Overnight migraines
Discussion
Without wishing to divulge my entire medical history, i was wondering if anyone here has had similar issues and if so, found any significant methods to help.
I've had tension headaches for years on and off, and migraines since i was around 14 (i'm 35 now). My migraines over the years have varied from a couple a year, to one a week. Until around 4yrs ago, they would include vomitting, but now are limited to flashing lights/feeling like fireworks are going off, sensitivity to light/sound, and severe headache emanating from my neck upwards across the back of my head. The only thing i can normally guarantee is that they occur overnight, or early morning before i would naturally wake up.
I go to bed fine, and wake up between 2-6hrs later in agony!
This past year has been very bad, and i'm now taking amitriptyline before bed to try to help. I have some triptan meds to help when one does come on but it can't be good to take these often. I've finally got a GP who is regular (rather than a locum) so he's monitoring them now but also seems a bit stumped.
I have found physio/massage on my neck/upper back does help a bit so i'm carrying on with that, however i'm at the stage now that it's getting mighty difficult to work a full day as i'm always tired, and being in pain so much it's feeling like a constant cycle where there's no respite!
i'm jabbering a bit i know, but i'd love to hear your stories of migraine stuff, what helped, were you referred to any specialists and if so who etc?
I've had tension headaches for years on and off, and migraines since i was around 14 (i'm 35 now). My migraines over the years have varied from a couple a year, to one a week. Until around 4yrs ago, they would include vomitting, but now are limited to flashing lights/feeling like fireworks are going off, sensitivity to light/sound, and severe headache emanating from my neck upwards across the back of my head. The only thing i can normally guarantee is that they occur overnight, or early morning before i would naturally wake up.
I go to bed fine, and wake up between 2-6hrs later in agony!
This past year has been very bad, and i'm now taking amitriptyline before bed to try to help. I have some triptan meds to help when one does come on but it can't be good to take these often. I've finally got a GP who is regular (rather than a locum) so he's monitoring them now but also seems a bit stumped.
I have found physio/massage on my neck/upper back does help a bit so i'm carrying on with that, however i'm at the stage now that it's getting mighty difficult to work a full day as i'm always tired, and being in pain so much it's feeling like a constant cycle where there's no respite!
i'm jabbering a bit i know, but i'd love to hear your stories of migraine stuff, what helped, were you referred to any specialists and if so who etc?
I get a fair amount of this, though the one thing I never have is the whole thing around flashing lights and the like. I only seem to get a slightly hard to describe visual thing of finding it hard to focus on anything for a normal period - something like being a little bit out of phase with the world. Oh, and they're mostly triggered by alcohol, which obviously generates the expected comments of 'hangover'. Having had enough of those in my life, I know full well that they're nothing of the sort 
.
I sometimes get a serious visit from the vomiting fairy, as in can't even keep water down, so can't take anything to counter it. After a few hours, this subsides & I can get something down to allow me to just feel fairly s
tty for the rest of the day. Other times I just feel dreadful for most of the day.
The one other thing is that they almost always happen on a particular day slightly
.
Anyhow, do you work long hours, stare at a screen a lot, have a bad posture, if office based, stressed, something else that's a common theme when you get them?
. I sometimes get a serious visit from the vomiting fairy, as in can't even keep water down, so can't take anything to counter it. After a few hours, this subsides & I can get something down to allow me to just feel fairly s
tty for the rest of the day. Other times I just feel dreadful for most of the day.The one other thing is that they almost always happen on a particular day slightly
. Anyhow, do you work long hours, stare at a screen a lot, have a bad posture, if office based, stressed, something else that's a common theme when you get them?
My migraines don't contain the flashing anymore however the world does seem to,'shift' and everything looks quite grey (imagine two images passing over each other).
Is there anything that you drink, eat or do before bed which you don't usually do in the day? Just trying to figure out if there is perhaps a trigger you're unaware of.
Is there anything that you drink, eat or do before bed which you don't usually do in the day? Just trying to figure out if there is perhaps a trigger you're unaware of.
I have had the same symptoms for coming on 15 years now. Exactly the same always go sleep fine then wake up in agony. I've tried lots of treatments and the one that has worked and really prevented me from waking with these horrible horrible migraines is Sumatriptan.
My attacks usually happen on a weekend when my body starts to wind down after a hectic week of early get ups. Funnily I never have an attack during the week.. For reference I'm up at 5am on weekdays then come Saturday when I have a lie in that's when my attacks start.
