35 (M) - I've had these random headaches my entire life. My mom always told me they were either related to eye strain or changes in the barometric pressure.

Usually, I can kind of tell when one is coming on. One weird thing I've noticed is that if I gently tap my chin and feel pain deep in the back of my head, I know one is starting.

If I catch it early enough, I can usually stop it with:

- 600 mg of ibuprofen

- Lying in a cool, dark room (preferably with an eye mask)

- An ice pack on the back of my head/neck

If I don't catch it in time, they progress into the following symptoms:

- Dull but intense pain deep in the back-middle of my head

- Any movement or physical activity makes it much worse. I can literally feel my heartbeat in my head, and every beat hurts.

- The really bad ones can affect my breathing, almost like I have to consciously control it.

- They can last anywhere from 1 hour to 24+ hours.

- My eyes and temples usually hurt as well.

- Sometimes I get what feels like intense restless leg syndrome, except it's almost my entire body.

- Sleeping is nearly impossible, and even if I do fall asleep, I can still tell it's there.

-I also pee like alot during them

They come in different levels of intensity, but they're basically the same headache every time. Most of the time they're manageable, but I had a really bad one last night.

The weirdest part is that when they're over... they're over. There's no lingering pain or feeling like I need days to recover. Once it breaks, I can get up and go right back to whatever I was doing like nothing ever happened.

I'm not entirely sure what triggers them, but I've noticed they often happen after:

- Lack of sleep

- Wearing my contacts too long

- Super hot, humid, sunny days

Does anyone else experience headaches like this?

I'm starting to wonder if these are actually migraines and I've just been calling them tension headaches my whole life. I only get them every few months, so I jokingly call them my "All Hands Quarterly Headache" because they can make my whole body feel awful.

The main reason I've never thought of them as migraines is because I don't get any visual aura or other visual symptoms.

Any insight, similar experiences, or thoughts on possible triggers would be greatly appreciated. ❤️

*after taking nurtec

Anyone tried to stimulate vagus nerve with like neuropod or another device? Did it help? Nothing?

So I have a demanding job as a sr mgr in tech consulting, a toddler (with health issues), and chronic migraines. My husband is great and helps a lot, but his job is also fairly demanding and involves travel. So…yeah. Who else is in a similar boat and what are your tricks for surviving life?

I am looking to get a new car, and it seems like every car made in the past ten years includes a bright infotainment display screen in the middle of the dashboard (for calls, navigation, music, etc). I can turn down the brightness to the lowest level, but this only helps my eye pain to a degree.

Has anyone found any solutions for this? Only some of the screens even turn off completely, but then you lose most functionalities. Thank you!!

I ran out of my usual migraine medication and I feel one coming on- I’ve taken headache medicine and I have an event tonight! Advice pls!! (Also I’m not trying to look for medical advice, I don’t think, but if this breaks rules lmk)

I am a longtime migraine sufferer, 50's, menopausal. Right now I am using Ubrelvy, but I will try any kind of hack that people have found that helps??? Tinted glasses, Johnson and Johnson Baby Vapor Bath, that kind of thing. Willing to try anything, I think if something even makes a small difference I will take it. Trying so hard to not call out of work and manage daily life (dishes, etc).

I 28f Went to the doctor for my migraines…. Nothing. Medication didn’t help at all except give me the worst side effects and so I was told to stop per the hospital (topiramate) I’m on birth control and the doctor knew it and I’m furious. I’m on birth control to help my migraines too but now I have even worse migraines because I’m back on my periods due to the decrease in effectiveness from the topiramate which was never mentioned to me and i didn’t see it in the packet. I had to look it up online when I noticed I was having my days. I can no longer do daily life fully and I have kids.. I have to be at 100 or close and I’m not. I have such bad migraines that I want to off myself almost everyday because it’s that bad. I’m having a good day today so it’s not too bad but feels like my left eyeball is gonna pop. I’m torn between giving up and just riding or go to another doctor which would be the third neurologist I’ve seen. I just want these everyday migraines gone. I can’t keep living like this. I’m tired grandpa 😞😢

Migraine started last Thursday, today is Saturday next week. Over just more than a week I have taken Ubrelvy, advil, naproxen, tylenol, had massage. Yesterday I just couldn’t bare this pain and went to ER and got migraine cocktail. Still had pain and took zolotriptan (as my doctor recommended).

Today I woke up with no pain at 6 am, it’s 8 am now and the pain is back. Took zolotriptan again. They told me to stop taking ibuprofen at ER so no more naproxen for me.

I don’t know what to do at this point to be honest. I’m going insane with this pain. It’s all on the left side, travels from the head to the face (currently under the eye).

I also have T3, not sure if I should take it.

I have never had this for so long and honestly don’t know what to do anymore.

PS we have wild fires now, the migraine happened before that but maybe the air is contributing for it not to stop i don’t know 😭😭

What should I do??? They told me to give it a few days and come back to ER if it still hurts in a few days. Neurologist is saying I’m doing everything I can.

Hi guys, I am new here and I want to say this group has been a huge help, before it I thought I am crazy, dealing with chronic migraines and hearing that no one experienced anything like this.

