And super sleepy… I think I napped for four hrs straight… And I could keep sleeping!!!
I found this site and you all have been so helpful! My 12 year old daughter is the one suffering. She’s being treated for migraines but what I didn’t give much thought to was the recovery period. We went to ER last night and she was given 4 medicines through IV to help break the migraine cycle. She is having some symptoms I’ve never experienced. Then again I’ve never had an intense migraine lasting 5 days either with vomiting and nausea. She mentioning some chest discomfort. Like a feeling of not being able to breathe good. I can account for other aches and pains but not her chest so much. Maybe from vomiting??? Any thoughts from anyone?
Cherri, please check in with her doctor. I haven’t heard of chest discomfort as a migraine hangover symptom. It could be related to the migraine attack, but could be connected to the medication. Depending on the medications she’s taking, she could be experiencing serotonin syndrome (http://www.migrainesurvival.com/serotonin-syndrome-basics?f=sb). It could also be completely unrelated to her migraine attack. I’m not trying to scare you–just thinking better safe than sorry.
Take care,
Kerrie
Just experienced my first (and please, let it be so, last) migraine. It lasted 4 days and included all of the above including two visits to the ER.
What I am now experiencing is the post-migraine symptoms. The most prevalent one, and one I don’t seem to read much about, is a shaky feeling. I’ve not regained my appetite, and food doesn’t taste good yet. But, I feel like you sometimes do if you go too long without eating. Sort of shaky, low blood sugar feeling. I have been trying to eat small regular, healthy meals. I really just want to lay down and sleep it off. Is this normal? Thanks!
Hi Helene, that is a post-migraine symptom that many people describe. I recommend scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician to have medication on hand in case you have another migraine attack. You can talk to him or her about your migraine hangover symptoms, too.
Take care,
Kerrie
this is just the pits. I’ve been suffering with what my neurologist diagnosed as “chronic migraine syndrome” a few years ago. When it first started happening, I thought it was a brain tumor. I would get disoriented, unable to process information normally and have a hard time communicating with people. It affected my hand eye coordination and left me in an indescribable place of panic and ensuing depression. I’ve been on medication which has done a great job of keeping it at bay for the last two years but I’ve been stuck in an episode for going on two weeks now. The severe symptoms have started to fade but now I’m stuck in this weirdness that I can’t even identify. Is it aftershocks? depression? Am I going through something else entirely? One of the worst parts is that whenever this happens, it always feels so unfamiliar and it’s as if I’ve been this way my entire life. Going back to the Neuro next week but could really use some support and experience. Thanks!
My head hurts in that same area, too. And sneezing and coughing make me feel like my head will blow up. The post drone is its own special kind of hell – groggy, foggy, and out of it.
Diane,
I also homeschool my children. I feel your stress :- you’re amazing for managing so much.
I forgot to add in my early comment that for whatever reason I sneeze a lot during my post drone. It happens every time. I feel no head pain until the sneezes remind me that silently my brain is still recovering. My head will hurt in the exact area my migraine was at. Does anyone else get this?
I’ll sleep an normal amount of time and still not get up till at least 12 hours later. As a matter of fact.. I am an isomniac and never get to bed early but during the night of recovery I’ll hit the sack early and still… 12 hours of sleep have to pass in order for me to wake up and still feel like I can’t move (no pain just exhaustion). And they say changing sleep schedules can cause migraine. Like many of my migraine brothers and sisters, I’m sure I’m just trying to use otc pain meds, caffeine, sleep etc in the right doses while not exacerbating or cauaing another f*ing migraine. :/ excuse the language.
Had a migraine for 4 days. Now 2 days later I’m still sore and achy. My upper legs and back. I’m so miserable.
Diane,
I also started getting migraines at a very young age. I am 33 now and the migraines have got worse. I have felt foggy and had the lingering migraine for over two weeks before. I get so confused sometimes and i feel that my family does not understand what i am dealing with. I also deal with a lot of stress. I am a property manager/maintenance. I have three children that i manage to homeschool. Some days are so hard.
I’ve had migraines since I was 5 years old (I’m now 63). I had one last week that presented differently than usual. I didn’t have an aura, but I had speech difficulty which I also usually experience, but this was slightly different. I called the doctor on call, and he told me to call an ambulance. I had an MRI, CAT scans, an EEG and an echocardiogram. This all resulted in confirmation of migraine. But his postdrome has lasted a week. I still feel foggy and have had a lingering headache. Has anyone experience fogginess this long after a migraine – like intermittent struggling to find a word, or a name. I have been under a ton of stress at work and having been keeping as hydrated as I should. But fogginess this long? Anyone else?
So happy you guys are here have been so worried. So I’ve had migraines for about the last year and always kind of managed them but on Monday I had one so bad I was taken in an ambulance because they thought I’d had a stroke! I couldn’t see anything my left side and throat was numb and I couldn’t get my words out because I was do disoriented and couldn’t remember what I was trying to say!! After two days of headaches dizzy spells going hot and cold and constant vomiting (I couldn’t keep water down for 48 hours until I started having it in ice cube form) I’m finally starting to pick up!!! But I’m still soooo dizzy and struggling to focus on things. Also my depth perception is completely out of whack!!! If anyone has any advice to get me through this bit it would be appreciated feel like I’ve done the hard bit now just need an extra push!!!!!
Thanks
Tarny, please see your regular doctor when you’re able. The numbness and dizzy spells indicate you could have a variant of migraine. There’s no cause for alarm, but your symptoms could indicate that certain treatments are more effective for you than others. I hope your hangover passes quickly.
Take care,
Kerrie
Experience the sluggish body aches clumsiness and I think someone describe the experience but my migraines usually start in the eye. my eye is so sore that I can’t really hardly open it and it does have swelling under it not that the other is not all foggy I hear water or Gatorade is best especially if you have consecutive bouts of vomiting during it i try my best to take water due to the fact that I vomit several times during migraine. But I have found that if I drink a glass of Coke or two that it helps ease pounding over my eyes/ head (right side majority of the time) and I have read that caffeine can contribute or or help. I mean Excedrin Migraine the main ingredient different from any other over the counter is the fact that it has caffeine in it. I continue to lie in the bed blinds drawn so the room continues too stay dark as possible , aN A heating pad on different parts of my body during the day to relieve delayed pain along with a fan to break up the periodic break outs of sweats and then cold. I do take over-the-counter ibuprofen not Excedrin. I’m just returning from a two-day one.
Hi, I suffered from a migraine yesterday with vomiting. Tried all sorts of meds but all would just come up as it hit my stomach. Finally I decided to force drink a cup of hot bovril and a half slice of toast without butter so I could try take a ibrufen to see if this would do the trick. Thankfully it took hours, but today I am groggy, sore to the touch, especially my head and I always feel as if there is some gland like lumps all over my head that are so tender. It is also painful when I make sudden movements as if my brain is being shaken and hitting the side walls of the scull. I normally feel that I get migraines when eating anything sweet, especially chocolate at night. Is this possible or just coincidence?
I must say I was relieved to discover this website as I thought it a problem that I suffer from the hangover bit after a migraine.
Would appreciate any feedback.
thanks
Heleen
Where do I start? Meningitis as a baby, resulting hearing loss and Tinnitus my whole life. I am now 43. Some say Menier’s some say Migrainous Vertigo. I have been dealing with all of this PLUS migraines since the end of Jan. Does anybody have Occipital pain that either causes a migraine or is caused by a migraine? Hard to tell sometimes which is which. I had a migraine yesterday and took my Sumatripan and 2 aleve. It helped and the migraine went away. Woke up in the wee hrs with severe ringing in both ears. Normally it’s just my better hearing ear, but lately, sometimes they both ring or whir. I finally went back to sleep and woke up with a headache. Now I’m trying to decide if I should take Excedrin Migraine or the sumatriptian even though I am out of aleve and my back up person is on her way out of state. No way I can make it anywhere. Is it a rebound or a real migraine? How do you guys tell?? It’s pretty concentratedarn in my actual eyeball and not around the orbit. I think I’m going with sumatripan just in case. Blech!!! What’s beyond the Seventh Circle of Hell?? Because that’s where I am. Blech!!!
Thank god found this…my teenage daughter had 1st migraine….lasted all in 5 days now she is exhausted..great page for advice and hear others.
Dealing with the after effects of a migraine today. Besides the fatigue, my brain feels like its wrapped in wool, all fuzzy. My right eye is blurry (usually a sure sign I will have, am in or getting over a migraine), I’m cranky, head-achy and my reading retention skills seem to have deserted me. I’m moving much slower than I like to and would really like to face plant my keyboard. Thank God for coffee!
I just finished a grueling 5 and a half day migraine myself. I am now in the migraine hangover and feel very fatigued, my head feels kind of heavy, my neck is sore and I feel slightly nauseous/ kind of like I have to burp. Also it feels like there is almost an extremely slight very distant ache every so often (not nearly as bad as before though and almost unnoticeable). I’d say it’s feeling very similar to an alcoholic hangover minus the pounding headache which is finally absent. I was on a vacation so I missed out on a lot or was in heaps of pain throughout the activitied I forced myself to do but today is strictly for resting so I don’t bring on another one or make it return! So I am currently lying in the dark and am trying to get up for about the rest of the day and also trying to limit mobile phone use and only use it on the lowest brightness just to be safe.
