Why are migraines so evil

[Pongoandperdi15]

This time yesterday I wanted someone to just end me I was in so much pain, today I still don't feel fantastic but I'm a lot better my head still hurts and I just feel delicate. It's like having hangover on steroids, I still don't understand why your body rejects even water.

I'm sick of doctors just fobbing me off saying there's nothing we can do my preventative medication might have reduced the frequency of them but even the ones I'm still getting seem to be increasing in intensity now.

Migraines are evil and until you've had one you will never understand the pain and suffering they cause most people think your just having a bad headache it's far from it.

 

[Cottontail]

Aw boy, I sympathize. Are you on Emgality, perhaps? My migraines are too infrequent for preventative medication to be indicated, but they hit hard when I have them. I'll see wavy lines and triangles floating in front of me and I just end up burying my face in a pillow and turning out all the lights because they hurt my eyes. It's very miserable. I'm glad you're feeling a bit better today!

 

[Pongoandperdi15]

Aw boy, I sympathize. Are you on Emgality, perhaps? My migraines are too infrequent for preventative medication to be indicated, but they hit hard when I have them. I'll see wavy lines and triangles floating in front of me and I just end up burying my face in a pillow and turning out all the lights because they hurt my eyes. It's very miserable. I'm glad you're feeling a bit better today!

They are horrible I get something similar I call it the bright blue burning ball of fury mixed in with a kaleidoscope of fun, and no I'm on topiramate or topamax as it's brand name the one you mentioned is the new one that's been released that's migraine specific would love to give that a try.

 

[SparkyDog]

They are the absolute worst
I hate migraines
I can tell one is coming too which I guess is a bonus but it's an aweful feeling knowing what's coming
centre of vision starts to blur
then bright zig zag lines in vision

followed by a headache that ruins the entire day

 

[SourPatchSquid]

I've found my people... my migraines are the bane of my existence, my Kryptonite, my worst enemy. People that have never had one don't get it. I'm selective about who I tell, people who think it's "just a headache" are obnoxious.

 

[Fiammaverde]

The worst thing for me is that, unlike with normal headaches, if you lay down they get worse. The only way I have to keep nausea at bay is to keep walking.
I get some brief and partial relief from hot showers. Does it also work for you?

 

[TenaciousDL]

They are evil because they are caused by the devil living inside your head. As a life-long, thankfully infrequent, sufferer, that's the best answer I can think of.

 

[weemouse]

i have had chronic migraines for 3 years (a migraine or headache basically every day) and they ruined my last two years of school and are still making my life sick. i’ve tried 10~ types of meds that have either not worked, stopped working, or had bad side effects. then of course since i’m 19 they kept pushing to get me to an adult doctor now so i (and my family) just decided to stop going to appointments until i move to new place and get new doctor. for some reason the one i was at was also really anti-botox even when i turned 18 so i will have to wait until move to try that. they did mri and found nothing so i’m just hoping one day something works.

 

[ElPulpo]

Why are they so evil?

From a religious point of view: maybe because some deity wants to punish or test us.
From a evolutionary point of view: because they don't prevent patients from procreating anyway, so they won't become extinct and we are stuck with them like wisdom teeth and hiccups.

That's the only positive ascpect about them - they drastically impede our qualitiy of life, but at least they have no proven long term adverse effects on overall health. Migraines temporarily kill you but let you rise again, whereas many other chronic diseases destroy you continuously and irrevocably.

(Admittedly, there are some discussions about migraines changing brain anatomy which might lead to earlier cognitive decline, but so far the few existing studies are poorly designed with small sample sizes. The lack of convincing evidence suggests rather low correlation - at least for the time being)

 

[dogboy]

I used to get them when I was younger. All I could do was close the blinds and go to bed and hope for the best.

 

[Edgewater]

Mine start from a serious Springtime allergy attach. From that base the migrant would unfold, like a dark cloud separating and closing-off the Sun! I am certain that mine are likely easier, but the darkness is deep and painful.

The installation of a 6+" furnace filter has helped as it serious reduces the effects of what 'stuff' that is in the air!

