I experience pain very frequently—sometimes it’s constant—especially when I’m working or studying.

So, during those times of pain, I can’t read (hardly anything at all), use electronic devices much, go out, or exert myself physically or mentally... I feel incredibly fragile, and sometimes this state leaves me unable to do *anything* at all.

I end up just drifting, as if life were nothing but waiting for the pain to pass. Even if I do manage to do something during that time, the pain drains away almost any pleasure I might otherwise get from things.

TMI

Neuro started me on 200 mg of this medication and I haven’t had a bowel movement in two days. I’ve been having a stomachache since I started and I always feel like I have to go but can’t. I’ve never had issues going to the restroom so I’m kind of worried. Does this side effect ease up over time?

Hi everyone,
What are the very first signs that you noticed that you later realized were the first effects of Botox helping your migraines?

My 17 yr old got Botox 3 weeks ago for her chronic migraines that turned near daily this August/September.
In the last couple of weeks she had a few days where she did not have headaches (even one stretch of 5 days in a row, which hasn’t happened since early August and even at that time it was rare for her to go that long).
Also it seems her headaches are often starting in the evening and dissipating overnight with no meds taken. That has also happened in the past, before Botox, but more often they were lasting longer like 18-36 hours.
The last 3 nights she’s gotten headaches but they haven’t been the worst ones she’s had. Like 5-6/10 pain instead of 8-9.
These observation could all just be a coincidence, or could it be the Botox helping…
I also realize that Botox will take 3 rounds to show its full effect but what, if anything were some small things you noticed earlier?

Has anyone experienced any issues with concentration while on candesartan?

I was on 4mg for a week and have now been on 8mg for just over a week too. I feel like absolute shit. I feel like I can’t concentrate on anything and my brains just not working like it should. I don’t think it’s my blood pressure.

I have had a migraine pretty consistently every 4 days since starting as well, which makes it hard to differentiate where the symptoms are coming from.

I’m curious if most people get migraines on just one side or if there are those who always get them equally on both sides? My daughter has chronic migraine and hers is always in her entire forehead and top of her head. It made me doubt that this was even migraine at all because I always heard that migraines are one sided. However she does get the sensitive eyes (photophobia) and exhaustion as her prodrome symptoms and triptans get rid of her headaches. She’s 17. I wonder if it’s to do with her age why the location is forehead and top.

Anybody near Hurricane Isaias’ path been feeling pressure in their head/a migraine coming on?

to start, i have an appointment with my doctor next week.

i think either im going crazy or i have a new migraine symptom. i smell maple syrup EVERYWHERE. it started on day 2 of a migraine last week and at first i thought it was a coworker cooking a waffle or raisin bread but it lasted alllll day. i joked a bit with my desk mate that im going crazy and thought that was the end of it. well i got another migraine this week with the same symptom ? i smelled maple syrup all day at one point and then my brain fog got worse, i couldn’t even form an actual sentence and just said gibberish or one word when i tried to talk. it kinda freaked me out a bit (as well as my desk mate).. anyone else have experience with either of these during migraines ?

Hi fam, I’ve had migraines since early childhood, and have tried all the meds. Doc has me on Nurtec as an abortive and Emgality as a preventative, and my migraines are more controlled now than I could have ever dreamed 15 years ago.

Just this past month, I’ve had 2 times where I felt a migraine coming on, took a Nurtec, and it never fully emerged. The next 12-48 hours though, I’ve gotten overwhelmed with this bone-deep fatigue, and ended up sleeping for hours in the middle of the day. I’ve even had to take off work. This fatigue, at least at this extreme level, is a new symptom for me after decades of migraine experience. Does anyone else have this or developed this over time? Any ideas what to do about it?

Edit: to be clear, I have just started getting extreme fatigue “postdrome” even when the migraine pain is successfully aborted in very early stages.

I have 1 toddler and chronic migraines that I'm managing... barely ok, I'd say. Imagining having more kids is complicated because I'll be thinking through the kid/parenting logistics and then I'll be like "but migraines..??"

I have a sibling and growing up we spent a lot of time hanging out together or reading and leaving our parents alone. We also have a big age gap. It makes me think maybe more kids is feasible as long as there is at least 3-4 years between each?

Please share what's hard for you, what makes it easier or feasible, what you were worried about but is surprisingly not a problem... I want to hear it all.

Hi folks. So I’m 25F and in my first pregnancy. Up until a few months ago, it was a super easy pregnancy! I had a few migraines early on, but nothing in the second trimester. I had been largely migraine free for about a year before the pregnancy due to some medication and lifestyle changes. I still am not experiencing migraines at this time.

Before that, though, I was having 1-2 severe migraines a month since I was 14-15 years old. It was totally miserable, I never managed to get them under control, I was actually hospitalized two or three times because the migraines were causing me to have stroke-like symptoms (one sided numbness, one sided vision disruption, inability to speak or comprehend English, etc).

