HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Waking up with headaches?

Support Forums
>
Migraine Headache
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/6/2008 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Just wondering if anyone here wakes up with their headaches ? It seems like 9 times out of 10 i wake up with my headaches. I know if i sleep long i will get one so i usually try and get up at the same time every day. I woke up with one today...just a small one ( a 2 on a scale of 1-10) but its annoying. I took my dose of keppra this morning, along with 2 tylenol , my calcium with magnesium pill and 200mg of B2. ..and i drank 1/2 a mocha for the caffiene....no relief so far. I have some xanax and im wondering if that would "loosen" things up for me...cause the pain in my head it a TIGHT feeling. anyone else wake up with headaches like this? and if so, what helps?
Posted 9/8/2008 6:15 AM (GMT 0)
I actually wake up with headaches quite frequently. I am fortunate that I only get a full on migraine every few months, but when they do happen, they almost always come on during the night while I am sleeping. I am typically woken by the pain and nausea and by that time I'm in the middle of a full blown migraine attack and cannot keep anything down to treat it. Often for me this means an eventual trip to the ER. In the last 10 years or so I have begun to have an occasional migraine that comes on during the day, which has led to the discovery that I do indeed get the "aura" before the pain. The first time it happened it scared me half to death b/c I'd never been awake for that part before. I thought I was having a stroke or something!

Anyways, since most often my migraines and even basic headaches do come on during sleep, I've had to try to find ways to mitigate this. None of the migraine abortive meds have worked for me, and I haven't tried any of the daily meds since the migraines are not super frequent for me. The one thing I've found, though, that I swear by, is IcyHot patches. I know - sounds weird! I have found that if I start to feel a headache coming on or wake up with one, I get up and get an IcyHot patch and put it right on my forehead and then go back to bed and try to get back to sleep for an hour or two. The menthol scent in the patch helps a little, and the cool feeling from it penetrates my forehead and relaxes the blood vessels that are in spasm causing the headache. For me, this works better than any medication ever has for most headaches. It does not cut a migraine for me, but as I said when I get those they are full blown before I can do anything about them, so the only thing that helps me at that point is IV meds at the ER. But for all other headaches, I can't live without my IcyHot patches! They are even on my list of essentials to pack every time I travel!

Ry
Posted 9/8/2008 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the tip...i may try that. I often will wake up and get a cold rag for my head..but then get up multiple times to re-wet it so the icyhot patches sounds like a great thing to try! Thanks!
Posted 9/22/2008 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
my friend had this problem and she sleeps with a mouth guard to prevent it. She found out she was biting down very hard in her sleep. They have mouth guards at the pharmacist about $15
Posted 9/22/2008 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
I often wake up with a headache---sometimes a migraine, but more often a regular headache that I know will turn into a full-blown migraine if I don't lie down in a dark room. So I spend a lot of my time sleeping by day and staying up late at night. Thanks for mentioning the IcyHot---I will try it this week.

I am on a combination of Klonopin and Keppra---has anyone had success with these?


headcase3
Posted 9/22/2008 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
I usually wake up with a headache every morning as well, but I wonder if its a rebound headache due to the medication havng caffeine in it????
Posted 10/12/2009 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
For the past 4 months, I have been suffering from waking up from headaches.  It starts out from the back then works its way to the sides of my head.  Just recently, I have also been slightly feverish.  As soon as I get up, and massage it away or take some asprin, it tends to go away.  Then after about an hour or so, I will sometimes fall back asleep, only to wake up in the same condition as earlier.  I have been to my doctor and he says it was due to high blood pressure.  Well, I am currently on medication for it, but I am still experiencing these headaches that are really working my last nerve.  I tried cutting down on salt, eating smaller portions, and waiting for at least an hour after eating before going to bed (assuming that was the problem at one time).  Would anyone know what could be causing this, and what solutions I could use to remedy this problem?  Thank you.
Posted 10/12/2009 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
This could be a serious issue. I've had migraine almost all my life but never experienced this. Do see a doctor about it. Also, you can ask about fioricet. This is my pain reliever for bad days. This might help you too.
Posted 10/13/2009 12:30 AM (GMT 0)

Ryand and anyone else

I was just wondering, when you go to the ER for your migraines what medication do they

give you???

Posted 10/13/2009 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
get checked for sleep apnea......
Posted 10/14/2009 1:47 AM (GMT 0)

I never had a sleep study.  The only problems I have with sleep is not sleeping and when I do sleep I always wake up dripping wet of sweat.  I'm not sure what that is from but I do have to change my pj's and my sheets about 3xs a night.

