HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

New Here, would appreciate some help

Support Forums
>
Migraine Headache
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/22/2011 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, my name is Jodie, I am 52 yrs old, and live in the SF bay area. I have had a headache each night about 2am for the past 8 days. The headache wakes me up from my sleep. The headache is always on the right side of my head, near the temple. Often it radiates through the sinus passages, and gives me some pain across my face. I usually wet a washcloth with very warm water, placing over my face. about that time, I also take a maxalt - get back into bed, and sort of wait it out for headache to pass. It usually takes about 35-45 minutes for it to pass, and to fall back asleep. I can lay quietly, have no aura, no nausea, I have now been going through the same routine for the past 8 days. I feel drugged,and exhausted and have no idea when this cycle will be over. I can't continue taking meds everyday, nor do I want to. I started to think, that maybe I have been getting rebound headaches from too much medicine. I just read about that - but when you get rebound headaches, would you get them at the same time as the other headaches, 2am??

This is the third time, i have gone through this headache cycle. (last week of Aug, first week of Oct, and now Jan) It lasted about 6 days - and was the same kind of pain and weird middle of the night stuff. I went to my doctor, and she believed that it was most likely hormonal - peri-menopause with an erratic cycle at this point.

I am wondering if i should see a nuerologist. My doctor did prescribe topamax for me to use as a preventative. I have not taken any of it, since I was headache free for 3 months - but now it is really a struggle. I have not had a solid night sleep in weeks.

Over the past 5 yrs, I have had some(2-3 per year) mild menstrual migraines, that resolved easily with maxalt or aspirin/tylenol. But this is just so weird - I am beside myself. I can't stand all the medication, and the disrupted sleep.. I have been trying to find out whether anyone else has had this kind of night waking headaches. Please let me know, and if you have any strategies that seem to be working.

I went for some accupuncture the other day, and was given some chinese herbs to take. I am taking these - at this point I will do anything to help myself. have not felt any relief.

I hope that I can add value to these forums, and offer support and compassion to those that need help. I look forward to meeting everyone, and appreciate any input and suggestions.

Do any of these symptoms or issues sound familliar to anyone? Pls help me to feel less isolated and alone thanks

all the best
jodie
Posted 1/23/2011 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jodie,

That sounds really rough. I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time with the migraines.

It sounds like you could be experiencing Nocturnal Migraines. I'm not too familiar with this migraine type, but here are some helpful web sites that give good basic information:

http://www.manageyourmigraine.com/nocturnal-migraine.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/213570-what-are-the-treatments-for-nocturnal-migraines/

I would definitely go to a neurologist and discuss your symptoms and preventative treatment options with him/her. If you are unable to get the migraines resolved with the help of your neurologist, you may want to consider going to a headache clinic/center.

I would assume that, just like classic and common migraine, nocturnal migraine is set off by a/several trigger(s). This could be hormonal and/or something else. Talk to your physician and see if you can figure out what yours are. I would suggest keeping a Headache Journal.

Best of Luck!
Posted 1/23/2011 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jodie,

Welcome to Healing Well. You say your headaches come in cycles and at the same time every night which leads me to the possibility of Cluster Headache, which comes in cycles and is the same time every day.

However, do you get any other symptoms with the pain i.e. watery eye, droopy eye and blocked nose on the affected side, or any thing else? What is the pain like is it dull, achey burning or stabbing?

Have you ever endured a headache to know how long it would last untreated?

