Stixbaraca
Zoanthid Pimp
Do you smoke pot? I know some people who self medicate that way...and it works!
headaches....
- Thread starter surfn
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Well, yes and no.
Though a true migraine does have a component of vasodilation, its not the only mechanism for the headache. And "normal" headaches can be caused by a wide variety of things. Vasoconstriction is sometimes seen in other types of headaches but it has not been shown to be the causative problem in the pain syndrome.
The headaches the OP is describing is much more fitting of Tension Headaches than true migraine headaches.
He mentioned a few things that point in this direction:
1. He said he thought they were caused by stress, lack of sleep, not eating
2. Aleve helps with the pain
3. Late in the day onset of headaches
4. Bilateral fronto-temporal location of pain
5. Bright lights are causative of headaches (not just photophobia)
People with tension type headaches often experience other symptoms with the pain. Upper shoulder or neck pain. Pain in the back of the head just beneath the occipital bone. Pain in the shoulder blade. Pain that shoots behind the eye.
These people are more likely to get headaches when their body is fatigued...at the end of the day, after driving for long periods, after sitting or standing for long periods. It is at this point that the muscles begin to tighten and the pain begins.
Some people with tension headaches describe then as "dull & achy with periods of sharp shooting pain"
Be careful about people diagnosing you with "migraines". Its somewhat of a garbage term as any headache that is not easily classified simply gets the "atypical migraine" stamp. Like fibromyalgia, its not necessarily a diagnosis that can be easily removed from a patient once its been used.
Reef Gardener
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Absinthe - I was just generalizing the difference between the "migraine" and the "headache" that most people dont realize. And I didnt by any means mean to diagnose him with Migraine Syndrome just giving him things to possibly look into. I dont wish Migraine Syndrome on anyone. But since I am a true Migraine Syndrome sufferer (Aura and Occular) I have read just about everything there is on them trying to find any answers or relief, I have been prescribed everything ever made for Migraines (Ergots, Triptipans etc) I am on a Beta-blocker daily and still have at least one to two a month. I have lived with losing jobs because I couldnt come to work with a headache (most people do not realize the severity of a Migraine) I was just trying to point out the the Physician that said not to take Ibuprofin for headaches was probably not talking about Migraines when he stated they wouldnt work because of the constriction factor. When in fact it is recommended for Migraines.
Reef Gardener
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Quote from the Mayo Clinic on Migraines:
Although much about headaches still isn't understood, some researchers think migraines may be caused by functional changes in the trigeminal nerve system, a major pain pathway in your nervous system, and by imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin, which regulates pain messages going through this pathway.
During a headache, serotonin levels drop. Researchers believe this causes the trigeminal nerve to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain's outer covering. There they cause blood vessels to become dilated and inflamed. The result is headache pain.
Because levels of magnesium, a mineral involved in nerve cell function, also drop right before or during a migraine headache, it's possible that low amounts of magnesium may cause nerve cells in the brain to misfire.
Migraine headache triggers
Whatever the exact mechanism of headaches, a number of things may trigger them. Common migraine headache triggers include:
Hormonal changes. Although the exact relationship between hormones and headaches isn't clear, fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone seem to trigger headaches in many women with migraine headaches. Women with a history of migraines often have reported headaches immediately before or during their periods. Others report more migraines during pregnancy or menopause. Hormonal medications, such as contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, also may worsen migraines.
Foods. Certain foods appear to trigger headaches in some people. Common offenders include alcohol, especially beer and red wine; aged cheeses; chocolate; fermented, pickled or marinated foods; aspartame; caffeine; monosodium glutamate — a key ingredient in some Asian foods; certain seasonings; and many canned and processed foods. Skipping meals or fasting also can trigger migraines.
Stress. A period of hard work followed by relaxation may lead to a weekend migraine headache. Stress at work or home also can instigate migraines.
Sensory stimulus. Bright lights and sun glare can produce head pain. So can unusual smells — including pleasant scents, such as perfume and flowers, and unpleasant odors, such as paint thinner and secondhand smoke.
Physical factors. Intense physical exertion, including sexual activity, may provoke migraines. Changes in sleep patterns — including too much or too little sleep — also can initiate a migraine headache.
