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The Many Symptoms of Migraine
By Kerrie | December 7, 2006
Is it just a coincidence that you feel foggy-headed, have to pee a lot and always have dark black circles under your eyes every time you have a migraine? Nope. Throbbing head pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and weird visual effects are the most discussed symptoms of migraine, but the list is far from comprehensive.
Migraine: The Complete Guide
Prodrome (the period before the pain begins)
Visual (aka aura)
- a bright shape that spreads across the visual field of one eye and appears to block some or all of the vision; can be seen whether the eye is open or closed
- flashes of light and color
- wavy lines
- geometric patterns
- blurred vision
- partial loss of sight
Sensory
- numbness or tingling on the face or upper extremities
- a sense that limbs are a distorted shape or size
- smelling odors that aren’t actually present (like natural gas or something burning)
Motor
- partial paralysis
- weakness or heaviness in the limbs on one side of the body
Language
- difficulty finding words
- problems understanding spoken or written language
Cognitive
- mental confusion
- disorientation
- transient global amnesia (similar to amnesia that follows a concussion)
Digestive
- food cravings (particularly for carbohydrates, candy and chocolate)
- stomach rumblings
- constipation
Fluid disturbances
- increased thirst
- bloating/fluid retention
- frequent urination
Mental/Personality
- mood changes
- irritability
- high energy
- lethargy
Headache Phase
Sensory
- sensitivity to light and noise
- intolerance of being touched
- heightened sensitivity to odors
Digestive
- nausea
- vomiting
- intolerance of food odors
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
- constipation
Skin
- paleness
- cold, clammy hands and feet
- facial swelling
- goose bumps
- bloodshot eyes
- black circles around eyes
- sweating
Fluid disturbances
- water retention
- frequent urination
Respiratory
- frequent yawning
- sighing
- hyperventilating
- nasal congestion
- runny nose
Mental/Personality
- irritability
- depression
- anxiety
- nervousness
- difficulty concentrating
Circulatory
- changes in blood chemistry
- changes in blood pressure
- blood vessel dilation
- difficulty regulating temperature
- changes in heart rhythms
Postdrome (24 hour following headache)
Cognitive
- inability to concentrate
Respiratory
- frequent yawning
Mood/Personality
- fatigue
- depression
- euphoria
- feeling of intense well-being
- lethargy
So you’re not crazy, losing your mind or faking it!
This information is much like that in Not Just a Headache: Migraine’s Other Symptoms, which I posted last December. It’s such an important topic and receives so little attention that I wanted to revisit it.
By the way, Migraine: The Complete Guide
Topics: Biology, Coping, Favorites |
December 7th, 2006 at 11:01 am
Glad to see that Im not crazy! I could check of a majority of the things mentioned that you listed. It always amazes me how my body reacts to these stupid migraines and how many of those symptoms I have before during and after a migraine.
As always, thank you for posting such valuable info, you provide an invaluable service to those of us who suffer from migraines.
Your faithful reader!
Mary
December 7th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
I concur. “Migraine The Complete Guide” is my favorite book on the subject.
December 7th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
Looks like a great resource. I think I’ll blog it too.
December 8th, 2006 at 4:55 am
A first class resource which I will be forwarding to all my customers. Keep up the good work.
December 8th, 2006 at 6:21 am
I, also, linked to this post on my blog.
Great post, Kerrie!
December 12th, 2006 at 11:50 am
Thanks for the kind words and all the links.
K
January 25th, 2007 at 7:27 am
This list has been unbelievably helpful to me - thank you for posting it.
I’ve spent years with dreadful physical anxiety symptoms, not realising that it was actually a part of my migraine attacks. (I’ve had migraines since I was about 18). It’s only recently that I’ve made the connection. To have it spelt out in black and white here has been so helpful, and I refer to it often in the middle of an attack, when I’m too anxious to be rational with myself.
Thank you for helping to keep me sane, and to know that I’m not going insane.
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I’m glad this is helpful for you. I wish this information was widely available. I, too, was relieved when I found out that many more symptoms were involved than I once thought.
Take care.
Kerrie
February 27th, 2007 at 6:07 am
It’s reassuring to see that high energy levels can be prodromal. Some people in my family would say to me, “If you just would calm down, you wouldn’t get the headaches.” I’ve tried to do that, but part of the problem is that, finally, I DO have a day where I feel well. And, also, when I try to “tamp it down,” I still get the headache.