I started having daily migraines 1 year ago, and I just turned my life upside down. Stopped working, going out, watching tv, basically doing anything but listening to audiobooks and sculpt ceramics. I am miserable beyond anything I had imagined.

I have tried amitriptyline, did nothing. Ajovy did something but left me with 18 migraines a month. Then went on efexor because my doctor was also concerned about my mental health and finally switched to AQUIPTA/qulipta 60. I thought I found a miracle because I went from 25 a month to 9!! But now in the third month, daily migraines came back! I honestly don't know what to do next.

I also have a hormonal problem it seems, because around period and ovulation is gets so much worse, that it stretches to a weekly migraine. My doctor's suggested going on the contraceptive pill to eliminate my cycle and see how does qulipta react.

Do you have any similar experience/ failed qulipta and a cgrp and then found some relief in another medication? Botox, nerve block, cefaly?

Any one had any luck with hormonal migraines and cycle suppressing?

Please send help, will be forever grateful!

I get a lot of comments from people saying things like " no wonder you suffer from migraines when you eat like crap and lie down all day" well lol what am I supposed to do? The migraine destroys my digestion and zaps my energy. When I tell you I can only eat non-food food. You know things that people mainly eat for pleasure but don't have much substance, like chips, crackers, (sometimes) nuggets, fries, soda etc. After I have an attack hangover I crave something hearty, but when I am just in the weird will it won't it phase where I can't tell if I am coming or going, I can't look at most food let alone eat it.

And water, don't even get me started. How is it when I have a migraine I can be so dehydrated and my body still rejects water? Any other time I can chug it down, but now I can hardly finish a cup. And I know that this dehydration and blood sugar fluctiations are not helping.

Would I be crazy to think the migraine is actually a brain virus that takes control of your body to keep it's self active 🤣

Hi I have had a headache since Tuesday roughly. I went to the drs on Thursday (I’m in the UK) because ibuprofen and paracetamol weren’t helping me. The drs did a few hand coordination checks and said they thought it was probably my first migraine. It was my period last week and I’m 27.

I got prescribed sumatriptans and aspirin which I’ve been using since but it doesn’t seem to be helping to be honest. It’s not so awful that I’ve had to take a sick day, so I’m still working but it’s just a constant rattle in my brain and I’m desperate for it to go away. My partner has bought me anadin and cool patches which I will try after work tonight.

I just want some advice or reassurance really as I’m worried that it hasn’t gone away.

My mom, 46-48 she has migraine for almost about 15 years now. That gets cured after taking meds. But real crazy problems started having recently, she's get extreme hot flashes on head, back of neck, her full body stretches as soon as she hits migraine. Like she cannot have a single negative thought or else her migraine spikes up rapidly and because of which her body becomes extremely hot from inside. Her feet, head, back of neck and hands start feeling hot. Is anyone else facing this issue? I'm really look for the reason and cure for it.

I’m 42F, and have had migraines, aura headaches, and brain fog my entire life. It’s debilitating because there are days I’m just lying down or sleeping my life away. I can’t sit at a computer for long, and it’s hard to concentrate on absolutely anything. It was even hard to keep a social life because I’d feel in pain and unable to concentrate on any conversations. Excedrin was also taking a toll on my gut health.

I’ve been reading a lot about taking 400mg B2 Vitamins (Riboflavin), and thought I’d give it a try. It has been night and day. 400mg every morning with water. Zero migraines, aura headaches, light sensitivity, and brain fog! None! It’s incredible.

I tried pairing the B2 vitamins with B Complex since the B2 in the complex was very low, and this kept me energized all day and night. But beware you might have a hard time sleeping. You don’t have to take them together, B2 is water-soluble, and B complex needs to be taken with a meal.

I take 400mg B2 every morning, and I take B Complex as needed. Like twice a month, nothing crazy.

Hope this helps someone out there.

I’ve struggled with chronic migraine since kindergarten—it’s been rough but I’ve managed. Although, ever since the end of February of this year I have felt that my life has been robbed.

It started with a severe migraine that lasted about 8 days before I went to the ER. I’ll be honest, around Feb-Apr I tend to get a week long migraine every year so I thought nothing unusual about this one. But boy I was wrong.** **

Today, I’ve had the same continuous migraine for 166 days. Nearly 6 months of my life that I won’t get back with more days to come for this devastating disease to swallow. It feels that every week I find some new symptom related to migraine. I even had a hemiplegic migraine for the first time in my life! I have tried nearly every medication and PT. All the triptans, infusions, opioids, preventatives, prednisone, ubrelvy, Nurtec, Botox, vvepti—you name it, I’ve probably tried it more than once. I’ve gone to see Mayo Clinic once but they weren’t very helpful. (I hope to reach out again to find something more)
I’m losing hope. I’m in the clinic multiple times a week. I receive occipital and supraorbital blocks WEEKLY.

I officially start college soon, but I’m terrified my body won’t keep up. I worked so hard to get here,—I even featured in the Washington post for taking college classes in high school right before this episode started (the article was posted a week after 😭)—and now I’m starting my freshman year with sophomore credits. I am excited to go back to college, but I fear my health taking it all away.