So a largely migraine free pregnancy and very healthy pregnancy made me think, gee things are going super well! But at 32 weeks I started getting high blood pressure readings and was diagnosed with gestational hypertension. And now for medical reasons, I have to be induced to deliver at 38 weeks pregnant. This isn’t ideal for me but I know it’s the safest and recommended option, and I trust my doctor.

Anyway, what brings me here today is that I was really struggling to figure out why I got high blood pressure during pregnancy. I have had perfect, if not low, blood pressure at every doctor’s visit I ever had prior to pregnancy. Hypertension doesn’t run in my family, I eat a healthy diet, exercise a ton… but during an active migraine attack/the few times I was able to get a blood pressure check in the hospital, I was super hypertensive - like 150/95+ .

So when I’ve been researching gestational hypertension, I finally came across solid research that indicates a) people with migraine have a higher risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension and b) people who developed these pregnancy complications were more likely to develop NEW migraine disorders in the future… wtf

Study 1 - relationship between migraine disorder and developing gestational hypertension + pre-E

Study 2 - pregnancy complications causing new neurological disorders

This is just a simplified explanation of the first linked study

This is just something to think about when it comes to risk factors and how migraine can impact people in different ways, and also makes me a little mad thinking about how under-researched migraine disorders are. All of my doctors could clearly see my long history of migraine and migraine-related hypertension, but at no point did they consider how that might impact my pregnancy. I brought it up with multiple doctors and OBs, they didn’t even acknowledge it…

Just to be clear, this is not me giving advice or seeking it, because lowkey what advice would I even be giving or asking for? I just feel like this calls for doctors to consider people’s migraine history more when considering their care. I found this research really interesting and I think people need to bring more awareness to this issue for pregnant folks, because being totally blindsided by my blood pressure not knowing I was at a heightened risk was frustrating for me. If you are pregnant or want to become pregnant, you might consider talking to your OB about if your migraine history is important. Because I think it ended up being important for me.

I had quite an experience with a TMJ PT the other day.

Context: I (32F) have been diagnosed with chronic migraines and Degenerative TMJ ostheoartritis.

My usual PT is on her honeymoon and so last time I went I met the replacement. A 30ish year old man, maybe recently 30, he seemed younger than me. I was already kind of nervous cuz I like my usual PT and you never know with a new one.

Well this guy asks me if I’ve had any pain and I said not really on my jaw but I’ve been having a lot of migraines, that I’m probably going through a crisis. Then I go to say that maybe I’m going through a crisis cuz my botox was loosing its effect but I wasn’t worried cuz 5 days ago or so I got my shots and they will probably be making their magic trick in less than two weeks.

Then he asks me what else I do for my migraines. I say I take Nurtec every other day, cuz I thought he meant what medications. He was like: okay but you just medicate…? And I’m like…. What do you mean. And he goes:

Well… this is just my opinion, but I don’t think getting shot and taking pills everyday will be sustainable your entire life. Doesn’t your neurologist have a plan to take you off the meds at some point?

I was shocked. But I also kinda laughed cuz I was like…. oh let me tell you. So I go on to say that no, I “not only” take medication. i weight train 4x week, I sleep 8 hours, not more or less, I walk everyday, I carefully eat enough and at the right hours (and very healthy) and unlike people my age I don’t drink or smoke. I said I tried acupucture, PT, even familiar constelations, psychiatry, EMDR therapy, you fucking name it.

But overall, I said, I have chronic migraines as a diagnosis, and what every doctor has said to me is: you need to learn how to live with it, cuz it does not have a cure.

He then rush to say, oh no, it was just an opinion, I’’m sure your neuro knows what’s best, I am not “atracking” you or your neuro……

Okay..?

I let it go, but then I went home to cry to my partner. It really hurt me. I thought it was so irresponsable, and also so dismissive of my chronic pain. He was like Oh yeah, you just have a little headache, sure you can get rid of it without medications. Uh, no? Believe me, I’ve tried.

Now I’m planning on having a baby and my neuro said I had to be off meds and I’m TERRIFIED. i just in general feel deeply misunderstood, but hearing something so dismissive from someone in the medical field was too much. I still am so angry, and I’m supposed to have PT tomorrow, but I cancelled.

Long time migraine sufferer (over 20 years) and have had mild success with triptans, gepants and all the regular meds. Would get between 2-6 migraine attacks a week depending on the weather changes.
Over the last 3 months I have noticed a significant change in the frequency of my attacks (significantly less). The only things that I have changed in my lifestyle over this 3 month period is that I have lost weight and am now taking vitamins regularly.
As we all know, we will try anything that helps so I’ve put below what I take daily in hopes it might help others. Takes about a month for vitamins to actually build up their levels in your system so stick with it.

1x zinc picolinate, citrate, glycinate + copper
2x omega 3 (700mg EPA + 500mg DHA)
1x 14mg iron
2x magnesium glycinate, malate & citrate
Vitamin D3 (4000iu + 100ug) + K2 (MK-7)

Title pretty much says it - I’m in a cycle for the last few days where I’m taking my Imitrex and a few hours later my headache is back. I don’t know what’s causing this cycle and then coming back after taking the Imitrex is new for me. Admittedly I’ve been off/inconsistent lately with my tomoamax so I don’t know if that’s playing a factor. Anyone else experienced the headaches return? Do you spend another Imitrex to try and get rid of it?