Again, my migraines are far from the depth that the rest of you are experiencing.

Based on were I start from and as it unfolds, mine are likely connected to heavy congestion and possibly an increase in blood pressure. I can now take my blood pressure at home and will pass along if anything develops.

I fully understand your description of it being evil as the pain and intensity could be likened to demon pounding on one's head. But like below, it leaves where demons tend to keep digging.

I understand ElPulpo statement regarding being a very painful thing it at least does not seem to leave lasting indication of when the suffering occurs. That does not bring much comfort, but it seems that a body function has been turned against ourself. Which, is the question, that modern medical care has not found a link!

 

[Pongoandperdi15]

I've found my people... my migraines are the bane of my existence, my Kryptonite, my worst enemy. People that have never had one don't get it. I'm selective about who I tell, people who think it's "just a headache" are obnoxious.

I can agree with you on that one I'm selective too about who I mention it too, the oh I get those just take some paracetamol it will sort you right out nah nah it won't the paracetamol won't touch the sides mainly because the paracetamol will be in the toilet bowl .

The worst thing for me is that, unlike with normal headaches, if you lay down they get worse. The only way I have to keep nausea at bay is to keep walking.
I get some brief and partial relief from hot showers. Does it also work for you?

I've found a hot shower does bring a slight amount of relief something about the water running over me but it's only temporary I have to get out as my body start getting irritable and just wants to lie down to continue on the nausea train.

That's the only positive ascpect about them - they drastically impede our qualitiy of life, but at least they have no proven long term adverse effects on overall health. Migraines temporarily kill you but let you rise again, whereas many other chronic diseases destroy you continuously and irrevocably.

(Admittedly, there are some discussions about migraines changing brain anatomy which might lead to earlier cognitive decline, but so far the few existing studies are poorly designed with small sample sizes. The lack of convincing evidence suggests rather low correlation - at least for the time being)

Yeah I think the last time I had an MRI they were talking about white and grey matter spots on my brain can't remember the exact conversation was a long time ago and they were caused by the migraines some research has gone into it to say it may cause either dementia or stroke in later life can't remember which either way think the study was inconclusive due to a lack of sufficient data, Living on topiramate is like having mild dementia anyway I'm always forgetting things.

 

[Pongoandperdi15]

i have had chronic migraines for 3 years (a migraine or headache basically every day) and they ruined my last two years of school and are still making my life sick. i’ve tried 10~ types of meds that have either not worked, stopped working, or had bad side effects. then of course since i’m 19 they kept pushing to get me to an adult doctor now so i (and my family) just decided to stop going to appointments until i move to new place and get new doctor. for some reason the one i was at was also really anti-botox even when i turned 18 so i will have to wait until move to try that. they did mri and found nothing so i’m just hoping one day something works.

Ouch you should push for the new one if you've not already tried it the one mentioned at the start of this conversation it's supposedly designed specifically for migraines there's about 4 or 5 different versions of it now all unfortunately injection form and about the only downside I'm lead to believe for those in the US which I think is madness that one course costs about £5,500 or 7000 dollars a year makes me grateful I pay £120 a year for as much medication as I need, we still whine about this

 

[AnnieBottom]

This time yesterday I wanted someone to just end me I was in so much pain, today I still don't feel fantastic but I'm a lot better my head still hurts and I just feel delicate. It's like having hangover on steroids, I still don't understand why your body rejects even water.

I'm sick of doctors just fobbing me off saying there's nothing we can do my preventative medication might have reduced the frequency of them but even the ones I'm still getting seem to be increasing in intensity now.

Migraines are evil and until you've had one you will never understand the pain and suffering they cause most people think your just having a bad headache it's far from it.

I understand completely, big supportive hugs to you! When I get them I end up in the darkest, quietest, most stimulus deficient place I can find. Even then, the darkness and sound of silence still hurts. I hope you feel better today.