March 1st, 2007 at 1:28 am
This list has been really helpful for me. I swore up and down for months that I had chronic sinusitis, but two doctors told me my sinuses were fine. Tonight I discovered that a lot of my symptoms were common to migraines. This list shocked me, because of problems I’ve been having with this smell in the house that no one else can smell, as well as the fuzzy thinking (I call it my “noun problem”, where I can’t think of the words I want to use.)
What bothers me is that neither doctor I went to suggested migraine. My GP thinks I’m “worrying too much” about my face and head pain, so I’m unsure about going back to him and asking about migraines. Maybe I should get the book and bring it with me when I see him.
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It’s so irritating to have little-discussed symptoms and not have your doctor know about them. I think taking the book to an appointment is a great idea.
Best of luck with your GP and future doctors.
Kerrie
March 30th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
i have suffered from migraines all my life but the last 7 years have been the worst. i have chronic headaches every day and migrains at least 4 days out of 7. i cant leave the house or go anywhere cause i am so ill. i have tried migraine specialists all over the country but no one can help. most of the time i am unable to get out of bed. Its not the head pain its the fact that i feel so sick and dizzy and weak and cant tolerate light or sound or smell or touch. i have no life. i pray for a new treatment that will help but i am too ill to help myself and no one else will do it for me. i use frovatiptan, indomethecin, and stugeron at moment, and have tried loads of preventitive meds with no positive outcome. Someone please help.
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I’m sorry you’re suffering so much. While I have no specific advice for you, I can reassure you that you aren’t alone. There are many treatments available — even when it seems like you’ve seen every possible doctor and tried every possible treatment, there are always more option.
E-mail me if you have questions about specific treatment or medications. kerrie@thedailyheadache.com
Hang in there and take good care of yourself.
Kerrie
April 4th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Just found your site, and have been amazed at what I’ve read. I have had migraines since high school, (I’m now 51), and they have increased to the point of daily pain since having a hysterectomy two years ago - something I was told would probably improve my situation. I have a brother and sister who suffer daily from them as well. And I was generous - I gave them to all three of my children. My neurologist has tried every preventative medication he can think of, as the migraines have already caused two tiny strokes. Pain meds have been a joke. Fiorinal used to help, but most of the time I try them nowdays, I might as well have swallowed a couple m&m’s. Butorphanol Tartrate nasal spray has been the most effective for relieving the pain, but it is highly addictive and my Dr. is hesitant to continue prescribing it. I have no doubt I have some dependency on it, but without another alternative that will work, where does that leave me? I have tried everything he has recommended, and nothing has worked. I even tried accupuncture, but that was money down the drain. Tried Botox… looked great, but it only helped the first time I had it done - subsequent applications did nothing. Had a nurse suggest using an not quite legal substance one smokes, but I lived thru the seventies once - don’t need to go there again. Basically I am at my wits end. Those who haven’t experienced migaine pain have no idea what an occasional migraine feels like - let alone daily pain. Glad to find there is some support here. Thanks for all your efforts! Am contemplating applying for disabilty. Not sure what I’m in for there. Probably enough red tape to give me a headache.
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Wow, you’re really going through a lot. I’m so sorry.
While I don’t have any specific advice, you aren’t alone, which can be a huge assurance in itself. Also, there are many, many treatments. Even when people feel like they have tried everything, there are almost always more options out there. That’s not to discount that it’s an exhausting fight to find out what works best for you.
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me. I’m more than happy to help. kerrie@thedailyheadache.com
Best wishes in your search for treatment. Take care of yourself.
Kerrie
April 6th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Thanks for your list. I’m having a particularly bad migraine today and I was having symptoms I don’t usually experience, which made me very anxious–I thought perhaps something more serious was going on. I felt relieved when I found this blog. I’ll check that book out. Thanks again.
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You’re welcome. I’m glad you find it helpful.
If you ever have alarming symptoms, I recommend making an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can. While it’s probably not something worrisome, it’s always good to get checked out when your symptoms change.
Take care,
Kerrie
April 18th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Thanks for letting me know that what I am experiencing is normal. I have been getting migraines for many years and of late they are more severe and occurring more often. The list of symptoms is reassuring in that I am experiencing normal reactions to the migraines and that there is not some other underlying problem that needs to be addressed. Keep up the good work
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These are normal migraine symptoms, but not normal for you. It is common for migraines to change over the years, but it’s always good to see your doctor when you have a change in symptoms. Just to check in and see if there might be a better treatment for you or something else going on.
