My Migraine trigger?

Ollieeeee

New Member

Joined : Oct 2010

Posts : 1

Posted 10/3/2010 10:50 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, before I get started on the topic, I think it would be best if I gave you all some info on me, because I know there can be many migraine triggers, and alot of different factors can contribute to migraines. Anyway...

I'm 17, 5ft 11, 150lbs and quite fit. Being a student I don't have much stress in my life so I think I can rule that out as a cause. I don't get migraines often, maybe 3 a year, but when they do they are very severe, i.e very severe headaches followed by alot of vomiting, and sensitivity to any light or sound, that can last for a day.

I believe that the trigger is one of two things. Either caffeine or, and I don't know if this is common or not, but, lighting a match and smelling the bit on the match at the top, that burns. Is it phosphorus? I'm not sure. The reason I think it could be this is because the last couple of times I've lit a match and smelt the immediate burning, Iv had migraine within 12 hours.

But another point on the caffeine, I drink alot of tea, and that has never been a problem, and I know tea has nearly as much caffeine as coffee so...

It is definately not lack of sleep, because I stay up till 4/5 some mornings and only get 2/3 hours of sleep, and my sleep pattern is completely random. I don't think it is bright lights because I go to raves and there is a lot of strobe lighting there and that has never been a trigger. It's not smoking, or smoking weed because I've never experienced a migraine due to this.

Please help, I really want to be able to safely drink energy drinks again, but have avoided them for fear of a migraine. And I'm usually up till late doing college essays etc and I need to stay awake.

Thanks, Ollie.

Kawasakizx10

New Member

Joined : Oct 2010

Posts : 15

Posted 10/12/2010 5:22 AM (GMT 0)

Hi,

I have had headaches for a long time and have some ideas for you. First of all, I used to get them once in a while when in college. I used to have the unusual sleep patterns and think school is not that stressful. Trust me both of those can be triggers. Smoking anything, and then stopping for any length of time could be causing a withdrawal syndrome or if you do it religiously and then stop for a day or two just the change in the amount of oxygen or nicotine or THC in your brain is receiving, could potentially be enough to trigger migraine pain. I would recommend cutting off the use of anything illegal or anything you smoke for that matter. I realize there is an opinion that certain substances that are illegal shouldn't be, but that does not mean that aren't harmful to a person that is predisposed to migraine pain.

The amount of caffeine in tea is ~8 - 12 MG / 8 Fl Oz depending on the potency whereas coffee is anywhere from 25 mg - 50. This is a significant difference. However, the slightest dependency on caffeine can cause withdrawal, and the most common symptom of caffeine withdrawal is headache pain.

I would recommend you speak with your GP and discuss trying either Relpax or Maxalt. The reason I say Relpax first is because it will really help with the nausea. If that doesn't work then the Maxalt with Promethazine hopefully will. Maxalt is a great drug, although very expensive. The promethazine is cheap and may make you a little drowsy and usually is very effective in managing nausea. All are non-narcotic and should be easy to obtain from your GP. If you still have pain try 400 - 600 mg of ibuprofen every 4 - 6 hours with the other medications.

As far as the match goes, I don't know of any patients personally, but it is possible. Oh, and I would not recommend drinking the energy drinks. Exercise and water and gatorade will make your body go much further in the short run and long run and will help you to stay healthy.

Hope this helps.

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