I’m just recovering from the worst migrane it started on Thursday and it’s just starting to ease today Sunday.
I’ve had for the last 5 yrs mine is a mixture from my neck and the rest the nuro couldn’t say.
I’ve used paracetamol /metoclopramide but only work for a short time they seem to mask it not get rid of completely I’ve also been given Imigrane but found I’d need to take more so I only take them if I really have to.
This is a horrible condition and I’ve missed loads of days of work because of my migrane I’m in constant worry I’ll lose my job and people don’t understand unless they have experience it them selfs.
I’m so glad I found this site as it’s a comfort to know I’m not alone.
I suffer from migraines at last once a month. I use Excedrin and it usually helps within an hour but makes me feel all jittery. I’ll take that over the migraine though. I also suffer from the after “postdrome” and agree with many that I feel as if I were drugged, confused, extremely fatigued. I have no idea what brings in my migraines but have been suffering with them since I had my first pregnancy in 2008. Reading these comments makes me feel a little better that I’m not the only one who gets this feeling after a migraine.
I just recently found this page, after having a migraine for five days, might add, have had them for over 40 yrs. with most of the symptoms mentioned in these blogs at one point or another over the years. The reason I found this today was searching to find out why my head is still so sore and tender after the migraine has been gone 5 days. Thanks to all of you I found out some have the same thing. I feel better knowing I am not alone. My head was so sore I could not even touch my hair it hurt that bad, and still if I shake my head the tenderness is still there. These started when I was in my late teens and I am now almost 60. They have lessened in severity over the years, but every once in awhile I will still get a really bad one like 5 days ago. And the confusion and tiredness and not finding the words to talk is terrible. Also, now I get different symptoms, pain in Jaw, arm,back all on the same side as the migraine. Glad to know I am not alone.God bless you all and keep the faith.
All these comments make me feel so much better about “being lazy” today. I’m dealing with my migraine hangover after a 3 day migraine. I feel sluggish, weak, out of breath, slight headache and a bit nauseous which is how I usually feel after one. I’ve dealt with this for 9 yrs and I take fioricet for them but that hardly worked so laying down with a wet towel on my head in a cool dark room and trying to sleep is what got me through. When I experience the hangover part I always feel as if I’m just feeling sorry for myself or I should be up doing something since I’ve been in bed for days. Usually when I push myself it just triggers another one so I’ve been taking it easy. Luckily I have a supportive bf who doesn’t think I’m just full of it but sometimes I wonder if he’ll ever get tired of me always being sick. Thanks everyone for making me feel like I’m not alone and it’s not all “just in my head” as some people think.
After a bad migraine I ha e had and still have severe muscles aches everywhere back shoulder everywhere it’s day 5 of aches headache gone tho any one else had this total can’t do anything due to aches all over
When I go through my migraines they start off small, with just a short throb on a side of my head, and I try to keep going with my day. But a few hours after that first throb I must go lay down in a dark room and hope for sleep. I fall asleep and then a few hours later I wake up to an intense pain and must throw up. After I get sick I am completely drained of all energy, but it usually lessens the pain enough for me to fall back to sleep. The next day when I wake up I am very sliggish, and I can feel that if I do anything to strenuous or fast my migraine will come back right away. I also feel if my Ecole face and head are bruised and it is very hard for me to move or look at a screen for an extended amount of time. I have missed school and work for migraines and the day after recovery. I have tried multiple migraine aborter medicines and so far they work the first time I take them then cease to work from then on. The only thing that dents the migrane is darkness and a hot shower. Even then, they don’t always work.
Thanks for sharing
I have suffered severe pain usually on one side with pain behind the eye for hours some time a few days
This pain in its severity fills like hot rolling stickers with a throbbing pain every second. Pressure and ice is how I combat the pain. Excedrine extra strength helps on the easy headache. So far nothing works so I end up going for shots of Demerol that times relieve it enough to rest. 25 yrs later they are more often. Had all the test , nothing abnormal. Wish I knew!
I wasn’t aware of the postdrome phase of the migraine before. Had killer migraine in the afternoon at work on Thursday and yesterday and today I’ve been feeling drained, foggy headed and still with a lingering headache. My brain just feels out of it, clouded and my body feels like glove with the hand pulled out of it.
I’m 32 years old and just had my 1st migraine attack. Sunday morning I woke up with a slight headache and a very sorry spot on the back of my head as if I had bumped it on something. It was so sore I couldn’t brush my hair. Later on in the day I felt light headed and kinda out of it. The next day I had a headache and was tired,by day 3 the migraine was full on and I was so nauseous and felt as if I was on my death bed.I took some ibuprofen and slept for
Four or five hours and I woke up feeling a little better. Today day 4 I feel very achy and tired,I can’t wait to feel normal again!
Migraines are not new to me, I started getting them in my mid to late teens. Anyway, I’m 22 now and had a migraine last night. Blurred vision, spreading numbness and the brain splitting headache you get on side of your head above your eye. Now usually after I nurse the migraine for most of the day before, I’m back in action by the time the sun rises. So I get up today to cook breakfast for my mom and I while she’s at church. First it was just the mild left over of a headache, then my body felt weird and I felt dizzy. Like I could move my limbs to cook but I felt like I wasn’t apart of my own body. It was as if a puppet master was controlling my arms and legs. I finished cook and tried to see what was going on with me. I was worried that this would effect me during my final and work. So glad I’m not alone and know I just need to rest from this “migraine hangout”.
Happy Mother’s!
Jamila, it’s good to see a doctor whenever you have a change in migraine symptoms (even in migraine hangover symptoms). Just to be sure migraine really is the culprit and you don’t have anything else going on.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hi all. After sufferring for about 13 years with migraines I finally decided to find out if the next day body aches are normal. If I wake in the night with a pain in the neck it’s usually a migraine. Symptoms: during the day before I find myself rubbing my left shoulder and neck. I am awakened by the pain usually between 3 and 5am. I take Migril. It’s the only thing that works everytime. When I have the migraine there is a noise in my head and my brain feels like it’s in a frenzy. I hold my head until everything calms down. It takes about half an hour. Sometimes I have to take a second tablet. Within half an hour my stomach is upset. And the nausea sets in. Next day in the shower the warm water stings my head and face and any warm water burns my fingers tips too.. I find it difficult to swallow and my nose closes. I also notice blood vessels all over my body. Today after an attack last night, I suffered back pain and all my joints were saw too. It seems all my nerve endings are sensitive and sometimes I feel cold areas in my face. Nausea continues for about a day and I feel insecure and incompetent in my job. Can’t focus and sometimes forget instructions. I’m 56 and my migraines are definitely hormonal as they come every two weeks, around the time I would have ovulated and then two weeks later when I would have had a period. Migril is a Ergotamine, cyclazine hydrochloride and caffeine hydrate. I usually get two migraines one after the other with a normal headache inbetween. Good to know that I am not alone in this, and that I’m not having a stroke. Best of luck to you all. Migril is fantastic if taken as soon as you realize it is a migraine.
Hello, I’m fairly new to migraines so hoping someone can help. On Friday, I had a full blown migraine (aura, then slight headache), then feelings of tingling/light headedness, spinning over the weekend. It went away, then the aura came back again on sunday, which hasn’t happened to me before. Yesterday I had a headache again, and now today I just feel out of it, tingly head, and spacey. I have a cold as well so maybe it’s related, but is just a long migraine attack? Can you have 2 separate occasions of aura in one attack? Thanks!!
Jaime, since the symptoms went away between the first migraine attack and the second aura, it sounds like you had two separate migraine attacks spaced close together. Having a cold can make you more susceptible to migraine attacks, so it’s not unheard of to have one right after another. I recommend talking to your doctor about your concerns.
Take care,
Kerrie
I have had 4 back to back auras first 3 no headache like I usualy do but the 4 I had a headache then the aura stopped it was almost as if It needed me to have a headache before it would go. Went to E.R said it was just a different migraine. I had ct scan done and nothing there.