Changes in the environment. A change of weather, season, altitude level, barometric pressure or time zone can prompt a migraine headache.
Medications - Certain medications can aggravate Migraines.
Although much about headaches still isn't understood, some researchers think migraines may be caused by functional changes in the trigeminal nerve system, a major pain pathway in your nervous system, and by imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin, which regulates pain messages going through this pathway.
During a headache, serotonin levels drop. Researchers believe this causes the trigeminal nerve to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain's outer covering. There they cause blood vessels to become dilated and inflamed. The result is headache pain.
Because levels of magnesium, a mineral involved in nerve cell function, also drop right before or during a migraine headache, it's possible that low amounts of magnesium may cause nerve cells in the brain to misfire.
Migraine headache triggers
Whatever the exact mechanism of headaches, a number of things may trigger them. Common migraine headache triggers include:
Hormonal changes. Although the exact relationship between hormones and headaches isn't clear, fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone seem to trigger headaches in many women with migraine headaches. Women with a history of migraines often have reported headaches immediately before or during their periods. Others report more migraines during pregnancy or menopause. Hormonal medications, such as contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, also may worsen migraines.
Foods. Certain foods appear to trigger headaches in some people. Common offenders include alcohol, especially beer and red wine; aged cheeses; chocolate; fermented, pickled or marinated foods; aspartame; caffeine; monosodium glutamate — a key ingredient in some Asian foods; certain seasonings; and many canned and processed foods. Skipping meals or fasting also can trigger migraines.
Stress. A period of hard work followed by relaxation may lead to a weekend migraine headache. Stress at work or home also can instigate migraines.
Sensory stimulus. Bright lights and sun glare can produce head pain. So can unusual smells — including pleasant scents, such as perfume and flowers, and unpleasant odors, such as paint thinner and secondhand smoke.
Physical factors. Intense physical exertion, including sexual activity, may provoke migraines. Changes in sleep patterns — including too much or too little sleep — also can initiate a migraine headache.
Changes in the environment. A change of weather, season, altitude level, barometric pressure or time zone can prompt a migraine headache.
Medications - Certain medications can aggravate Migraines.
:D Ahh self medication. Who needs a doctor. This won't do much once they kick in, though (may be better at preventatives indirectly)... Once you've got one, it's with you until it decides to leave you alone...
czieler
Reefin' Girl
I just stumbled across this thread...surfn..was wondering if you'd ever been for a blood sugar test ( like for diabetes ) to see if your blood sugar swings alot?
I get a migraine if I skip a meal. I also get migraines from red wine, chocolate, bananas, smoke, and strong perfume.
I took Paxil for about a year and a half for some stress related issues from work and for social anxiety.... I only needed it til I quit my job about three months after starting it, but stayed on it for quite a while because it regulates serotonin which triggers migraines. I could eat all of that stuff w/out getting headaches...finally went off of it though..because it also makes you tired a lot...along with some other side effects.
I get a migraine if I skip a meal. I also get migraines from red wine, chocolate, bananas, smoke, and strong perfume.
I took Paxil for about a year and a half for some stress related issues from work and for social anxiety.... I only needed it til I quit my job about three months after starting it, but stayed on it for quite a while because it regulates serotonin which triggers migraines. I could eat all of that stuff w/out getting headaches...finally went off of it though..because it also makes you tired a lot...along with some other side effects.
OP
OP
surfn
I bleed orange and maroon
ya know, i've thought the same thing. and when i asked a psychiatrist i had to see due to pain problems from various orthopedic surgeries, (cuz i said i seem to get them esspecially in the evening if i skip a meal). i was promptly told that headaches have nothing to do with blood sugar.....so yeah, i have never been repeatedly tested for sugar counts. :rolleyes:
that sounds about right with the serotonin swings. i've pretty much had to live on sleeping pills or some other calming medication for years due to pain keeping me from sleeping.
other docs have mentioned they think i'm having withdrawel symptoms from taking too much alleve (i get the headaches when i dont take it).
basically, i think i've narrowed it down to a couple variables, but i cant put my finger on any specific one.
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