Do you think that's still MIGRAINE if you don't have ALL of the symptoms?

Question

What do you think?

One sided headache with a throbbing pain that lasts about three days or more (the first being the most painful). A very localized pain that sometimes connects with the neck and eye. It gets worse with movement and efforts.

No nausea, no vomiting, no photophobia, no phonophobia.

I already went to the doc, an on duty doctor, he told me it's possibly a migraine. He said I should see my family doctor to keep track of it and have a more accurate diagnose. He told me that I might be asked to keep a diary about the headaches.

I don't drink coffee. I have a healthy diet and I excercise 3 times a week. That means aerobic excercise and pilates.

Answer 1

Go to a neurologist who specializes in headaches or, as in the case with my doctor, a primary care physician who actually gets migraines.

There are many different kinds of headaches and migraines.

His suggestion to keep a diary is not a bad one. You might be able to identify something you are eating or drinking that is bringing these on.

One tip my doctor gave me: drink coffee. It has helped tremendously. Also, Excedrin Migraine is good, but you have to take it when the headache first appears to come on.

Answer 2

It's not necessary to have ALL the symptoms associated with migraines to have one. There are many different types. The key is severity and duration. Trust me: A migraine is not like ANY other type headache you've EVER had. Let a Neurologist handle this because they are more trained. If I had known what I know now, that's what I would have done when I was diagnosed 2-23-95.

Answer 3

I get similar headaches and I was told they are a type of migraine. Often, mine are brought on by the foods I eat (I have to be very careful with chocolate!), hormones (big PMS thing, for me) and by letting myself get at all dehydrated. Keeping a diary is a great idea. That way, you can monitor what you ate, what time of the month it was, how much stress you were under, etc and modify your behaviors accordingly. In the meantime, keep some Excedrin on hand and take them at the first onset of a headache. It might help curb the intensity. It does for me, anyway.

Answer 4

I do not get migraines, but my daughter has suffered with them for several years and she is only 17. She often feels nauseated, and will have everything go black as if she passes out for a few seconds. She has had blurred vision, and I believe the sparkly vision you spoke of. She has also had the numbness.

Answer 5

You do not always have N/V, sensitive to light when you get migraines.
Try taking Excerdin or Motrin (Usally works for me), get a cool compress for your head and lay down for a couple hours. Stress free. If its hot where you are that can trigger them also.
Try increasing your fluids, also eat something light.
Start keeping a journal to tract when you get h/a and that could help prevent them.
Sounds like lots of stress.

Answer 6

You don't have to have nausea or photo/phonophobia with migraines.

When I have a migraine, I feel more like my HEAD is going to throw up, rather than my stomach.

Answer 7

When I get those, Excedrin is the only thing that'll help, over the counter.

Also, pay attention to what you're eating to see if a food allergy is triggering it. Maybe even keep a journal of what you eat and see if there's any correlation.

Answer 8

Yes...I get migraines without the usual associated symptoms. Mine start in one hemisphere and then travels to the second.

Answer 9

A migrane is defined not by the pain but more by the damage it does in your head and how your brain responds to it. If you want a more accurate description see a neurologist.

Answer 10

It could be severe tension headaches as well. If they don't stop, might I suggest you have your doctor give you a catscan or MRI.