So many different triggers for different people. It’s hard to figure out at times. I haven’t had a migraine for quite awhile(years?) but my daughter has them. I will try to be succinct. Each one needs to investigate and research and go to doctors. I work in the medical field so i have to investigate the scientific components and try to get answers. Trail and error……anyway. Her protocol – birth control pills which somewhat help(diiferent ones work better than others for migraines), B12(she has mthfr gene mutation which keeps her from absorbing Vit. B12 adequately), her neurologist ordered this test. Also, folate, magnesium and her arsenal of migraine med. The Nuero said initially to take an imetrex, the minute you feel a headache coming on, every time. Insurance only pays for maybe 7 a month, had to fight for additional pills, in two months she blew through 15-20. Retraining the brain not to trigger to a migraine, that is the path of least resistance once the brain learns how to go that migraine pathway. Vit B12 shots once a week for about 2 months to get that up, antidepressant for anxiety and depression(these symptoms have decreased as the migraines slowly decreased). After months of migraines but finally under control, she still felt unable to concentrate, was exhausted ALL the time, kind of exhibiting ADD symptoms, very unlike her, she is in her early 20s. We went Back to doctors for that ,no help. The office I work in has a concussion clinic. Started asking questions and the ADD symptoms were similar to concussion symptoms. From this information I explored a medication developed in Sweden? I think,. It contained phosphytidal serine, upon further reading……..anyway, this with omega 3(krill oil)- healed her brain in a way. Her brain was fried(not literally!) and needed to heal. Sent her to school with a protocol knowing it would take about 3 weeks or more to build up in her system. Heard her laugh on the phone for the first time in ages! She said,”Mom, I feel like I woke up from a coma!” And I burst into tears. She still gets migraines but they are months apart instead of weekly. She does have maxsalt and cambia in her arsenal. Get your vitamin levels checked! B12 and Vit. D especially. I have one more suggestion which I haven’t seen mentioned. Acupuncture. I have used it for some issues and while there inquired about migraines. The accupturist stated quite a high success rate with headaches and migraines. It is not painful! In fact a sense of well being can wash over you as you relax. Good luck ladies, find the right Doctor! Hope this makes sense, it was a quick summation of a long process.
Hi ,
I found you post very interested that the doctors really studied what was going on with your daughter , did you say she was on meds from sweden , or what exactly is she on again?
Thank you Carrie
Hi from New Zealand. Typing in bed as I’m in the fatigue hangover phase of three migraines. I know we are all different but I thought if I shared my triggers it might be helpful for someone else. I’m very fortunate to know what triggers my migraines. I have Coeliac Disease and other food intolerance’s. If I can eliminate gluten, amines, glutamates, and have only low salicylate foods then I can be migraine free. My migraines are different depending on the food cause. I haven’t had a gluten migraine for a very long time. Salicylate migraines are less easy to avoid as they build up in your body. If anyone would like more information about food intolerance and migraines please don’t hesitate to make contact. Kind regards, Lee
Oh I also forgot to add that I get floaters a lot of them before or after..usually all the time and the eye doctor told me this was normal for migraines? Is this true?
Hello , Boy Iam I ever glad i found this site , I started in my 30’s and they were random I had the aura first then the headache on one side. And they just went away up until a couple years ago and they are back much worse and more often. The after days were only one day now it has been 5 and still feeling tired , occassional dizziness slight neck and shoulder pain on the left side alo that nostril and eye. When sitting the pressure in my head is awful..standing and lying down feels better. But i am so tired almost feels like the flu or something achey and so tired. i had CT scan w/o dye and they said everythinng was normal..ecg..chest xray..blood work amd they just say migraine. This was after a aura that went back to back 4 times in a row..never did get a headache with that one but I had that spacey out of it feeling. My worst fear is getting a stroke because I have the aura has anyone experienced this with the aura?
I also don’t know what my triggers are and I havent seen a nero doctor because the closest one is 3 hours away any suggestions?
Hi. I am new to the world of migraine suffering. They came out of the blue, I was under huge amounts of pressure and then wham. Ended up in hospital after the 3rd attack, was in for 7 days. I inject myself with Imigran, it is ok but difficult to get the timing right. I was searching the net for answers to how I feel today after yesterdays attack. So pleased to know I am not the only spaced out, achey person out there. Tiredness is most definitely my trigger – along with sugar. I also suffer with MS – which is a bummer to say the least, I keep it all crossed that the Migraine does not trigger an MS episode. Does anyone take vitamins etc with good effect?
Happy day all. Sarah
I suffer from chronic daily migraines as well as fibromyalgia. I have some level of headache every day, it’s just the intensity that varies. I’ve been on and I am still on profalactics for years without success. I’ve also tried all of the “go to meds” imitrex, sumavel, zomig, etc. with no success.
Recently I was put on 20mg of Namenda a day. Ive also been working with an anesthesiologist for the last year. Every 8 weeks I see him and get a propofol infusion, bilateral occipital nerve blocks, and bilateral orbital nerve blocks. He sometimes gives me trigger point injections in my neck and shoulders if they’re bad.
The combination of the Namenda and my treatments with my anestheologist have helped. The biggest change I’ve noticed are the reduction of blocks (consecutive days at a time with 10 rated migraines).
Now…that said I was so excited about this that I jinxed myself. 5 days after my last treatment I had my worst block ever which was 7 days. It had me doing the ugly cry at times as well as giving have anxiety attacks. I’m sure you’ve all at some point made that trip to the er with an unrelenting migraine so you’re familiar with the usual cocktail. Most times for me it was zofran, torodol, and morphine. In the last couple years I’ve become allergic to narcotics. Now anytime I take morphine, norco, Percocet…I itch uncontrollably all over even with prescription antihistamines (not so fun with surgeries). When I’ve had 10 rated conservative days of attacks my neurologist puts me on a 2-3 day heavy prednisone regime to knock it out. Didn’t work this time. I called my anestheologist after the second day and he told me to meet his fellow at the er at 6am the next morning (I live in in a suburb of Chicago and all of my docs are at Rush University Medical Center so this is not the neighborhood hospital). I do not have high blood pressure but it was 175/115. They did a CAT scan, pumped me up with all kinds of meds as well as a lidocaine drip up my nasal cavity. After 8 hours nothing worked. He had me come back to see My anestheologist first thing the next morning for another infusion. It was still there after a two hour infusion. I was crying and begging him to admit me. I told him I would rather be on a morphine drip or any kind of pain meds and itch rather than endure this crippling pain anymore. It took both him and another doctor to calm me and explain that it could take up to 24 hrs to work and break the cycle. They also explained why not to admit me. Bottom line too much commotion to get the quiet rest that I needed. They gave me fioricet and norco. Fioricet to help the additional tension headache and Norco because I insisted.
Hallelujah!!! The next morning I was still in a ton of pain but was getting better. Somewhere someone mentioned sneezing postdrome. Holy cow! Only after I started counting I sneezed 17 times in less than 15 minutes. That was a new one. I was getting better, doing a few easy tasks at home, but still sore and still sleeping a lot. Post day 2….
Now after my whole story (thank you for hanging in there and listening) I have a question. The headache is back to the norm for me, body is still very sore, I’m still very tired…and my vision is blurry today! Why??? Blurry vision usually happens before and/or during. Has anyone else had this happen postdrome and end up fine? Or, is this just a precursor to starting all over?
Hi I’m 32years old and had my first migraine when i was 28years old. it started with a aura have vision problem in my left eye then i would get the migraine headache.
It was getting better then I have had a migraine in each of the last three months. I didn’t get the aura but instead migraine would hit in the middle of the night. it would last for a few hours but i would get a lingering headache for 3-5 days.
I thought it could be from a lack of a good nights sleep.. or possibly drinking soda or eating fast foods. does anyone have any tips of what I can take. I do not enjoy getting these migraines.
thanks
Hi I’m so glad to have found this site. Once again I’m in what is being called hangover stage! I’ve had m for about three years now at points felt I must have a brain tumour as the dizziness and spacines afterwards felt abnormal. I’m in day four of a bad headache that for the first time made me feel shivery and sick normally it’s the eye pain along with fluffy brain and can’t cope feeling and like someone said I seem to always forget to connect these feelings to migraine when they first come on! I’m so glad to have read about relaxing afterwards as I always try to push on when most symptoms gone and this is obviously why it takes me sometimes a week to fully recover. I am always so relieved when I do as I always think these symptoms can’t just be a migraine. Thanks everyone for making me fully realise it’s all just the m. Although I can’t help but wonder what if anything are the long term effects on my brain of these attack? Has anyone done any real research other than just Internet surfing.
I just stumbled upon this and am so glad! One of the earlier posts by Sarah described exactly the feeling I get but wasn’t able to put into words. I get classic migraines occasionally and silent migraines weekly. When I have the classic ones (with head pain) I will get the hangover and this last one, between to predrome, migraine and post drome lasted about 5 days. I didn’t link it all to migraine until now. It is an absolutely debilitating feeling for sure! I feel like I can’t function, like I’m not really here and completely out of it. I have 2 little kids so when this happens it is both scary for me and worrisome of how the heck am I goin to take care of these little people til bed time. Take good care all!
I have been getting thease stupid things since I was 30 I never new what they were WOW do I every no now and they suck the problem I had was hoe come the next day I would feel drugged omg I hate it and I seem to forget names and what I wanted to say the words would not come out and it scared me so bad I feel so tired .. Does anyone else get fans in there eyes and go blurry .. Thanks laura
Still on here? It’s been a long time since you commented, but I get that. Like a fan, flickering, when I look at lights. And sometimes halos around lights. That, and neck pain are my only pre migraine symptoms. But I have neck pain almost every day cause my cervical spine is jacked up. The flickering lights &/or halos don’t happen every time but when they do its almost certain that a migraine is coming next.