Nothing in life is easy...............

Posted 10/14/2009 8:00 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds hormonal and according to your signature you had a total hysterectomy, I understand that hormonal changes (night sweats/hot flashes) are pretty common.
Posted 10/16/2009 9:58 AM (GMT 0)
 

  I'm up at 4:00am with a migriane that woke me during the  night.  I't 6:00 am right now and I still have the  migraine.  I've been dealing with migraines most of my life. I also dealt with epilepsy for over 25 years of my life, but since my brain surgery I've been seizure Free.  These migraines are getting worse as time has gone by.  I'm 46 years old, otherwise healthy. I deal with migraines almost on a daily basis, the one I have this morning is really bad.  I got up and took a fiorcett it's not kicked in yet, not sure it will help.  I've been on so many migraine meds with no results. I go to my neurologist next week, but I really don't know why, there seems to be little he can do. He has started all over giving me meds that he gave me a couple of years ago, not sure that's the answer.   He has mentioned botox but my insurance will not pay for that.   They inject it into your head and neck, was hoping to get this done, but I can't afford it.  I know there a migraine brain surgery also, but I really don't want to go through another brain surgery.  Things are getting bad, and I need some relief soon.  I am under stress right now, so I'm sure that is only making things worse.  Thanks for reading my post.  God Bless you all, I understand your pain.

  Mercyme

Posted 10/16/2009 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I suggest you see a dentist to evaluate for teeth clenching. Waking up with a headache is a classic presentation, especially with tightness in the face, head and shoulders. I am now wearing a device (NTI) that keeps my teeth from touching at night. It has made a significant difference for me. I also take Neurontin 300 mg twice daily as a preventative, and Midrin/Frova as abortives. I am very pleased with the NTI. I paid $512 but it has been worth it. Google it and go their web site. That's how I found a dentist in my area who was able to make the device for me. I have gone from taking Midrin every day and Frova once/week, to taking Midrin once or twice a week, and have not needed any Frova since I got the device. Good luck.
Posted 10/17/2009 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
I have seen a dentist, and there is no problem with my teeth. I had brain surgery several years ago, and had crainoplasty surgery this year. I think it's just a combination of things. (crainoplasty surgery (incase you don't know) is when they go in and repair your skull. I had some large indentations from the first brain surgery so the surgeons fixed that and took out the screws. guess after reading this you understand why I would have migraines.

Mercyme
Posted 10/17/2009 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
Besides the obvious things like checking for sleep apnea or dental problems (TMJ, clenching, etc.), I'd recommend: maintaining a routine sleep cycle, sleeping in a cooler environment, and not eating or drinking anything besides water 2-3 hours prior of when you go to sleep.
Posted 10/17/2009 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
jenbug

I suffered from chronic daily severe migraines and over the summer heard about PFO & ASD both of these are small holes in the heart that have been linked in the last couple of years to migraine headaches.  Some of the bigger research hospital sway that 50% of all chronic migraine sufferers have this.  You can look it up on the internet by doing a google search for PFO & Migraine headaches it will bring up several articles for you to read.  The internet will tell you there are usually no symptoms but a Cardiologist will tell you differently.  Here are some of the symptoms:

Stroke

Palpitations

Tiredness

Shortness of breath

Chest infections/tightness/ wheezing 

Migraine headaches

My Dr also said that in the 30th and 40th year of life these symptoms get much worse.  Just a thought.  Some people truly have 'classic migraiones' but others like myself have this PFO.  I had mine repaired 9/29/09 and feel like a different person.  I haven't had a migraine since.   I was lucky that I had not already suffered a stroke which is usually the way this is found.  Severe daily migraines would be about the 2nd.  Some Doctors would probably disagree but I went to UAB in Birmingham Alabama which is a huge teaching and research facility.  One of the top 10 in the US.

I am currently getting off all preventive meds (Topamax etc)

Good luck!