Kerrie
April 26th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
I was having migraines every day and the drs were playing pass the patient I guess. I ended up with a pain specialist but I found that he was unwilling to listen to me. He was going to treat me the way he wanted even tho what he was doing made no sense and had no effect at all. I went through treatments with big q-tips of novacaine up my nose, shots in my neck, I even had novacaine patches taped to my neck for 12 hours a day every day because he was convinced that was my problem. (and let me tell you, that tape coming off every day was rough, especially since I’m allergic)Even tho all my scans and tests showed nothing wrong, it still had to be my neck. I finally decided that this communication problem was not going to get better and I stopped seeing him. At the same time, I switched my GP and he recommended a new Neurologist for me and that was the best thing ever. We went over all the meds I’ld been on, and there were alot I must say, most of which hadn’t worked. He wasn’t afraid to perscribe IM meds and pain meds that worked together and because of that, I have worked from 7 days a week to 2 or 3 a month. I’m not off my toradol injection because of my liver and on stadol nasal, which works way better I might add but in the end, it’s really about finding a dr. that you can communicate with. It turns out that my migraines are from an injury. They do happen to run in my family which exasberates the situation but because of the head trauma, makes them much harder to treat. I’m sorry for all the frustration everyone feels with this because I have felt it too and I hope that you’ll also get relief as I have. Thank you for posting this list of symptoms as well. I have passed migraines to both my daughters, 13 and 5. My 13yo’s symptoms are different then mine and my 5yo doesn’t really know to tell us or recognize what they are yet but both are diagnosed already. Now we have a list to turn to, to hopefully recognize even earlier when one’s coming. Thank you.
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I’m so glad you’ve gotten your migraines under better control. Finding the right doctor for you can make all the difference in the world.
I hope the list of symptoms helps your daughters. Catching a migraine early in the episode usually makes it much easier to treat.
Kerrie
May 21st, 2007 at 10:29 pm
I just found your website and find it quite informative. I’ve suffered from CDH and migraines for about 27 years now without taking prescription medication. I had a 9:30am soccer game the other week and felt a headache coming on. Was craving salt so bought some Bugles at the 7/11 which sent the headache to the back burner. I asked my doctor about this and she said that I could be getting a sudden drop in blood pressure which could cause a headache. Just thought I’d throw that out there for anybody else who experiences the same thing.
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Thanks for the kind words and the tip. Eating regularly is something that many headache sufferers (including me) find very helpful. I hope it continues to help you.
Take care,
Kerrie
June 15th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
I’ve had migraines for the last 16 years, usually 1 or 2 a month around my period. All of a sudden I have had them almost daily for 3 months. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this. It seems like something must be causing them, but I can’t figure out what. I had an MRI 3 years ago, but only showed typical migraine findings.
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Whenever your migraines change, you should see your doctor. He or she can help you identify what’s triggering them and find effective ways to reduce the frequency of them.
I wish you the best of luck.
Kerrie
June 20th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Hey, thanks for posting this link on my page. I’d really been wondering about some of those symptoms, like frequent urination, runny nose, and mood changes.
Actually, my body is a bit of a mess now - I think I’m going into perimenopause early (I’m 37), which is, among other things, causing bouts of PMS, which I never had before. (I also think it’s causing my migraines.) And some of the PMS symptoms are remarkably like the odder migraine symptoms - changes in fluid balance, constipation followed by diarrhea, and mood changes. It seems to me that Oliver Sacks even said that he thought PMS was a *kind* of migraine. Go figure.
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You’re welcome. It may be the most important thing that most migraineurs rarely ever learn about.
PMS and migraine sound like an awful combination! Hang in there.
Kerrie
June 27th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
I am so glad I found this site. I have been suffering from daily headaches for 20 years. I am now 36 years old. I have always been told that I do not have migraines…I guess I do not experience alot of the classic symptoms. I do get severe pain throughout my head, I cannot think straight, fatigue sets in, my eyes feel heavy, and no over the counter pain med nor even prescribed narcotics even begin to take the pain away. Sometimes the headache lasts for 2 days only to return a day later. This cycles at least every 5-7 days. Recently, a neurologist prescribed imitrex which did relieve my pain. So now, he has diagnosed my chronic headache as migraine. I have also now been taking Topamax for 2mo which does not seem to be working. I still get just as many headaches and now the Imitrex does not seem to be working as well. If Imitrex doesn’t work, and Topamax doesn’t work, is it likely that I am not suffering from Migraine?