One 100mg tablet taken before bed means I wake feeling absolutely fine, with little or no side effects. If you suffer from aura before your attack starts you could take one then which would stop the migraine in its tracks.
Sumatriptan is what really worked after trying beta blockers and other Triptans. My sister has similar migraines although hers occur at any time and this stuff really worked fir her too. It's not something you take regularly like everyday but when you are actually having a migraine.
I even ding it works if I don't take one at night before bed then wake with a migraine and take one with my morning tea, guaranteed in a hour I'm pain free.
Hope this helps
Edited to add I had amytriptiline for a while they made me feel groggy but didn't help, I can get by now using just one of two sumatriptan a week and their side effects are nowhere near as bad as the amytriptiline.
My attacks usually happen on a weekend when my body starts to wind down after a hectic week of early get ups. Funnily I never have an attack during the week.. For reference I'm up at 5am on weekdays then come Saturday when I have a lie in that's when my attacks start.
One 100mg tablet taken before bed means I wake feeling absolutely fine, with little or no side effects. If you suffer from aura before your attack starts you could take one then which would stop the migraine in its tracks.
Sumatriptan is what really worked after trying beta blockers and other Triptans. My sister has similar migraines although hers occur at any time and this stuff really worked fir her too. It's not something you take regularly like everyday but when you are actually having a migraine.
I even ding it works if I don't take one at night before bed then wake with a migraine and take one with my morning tea, guaranteed in a hour I'm pain free.
Hope this helps
Edited to add I had amytriptiline for a while they made me feel groggy but didn't help, I can get by now using just one of two sumatriptan a week and their side effects are nowhere near as bad as the amytriptiline.
Edited by NicheMonkey on Saturday 5th November 09:27
Edited by NicheMonkey on Saturday 5th November 09:27
Current advice is not to brush your teeth after eating.
Eating and drinking foods containing sugar and acids naturally weakens the enamel on your teeth. Brushing straight afterwards can cause tiny particles of enamel to be brushed away. It is best not to brush your teeth until at least one hour after eating. It is especially important to brush before bed.
Also you should only spit out after brushing and not wash your mouth out with water. It keeps the fluoride on the teeth for longer which helps prevent decay.
Sorry for taking it off thread but I felt had to give a bit of advice about eating before going to bed.
Eating and drinking foods containing sugar and acids naturally weakens the enamel on your teeth. Brushing straight afterwards can cause tiny particles of enamel to be brushed away. It is best not to brush your teeth until at least one hour after eating. It is especially important to brush before bed.
Also you should only spit out after brushing and not wash your mouth out with water. It keeps the fluoride on the teeth for longer which helps prevent decay.
Sorry for taking it off thread but I felt had to give a bit of advice about eating before going to bed.
Edited by rex on Saturday 5th November 11:56
I have suffered with migraines since the age of 17, 63 now and about 18 months ago I couldn,t go out of the house without imigran tablets with me , I was taking them like sweets as I was getting that many attacks. I was also having a sensation in my left eye causing blurred vision and couldn't take bright sunlight. I then thought what has changed from my two major attacks a year to my situation now. I finally found it to be lime cordial, I stopped taking that and my eye sight is now perfect and i,ve not had any sign of migraine for over 7 months now. Apparently theres an additive in the cordial which can cause headaches Don,t know if its in orange cordial,but its most definitely worked for me.
Thanks for the replies and good to know at least I'm not alone!
Rex.. I've seen your pm and will reply tomorrow so thank you.
It was only 3yrs ago when I discovered Triptan medication after I was having a migraine so bad that my OH drove me to hospital. I didn't want to go as was screaming about the brightness but my OH pointed out that I already had my eyes shut and a cold flannel over them.
They gave me some sumitriptan and it did help but not much... I now use Zolmitrptan if I do feel an attack coming on and honestly they are like a miracle some days. Worst case is they limit my pain to a normal headache, best case is they can clear my symptoms within an hr!
I use amitriptyline overnight but I don't think it helps much so have asked the GP to come off them so we'll see how that goes.
I avoid aspartame which I think is in many diet drinks codials as I had read that it was a common trigger but this didn't really change much.
I'm 99% sure that mine are triggered by tension in my neck and back. When I go to sleep, most of my muscles relax, allowing the tense ones to put pressure on my neck and the viscous cycle starts. Similarly to another comment on here.. lie in on a weekend makes me much worse normally so I try to avoid that.