Posted 10/22/2009 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have woken up many times with a migraine and they are SO NOT FUN. I have found that when I heat up one of the rice bags and lay it across my eyes, it helps so much. It helps with that pressure you get from behine the eyeball and the sides drop down to my temples and the heat help me. Now I still have to take my Midrin, but this is a good relief until it kicks when. Hope this helps.
Posted 5/6/2010 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
iv been waking up the past few days at 4 in te morning with a heead ache. remedy(i swear this works try i): hop in the shower. on full blast just relax and breathe calmly and relax your face. get eather a rag and warm it in the microwave or get one of those hand warmers. icy hot works to., amazing.
Posted 9/24/2010 6:33 AM (GMT 0)
   I too have been waking up with headaches for many years now.Still cant figure it out.Seems as soon as I lay down within a few hours I wake up with pain in my head and sinus area pressure.Just had my ears nose and throat checked by specialist and they were all clear.He seems to think it is sleep apnia.I do not sleep well and never have but I could see waking up in the morning and having a headache, but only after 2 to 3 hours of sleep i wake up with a headache.I have to sit up usually on my sofa and take some excerine migrane and massage my face area to relieve some pressure but then my body is nervous from the pain and scared to ever lay back down.I have had headaches since 15 years old and I am now 41 and has interupted my life enough.I actually have to plan my day around a headache.I need some relief quickly because I am starting to get stressed out and that makes my headaches worse.I am thinking of getting a mouth guard and trying that.Where do I have one made if anyone knows? 
Posted 10/14/2010 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Try Migraine Ice for cooling patches! I love them and often sleep with one on, secured by a thin headband.

things swell when you have REM sleep

i think it's not unusual therefore to feel migraine-y in the morning
and yes rebound can make it worse
but what can you do?
sometimes dealing with it earlier prevents worse things.
Posted 10/21/2010 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
Yoga is a good way to keep away from the headache . Yoga not only provides you physical fitness but also provides mental peace and it helps to relives the stress .
Posted 10/23/2010 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I suffer with daily headaches and migraines and have done for sometime.

Last week I went to see a doctor at the City of London Migraine Clinic. I had to do a headache diary for 3 months and she has come to the conclusion that although I don't take painkillers every day, I tend to take them every time my head is very bad, that they are making my head worse. I was taking a painkiller called Syndol which is only available in the UK. It is meant for tension headaches but has caffeine within the tablet. The Doc said this is making my head worse so I need to come off these and take aspirin or paractamol only and she is giving me amitripyline to take 3 hrs before bedtime.

She also looked at what I ate and drank. I am only allowed one glass of diet drink a day and must drink at least 2 litres of water a day. She also mentioned it is good to have a snack/piece of fruit between dinner and bed as sometimes the drop in sugar levels makes you wake up with a bad head so this may help.

So it may be worth you trying a painkiller without caffeine or eating an hour or two before bedtime.

I have followed her advice for a week now and my head is already better. Some days the pain scale has been a 3 rather than previously 8/9 but 3 days out of the 7 I have been painfree, the best I have felt in months. I have to trial this for 3 months and see how I get on.
Posted 11/13/2010 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
I get the SAME symptoms of "diamond Girl"

I wake up with SEVERE migraine, and SEVERE nausea-
Then as soon as I stand up and deep breathe it is gone, and the migraine turns into a dull headache for the rest of the day...
But then I go to sleep and wake up again (always TOO early) with these severe symptoms.
Im not grinding my teeth and dont have sleep apnea.
My neck is sore too and if I push on the back of it I get nasuesous.
I never had this before in my life. Then monday night I ate canned pumpkin and the next morning it started this cycle. So At first I thought I had some kind of tetnus causing mucle spasms in my neck giving me a headache, then my dad thought I had an anneysrm but I dont have vision issues. Then I thought I had vertebral artery syndrom but I dont get vertigo or nystagmus.
Why would I have these symtpoms SO bad when Im lying down and not standing up? My blood pressusre = 110 / 60 ?!
Posted 11/18/2010 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
I have had shortness of breath for several years due to a rare type lung cancer (fortunately slow growing). A few years ago I started getting morning migraines and frequently be awoken with a migraine. My doctor prescribed oxygen for shortness of breath and sleeping at night. Guess what? Once the correct titration was set -up (too low at first) no more migraines. I had gone to a migraine expert and he couldn't help and all he wanted to do was prescribe meds. My gynecologist thought it was hormonal and perscribed Frova - that helped until my insurance company wouldn't pay for it. Next I discovered 2 Excedrin migraine pills and a coca-cola would help relieve the symptoms BUT nothing helped better than prevention of the migraines with sleeping with oxygen at night. If one has migraines after sleeping I would suggest #1 at least a sleep study where C02 is measured as well as oxygen saturation. #2 get your doctor to prescribe a concentrator at night and try that. :-)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12