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It’s fairly common for Imitrex and Topamax (as well as other drugs) to not work for some people with migraine. They are the most prescribed drugs for a first attempt at treatment, but there are many other meds available for people with migraine to try.
Imitrex is one of seven available drugs in its class, called triptans. Some people try four or five before they find one that works. I think that having Imitrex work at all is a good sign that you have migraine.
Also, Topamax is often prescribed for chronic daily headache, whether it is caused by migraine or not.
My migraine symptoms aren’t typical either, so it was hard to believe that my headaches could possibly be migraines. Turns out that only 40% of people with migraine have an aura. As you’ve seen from the list, there are many symptoms for us to choose from!
Here’s a good overview of different migraine drugs: http://mayoclinic.com/health/migraine-headache/DS00120/DSECTION=8
Let me know if I can help any further.
Kerrie
October 4th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
My brother has been suffering “migraines” since he had a stroke several years ago. It’s daily 24/7. Unfortunately, he has an HMO that is going to kill him before he finds relief, but we keep going to new Doctor’s and still no relief. It seems the IPA “Oasis Medical IPA” doesn’t have a “Headache Specialist” and keeps sending us to Neurologist, which are good people, but not helping the headaches. What do people do in this case? Your site gave us just a few names in California for “Headache Specialist”, but of course after a year of trying to go “out of network” with the HMO, we still can’t get to that doctor and of course money is an issue when it comes to office visits, etc.
Any ideas? We thought of trying a Chiropractor that is “in-network” as well as continue trying to find a “headache specialist” in-network. Should we give in a contact the Insurance Commission? I think that’s the only way he’ll get treatment for his headaches? What do you suggest?
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I’m sorry, but I don’t have any ideas for you. I’ll highlight your comment in a post and see if anyone else has suggestions.
Take care,
Kerrie
October 20th, 2007 at 6:47 am
I have had migraines since 92 when my dad passed ..I have a headache everyday and a migraine at least 5 days a week…I have every thing .The light ,smell,sound,all of it bothers me..Im very nausated …I go to our E.R about once every other month to get a shot or 2 or 3 to help with the pain…Im allergic to the imitrex and I took the topamax for awhile but it made me gain weight which depressed me more then I already was so the Dr took me off it…I have Fibromyalgia which they also say migraines go along with..I get S.S.I because I am unable to work do to the fact I cant leave my home …I have a great boyfriend and kids that help me when I feel bad.. Im a 44 yr old woman whose ex husband was verbally abusive and put me out because of my medical problems…Somedays I wake up and my right eye is smaller then my left and im full of energy …I know its going to be a bad headache later due to these clues…my kids know if these things are happening then Im going to have the headache from HELL…I then clean my house and get nausated ,and the headache comes on full force ,my neurologist has me on zonegran now trying to get the headaches under control…
November 4th, 2007 at 3:49 am
i am glad that i found this web site an i am having really tough migraines since i was 9 am 23 now an everyday still i get that i know the pain
we all do ., i just wanted to point somethin here , i actually have nasal problems causing migraines,, i sure dont know the scientific definition so i call it infection nways , its like difficulty breathin with ur nose and ur allergic to bad smells could cause migraine , this is a reason everyone should check and if the weather is hot well pple here dont talk about that cz u know its cold in europe an so am in africa now so believe me hot weather is a trigger , could be number one:) ,, umm one thing i wanna ask about i know a way that i can get rid of migraine well anykind of migraines no matter how tough it is , its gone in about 10 to 15 minutes max, am not bluffing nways , but screw medications u know , ok here it is when i get the headache i strap my head tight with a robe kinda thing u can use anythin i dunno but the main idea if u have somethin tight on around ur head preventing the blood pressure from running to the point of that headache it will go away , just tight enough so u would feel the pressure is gone then u relief that tight thing an blood starts to flow normally again , what i dont know is it healthy to do that? i mean it work an i dare everyone if it doesnt work an faster than any medication but is it ok to do that? . i mean preventing blood pressure from ur skull so u slow down that blood stream causing the headache ..,, i dunno i need help in that matter!! an i noticed if u want medication to work ,well one thing about migraines most of the times u get the headache u feel so before u get it u know its like an alarm i know the headache is near ,take ur medication then , but if u got the headache believe me no pill in the world would let that headache go away except that manual way i talked about an it works!!!!!!!!