I had a load of orthodontic work 8yrs ago to correct my bite, and this included surgery to break my lower jaw and reset its position. The 6months after that (including 6weeks wired shut) were really the only time I have been without headaches or migraines. My bite is now sorted but maybe it is related to tension and clenching teeth overnight although my teeth don't show any signs of me doing this but I will explore that further.
I'm also going to visit a chiropractor to check my posture and neck.
Hopefully others can relate but I'm getting well and truly bored of it all now, constantly ensuring I have tablets on me wherever I go, getting precious little decent sleep, and having it affect my daily life so much is very draining.
Rex.. I've seen your pm and will reply tomorrow so thank you.
It was only 3yrs ago when I discovered Triptan medication after I was having a migraine so bad that my OH drove me to hospital. I didn't want to go as was screaming about the brightness but my OH pointed out that I already had my eyes shut and a cold flannel over them.
They gave me some sumitriptan and it did help but not much... I now use Zolmitrptan if I do feel an attack coming on and honestly they are like a miracle some days. Worst case is they limit my pain to a normal headache, best case is they can clear my symptoms within an hr!
I use amitriptyline overnight but I don't think it helps much so have asked the GP to come off them so we'll see how that goes.
I avoid aspartame which I think is in many diet drinks codials as I had read that it was a common trigger but this didn't really change much.
I'm 99% sure that mine are triggered by tension in my neck and back. When I go to sleep, most of my muscles relax, allowing the tense ones to put pressure on my neck and the viscous cycle starts. Similarly to another comment on here.. lie in on a weekend makes me much worse normally so I try to avoid that.
I had a load of orthodontic work 8yrs ago to correct my bite, and this included surgery to break my lower jaw and reset its position. The 6months after that (including 6weeks wired shut) were really the only time I have been without headaches or migraines. My bite is now sorted but maybe it is related to tension and clenching teeth overnight although my teeth don't show any signs of me doing this but I will explore that further.
I'm also going to visit a chiropractor to check my posture and neck.
Hopefully others can relate but I'm getting well and truly bored of it all now, constantly ensuring I have tablets on me wherever I go, getting precious little decent sleep, and having it affect my daily life so much is very draining.
NicheMonkey said:
I have had the same symptoms for coming on 15 years now. Exactly the same always go sleep fine then wake up in agony. I've tried lots of treatments and the one that has worked and really prevented me from waking with these horrible horrible migraines is Sumatriptan.
My attacks usually happen on a weekend when my body starts to wind down after a hectic week of early get ups. Funnily I never have an attack during the week.. For reference I'm up at 5am on weekdays then come Saturday when I have a lie in that's when my attacks start.
One 100mg tablet taken before bed means I wake feeling absolutely fine, with little or no side effects. If you suffer from aura before your attack starts you could take one then which would stop the migraine in its tracks.
Sumatriptan is what really worked after trying beta blockers and other Triptans. My sister has similar migraines although hers occur at any time and this stuff really worked fir her too. It's not something you take regularly like everyday but when you are actually having a migraine.
I even ding it works if I don't take one at night before bed then wake with a migraine and take one with my morning tea, guaranteed in a hour I'm pain free.
Hope this helps
Edited to add I had amytriptiline for a while they made me feel groggy but didn't help, I can get by now using just one of two sumatriptan a week and their side effects are nowhere near as bad as the amytriptiline.
Mine have always happened at the weekend as well - Saturday has long been suffer & reset day. I don't do 5am, but don't get huge amounts of sleep, spend too much time looking at a laptop or tablet screen & so on.My attacks usually happen on a weekend when my body starts to wind down after a hectic week of early get ups. Funnily I never have an attack during the week.. For reference I'm up at 5am on weekdays then come Saturday when I have a lie in that's when my attacks start.
One 100mg tablet taken before bed means I wake feeling absolutely fine, with little or no side effects. If you suffer from aura before your attack starts you could take one then which would stop the migraine in its tracks.
Sumatriptan is what really worked after trying beta blockers and other Triptans. My sister has similar migraines although hers occur at any time and this stuff really worked fir her too. It's not something you take regularly like everyday but when you are actually having a migraine.
I even ding it works if I don't take one at night before bed then wake with a migraine and take one with my morning tea, guaranteed in a hour I'm pain free.
Hope this helps
Edited to add I had amytriptiline for a while they made me feel groggy but didn't help, I can get by now using just one of two sumatriptan a week and their side effects are nowhere near as bad as the amytriptiline.