Whatever this is you need to see a Neurologist who is a Headache Specialist to get a proper diagnosis and more than that the proper treatment for whatever your condition is.
Posted 1/23/2011 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your responses. Since I was getting concerned about MOH, and the thoughts I was using too much Maxalt, the past two nights I did not take any medications. The night before last, I got the usual headache, but just placed a warm compress on my face and fell back asleep, until 4:30 am when a huge chandelier in my entry way decided to fall from the ceiling (about 30ft) and break into a million pieces (was so freaky)- got up cleaned up, was wide awake, crawled back into bed, just rested and had a dull nagging headache most of the day. I upped my quantities of vitamins, especially Magesium and Calcium, both morning and night. In addition I take multi, vitamin D, probiotic, and omega 3. Last night, before bed, I took some vitamins, with some decaf tea, and warmed a neck relaxing pillow with lavender. I tried to relax, and fell asleep. The funny thing is, I wondered what would happen if I was awake at 2am when the headache usually hit, would it be there? My dogs took care of that last night, and I did not have a headache at that hour. I went back to bed, and woke with a headache about 5:00am. I had read that someone had some good luck with with these icy/hot patches, so i bought some, and put it on my head, and fell back asleep. The pain was moderate and constant on the right side of my head, near the temple area. No droopy eye, no real congestion, no nausea, no aura. I finally got up around 7am, and grabbed some coffee, and an ice pack and tried to relieve the headache. It seemed to work for the most part. I feel a little crackly in my right ear, not stuffed, just crackly - hmmm. I am continuing with my vitamin regiment and no meds. I wonder how tonight will be.
I spoke with my internist on the phone last night, and she is going to hook me up with a headache specializing neurologist. I think this is a good idea, as does she. Do you think this fits into a pattern of clusters or nocturnals? I was thinking, as I was researching things, many specialists state that nocturnal or night time migraines may have something to with changes in neurotransmitters and circadian rhythms. Does anyone have any thoughts on this, and what tests should be conducted to see if levels of cortisol, serotonin. calcium blockers, etc are affected. Thanks and talk to you soon
Posted 1/23/2011 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
So pleased you are going to see a Headache Specialist, please let me know how you get on.

From what you tell me I think we can rule out Cluster Headache. I do believe Migraine and other headaches are affected by circadian rythms. There are no blood tests or any other tests that will diagnose Migraine, and although it may be interesting to find out what your blood levels are of other things, but doubt they have any relevance to your headaches.

However, a good specialist will check all your blood levels and probably do an MRI scan purely to rule out anything else - I would expect these test to come back normal if you have Migraine.

All the best with this.

Take care

Ann
Posted 1/24/2011 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jodie,

Your headache specialist will be able to give you a lot of good information.

Certainly circadian rythms can have an effect on migraines. It is not uncommon at all to have a sleep study performed.

Some migraineurs supplement with melatonin. Ask your specialist about this. If (s)he feels this is appropriate, (s)he will be able to suggest what time of day to take them and in what dosage.

Many times headache specialists (HS) have a long wait list. If you find this to be the case, make the appointment, but get in with a neurologist as soon as you can. This way when you go to the HS you will have your preliminary test results (MRI, Bloods, etc).

I'm curious, why do you think you have MOH? How often and for how long have you been using maxalt and OTC painkillers. MOH usually takes a couple of years to develop. I'm happy to hear that you are aware of them... not a road that you want to go down.

Magnesium has been found to be helpful for some migraineurs. I would expect calcium to have the opposite effect. If you're not supplementing with calcium for other health concerns, you may want to try not taking it (talk with your doctor first). If you do stay on them, consider spacing out when you take them. They are competatively absorbed.

Best of Luck
Posted 1/26/2011 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
YES, MELATONIN, IT WORKS
I have suffered with migrain, SEVERE migrain for 15 yearsm in the last 2 years every day and night, no rest, no life. You know how it feels.
Please try something i tried, stummbled accross it by pure chance, on internet studies, through research and people commenting. All positive comments, all positive results!
in my case i havent had A SINGLE MIGRAIN since i started taking the hormone melatonin. It is natural and is safe. From what i know at least. I studied responces from different countries in different languages (me being russian)- ALL POSITIVE and after all I TRIED IT and the pain IS GONE. I'd like to help by this comment if i can to those who will experience similar results if they only try. It is cheap, can be bought on internet, nature shops. Please dont give up on your life, i hope it will get better for you too...
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply