ache of the head

[arguchik]

can anyone out there describe for me what migraines feel like? i get these intractable headaches sometimes, and OTC pain relievers don't touch them. i have one today. it feels like i'm wearing a hat knit of pain. bright lights are bad. moving around too much is bad. i don't feel nauseous, and food still sounds yummy, but i don't want to eat any of it.

i've always assumed these headaches are related to my TMJ (which in turn is stress-related), but i'm not so sure. if it were muscular pain, it seems like aspirin or ibuprofin would alleviate it.

Comments

[evernanon.livejournal.com]

Doug gets migraines, and he says, "Maybe. See a doctor."

I hope you feel better soon.

[jennaxide.livejournal.com]

migraines can be different for everyone. i don't get them very often anymore (and good riddance), but they're allergy related. i am terrified of headaches because of how bad my migraines can be.

see a doctor; migraines have pretty specific treatment these days should you require it.

[alice-at-night.livejournal.com]

You should see a doctor. Well, I say that, but I never have seen one for painful headaches I get. My gyno called them migrains, but I've never been formally diganosed. (Quiet with direct pressure behind my left ear make mine go away. go figure. I think mine are sparked by meteorological changes.)

My rule of thumb is: whenever something starts interfering with life more intensely or more often a typical hangover, time to seek a professional.

[costco77.livejournal.com]

sounds like a migraine. Characterized by photophobia, phonophobia, nausea. I'm beginning to suspect that migraines have some basis in muscle tension, but even relieving muscle tension may not be enough. 400mg of Riboflavin (B1) daily may be helpful in prevention. Then again, don't take my word for it - I'm not a doctor just now (I'm wearing fire spinning clothes!) ;P

[arguchik.livejournal.com]

well that's interesting. i've been taking b-6, b-12, and folic acid in addition to my multivitamin and calcium supplement, but i haven't been taking extra b-1. i'll look into it.

i'm sure there's muscle tension here. it's no accident that i'm having this kind of headache today, after the week/weekend i've had. long story. in any case, i think i trust someone wearing fire-spinning clothes to give me medical advice *before* someone wearing a lab coat, thanks. but i hedge my bets, of course--your opinion's extra trustworthy to me because you're qualified to wear both. ;-)

thanks so much for the reply. it has been too long! when are you and C going to be in seattle again, eh?

[costco77.livejournal.com]

sounds like you're better - it's amazing what muscle tension can do to you. The biggest problem is that there's no easy way to get rid of it. I've had this knot in my neck and medial right shoulder since I got acupuncture when I really didn't need it. No amount of stretching has been able to help significantly, so I've resorted to needling myself and having C needle me - amazingly, it works, but the pain's come back and I haven't had a chance to get it needled again.

It's amazing to think that I'd prescribe a muscle relaxant if anyone like me showed up in my regular doctor's office.

as for returning to seattle, methinks that we're stuck out here for a bit longer. My acupuncture practice is just starting out, and C has a good job, and we've got a nice house and a good fire community out here. Kinda makes it hard to leave. Darn.

[arguchik.livejournal.com]

oh, i just meant for a visit...