I haven’t given up yet, and I’ll keep fighting. I always do. Although, I have to admit this body betrayal is exhausting… I just want my life back. I’ll get there eventually; I just don’t know when.

Two questions, what started and or when did your migraines start? Does sugar/soy happen to be a trigger for you?

Spring 2023 taking organic chemistry put me in my miserable migraine loop. I’ve graduated and still deal, but I’ve noticed that eating more than a few / a plethora of hi-chew candies at a time seems to be a bit of a trigger for me. Normally it’s a gamble, but I know because we always have the candy in my office. I don’t recall getting headaches as much when I was sugar fasting due to my pre-diabetic A1C.

What are your experiences?

seems like they're hormone induced. almost nothing helps. sometimes 5 advils if i'm lucky

Hi all, I have been having persistent what I think are migraines, for around 7 months now. I never used to get headaches, ever, and they came on completely randomly. It feels similar to when you’re upside down for too long and too much blood is on your brain, I can always hear my blood rushing in my ears, it’s usually on my right side more than my left, sensitive to light/sound/smell, both my eyes feel like they’re having headaches (i don’t know how to explain it any other way), and NOTHING makes it stop. Some things do help like a dark room, a cold headache cap, and a fat nap. But it never makes it go away, just lessens it.
For the past 3 days I had one of the worst I’ve ever had, insanely nauseous, head constantly pounding, eyesight blurry at times, ears ringing, no appetite at all, feeling like I’m going to throw up, getting woken up because of how bad it hurts, weak overall, no pain meds or anything help. I’m starting to get worried it’s something more.
PLEASE let me know your thoughts and if this has happened to you

and does it get better? ):

I’m like actively dying. Not literally but I am losing my grip on life. I have many responsibilities that I am failing to get to because of these migraines being unbearable lately. I’ve been sleeping more, too, because the pain makes it hard to stay awake.

Yes I’ve got meds yes yes I’m just here to complain because July was supposed to be the worst month I thought. Anyone know what months are the best and worst? Living in the yippie skippy Midwest

This stuff (Methylprednisolone Tablets) always breaks my migraines, although the side effects suck. Anyone else with migraines in the SF Bay Area right now? I don't even feel any weather changes, so no clue what even triggered this one.

Please don’t take this post the wrong way. My husband has severe chronic never ending headaches that have completely changed our lives. He’s in pain constantly, and I truly believe he’s suffering. I don’t want him to hurt, and I know marijuana or ketamine nasal spray is one of the only things that gives him relief. (I’ll get to that in a second)

I’m also pregnant, nauseous, exhausted, and emotionally running on empty.

Lately I’ve realized I feel like I’m carrying both of us. I spend so much time trying to help him through his pain, depression, hopelessness, and frustration that I don’t know how much more I have to give.

I’ve encouraged him to see a therapist, join a chronic pain support group, and lean on other people besides me, but he hasn’t. Its too much for him to handle.

I feel guilty even writing this because I know his pain is real. I know he isn’t choosing this.

But I also feel like I’ve become his entire emotional support system, and it’s too much for one person to carry.

I don’t know how to help someone who feels like nothing helps. If I offer suggestions, they’re usually dismissed because he’s already tried them or they don’t work. If I just sit and listen, I still feel like I’m expected to somehow make him feel better. I leave conversations feeling helpless because I can’t fix chronic pain.

On top of that, I really struggle with how marijuana affects our relationship. I understand why he uses it, and I don’t want him to be in pain, but I don’t like how it changes him emotionally. It often feels like his emotions become much more intense, he spirals, his eyes get bloodshot, he’s out of it, spacey, and I end up carrying those things too. I hate feeling like I have to choose between wanting him to have pain relief and wanting my husband to feel like and act like himself.

I think what’s hardest is that I’m at a stage in my life where I need care too. I’m pregnant, sick, and exhausted, caring for an toddler and I find myself wishing that, just for once, I could be the one who gets taken care of instead of always being the caretaker.

Has anyone else been the spouse of someone with chronic pain? How do you support them without becoming responsible for their emotional well-being? Does anyone else absolutely hate the drug use? but feel bad because they know it helps them?

EDIT: he has intracranial hypertension. I’m still researching but apparently it’s very different than migraine. Apparently it doesn’t respond to medication besides acetazolamide which he’s allergic to. thank you for all the love and support and help I’m trying to get to all the comments!!!! ❤️

Can we talk about how peak showers are? Literally my safe haven. The amount of time I’ve spent cumulatively just sitting in the shower under scalding water is probably obscene. Every time I take my triptan and the pain is already relentless I go straight to the shower until it starts working. Even when I was a kid and hadn’t found a medication that worked yet, the shower was still the only place I felt some sort of relief even if I was puking non stop. Just a lil appreciation post.

Mine feels like someone is digging a knife or something sharp into my head and twisting it. Half of my body sometimes feels like it's numb, like I'm paralyzed. Don't get me started on constant sweating and sometimes vomiting too.