 

[ade]

Got a pan of water on a low light as we speak
Most of mine seem to be triggered by nasal issues, hence the pan of water, to soothe my nasal passages. Humidity and pressure chanes, perfume, solvents, pollen: all triggers.
So are lights (especially, those illegal car headlights) and head/neck/tooth aches.

I've come to think of the migraine as a pain hysteria, much like mass hysteria in society, where there's a legitimate underlying problem, but, by virtue of the noggin's good blood supply, inflammation easily spreads and, by virtue of it's poor nerve supply, so does mistaking and confusion (pain).

 

[Lethdale]

This time yesterday I wanted someone to just end me I was in so much pain, today I still don't feel fantastic but I'm a lot better my head still hurts and I just feel delicate. It's like having hangover on steroids, I still don't understand why your body rejects even water.

I'm sick of doctors just fobbing me off saying there's nothing we can do my preventative medication might have reduced the frequency of them but even the ones I'm still getting seem to be increasing in intensity now.

Migraines are evil and until you've had one you will never understand the pain and suffering they cause most people think your just having a bad headache it's far from it.

I had them for 10 years. They blighted my life.
In the end, I cut all medication. I'm sure it was upping the stakes.
My migraines subsided, maybe naturally or by my design. I don't know. Just glad to be rid.

 

[CLeazy928]

They're the absolute worst. I'd guesstimate that I probably get around 5 -10 each year. Mostly I'll either wake up with one or if I have a headache that lasts longer than 24 hours it will evolve into a full blown migraine. Full blown migraines have me feeling pulsating pain that shoots to my toes and fingers and my vision gets very grainy. Trying to stand up will always bring on the dizzying head spins. They are definitely day ruiners. I always feel extremely drained after a migraine and will rest for a least a full day after one.

 

[ianwee]

This time yesterday I wanted someone to just end me I was in so much pain, today I still don't feel fantastic but I'm a lot better my head still hurts and I just feel delicate. It's like having hangover on steroids, I still don't understand why your body rejects even water.

I'm sick of doctors just fobbing me off saying there's nothing we can do my preventative medication might have reduced the frequency of them but even the ones I'm still getting seem to be increasing in intensity now.

Migraines are evil and until you've had one you will never understand the pain and suffering they cause most people think your just having a bad headache it's far from it.

I don't know whether you have looked at other possible causes of your migraine. One of my relatives suffered terrible migraines, tried all sorts of different medication, but nothing worked. Then he went to see a specialist in food intolerance. Following the advice he was given: eat more healthy and less processed foods, reduce reliance on red meat and dairy produce, do not consume alcohol, avoid foods with chemical additives (I think those were the main points). His migraines didn't go away completely, but certainly became less severe. It may be worth giving it a go, if you haven't tried this already.

 

[Bunnybnuy]

I've had migraines all my life too... they're agonizing!! I've had a couple that'd brought me to tears because the pain alone.

 

[AnalogRTO]

I get both migraines and cluster headaches. I've learned my triggers for migraines, but the clusters make the migraines seem like a day on the beach. Migraine level pain for several hours, hitting like clockwork every four hours. Happening every day, for over a decade. There are so many medications I have tried over the years, it's scary. The neurologist I had in California for 20+ years had a chart on me over an inch thick.

Keep a diary of food you have eaten, stress events, even particular odors and things like that. Look for common threads. Note when they hit, if it is the same time every day it may be cluster headaches as opposed to migraine.

There are a bunch of medications out there now to help with a migraine after it starts (Imitrex, Maxalt, etc.) and there are also several new CGRP inhibitor drugs out there that help block them from starting (Emgality, Aimovig, and Vyepti are a few). A quick hit of caffeine can sometimes help stop one as well, but too much on a regular basis can make them worse. There are also a wide range of older medications that can be good preventatives.

Yeah, I've spent over a quarter of a century fighting these bastards and have been through a lot to try and control them, from drugs to surgery. I'm not discounting the pain anyone is having--the more we fight them the more pain tolerant we are. I've broken an ankle and walked on it for hours before figuring out I should get it checked out.

Anyone wanting ideas or help can reach out to me.