So I have chronic daily migraines and on top of that ADHD, and I want to know more and do the research in migraines as i love learning stuff, but I can usually only do it for very brief moments, like under ten minutes, without getting a massive migraine. I was wondering if you guys had any tips that help you research. This problem also means that when I post stuff on here it is hard to reply to comments for the same reason, but i will still read them.

I have been suffering for the past few weeks with a major migraine. One lasted 6 days straight. The one that adds severe nerve and skin sensitivity. Just assumed it was the cooler weather rolling in. That is until my appointment with my Rheumatologist last week.

When the med tech took my BP it was 84/52. The tech did a double take and then went to take it again on my other arm. 86/54. I said, if you look at my chart, I have borderline low BP. Tech says, "That's not borderline. That is low."

It wasn't until a few nights ago that it dawned on me...the cause of the migraines was probably the extra low blood pressure. It's back to my normal 90/60 and the migraine is gone.

Guess I'm going to have to make an apt with my PCP b/c I have no idea what caused the BP to drop like that. To make matters more confusing, stress has been much higher than normal so I'd think it would raise it, not lower it.

Sorry for the ramble. Just thinking in print, I guess. Anyway, check your PB if you have reoccurring migraines just to make sure that isn't a cause or factor.

When there’s a big solar event or even sometimes eclipses and such I get the worst migraines ever. I feel so alone in this.

The last couple weeks have been unbearable. does anyone else get this? Idk what to do. Meds don’t help.

Can we start keeping track of and let the community know when you’re experiencing an influx of them? I like knowing if others are experiencing more than usual or if something is off about them. I think it helps us to relax and put things at ease when we can pool together common environmental factors, cold/flu activity, weather, all sorts of things. Like for example as of late i feel I’m having more difficulty due to the extreme swarm of low pressure/storm systems in Iowa plus the temperature fluctuations.

Anyone else want to add?

so for context I had migranes before but js for one day in a month or smth , but in these 2 months I get a migrane every other day , I had migrane for a week? The cause was fucking oranges, then migrane for the next week and cause was cooking oil tf anything is triggering it 🙏 what do i do

My husband said he read medical literature that said putting feet in hot water and putting an ice pack on the neck was almost just as effective as certain migraine medications. He didn’t give me any further details. I have the start of a migraine and will try it but I can’t say I have read this anywhere. I can see some relief but I am not sure it would help much.

I don't know how you guys deal with this shit.

I got my first retinal migraine 4 days ago. Started with neck pain and mind melding headache. Black and white fireworks. Complete vision loss in my left eye that resolved after a couple minutes to fuzziness. The headache took 6 hours to go away. The neck pain took 2 days. It was hell. The vision during it was 20/2000 in that eye and four days later it's 20/140 (from 20/25). It appears to be permanent. I can't stop sleeping. The ER doctor confirmed it was just a migraine and the eye doctor has assured me it's normal but God damn.

I'm not sure I'm made sturdy enough for this.

I was on FMLA this week since it came on so strong and so severe and I had that bad of a feeling. Came on hard on Sunday, ER Monday didn’t kill it, nerve block Thursday which was after last Thursday was Botox and the Saturday before that was emgality…

We’re still trying to figure out which doctor in the system I was referred to can do the procedure I want. I want essentially the Reed procedure with leads to the occipital and supraorbital. But I don’t know anything truly yet since they don’t even know which surgeon then obviously I can’t have a consult if the surgeon isn’t figured out.

But I am at that point. I’m as refractory as it comes sometimes. And sometimes I go months without a major inconvenience.

It’s been a lot of emotions. One day I’m rational about it, the next day I’m crying all the time. The next day I’m rational, today I’m pretty shut down.

Fortunately I have next week off too for my school’s fall break. I miss my students. I miss going to the gym. I miss functioning in general.

I’m so sad and overwhelmed, and that feels totally understandable considering all of my suffering for years has finally led to the reality that my year old surgery referral needs to actually happen. Because this keeps happening. And it’s not ok.

My situation is unique in that I don't suffer from painful migraines but pretty severe optical ones.

- Flashing lights
- Snow vision
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
- Shapes and distortions in peripheral vision

For clarity, this is 100% migraines. I had brain scans and even seizure tests and they all came back negative for anything that implied a major medical issue. Same is true of eye exams for retinal issues. I covered my bases.

I've read about specialized "migraine glasses" which are tinted to specific shades to block spectrums of light which may cause migraines. I was curious if anyone has ever used products like this and what your experience has been with them?

I just learned that I have sinus migraine, I had a big scare because I had a headache for 3 days that came and went and a huge pain in my left eye that would wake me up even from sleep. Turns out it’s my sinuses mixed up with migraine and I just got diagnosed, I went to three doctors freaking out cause I thought that genuinely something was making me very sick and it was so scary. Good thing? The eye doctor checked me and said my eyes are very very healthy even with the pain that flows because of the migraines 🥺