Is this a migraine?

Question

Hi,

About three days ago when I woke up I knew I had a headache but when I opened my eyes the pan was awfull, my whole head (left side being the worst) started to throb.
Any light caused the pain to get even worse.

I spent the day in bed, kept the blinds closed and just kept taking paracetamol and drank heaps of water.

I slept really heavily that night, which is unusal for me and the following day was the same.

Yesterday wasn't so bad, I could get up and was able to do a few things but I still had a headache and I was still sensitive to light. By the afternoon I was in bed again.

Today I still have a headache but the sensitiveity to light has gone and so far I haven't had any sharp throbs of pain.

When can I expect this pain to go?
Is it normal for a migraine to go on so long?

Thank you in advance for your help
Thank you

I'm female.

Could the fact that I've been sleeping really badly lately and have been feeling depressed for the last month or two have anything to do with this?

Answer 1

It sounds like a migraine, but to be safe you should have some tests to rule out other causes which can mimic the same symptoms.

Migraines are typically one sided headaches, of a severe nature, and are accompanied by sensitivity to lights or noises, and you may have nausea or vomiting as well. You can also get a migraine on both sides at the same time.

Different things can trigger a migraine attack, you didn't say if you were male or female--but in females your hormones may trigger an attack--this happens the most at the start of a period or in the first trimester of pregnancy. Other things can also trigger an attack--foods, like chocolate, wine--the weather--stress. You have to figure out if you have a trigger and avoid it in the future.

Before a migraine, you may feel anxious or sleepy or moody, and this lasts usually a few hours to a day.

Then sometimes you may have an "aura" before you get the headache, these can be different--but you may see jagged lines, black holes, tunnel vision, or spots--or you may smell a certain smell, etc. If you get an aura (not everyone does) it usually happens about an hour before the headache starts.

The headache itself usually lasts anywhere from an hour to 72 hours, and afterwards you may feel tired or moody, or have symptoms like scalp tenderness.

There are medications to lessen the pain or intensity or duration of a migraine, and there are also medications to help prevent them. You should use ask about preventative medications if you have more than 2 headaches a week or 8 a month, or if they disrupt your lifestyle significantly--such as preventing you from working, etc.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

This could very well be a migraine. Migraines (although it's different for each person) can last several days or more, depending on how severe they are. The symptoms will vary as well, but they consistenly are a strong, throbbing pain on only one side of the head, and can cause sensitivity to light. Oftentimes something triggers the migraine to begin with. If I were you, I'd go and talk to your doctor. They can help you determine for sure if it really was a migraine, and if it was, they can give you medication to help you if you wake up with another one down the road. If you have the proper medication, a migraine can disappear within hours instead of days, especially if you learn to recognize the signs before you get one. I've had migraines for a couple of years, and now know what triggers them, and if I do get a full-blown migraine, I have the proper medication to knock it out before it becomes completely unbearable.

Answer 3

The headache you describe has the characteristics of a migrainous type headache. You did not mention whether or not you noticed any visual or sensory disturbance before this started, but then you did mention waking with the headache so you may have missed that portion.

In order to confirm a diagnosis of migraine headaches in accordance with the IHS guidelines, you would have to experience 5 headaches of the type you describe.

Migrainous headaches, however, can last from approximately 4 hours to several days. Treatment in the early stages is relaxation in a dark room and use of an analgesic such as paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen or a combination headache medication like Exedrin Migraine (Paracetamol, Aspirin and Caffine). Avoid bright lights and prolonged computer use.

Should the headaches become recurrent or persistent, see your GP. They can pick the proper abortive medication for the acute headache and possibly prescribe a preventive medication if your headaches are too frequent.

Headaches are complex problems and there is no easy solution.

It is best to find out the source/cause of your recurrent or chronic headaches.

If you feel you need to see a doctor, go to the following site prior to your visit:

www.headaches.org

In the consumer area, see the educational resources tab.

Print and fill out the headache diary as shown.

See the How to talk to your headache doctor page.

I also recommend the pages on analgesic rebound, and diet.

Do not take Imitrex of any one else’s migraine medication without a health care provider’s approval.

I have seen patients with severe hypertensive crisis bordering stroke and cardiac problems due to taking a medication which was inappropriate for them. Also there are some types of migraine which are not recommended for the new migraine wonder drugs, ie. Hemiplegic and basilar artery migraines.

There are many non medication methods which are beneficial also, such as biofeedback, and acupuncture.

Seek the assistance of your primary care clinic and if no improvement a specialist in headaches.

As a fellow migraine sufferer, I wish you the best.

Answer 4

Yes - definately sounds like a migraine. There are some over the counter medicines you can get that might help. But a lot of people I know who have migraines need to take prescription medication. Take care and good luck - I hear migraines are pretty terrible!

Answer 5

Sounds like it. Try Paramax, a mix of Paracetamol for pain and maxalon for nausea, quite old treatment, but effective.
Imigram is a newer product, but hear lots of good things about it.
Migraine usually affects one side more than another. Rest, fluids, and analgesic will help. Analgesics are there to help you through it, most of us are martyrs who wont take any but put up with the pain. Why!!!!!!!!!
Hope you feel better soon.
PS try to isolate the trigger. Cheese chocolate etc can trigger migraines

Answer 6

You poor thing - that is absolutely miserable. It certainly does sound like either a cluster headache or a migraine. When it resolves, go to your doctor. There are meds available that you can take if you feel this coming on again. I wish I had better advice but that's what I would do. Get better soon.

Answer 7

Yes, this sounds like a migraine, I know when I am getting one as I get 'blind spots' in my eyes, I can only see part of what I am looking at then I get a headache lasting anything up to 4 days. I also get pins and needles down my arms and in my face. Go see the doctor, I avoid certain trigger foods, you may be the same, blackcurrants and dark chocolate start me off.

Answer 8

Yeah sounds just like migraine, i have woke with one today and have been getting them ever since i was 14. They tend to last for 3 days and you did as best you can, painkillers, lying down in the dark and sleeping. I tend to feel sick really bad and have a stomach ache as well at the time of attack.

Answer 9

Your problem is due to hyperactive liver.
There is no medicine for H/A OR MIGRAINE. Not only these but for almost all painful diseases. Hence they become chronic.
Acidity, WORRY, excessive wind, cold , heat, sour food and sinusitis, constipation, intestinal inflammation;
Blockage in the flow of Vital Energy are their causes. None of them can be treated with medicine. Our 100% success in treating migraine &H/A confirms it.
Acupuncture is the best treatment. I can treat it with naturopathy and YOG, but how can you manage pl see.

Avoid late sleeping if possible;spicy, sour, stale bakery foods and alcohole.
Sweet foods, COCOANUT WATER,sweet fruits, milk, rice, SPROUTS, SALADS and good sleep will help you.
But you try one herbal remedy- two drops of drumstick leaves' juice in opposite nostril if one side pains and both nostrils if full H/A will give you rescue. Betel leaf helps but it isvery strong.
If it is acute pl search a painful point 3-6 mm behind your thumb nail and press it, H/A will disappear within 30 seconds.

Source(s):
SHREE SWASTHYAYOG TREATMENT, TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE
R.H. 19, Jhulelal Society, Sector 2/E, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, INDIA.

Answer 10

yes it is a migraine. It comes gradually until it will get u hook on bed. Before it will get worse make sure u take ur pill. Pain reliever will help. But in my case, my doctor adviced me to have a maintainance of topamax. Cold compress or cucumber on ur eyes will ease the pain. Soft music and good sleep will help too. But some oldies say an early bath will prevent u from attack.