That's me as well. In fact, just sleeping late at all will sometimes guarantee me a migraine. I really haven't found many food triggers in and of themselves and I used to keep a detailed journal per doctor's orders. If I skip a meal or eat late (or just at odd times of the day) then I will be more likely to have a migraine. I don't necessarily have to eat fatty foods though, but I can't eat a single celery stick and call it a meal either.
Precisely. It doesn't have to be "bad foods" or sugar filled foods, it could be no foods. It's just specific to each migraine sufferer. Sometimes I can, and this will sound funny, sleep "too hard". Where I slept so soundly, and so deep, that when I do wake up, there it is. Bad eating habits are my worst culprit, but too much or too hard of sleep triggers them as well. I did get a nasty migraine once visiting my Dad's church service. small church, poor ventilation, and a very vocal and "passionate" congregation. In other words, every other word was "halleluja!!". and when the music was playing, it was loud, very loud, and that drum.....oh that drum. Needless to say it was the last time I visited his church, as "perfectly intentioned" as it was
Some interesting aspects (just curiosity on my part) and maybe Sirs can help answer some of these, that would be too cool.
- Why do migraines seem to hit people in their teenage years and not in adolescence?
Good question, though no real good answer. Strangely my migraines began nearly immediately following my mom & dad's divorce. And I don't think it was a coincidence. Something in the emotional centers of my brain became rewired IMHO, and the migraines have been there since.
- What is with the after-effects of migraines? (i.e. the haziness, the pain in shoulders, neck, back)
This varies, and in some cases it varies with age. When I was young, and when the migraine was gone, I almost had what you could call a euphoric period. A burst of energy and calmness. I think it was again largely emotional vs physical, since I was so glad to be relieved of the migraine. As I've gotten older, I definately have noted a residual "haziness", though not necessarily any shoulder or back pain. I have neck pain, but that's due to my degenerative neck condition. (which could actually be contributory to the migraines) But back to the question, migraines cause massive pain, we all know, and the amount of physical stress and anguish when one is having one, makes me conclude how I'd be surprised if someone didn't have any residual ache & haziness.
- Are migraines similar to seizures? For example, seizures also have the after-effects of haziness and pain, and many of the prophylaxis treatment medication for migraines are also anti-convulsant medications.
No. In no way, shape or form, are they. Migraines are circulatory in nature, both in how they're triggered, and in their way of causing the pain they do. Seizures are "electrical", literally a short circuiting of the brain's nervous system. The after effects you refer to I would deduce are similar due to the amount of physical stress & anguish each causes.
- Is there any permanent damage from migraines, do we know?
None that I'm ware of. In fact, they're supposed to fade out after folks reach middle age.
Supposed to being the general trend. I'd still suggest refraining from one's trigger factors, perhaps bright lights, or loud music, or apple fritters for breakfast every morning. But I'n not aware of any documented history of permanent damage, be it nervous system or circulatory system, caused in long term migraine sufferers
Whatever the answers I empathize with anyone who has the damned things. They really are an excrutiating experience. It is really difficult for other people to understand the pain because they associate it with just a "bad headache" when it is much, much worse.
100% concur
