h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

B'El's account of her illness made me recall my ongoing history of headaches and migraines.

Since I've cut out citric fruit and Junk food, as well as getting my eyes tested (and my ongoing medical checks) mine have largely gone, having suffered since 1974.

I didn't like the usual three day after effects which entailed a feeling of a metal band across the eyebrow and basde of the neck. It could also create a tension in the neck and shoulder muscles that could last a month. Thirty years ago I'd get through 100 200g Aspirin a week, before I had my eyes tested.

I feel for anyone who suffers anything similar to migraines, from the tunnel vision, flashing lights in peripheral vision, blackouts, nausea, tension bands, muscle spasms! I've had them all, but thankfully they've now almost stopped and current medical checks may explain them.

My only reprise is through massage of the temples, base of the skull and the web of the skin between thumb and forefinger to the point of intense pain! That pain is less than the migraine, I can assure you. I once leapt from a shower, still soaped, screaming my head off due to the pain. I did not know what to do with myself. Answer? After being violently ill, I put on a pair of sunglasses, inserted a pair of ear protectors and sat in the garden in a deckchair for three hours... Sometimes the abstract works.

I just wish I could show B'el the massage points! They do work, even though they are tiring, moreso know, as I no longer have the muscles to apply the pressure.

I wish all fellow sufferers well and hope you find a resolution.

MMF

Oops! Wel!l that is one part of my New Year's Resolution blown...

*not to discuss my health.*





MMF

You were not actually discussing your health, hunny

You were attempting to tell Bel, and others, that you have experienced these symptoms and you are being sympathetic about it

Thanks for that, Lil. Especially for the support in maintaining my resolution!

I am determined to maintain my stance...

Continuing that theme, I also avoid medication, hence the self-treatment. It was the worry of being hooked on aspirin.
I would also like to point out to non-migraine sufferers that a sufferer doesn't always get respite.
Dark room? In bed? Cup of tea? Milk? Dry toast?
It depends on the day, the migraine and the effects.
Sometimes a darkened bedroom will work, while other times sitting half prone in heat works.
Occasionally an overdose of aspirin or ibuprofen (double or triple dose - not recommended unless you are only an occasional user) at the very point of recognition will it... However, the best answer is avoid the trigger.
Mine appears to be citrus, chocolate, sugar and cheese (which I still eat, but cut as thin as possible) but none of these are proven.

to all Migrain/cluster sufferers!!!



MMF

I'm sorry you have to suffer that much from migraines. Compared to yours, I had a very mild form.

Still, I'm not keen on repeating that.

I found the trigger for my migraines a few years back, and haven't had one since Unfortunately it does mean I can't drink more than a glass or two of redwine in about a 24 hour period anymore and for that reason I generally avoid all red wine cept for an occasional half or small glass full when someones got a particular bottle of a year I havne't tried or really like
Bonus though, beer and whisky and vodka and gin and teikila and absanth etc., don't cause migraines in me Though I'm beginnign to wonder about cider as that can sometimes produce results that arn't ttotally disimular to when I got full on migraines

The migraine I can almost live with, except the one I had three years ago which lasted off and on, for four weeks.

It is the after effects that I loathe. The neck tension and pressure behind the eyes can be unrelenting for anything between three to seven days. In fact I tend to be more unreasonable (if that's possible ) after the event than during.

It is also impossible to concentrate during a bout of migraine.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I don't get the scents beforehand (like the smell of onions) or the bright flashing lights. I just get an increase in pressure behind the left eye and an excruciating tightening of the forehead. This is when I reach for the aspirin, and lots of them.

As I mentioned previously, I now rarely get them, touch wood.

My last one, a year ago, woke me up, so no chance to reach for the aspirin, and it took three attempts to phone work to say I wouldn't be in. Co-ordination and vision were shot, and it felts as though I wanted to remove my head from my shoulders, as it pressed, like a great weight, on my shoulders.

I hope I don't get another any time soon.

Best wishes all of you...

MMF

MMF, it is strange how differently we all suffer. Mine started aged eleven after suffering what they used to call 'bilious attacks' throughout childhood.

Mine lasted for at last three days at a time and for many years i would get several a month. Unlike the description Gnomon gave elsewhere, mine wasn't a relief of tension but a build up, and apart from monosodium glutamate I have never been able to pinpoint a trigger.

I have them rarely now thank goodness, and apart from the agonising one sided headache I am not going to go in to details as it is too revolting. Suffice it to say I can neither eat or drink, or take any medication during an attack. I have to have darkness, silence and a lie down - imagine trying to get that with two young children and an elderly father to look after.

I hope you are free of them now, because it is pretty well impossible to function when one strikes, but try telling that to a non sufferer!

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