I hear people say all the time that they had a migraine the other day. How is a migraine diagnosed? How is it any different than a really bad headache? Or is "migraine" an all-encompasing term for imobilizing headache? Is it common for them to happen more and more frequently like when you develop an alergy later in life?
So last week, I had another one of my excruciating headaches. I don’t know if it is classified as a migraine, but it left me absolutely unable to function. I took Excedrin Sinus Headache and also Sudafed because it felt like it was in my sinuses. I don’t know if it was due to barometric pressure but it was very likely. I lie in bed for the last half of the day and let the kids get away with whatever they would because I felt like I’d pass out if I stood up. The light made everything hurt more so the whole house was dark when Rex came home at 5pm. He took over for me (after I’d already fed the kids) and put them to bed for me. We both went to bed at 8pm. I finally took ibuprofen and put a hot pad on my face and forehead and fell asleep. I woke up an hour or so later and my head was clear and pain free.
Are my headaches due to pressure changes? Or just overall weather changes? If so, will they get better when I leave Oklahoma, the crossroads of all kinds of weather? I found a website that talks about weather-related headaches but I don't think my headaches occur when the pressure raises sharply. I think it also happens when it drops suddenly. And it doesn't seem to have anything to due with humidity because it happens in dry and humid weather. Whatever the case, I think the website is right about ibuprofen as the best solution. It will be what I reach for first the next time this happens. (And I know I should inverst in a good barometer but that costs money too.)
1 comment:
Julie-
I had often wondered how do you know if your headache qualifies as a "migraine". A friend told me that if you are sensitive to light, it is definitely a migraine. And if you are incapacitated so that you feel like you'll pass out if you stand up, that sounds like another good sign.
Migraines (to my knowldege) are much more severe and debilitating than regular headaches. I have them on occasion, and I can tell if it's a migraine because I don't want any lights on. What I usually do is curl up in a hot bath with a few candles lit (I can't tolerate any more light than that). Shane bought some of those Exedrine Migraine pills too, and if I notice it coming on and try to take care of it before it becomes full blown, I usually can get it under control (though it still may take a while).
I don't know what causes them. There are probably several things. I had a migraine on Christmas eve day (right before dinner and caroling, etc) and again a week later before New Year's eve. Fortunately I was able to rest and get them under control before Christmas festivities (and I just went to bed early on New Years).
I'll see if I can't find more info on what causes them too. But it definitely sounds like those ARE mmigraines you've been having. Good luck trying to keep them at bay while taking care of children!
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