Edited by NicheMonkey on Saturday 5th November 09:27
Edited by NicheMonkey on Saturday 5th November 09:27
Unfortunately, a visit to the doctor only got the option of beta blockers, or anti nausea tablets. Thankfully, I don't seem to suffer as much with the nausea, just feel some degree of s
ttiness for most of the day.MrChips said:
Thanks for the replies and good to know at least I'm not alone!
Rex.. I've seen your pm and will reply tomorrow so thank you.
It was only 3yrs ago when I discovered Triptan medication after I was having a migraine so bad that my OH drove me to hospital. I didn't want to go as was screaming about the brightness but my OH pointed out that I already had my eyes shut and a cold flannel over them.
They gave me some sumitriptan and it did help but not much... I now use Zolmitrptan if I do feel an attack coming on and honestly they are like a miracle some days. Worst case is they limit my pain to a normal headache, best case is they can clear my symptoms within an hr!
I use amitriptyline overnight but I don't think it helps much so have asked the GP to come off them so we'll see how that goes.
I avoid aspartame which I think is in many diet drinks codials as I had read that it was a common trigger but this didn't really change much.
I'm 99% sure that mine are triggered by tension in my neck and back. When I go to sleep, most of my muscles relax, allowing the tense ones to put pressure on my neck and the viscous cycle starts. Similarly to another comment on here.. lie in on a weekend makes me much worse normally so I try to avoid that.
I had a load of orthodontic work 8yrs ago to correct my bite, and this included surgery to break my lower jaw and reset its position. The 6months after that (including 6weeks wired shut) were really the only time I have been without headaches or migraines. My bite is now sorted but maybe it is related to tension and clenching teeth overnight although my teeth don't show any signs of me doing this but I will explore that further.
I'm also going to visit a chiropractor to check my posture and neck.
Hopefully others can relate but I'm getting well and truly bored of it all now, constantly ensuring I have tablets on me wherever I go, getting precious little decent sleep, and having it affect my daily life so much is very draining.
might be worth checking out 'TMJD' :Rex.. I've seen your pm and will reply tomorrow so thank you.
It was only 3yrs ago when I discovered Triptan medication after I was having a migraine so bad that my OH drove me to hospital. I didn't want to go as was screaming about the brightness but my OH pointed out that I already had my eyes shut and a cold flannel over them.
They gave me some sumitriptan and it did help but not much... I now use Zolmitrptan if I do feel an attack coming on and honestly they are like a miracle some days. Worst case is they limit my pain to a normal headache, best case is they can clear my symptoms within an hr!
I use amitriptyline overnight but I don't think it helps much so have asked the GP to come off them so we'll see how that goes.
I avoid aspartame which I think is in many diet drinks codials as I had read that it was a common trigger but this didn't really change much.
I'm 99% sure that mine are triggered by tension in my neck and back. When I go to sleep, most of my muscles relax, allowing the tense ones to put pressure on my neck and the viscous cycle starts. Similarly to another comment on here.. lie in on a weekend makes me much worse normally so I try to avoid that.
I had a load of orthodontic work 8yrs ago to correct my bite, and this included surgery to break my lower jaw and reset its position. The 6months after that (including 6weeks wired shut) were really the only time I have been without headaches or migraines. My bite is now sorted but maybe it is related to tension and clenching teeth overnight although my teeth don't show any signs of me doing this but I will explore that further.
I'm also going to visit a chiropractor to check my posture and neck.
Hopefully others can relate but I'm getting well and truly bored of it all now, constantly ensuring I have tablets on me wherever I go, getting precious little decent sleep, and having it affect my daily life so much is very draining.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/temporomandibular-joi...
This can be a cause of migraines and is all connected with jaw alignment -if I understand it correctly its to do with nerve routing via your jaw joint and temples so if you've had a load of work done on this area it might just be worth investigating? I get the occasional migraine which started getting more frequent until my dentist diagnosed TMJD and got me set up with a gum guard thing to stick in my mouth overnight (maybe 'Rex' above can comment?). Didn't totally solve the migraines but reduced the frequency and I now only use the gum guard thing occasionally when I start getting more frequent migraines.
What is your blood pressure...?
My wife suffered badly with migraines and I ended up taking her to A&E where they found out by chance that her blood pressure was very high (highest the hospital had ever seen in someone walking in unaided)
now she is on tablets for the blood pressure, the migraines have almost disappeared
My wife suffered badly with migraines and I ended up taking her to A&E where they found out by chance that her blood pressure was very high (highest the hospital had ever seen in someone walking in unaided)
now she is on tablets for the blood pressure, the migraines have almost disappeared
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