First migraine at age 57

Hi, I'm in my 30's but I just wanted to share that I know how alarming the aura experience can be for the first time! The first time I had one, I did NOT get a headache, only the aura, and it was a confusing/scary experience. (the reason I didn't get the headache is because I went to sleep before the headache descended). The next time I got the aura, I did experience the awful headache after. The reason I think I first got my migraine and the ones that followed is because I was on zoloft. I only got migraines while taking this medication and never made the connection. When I went off of the med, I didn't have a migraine nor aura for as long as 7 years or so. Lucky me! :) But I've had hormonal/menstrual irregularities for awhile recently, and they started up a year ago again even though I'm not on zoloft or any med. But I was able to find the trigger.... but the trigger seems to be hormone related and one related to lifestyle habits. I'd share what it is but I kind of feel like a freak and no one replied to my post when I shared what it was.

I know that hormones have a lot to do with migraines in many cases. If you are just finishing menopause, your body may be adjusting to differences in the way your body is regulating itself.

If your tests came out normal, that is great news, I think.

The next thing I'd say to think about is how are your lifestyle habits? (you don't have to answer but) how do you eat, do you exercise, do you manage stress well?

Sometimes there are multiple environmental triggers that can cause a migraine. I know you are not getting the actual headache pain, but perhaps something is triggering this in you (and oftentimes its not just one factor but multiple factors together that lead up to a migraine). You could use this experience as an opportunity to go through a health check list and take good care of yourself.

For instance, for years I was a lucky gal and I could eat and drink almost anything with little to no consequences. But as I've gotten older, my body has begun to react awfully to all sorts of additives and unhealthy preservatives and chemicals in foods. I had no reason to prevent consuming them when I didn't feel their affects, but now I'm forced to. I now wonder if some of these same chemicals are making others out there get headaches and slight neurological effects without realizing it. The affects on me are too drastic not to notice. I know that I'm an odd ball, but you never know what could be triggering these episodes. Have you considered making a diary of your diet, sleep, and daily routine? You might be able to figure out a common pattern of what precedes the auras. Just an idea.

Okay, this is rather embarrassing, but I want to give an example: I figured out my trigger. I get the migraine with aura only after being intimate with my committed partner and not using "protection". It took me a while to figure out but I began to see a pattern. My thinking is that the slight difference in hormone balance affects me and instigates the aura and migraine process. Sorry if that is too intimate of information to share but I just want to show that in some cases its possible to find a trigger... and it may differ person to person.

I only share that to say that there could be something in your environment that might trigger the aura for you. Could be a perfume, a food, a stressful event, hormonal fluctuation, abnormal amount of sleep, a nap... who knows. If you watch you might be able to pin point it and then change your habits to prevent the episodes or make them less frequent.

But if that is the only symptom you are having and your tests come out normal, I think that's all good news. :)

In reply to Christine (first migraine at 57) I sympathise with you!

I had my first migraine at age 56, and now aged 67!

For 11 years I have had a migraine every week without fail which was bad enough, but now to my dismay I am only having three pain free days between my migraines.

I am my wits end! Quality of life is sooooo poor now! I have tried everything out there, from prescribed meds/ otc meds/ feverfew/b vits/ black cohosh/magnesium/soya isoflavins/botox! Name it- I've tried it!

Now trying a different kind of magnesium suppliment from before, previously it was mg oxide, but have been advised it has to be mg citrate to treat migraines, so got my fingers crossed that I get somewhere at last!

Been taking it for two days now, and due to have another migraine tomorrow...will it come will it stay away...will let you know!

Your experience sounds very similar to mine, Christine 1. I suffered from migraine as a child in kindergarten and first grade only to have them stop for years. Then at age 57 they came back with a vengeance! Mine are atypical basilar migraine and I too went through the fear of thinking it was Tia event. Now I am on a new medication that seems quite promising...gabapentin. So far I am two whole days migraine free and hoping this is going to give me some relief from my almost constant migraine troubles. Hang in there and I'm glad you have found this site.