I had an awful migraine two days ago. It made me nauseous, weak all over, and I felt like I was outside of my body. I felt like I could barely speak. Last night, driving, the headlights on the cars were fuzzy to me, but I didn’t have a migraine. Is this common with a migraine? I was only recently diagnosed, and I would appreciate any input
Worst headache of my life happend Sun. around 4 p.m. outta nowhere. I don’t think headache is even fitting I had seizure like attacks and the pain in my head is something hard to put into words. After 6 of the most intense hours I was able to finally speak again and 21 hours later I still had this pulsing thump in my head. I wasn’t able to sleep for over 30 hrs and even today I have this fog like thing over me, zero energy, It feels like I’ve sustained a head injury – I have no history of Migraines or even serious headaches.
*35 male, no serious health issues*
Last night was a very rough migraine. I had to cry before passing out because I was emotionally frustrated with the pain and the inability to do much about it. This morning I’m worn out, have a lingering headache and my eyes are so sore. I do need to call in to work and try to stay home for a bit as the punishment can be another bad one. Reading other posts about this provides some comfort that this is very real and we all need to take care of ourselves when migraines or any health issues attack us. So today I’m not going to feel bad about trying to feel better.
Thanks everyone for sharing!
I feel so much better after reading all your posts! I’ve had migraines for 15 years…over the last 5 years they changed and I have stroke like symptoms, which is very scary!! Can’t take regular migraine meds cause neurologist says they can make me have real stroke…I take a seizure med as a way of making them come less often & it has helped but when I’m very stressed & don’t sleep well I still get them…just had one for 3 days and now in hangover stage…speech is still messed up & vision too!! Don’t know about y’all but it’s so embarrassing to me…it wigs people out so I stay locked away until all symptoms are gone!! I hate missing work but don’t want to drive cause I can’t see right or talk right…have gone anyway in past but they think I’m having a stoke & wig out!! So tired & weak, feels like my body has been ran over by a truck! Haven’t had one this bad in over a year so I’m very thankful for that!! Have had migraines but not these real bad ones so i guess i was due!! Feels good just talking to folks who really understand cause most folks don’t understand what we go through!! My Mother has been ill so I think that’s what brought this one on…been so worried about her but now she’s good! It’s weird I’m good when everything is going on but when its over that’s when I fall apart!! Thanks for listening, its made me feel better not to be alone!!!
thanks to those who have posted, I feel compassion for your suffering as I search for relief. Today is recovery from yesterday. Each episode makes me wonder more what really happened. Was is overworking outside in the shade? was is the sharp eye pain a few days before? something I ate? the bright sunlight after days of rain? The neurologist said to take 2 ibuprofen at first sign. that took most of the pain, but still the instant diarrhea/vomiting at same time, I keep a bucket ready just for this, as there is no time to waste. luckily yesterday it was only one round, while on the road and had to clean the gas station commode, walls and floor because there was no bucket on hand. What scares me most, I’ve done hundreds if not a thousand times is pulling off along the road. Alone, and sometimes have to vomit or sleep or just rest and just can’t safely go any farther. One time I was being stalked by a stranger on my way home from work at 2 am. for a few weeks, before cell phones. I am so thankful the pain didn’t strike. If possible I will find a hospital parking lot, rest area, or other places where people may wait in their cars, so I kind of fit in while resting. More often, it’s just a gas station or a pull off spot along a road. Very scary, yet unavoidable. Today, I’ve been in and out of bed and unproductive. thinking of calling off tomorrow is not appropriate though I just want one day back of the 2 I’ve lost. for a while it was nearly every weekend, then just a day or part day was lost each week for almost year. I need a few weeks vacation to get my life on track. Recovery is like a roller-coaster. Sometimes when you get to the top, there is a sharp drop into the pit again and its slow going up the other side, but you can’t get off in the middle of the ride and the landing can be shaky at the end.
Just called in sick to work with post migraine hangover. Tired, weak, dizzy, bad stomach, tingling on the right temple. Reading all the posts, I truly feel validated. I always knew that the ” morning after” was real, but it helps to know that I’m not al
Annette, you’re definitely not alone. I hope it has let up.
Take care,
Kerrie
omg, thank god i came across this site! i have been freaking out for two days now. i had a migraine about 3 days ago, and ever since then i have been completely out of it, super tired, and feeling like i had been drugged. I also feel as if my periferal vision is sti a little fuzzy. ive only had a migraine once or twice before and don’t recall having the “hangover” part. i feel so much better reading all of your experiences, and hope i snap out of this soon!
Hannah, what you experienced is definitely normal! I hope it didn’t last long.
Take care,
Kerrie
i don’t know what’s worse the migraine attack or the migraine hangover. After my migraine attach I fell tired sluggish moody achy disoriented and depressed for at least 3 days. And just when I start enjoying few days of no pain I get hit again by another attack. It’s my circle of life.
Faten, I’m sorry you’re in such a bad cycle. Best of luck finding relief.
Take care,
Kerrie
Found this thread whilst researching why I was going insane a week after my first migraine. Im 42 and had never suffered one before. the instant stabbing pain in the back of my head which radiated into a 5 hr crushing constant pain on the right side of my head, was bad, but not as bad as the last 7 days of fog. i have been confused, floating, difficulty speaking properly and had a dull headache. . I was in hospital for 2 days as a result of the migraine, which was diagnosed as a thunderclap migraine. initially it was thought i had a stroke, as i lost some strength in my right side, but during the CT and angio it was found I had a very small aneurism which may or may not have ‘triggered’ the migraine. Couldn’t keep any pain relief down, and kept vomiting until I was given IV drugs in the emergency department.
my job is very intense and requires 100 % concentration. i returned to work 4 days after leaving hospital but one day at work and i was a mess. now another 4 days off work. this postdrome (a new term I’ve learnt), is real.
Anthony, I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this. It sounds horrible. If you haven’t followed up with your regular doctor, please do so. Thunderclap headaches and migraines are two different diagnoses and are treated differently. Either one should be followed by a thorough examination, especially with them starting at the age of 42.
Take care,
Kerrie
I experienced my first migraine after age 50. I had NEVER had one before then. I’ve read that it’s influenced by hormonal fluctuations, specifically estrogen levels. I’m now 62 and well past menopause. But there’s still no let-up with the migraines. Has anyone else out there experienced this? Is there any chance for them to go away on their own? Or are these headaches friends for life?
I’m so glad I found this page! I used to have relatively short-term migraines a lot, but hadn’t had one at all until two days ago. It was a 12hr smasher. Worst aura and pain I have ever had with one. I was off work yesterday during the hangover and was convinced I had coincidentally caught the cold/ flu. So drained, dull headache, nausea and general sensory sensitivity.
After seeing this page, I realise that it’s probably just the post-migraine symptoms. Came online feeling sick with guilt about potentially missing work for a second day, but now I think that it’s justified since I’m still feeling fuzzy with headache, wiped out and sensitive.
Dawn, I’m sorry you had such a bad one (I love the term “smasher”!) and that the hangover lingered so long. Best wishes for finding an effective treatment before the next one hits.
Take care,
Kerrie
I had an aura migraine that was so severe it caused stroke like symptoms, temporary left side numbness, drooped side of face. After a cat scan and mri they diagnosed me with fibrous dysplasia but my doctor said that had nothing to do with migraine. Am following up with neurologist. Also am experiencing post migraine issues of fatigue, confusion, nausea. Anyone have any knowledge about fibrous dysplasia and how this could be affecting migraines
Sheri, I don’t know if the fibrous dysplasia could be related to migraine. It’s possible that it triggers migraine attacks, but they may be unrelated. If a neurologist is unable to help you, you might consider seeing a headache specialist. The top of this page has links to directories of specialists: http://www.thedailyheadache.com/resources.
Take care,
Kerrie
Thanks Kerrie. Yes I did visit my GP and also my optometrist. My GP gave me a 2 week course of diclofenac as he thought I was suffering from “chronic headaches” to stop the cycle. After also visiting the optometrist I found that the muscles behind my left eye are now weaker and there is a little more pressure behind the left eye. It’s been well over 6 weeks now since my initial really bad migraine and that ache behind my left eye has almost gone. My left eye now just feels tired like it is struggling to keep up with my other eye and it is possible I may need to have the left lense in my glasses altered if some eye exercises aren’t able to bring the muscles back to where they were before. I’m much happier and feeling a lot more normal again. But I still never leave the house without any ibuprofen – just in case another migraine/headache hits!!!
I’m glad you’re doing better, Jacs. Best wishes for continued improvement.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hi, I’m a migraine sufferer as well. It’s so great knowing you’re not alone with the pain and side effects many of us go through. I had a really strong migraine just over a week ago. I have found I’ve been getting them around “that time of the month” so had been putting them down to hormonal changes in my body. However, this last one was the worst one I’ve had ever. As usual none of the OTC drugs had any effect and none of my usual home remedies even dulled the pain slightly and for the first time I couldn’t even sleep with it. It really scared me. It started on both sides of my head and then switched to my left side and stayed there. On day 3 I went to the doctor and got some diclofenac and codeine. Thank God they worked. It’s now day 8 after that migraine and I still have a mild dull ache around my left eye. Has anyone ever had any after effects of their migraine hang around for this long ?? It worries me that my left eye still aches a bit as I’ve never had this lingering affect before.
Jacs, I recommend seeing your doctor again if it’s still hurting. I’m sorry I can’t help you more. I hope the pain has resolved on its own.
Take care,
Kerrie
So glad I found this page! I’ve had hormonal migraines since I was 20, now mid 40s. I had one 2 days ago and I’m only just coming out of the fatigue now. The vomiting is awful but the pain won’t go until I have spewed. Sorry for being so graphic but I know many of you feel the same way. Its great to know we aren’t alone, despite the awfulness of the headaches.
Hi Beckie, thanks for sharing your story. I’m glad you get some relief from vomiting. (That sounds like an awful to be glad about, but you know what I mean.)
Take care,
Kerrie
Hello!
From getting my first migraine at 17, I’m 29 now and just lying on the sofa after a horrible migraine which started around 4.30pm yesterday. My third day off work in 2 weeks thanks to migraines and reading previous comments has made me realise how important rest is, as I often try and get on with life through the post pains. One thing that stands out from the 10 hours of razor blades in my brain type agony and wailing out loud like a mad woman was Bruno Mars. That Uptown Funk song went round…..and round…..and round…..and round in my head to the point where I went crazy and decided to lie in my bathtub at 3am with a cold shower on just to try and take my mind off it. I hope this nasty, nasty migraine hasn’t ruined this song for me!
Sending good health out to all sufferers this Christmas time.
XXX
Holly, I’m sorry you had such a bad one this week. I, too, hope that song was not ruined for you!
Take care,
Kerrie
Much love fellow migraine victims. I have suffered from my teenage years and I’m now 37. Just in the recovery period of a bad one now. My heart goes out to each and everyone of you. I’m the only member of my family that gets them & it’s nice to finally not feel alone in my suffering. I’ve had horrendous experiences over the years with them and had all the various symptoms & the differing levels of pain they bring. The hangover period usually lasting 1-3 days. Feeling very emotional, weak, exhausted, depressed, disconnected, low concentration, fatigued, needing a hug 🙁 Good luck everybody ! Hope your suffering is minimal 🙂
Abigail,
You’re definitely not alone. I’m sorry that you have to deal with all these symptoms, too. Best of luck in finding an effective treatment.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hi fellow migraine sufferers.
My headaches were first diagnosed as migraines a few years ago. I had a few experiences with visual zig zags, disturbances and bouncing letters/numbers when reading while at work along with some dizziness and a light headed feeling, not always accompanied by a headache.
After tests and seeing an eye specialist migraines were the diagnosis.
This past 18 months or so the headaches have been worse, often starting over one eye with blurred vision. My head feels sore to the touch so when I lay down I cannot sleep because of the pain.
Not much apart from Vicodin seems to touch the pain, but that kinda knocks me out.
I suffer the day or two after fatigue described here as well, I try to get up and carry on with things but after no time at all am completely exhausted and falling asleep.
I felt guilty about this hangover period before reading this thread, now I don’t feel guilty anymore for taking a day off work or chores to recover.
Mark, no need to feel guilty! Migraine hangover is a real and exhausting phenomenon. I’m sorry your migraines have been getting worse. I wish you the best of luck in finding an effective treatment.
Take care,
Kerrie
I’ve had migraines now, on and off for 20 years. Recently though, (last 2 years) they’ve happened more frequently, around 2 a week. Each one takes me three or four days to get over, just enough time to start the next; it’s so depressing. I’m an active bloke, 46 years old, yet some days I feel 86 years old. No pain killers touch it, not even prescription strength, 30mg co-codamol. I’ve had a full neck and brain MRI scan, it came back normal. Consultant advised I go on holiday 6 weeks. Great. 🙁
Hello everyone I came across this website a day after I had a really bad migraine that lasted for hours. I’ve had migraines since I was a little girl I can recall or remember me screaming in pain at my grandmas house when I was about maybe five or six years old. Moving forward, recently for the past two years I’ ve really bad anxiety or panic attacks i’m not sure if those two are related to migraines or not but I noticed that my migraines have gotten even worse with time. I’ve been prescribed many stuff for anxiety but they don’t seem to work. The last time I was
prescribed something for migraines was Maxalt 10 mg and that doesn’t seem to work, even after taking 1500 mg of Excedrin Migraine extra strength doesn’t seem to relieve the pain, I only end up with an upset stomach and even worst nauseous feeling. The feeling after a migraine is very exhausting, I’m in bed right now and I feel dizzy, nauseous, fatigued, tired, like a hangover as everyone here is describes it. I finally got an appointment at The Headache and Wellness Center and hope that they can help me out get through this. I really feel bad for everyone who suffers with migraines and I’m glad I’m not the only one going through this, I understand what you really go through I just wish my family would be more understanding of how bad these headaches are and how debilitating they make you feel the next day. They just think that since the headache is not there anymore that you’re able to do everything again as normal, but they really don’t know how you really feel the next day and that it isn’t over yet. good luck to everyone!
Thanks for sharing your story, Jennifer. Maxalt is one of seven triptans and some people have success with only one or two. It’s worth trying another and taking it as early in the migraine as possible. They provide tremendous relief for many people. Best wishes at your appointment.
Take care,
Kerrie
In response to Judy’s 3 day migraine, I think a lot of our symptoms are climate related. I’ve talked to a lot of people this past few months and they are having more migraines than usual.
The weather has been so unstable I’m hearing about people around the US and in Michigan where I live getting migraines where they didn’t have them in the past, and those of us born with weather related headaches are getting more migraines. So…tough it out and laugh about it.
Accept it. Whenever I call in sick to work(a lot) due to migraines, I think, well…it’s another sick day, but it could be worse, and it will pass….until the next one. One nonmigraine days, just go out and have FUN
I wanted to respond to Laura.I, myself, was diagnosed as having general anxiety disorder. Due to not enough serotonin in the brain. That chemical imbalance also causes migraines. If anti depressants don’t work, try an anti anxiety medicine.Sometimes,even when I’m not feeling anxious, I will still take the meds,and they somehow help control the migraines by balancing the brain chemicals. Also, I found exercising on a regular basis has helped me and eating more whole foods and produce has helped my migraines. I still get them, they suck, but I’m not in the extreme pain I used to be. Just the slurred speech, some pain, nauseous, diarreah, mood changes, sleepless nights, etc. all from a migraine. I also get very hot from the hormonal migraines. I’m now 44 and not menopausal. My crazy symptoms are from the migraine.
After 16 years of no migraines, I am recovering from a 3 day headache. I don’t know what triggered it after all of this time. It does scare me though, because I am reminded how excruciating my episodes were. First I was given a shot of toradol, then a shot of fentanyl and then Percocet. I think the Percocet finally started knocking it out. I relate with the “hangover”. It can take a couple of days for me to get over the disconnected feeling.
I am so glad I found this blog. I thought I was going crazy and I know I’m driving my family crazy. I have suffered from “cluster migraines” most of my life. I had a daily migraine, got a divorce and my migraine went away. Later, I began having hormonal migraines. I had surgery and they went away. Recently the migraines have come back with a vengeance it seems. I am looking for a neurologist to see. I have always had the after pains. If I am cautious then after a day or 2 I can resume normal activity. If not, it will blow into a larger migraine. One question I did have is if anybody else has experienced with a migraine if I get diarrhea at the end then the migraine suffering is over, if not then I will have aches like the flu all over my body, a pretty bad headache and so forgetful and tired. Even after all the experience with the migraines some days all I can do is cry from the pain. The doctor prescribed me an antidepressant during a really bad few months of headaches, she then ask me if I thought they were working, I explained to her that I had been having more migraines and couldn’t say for sure because of the pain level I had been experiencing was wearing me out. She ask if I thought I needed to see a therapist. Angrily I responded “no. I need the pain to be less severe and you to listen when I have an allergic reaction to a migraine med that you prescribe me.”
I see people have different symptoms with migraines. I have different symptoms with each migraine attack also. It all depends on which nerve in the head is responding to the pain signals. I’ve had enough MRI’s and CAT scans to know my brain is healthy, but not totally normal or I wouldnt get migraines. I just want to reassure everyone that once you see a neurologist, and have tests done, accept the condition, and dont overanalyze every symptom.
Also, my neighbors from India told me to buy Chodin powder from an Indian store, and use it mixed with rose water on the forehead. And fenugreek seeds powder mixed with water on top of the head will help take away the nausea and pain of the migraine. Another alternative is an ice pack on the head, and a heated neck pillow to relax the neck muscles and sleep.
My migraines are less intense and occur less often. One neurologist and a psychiatrist told me that anxiety and stress can trigger migraines. I used to worry about missing work and social activites and worried about the next attack. I started reading the book, “The Secret.” I recommend all migraine sufferers to read it, along with other positive books. I am starting to exerty myself with negative people in my workplace and tell them I dont want to hear their problems. As a person with chronic migraines, I decided this year not to be everyone’s therapist.
I would advice other migraine people to also put up barriers to negative people. Their problems become our problems and they trigger migraines.
I still feel guilty missing work and social engagemets with my migraines. I missed 3 events this past week. I explained at the time to my friends that I had to cancel due to migraines. And would like to reschedule. And you know what? Everyone understands about migraines, everyone says hey, no problem, “there’s always another time.” For the people who work on computers for a living, during a migraine, rub your shoulders, stretch, and take breaks. Try anti-glare monitors or just wear sunglasses to block out the glare. I live in Michigan, and the crazy March weather is triggering my sinuses, causing migraines. I can’t change the weather, only my attitude. Just Laugh off the migraine, and know that “there is always another day.” A strong attitude of acceptance will actually make the migraines less severe.
I forgot to add that the doctors prescribed Ativan every 6 hours and Dilautid as needed (I only take it before bed). I am just so exhausted i can barely move around. Brittany, it sounds like your recovery times are long, too, and i’m so sorry. Have you discovered anything to help shorten them at all? Again, Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences – it feels good to not feel so alone. I hope you’re all doing better.
*****
You’re definitely not alone. Could the medications be what’s causing you to be so exhausted? Some medications totally wipe me out.
Take care,
Kerrie
i am so thankful i found this blog – i desperately need to hear from fellow sufferers. i’ve had a bouts of migraines over the years, but the one i suffered last week was in a whole different league. Sudden onset vomiting, with every wretch sending hot fluid pain rushing into my brain – then unbearable migraine pain and more vomiting (dry heaves) for 6 hours. Finally went to the ER where spinal tap, CAT scan and MRI ruled out an anuerysm and hemmorage. I’m back home now but feel like a train wreck. Mild headache, dizzy, weak, lethargic. MRI showed more than normal arthritis in my neck which “may” be pinching a nerve and setting off the migraines. Weird, cuz my neck doesn’t even hurt. I’m at a loss. What kind of doctor should i seek out in going forward? Help!?!
I am recovering from a Hemiplagic Migraine. I started taking a beta blocker today and I am recovering after 20 days or so. I don’t really know how long because my mind is shot. I get numb on the left side. I always get an aura and a headache. I was thinking maybe I had a tumor or a stroke but I now I think it was another migraine. Right now I am hot. Sometimes I get tired and spacy. You guys are great. I don’t feel so alone. Other people in my family have migraines I just seem to have more severe ones. I am going to try and stay on a beta blocker for awhile. I hope you all do well.
I am so glad I found this site. All of your posts have made me feel so much better!!! I have been suffering from migraines for years, and here lately, they have been getting worse. According to the insurmountable amount of doctors I have seen, they all have come to the consensus stress is a key cause of my migraines. My migraines always come with blocks in my perrifial vision, specks, fatigue, numbness and tingling, and sensitivity to light and sound. But no one warned me about the extensive recovery period. I was starting to wonder if there was something wrong with me until I read the posts on this site. Thank you so much for being willing to share your experiences. As I lay here in bed recovering from yet another migraine, I feel better knowing that there are other people experiencing the same thing and I’m not alone!
a little bit more .. those having migraine should try not to catch cold or have a stuffy nose.anything that can cause pressure on eyes or stiffens the neck muscle should be avoided.cover ur head during winters and changing weather and also during bike rides.use sunglasses.have a routine life.accept ur pain and know ur body.do not over exert urself.cervical pain also triggers migraine..so watch that out.
till.. take care friends.
I agree to all of u..so much pain to so many of us.its sad when life has so much to do,live and enjoy we all are so wrapped up with migraine.i hate and fear it.it’s often, almost regular …sometime mild and the other,like a monster ready to eat me up.the first attack was somewhere around 1999..and since then its my loyal boyfriend…and I have accepted it.With this type of pain which has a different form,duration ,aura….for different people,I think its important for all of us to understand our pain,auras,triggering symptoms,provoking issues and the post recovery period. I personally take a light pain killer..use balm for forehead application..try to stay away from light and sound,have a ginger tea,eat a few biscuits and wait patiently for th pain to subside..it may take 6 hour or a night and a day..and for the post recovery..again hot tea helps,talking should be a strict no no.One should indulge in oneself..yes cleaning bathroom helps..as well as giving time to your self ..applying nailpaint,combing hair,dressing up,sitting with a pet.. then give ur body rest till it recovers and the numbness eases.a balm massage at the end of episode also helps.
One last comment. Although I’m only 43, I”ve noticed the migraines make me hot. Like, it could be the middle of winter and I’ll stand outside with no coat on to cool off. My friends tease me about being pre menopausal, but I know it is from the migraines. I just tell people my nervous system is screwed up. Just like the facial and arm tingling. I accept it. OR when I get slurred speech, I tell people I feel like a drunken sailor. I dont drink alcohol. But the migraines really mess up my body. I just accept it, and think thank God it’s not life threatening.
I”m so glad to have an online community support group. I live in Southeast Michigan and there aren’t any migraine support groups. I tried all the top specialists, and none have helped me. I have been diagnosed with chronic daily migraine without aura. I’ve been told that since I also suffer general anxiety and used to have depression that the same chemical imbalance ( not enough seritonine) trigger migraines. Depression is in remission for 20 years now. Anxiety present but I have a handle on it. I”m so glad I”m not the only one who feels flue like symptoms after a migraine. I am able to watch tv. with migraine. Also, a warm neck pillow on my neck helps to relax the muscls, and allows my smptoms to get better. I have less dizziness and nausea when my neck muscles are relaxed. I do hate the sick stomach I get. Sometimes my face or left arm or feet tingle with migraine. On my good days, I shop for extra food and cook and freeze a lot of food so on my sick days I”m all set with food. Taking a walk outside in the air the day after a migraine helps me too, even in winter.
I”m doing Tai Chi at home with videos. It has helped the migraines a lot, along with eating less chocolate and sugar. Sugar causes inflammation in the body and triggers migraine. Honey and Stevia are ok, and so is fruit. Lately I”ve eaten chocolate candy and cookies and got migraines. Diet really is a factor. I encourage all of you to find your triggers. Being overactive and run down is a huge trigger. So is weather changes..Good luck to everyone.
I am so glad I found this site. My migraines come on with tiredness, or too much sugar like chocolate or cookies. Also, weather changes. I live in Michigan and weather changes. Also, on days when I”m migraine free I do a LOT. Like extra shopping for food, extra housecleaning, and I always stock up on extra food, and cook and freeze a lot. I find after a migraine, I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. I dont have the aura. I can feel it building, and find taking my meds like anti inflammatory and muscle relaxants can help a little. I find what helps is a hot compress on my neck. My neck and shoulders tighten up with each migraine. A massage the day after helps also. The more relaxed my neck muscles during the attack, the less the pain in the head. Also, the less dizzy I get. So for all of you migraine sufferers like myself, keep a heating pad handy. OR, buy a neck pillow that can be heated in the microwave. Also, I find going for a walk in the fresh air after the migraine breaks helps me also. No exercise, just walking outside. I will even walk in the winter. I am thrilled we have an online community. Since there is no support group in the area.
My 16yr old daughter suffers from “Hemiplagic Migraines” and has for 5 years. After being treated incorrectly for 2 years I actually discovered this type of migraine myself. We were seen in St Louis after a 22 day migraine landed her in the hospital for 5 days. BE SURE you are being treated properly. Her symptoms are loss of function on left side, slurred speech, and severe headache. There are only a few types of medicines that are to be used with this type of migraine, others can cause you to have a stroke. She is now still at home “recovering” from the aftermath of the horrible situation that our previous Dr caused her. Be educated on the type of Migraine that you have…and research all that you can. We finally went to a specialist and are starting treatment all over. It is such a horrible, debilitating, disease that is so mind boggling to treat.
I write this as I recover from a migraine episode. This is day three and I am slowly coming out of it – more in the hangover phase; weak, sensitive, shaky, sad – just plain “weirdly off.” All I want to do is lie down.
My heart goes out to my brother and sister sufferers. I think about us all as I lie in bed for hours (days) on end, reflecting on the intensity of the lesson in patience and stamina with pain. I sincerely pray for myself and for all who know this kind of suffering.
Blessings to my migraine friends – may we all bear our burden as best we can and live fully, and with great love, when our head comes off the pillow!
XXXOOO
Thank the Lord I found this site! I thought I was losing my mind because I hadn’t heard about the issues after an attack. For a few days after a migraine, I am incredibly nauseous (the worst symptom) and terribly weak. My body feels like someone beat me up and I feel spacey. My head is sore and I have hot and cold flashes. It’s almost like the flu. I only recently saw a neurologist for the headaches so I have Maxalt or Imitrex help for the headache, but the couple of days after the headache are awful!