January 14th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I don’t know where to post this so I am putting it here in hope that someone will read it.
I am 22 years old and have had migranes associated with Arnold Chiari Malformation since I was around 10. I did have the corrective surgery and everything is perfect as far as that goes.
On October 23, 2007 my life went to haties. Beginning that day I have had the worst pains I have ever felt. It feels like a 9in blade going through my skull in one specific spot and then the entire left side of my brain will throb with horrific pain. This happens daily and when it occurs it stays. The strange thing is I have NO common migrane issues.
I have passed out twice and feel dizzy on occassion. Once I had super high blood pressure and twice there has been numb/tingling of the limbs. But none of occured often enough to really relate to the head pains.
I have had the usual ct and mri’s and they are clear. I have gone on a strict diet of organic chicken, few veggies, and fruits other than citris (just like all the diets say). We have also tried pulling all meds away to test the rebound headache theory and then I was placed various meds. On top of all of this I am still dealing with my regular migranes.
I love my life, job and family and right now everything is on a stand still because I cannot deal with this pain.
My question is has anyone experienced similar situations and do you have any suggestions?
Thank you.
January 20th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Before I begin, I don’t consider myself having migraines, something else. The list you have provided is very helpful, thank you very much.
I am a 24 year old male who just so happened to bump into this site during a google search for TMJ disorder. I struggle daily with random headaches due in part of my TMJ problem for many years. My headaches can last all day to only a few hours a day. When my headaches happen, I have a hard time concentrating, fatigue begins, my eyes will feel heavy, I become irritable and I will have difficulty getting my words out when I speak. Although my jaw clenching and/or trigger points could be causing my headaches (I have no doubt), the throbbing head pain on the left side of my head seems more of a problem than the TMJ itself but this may all be interconnected somehow. I’ve seen a MRI specialist about my headaches years ago and had one done and the results showed that I had a small cyst on the left side of my temple area. My MRI specialist and my neurologist told me its a benign cyst and I should have nothing to worry about but I still question this today as this cyst could be the culprit. I am on Dilantin 400 mg 4 pills a night for my seizures (I’m not epileptic).
I’ve been taking slow-mag (magnesium 500 mg one pill) every morning for muscle contractions for the last few months and their haven’t been any good results. I want this throbbing head pain to stop because its ruining my life, I can’t seem to find any answers that I’m looking for and I have no desire to have brain surgery at all. No one should ever have to live with the head pain I have and I’m tired of my friends and family feeling pity on me as this shouldn’t this shouldn’t be happening.
I’ll be coming here more often now that I found thedailyheadache.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Reading these comments on this blog where these poor people are in agonizing pain everyday makes me feel like a whiner. I, too, get migraines, but they rarely hurt. I get 2-5 a month, but usually they are all visual.
Lately I have been getting 2-5 migraines a week. Again, they don’t usually hurt (only about 1 or 2 painful headaches a week) but the rest of the syptoms are getting out of control.
I actually have just realized that I’ve been going about these symptoms backwards. I’ve been thinking that my migraines trigger anxiety attacks (which have been increasing with the migraines). I started seeing a therapist to deal with my anxiety only to find that I don’t really have as big a problem with anxiety as I thought. After doing some research (this site included) I realized the the anxiety is part of the migraine.
I have also gone to the doctor on seperate occasions for several of these symptoms (vertigo, dizziness, nausea, eyesight, hearing, etc) but I have never, until now, put it all together to add up to migraine - which now that I look at all of the symptoms, I really do have almost daily.
I can’t tell you what a huge deal this is. I’m actually crying right now out of relief that this is all connected and I’m not some sort of crazy hypochondriac. Thank you so much for sharing this information. The knowledge, alone, has made this an easier battle to suffer.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:11 am
My 16 yr old dd has migraines, and about once a year or so, they’re so bad she hallucinates. She sees people, spiders (she’s terrifed of spiders), and other very strange, and to her dad and me, scary things. It’s almost as if she’s ‘tripping’ on drugs or something. She doesn’t remember anything the next day. Is this a normal migraine pattern? Thank you.
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Hallucinations can definitely be part of migraine. I recommend checking with her doctor to be sure.
Best of luck.
Kerrie