Hello All,
Last night I had a monster of a migraine! I truly do not know how most of you can handle these on regular basis. I was begging God to end my life or to take my pain away, either way I wanted it to end. Today I am having weird symptoms I have not seen mentioned yet. My heart hurts & it hurts if I breath too deeply. I of course have the “echo headache” & having a difficult time getting through the day @ work. Has anyone else had issues with your heart afterwards?
Yes, Paula, I used to get the focal numbness in my tongue and one hand and cheek, but I’ve found that I haven’t had that since I started taking Maxalt the instant I noticed the migraine start – which for me is always with visual aura, usually after a morning of stress, distraction, too much to do, and not enough to eat and drink. I’ve only recently come to recognize the migraine hangover as part of the migraine, and not to expect too much of myself for a couple of days.
I can relate to most of your migraine hangover symptoms. I get complex migraines accompanied by some stroke like symptoms. I had a migraine with aura and severe pain in one spot one week ago. That spot in my head was sensitive for a day ir two and I was exhausted. 5 days after the migraine, I now feel like my head is in a cloud and I have tingling and some numbness in my left foot, lower calf and left hand
It cones and goes and so does a mild ache in different parts of my head.
I went to emerg,they did an ECG and my heart
is good, they did physical tests for stroke and I have lots of strength. I am on a wait lust for an MRI but they are pretty sure it’s all migraine related.
Does anyone else have these added bizarre symptoms?
Found this when I googled “migraine recovery” . Just suffered my first real migraine this weekend, it lasted a full 24 hours. It ended over 40 hrs ago but still feel awful. Constant dull headache with bouts of nausea, and just can’t make myself do anything. I wondered if this was normal, looks like it is. I wasn’t sure if I should push myself to feel better or do what really sounds good and lie down all day. I so feel for you out there who struggle with this regularly, I truly wanted to die the pain and nausea was so severe and unrelenting. I’m so fortunate my kids are grown and we work for ourselves that I can take the time I need to recover.
Looking for someone who may have similar episodes as I. My migraines are always the same:
I am woken up from a sleep (I am normally a great sleeper as long as no migraines interfere) with a dull ache. By now I know if I am woken up by a headache that it is a migraine and I should take something for it. I am taking Frova which sometimes work great and other times not so much. If I take nothing and just gut it out this scenario always plays out:
I toss and turn in pain for about 30 minutes, then I need to defecate – regardless of how many time I may done so during the day – then right after I am finished, and I mean right after, I throw up and wretch anything I have in me up. Then I go back to bed and have night sweats and usually after about an hour in bed I can get back to sleep. When I wake up in the morning I always have the migraine hangover where I feel out of it, muscles sore all over and very very tired.
If anyone else experieinces this please share, its like clockwork. Fortunately it only happens about 5 times per year!
I have been having very similar symptoms to yours of late. with the exception that I am awakened with severe, horrific pain radiating from my neck to my forehead. Then the bathroom drama begins just like yours. I feel terribly hungover and exhausted the next day.
Guess this string has been quiet for awhile. Recovery at work today from my severe migraine from yesterday. Luckily, my really bad ones only last for 6-8 hours but I’m completely out of commission during that time. Thank goodness for drugs and heavy curtains. Today i feel fine, except for the difficulty concentrating, the computer screen still seems a little bright. But the bad thing I always get afterwards is that if I lean my head forward, the blood vessels in my head start to hurt. Same if I whip my head around too fast. As long as I don’t have to pick anything up off the floor, I should be ok. Just slightly off from normal.
Does anyone have memory problems?
Wonderful to find your site! Like many here I thought I was alone with this, and felt guilty when I still couldn’t work even though the major pain had passed.
And like Kate, I have the tired feeling after doing errands, the need to lie down, not move as quickly. I agree the feeling is like having being run over by a truck.
Sometimes on the postitive side there is a sense of bliss, gratefulness, to not feel the intense pain. I am walking on air, looking at the trees, smiling, breathing deeply, alive in a whole new way. It’s as if nothing matters anymore, but to be out of pain–my compassion goes up to, for all those who are also suffering. I’ve stopped being trapped in my own head and have been let out of the cage, albeit bruised and ravaged.
my doc warned me about the recovery period. i am sluggish, and just like kate, i forget how exhausted I can get, so quickly. glad I found this page, it reminds me to just take it slow…..hard to do, house is in middle of remodel, i am moving my work office and everyone needs something. i just started a hot yoga class and I jope that helps with the aches.
First time reading ur blog & am glad I found it. Have suffered for many years with little relief. Hangover for me is dizziness, fizziness, spaciness, with little ability to concentrate or function at more than a basic level. It’s very true that you have to take it very easy or be thrown right back into a migraine. It really is debilitating. Everyone suffers, not just me. I long for a life free of m’s.
I can agree with H3GYRL. since I’m going through the faze of a migraine hangover I might as well tell you guys what happens with me. Usually my migraines would last about a whole 8 to 10 hour period and and if meds are not taken I’m usually one to sleep it off until the next morning or until I wake up. What would happen to me in a situation like this varys. Sometimes I would get blurred vision, dizziness, a minor headache, little body aches or stomaches, and I would end up feeling drowsy even though I’m just waking up or just woke up. What I sometimes do on days like these is drink plenty of water and just massage the head and temples gently.. That way the pain slowly goes away on its own…
I thought I was the only one that went through this. After a headache attack of a few days, I’ll feel achey, fuzzy headed, with a dull lingering headache. I have to go to work and stare at monitors all day, and sometimes that whips me right back into one.
I am on my second day of a migraine today, but have to work, sometimes, you just *can’t* rest and stay home, I’d be unemployed if that happened as much as I feel is necessary, and it sucks.
I was amazed to know that Meditation and Yoga can reduce migraine up to 70%. I have been practising Yoga for a month and getting good result.
Yoga means which asana is good for migraine prevention
If I take it early enough Advil migraine can work. I’ve also found more Excercise and cutting wheat out of my diet reduced the number of migraines I was getting. I need to try cutting dairy, but I love cheese. Also I suck at diets.
I’m so happy to read these messages. I’m on day 5 of a migraine and I don’t know what to do. Maxalt did’t wok after 4 tries so my dr gave me some vicodin so I could rest. It’s been a struggle over the years to listen to my body and realize that there is a buffer zone after the attack has lessened. Anytime I miss school or work or an appointment I always have that motherly voice ask “Are you sure you’re too sick to go to school?” Guilt, guilt, guilt.
Alas, somehow I’ve managed not to stab my right temple with a fork to make the pain stop. How does everyone else manage the pain? I’m on meds, drink fluids, lie in a dark room for hours if not days staring blankly at the wall, letting out an occasional wimper.
6 years later : am reading ur post and i feel the exact guilt u r describing
I feel that I am imagining the pain and that I am too lazy to go to work
I am experiencing that guilt now as I recover from 6 days of headaches, one right after the other. Went to work every day, but on my second post headache day, just couldn’t do it. Im so tired and slow and any little thing feels like it might catapult me right back into the clutches of the migraine. Guilt at home, guilt at work…..I am starting to realize that if I don’t take better care of myself, I will have many more headaches and become deeply depressed. I should have stayed home with the first one, but writing sub plans is impossible with these horrible things.
Hey Kerrie! Long time no cybertalk. Sorry, but u understand all too well the ups and downs and phases we go through as headache sufferers (not to overplay our suffering to the point of martyrdom, but I do sometimes find it funny in a strange way, to own my suffering. There is the school for owning it, and there is the other more etheral school of now acknowledging it, or at a minimum downplaying it as much as possible. This even to the point of not referring to “it” as “My” headache. Yes, I do pretty well in this minor but not to be poo-poohed of positive verbalization as I always catch myself on that one — it is not MY headache, as I don’t want it to own me. It is “the headache” in my verbalizations, and never my headache.
My I have done a few turns in this much easier form of writing (though not the most practical) in the form of stream of conscientiousness cyber-etchings. So allow me to become a bit more real herein: first of all , I was wondering if you ever experience that numbness, particularly in the back of the head or occipital region. It occurs on the Left side in my case but is not a constant like the background headache I have 24/7. Just musing over an old record from 2003, I wanted to discover if that particular form of headache manifested prior that date, and evidently it had not. Thus I could only wonder if it did not broach happening after what I felt was a less than excellent Occipital nerve blockade I had performed at the pain clinic later that year.
Cause I have the constant chronic daily headahce/cluster variant or intractable migraine variant diagnosis, which had always been primarily periorbital, behind and around the Left eye, being an intense pressure worsening with mental exertion (like “thinking” or concentrating”). But the one in back of the head usually shows up by days end, or when I turn in. I am wondering if this isn’t what I have read about, referred to as transformed migaine. I still have the dastardly regular old headache. However now I also have what feels like a muscular tension headache in back of head, which manifests, depending on how much I exert myself mentally or have caffeine in a given day—. I noted that this one responds best to an ice pack, interestingly.
Well,keep on keepin’ on and I hope to hear from you. You have my personal E-mail address too if u ever want to share something new or just want to cry on someone’s shoulder for a while. Feel free and God continue to strengthen you, and love you, as always. YES he does.
Franco
Since it is 2016 not sure if you are still on here. Please reply if you are. I am experiencing my first post migraine episode and would like to discuss it.
Thanks, Janet
Hi Janet I am still here.
WOW!! Just found this site and have been reading the messages.
My migraines which are the ones with aura and not really painful have come out of no where. 10 months ago I went back to work full time after being part time for a different firm. It has been tough and I have been working really hard. Suddently I am getting the loss of vision and the jagged lines. Usually when I’m driving so I know to pull over and pop some tablets and close my eyes where it normally fades. Now my migraines are so much worse. I have been having them every other day, sometimes daily. Had one yesterday and another today. I now feel like terrible. Weak, cant think straight, shaky, nausea. My neck and shoulder feels like I have a trapped nerve. (this has been like this for the past month so I wonder if this could be the cause?!!) I am starting to find this affecting my work and my personal life. My husband is starting to get annoyed. I havent been to the doctor for fear of them thinking I am a hypochondriac!! I’m already borderline hypothyroid and am currently awaiting an appointment in January to see an endocrineologist. I think maybe i should go to the doctor and speak to them about how awful I feel and see if there is anything they can do to help? I feel terrible and wondered if I have something more sinister going on??!! Its nice to find a site where people have similar symptoms. I am just terrified I’m going to get an aura migraine whilst driving and crash my car. I almost fainted last week when it started and then start to get sweaty palms and almost anxiety!! So horrendous… thought my days were numbered!!
After I’ve had a really bad M or headache, the next day I get what I call an ‘echo’ headache.
It’s not a true headache, but it’s like a wound that still needs to heal. My head is really sensitive and even if I turn my head quickly, it feels bruised and hurts.
Totally get this
I’m glad to read this in that I’m glad to not be the only one. I have never had this “echo” headache before but am definitely experiencing it these last couple of days. My temples feel bruised and I notice it more when I turn my head.
I know all of you think that 7 days is bad but try living with a migraine from the time you wake up until you fall asleep for almost 5 months. There are days where it takes everything I can just to remember how to walk. My migraines fluctuate day to day and no matter what I do I can’t get rid of them. Over the counter drugs don’t work, home remedies don’t work, and prescription drugs don’t work. And all this time I’ve had several blood tests and been to a cardiologist with nothing wrong. A neurologist is next and hopefully the last.
I have found that Inderol a prescription beta blocker helps so much if taken on a daily basis. I take 60 mg a day and maybe have 1 migraine every 4 to 6 months when i was use to having them at least once a month. You need to talk to your doctor, hope this helps
Trying to respond to the newest response. Hope you’re all feeling well today? I’ve had migraines since I was 12 years old (I’m almost 49) I get aural, numbness of my (mostly my left side, including my mouth and tongue. I lose peripheral vision. Sensitive to sound, light. Everything echoes. I haven’t had what I call major ones in a while, and mostly I get the aura and then some pain and recovery for a day or so. Sometimes I’ve been “lucky” to get them on holidays and weekends, and it hasn’t impacted my work. I got one an hour into work yesterday and had to get at taxi home. The symptoms dissipated, but came back with a vengeance last night. I couldn’t even lay down the pain was so bad. I took some aspirin and it started to settle down. I’m resting today as my job is pretty high pressure. I feel guilty and bad as I’m a worker and hate feeling so completely and utterly drained! I’m exhausted and teary and It’s just complete and utter rubbish! This one was different. Instead of the usual arch aura it was shaped like a triangle? Never seen that before? It’s probably the heat or hormones? Hate the heat. I have every empathy for every single one of you. Mostly my life is pretty good, but these things knock me for six!
I am sorry to hear that, Tracy.
I get similar symptoms…but I can not stand the cold. I have been getting migraine since I was 10 and am now 45. Just had a doozy one last night…from reading on my cell phone. Or a reflection glinting off something shiny or a smell or food…darn triggers. However, for only the 2nd time in my life, the numbness has been on the right hand side…lights flashing in right eye, numbness in right hand and arm which feels just dead…tingles that start rushing up across my chest and up to my mouth tongue and nose…can’t speak, can’t think very clearly…thoughts get jumbled up and I feel sick to my stomach.what fun. I only do the nose touch test to see if its a stroke or migraine then I can semi relax and just think the scary aura will be over and I can just have the mindblowing headache and feel crappy for rest of wknd.
I definitely agree with what Sarah said.
I feel fatigued, drugged, out of body sort of experience, my body aches, and my head is tender/sore to touch.
I actually am just getting over a 7 day severe migraine attack, so I’m going through this right now. I feel a bit of motivation to get some things done, but find myself quickly/easily fatigued and scared to be whirled back into another migraine frenzy.
For me, the sluggishness and “out of it” feeling is not only a migraine hangover, but symptoms that it’s happening beforehand.
There are times where that dull migraine will hang on in one of my eyes. For me, it always starts in an eye and spreads from there. The day after a bad episode, there might be that pain in my head the entire day if not overnight.
Hang in there, you’re not alone!
Just had a migraine and I know what you mean cause I was driving when suddenly I loss vision in my left eye and I was having trouble reading full words to where I only saw the final half of every single word I read and THEN the migraine struck
wow Chris the same thing happens to me. I get so scared to drive. i have been dealing with the same thing for years. I hate the feeling of not being myself sometimes i feel so lost and my family doesn’t understand what i am dealing with.
WOW, Chris and Diane, I get same kind of symptoms before a full blown migraine. I have this problem with my vision, for example if I am looking at somebody, I only see half their face and words become so jumbled and I also experience these seeing zigzag lines from the corner of my eyes and feeling of numbness on my finger tips. I sometimes panic especially if I am out by myself and not close to home. Then the pounding starts. The next day am drained and so fatigued and my head is so heavy. Although I am wary of sleeping too much because it also brings on another migraine, I have learned this from experience.
WOW!! Just found this site and have been reading the messages.
My migraines which are the ones with aura and not really painful have come out of no where. 10 months ago I went back to work full time after being part time for a different firm. It has been tough and I have been working really hard. Suddently I am getting the loss of vision and the jagged lines. Usually when I’m driving so I know to pull over and pop some tablets and close my eyes where it normally fades. Now my migraines are so much worse. I have been having them every other day, sometimes daily. Had one yesterday and another today. I now feel like terrible. Weak, cant think straight, shaky, nausea. My neck and shoulder feels like I have a trapped nerve. (this has been like this for the past month so I wonder if this could be the cause?!!) I am starting to find this affecting my work and my personal life. My husband is starting to get annoyed. I havent been to the doctor for fear of them thinking I am a hypochondriac!! I’m already borderline hypothyroid and am currently awaiting an appointment in January to see an endocrineologist. I think maybe i should go to the doctor and speak to them about how awful I feel and see if there is anything they can do to help? I feel terrible and wondered if I have something more sinister going on??!! Its nice to find a site where people have similar symptoms. I am just terrified I’m going to get an aura migraine whilst driving and crash my car. I almost fainted last week when it started and then start to get sweaty palms and almost anxiety!! So horrendous… thought my days were numbered!!
Often on a low-pain day, (chronic daily headache), OR after a full-blown migraine, i WILL go out and start running errands or something. Then I’m totally surprised, for the gazillionth time, that I have to lay down after only an hour or so. Even if the pain isn’t back, the fatique keeps me housebound.
It’s crazy how, after all these years, I still get annoyed with myself and all confused about being so tired “for no reason at all”. It can take me half the day to realize that “oh yeah – it’s because of the migraine!” Duh…
After a migraine, I have serious fatigue, a dull headache, and feel like I’ve been drugged and/ or hit by a mack truck. Usually, also a strange out-of-body feelung (but different than the before the migraine part) – it’s like I feel I’m here but not here. Bizarre & disconcerting!!
I agree that if I just press through and act like the entire episode is over, I often end up taking a step backward and getting a rebound headache or another migraine. It’s good to recognize (and make loved ones recognize) that just b/c the full-on headache part is over, it doesn’t mean the episode is.
Ooo Steph good point.
I usually feel tired and achy all over and have a lingering, mild headache.
I don’t drink caffeine regularly, so just a little sometimes help break my body’s funk. But, I’ve learned the hard way to never push through when I’m recuperating from a migraine, it’ll only make me rebound back into another, probably worse one.
Take it easy! 🙂
My migraine postdrome? It’s too hard for me to sort out. I know I’ve got Meniere’s going on in there too so distinguishing between migraine vertigo and tinnitus, and Meniere’s vertigo and tinnitus, just isn’t possible for me to do. Both attacks have prodromes and postdromes too.
It’s ALL VERY BAD! :/
Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if more migraineurs had other things going on besides migraine. One of my former migraine specks spotted the Meniere’s and once I was tested by a neurotologist, it was confirmed. Migraine speck said a number of his migraine patients also had cochlear issues (which is the Meniere’s deal – it’s sometimes called cochlear hydrops).
Right this minute I can’t tell if what I’ve got going on is head cold, Meniere’s, migraine, some of the above or all of the above! Or it may have some Full Moon thrown in there for good measure as well. XD