Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

Ugh, let me first say that my migraines have gotten so much more frequent since having Ava. It's driving me nuts. I was vomitting this morning (TMI, sorry) because my migraine was so bad.
Here's my question, has anyone found that their migraines were related to their vision? I think I need glasses. Is it possible my migraines are from that? I always had 20/20 vision, but since having the baby, my vision is horrible. Just wondering if they're related?

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

When I had frequent migraines and NO relief from my Neurologist my next step was to go to an eye doctor. Staring at dual computer screens daily was not helping.

But...before I took that route I went to see an ENT. The ENT said my sinuses were fine, but because I mentioned something about a moldy apt...he sent me to an allergist.

I can honestly say my daily migraines have gone from daily...to once in the past year.

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

Eye strain can cause headaches- but I'm not so sure about migraines.
Migraines are a whole other animal.

Just as an aside- I have found that taking 3 mg of Melatonin (the natural sleep aid) every night has reduced the frequency and severity of my migraines
It took a few months of taking it each night to see results- but now I swear by it.
There have been studies on this as well.

Give it a try!

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

Thank you! I also think maybe my migraines might be due to my sinuses, but they're not any worse than they've been before in my life. I just don't know. In the past, I've gotten them maybe like three times a year, now, since having Ava I have one every couple of weeks, now this is the fourth one in a week.

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

Hi! As a fellow migrane sufferer
I can say based on my own experiences that mine was related to my vision. I was getting them 3x a week and couldn't function normally at work to a point where I had to either call out sick or go home. After seeing my doctor and being given Imatrex (made me worse) I decided to get my eyes checked out and found out that my prescription had changed. As soon as I got my new glasses, the migranes stopped. The migranes come back once in a while now but it did a 180 when I got new glasses

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

Posted by prncssrachel

Thank you! I also think maybe my migraines might be due to my sinuses, but they're not any worse than they've been before in my life. I just don't know. In the past, I've gotten them maybe like three times a year, now, since having Ava I have one every couple of weeks, now this is the fourth one in a week.

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

's and hope you're feeling better. I don't get them too often but did seem to get them a little more after dd. I either think it's when I'm stressed or something I have ate .
It's so hard to pinpoint. I went years ago to a few ENT's and never really got anywhere with it- just took a bunch of sinus meds. My mom has had them bad for so many years now and they're less frequent now but she still doesn't REALLY know what triggers them. It stinks

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

absolutely headaches can be eye strain related!!! feel better hun

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

Just for safety you should go get an MRI. Anytime migraines increase in intensity or frequency you should go to the Dr. I get them but rarely. GL

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

Migraines run in my family and seem to be brought on more often then not, by the foods we eat. I am very sensitive to nitrates (red wine, hotdogs, etc.) and also chocolate. Overindulging in any of those is me begging for a migraine the next day.

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

i get many migrains, i have had mris eye dr's nero's and they said it was all sinis swelling, went to the allergy dr. and he said i have normal envirometal allergies.. still no help. i take maxalt disolvable pill and if it's not that bad i take midrine. migrains can aslo be caused by a tooth infection. either way feel better and get some rest

Message edited 1/30/2007 2:55:57 PM.

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

i used to get them all the time, then i started on the melatonin as mentioned in another post. it worked wonders. i didnt get another one until i had to stop taking it when i was pg. now i want to go back on the melatonin but it really helps you sleep and i am afraid i wont wake up in the night to take care of the babies.

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

Usually migraines are not caused by problems w/ vision, based on what I have read and my own experiences. You may be having another form of headache that may be mimicing migraine, but migraines are cause by biochemical reactions within the brain, not eye strain. I would seek advice from a neurologist, especially since you have had a sudden change in your sight. I would also go to an eye doctor and do what needs to be done to get your eyes corrected if you are having problems. Many types of headaches are often mistaken for migraine and many headaches that are migraine are misdiagnosed. Based on what I have read on the topic most of the headaches we may consider "sinus" may actually be migraine w/ out aura. Usually sinus headaches are accompanied by green/yellow discharge (sorry TMI). Decongestants are usually taken and may even help, even though it's migraine, based on the way the medication effects the blood vessels.

Headaches caused by severe eye strain may make you nauseous though, so it may not be migraine. I would definitely see a doctor though.

Message edited 1/30/2007 5:40:59 PM.

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

I have suffered from migraines for years, and now my brother and sister are starting to get them. Luckliy, during my pregnancy, I have not had any (knock on wood). But before I was pregnant I would get them constantly. I was even hospitalized for them, because they thought I had a stroke. I have what they term "complicated migraines". I get visual disturbances, numbness, and even at times, disorientation which effects my speech.

Anyway, I went to the neurologist, and had so many tests, and nothing. I then when to my cardiologist to make sure everything was okay there. Everything was okay, but he ended up being the one to treat me. After upteen amounts of meds that I tried, celebrex and topral were the only things to help. And they really did. It was a godsend.

Also, I wanted to let you know, my brother was at the cardiologist yesterday. He said that there have been so many studies done recently relating migraines to problems with the heart. They actually think that my brother may have a tiny hole that never closed. He needs to go for a more intensive EKG next week. The dr also told me that I had to come in for an EKG this Thursday, because he wanted to check things out.

So my advice to you is dont stop getting checked out. See everyone you can, and rule it all out. Good luck. If you need to talk, you can FM me.

Message edited 1/30/2007 7:10:48 PM.

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

I never had migranes, I recently went to a neurologist and he diagnosed me with migranes. He said pregnancy most likely triggered them for me. I was getting really bad headaches while pg with DD, but they couldn't do too many tests because I was preggo.

My dr. told me that sometimes the shift in hormones triggers them, and they will be really bad for a while after pregnancy, then subside, and when menopause kicks in, they'll be back with a vengence

But I feel the aame as you, I feel my vison sometimes is blurry. Go get your eyes check out.

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

Thanks for all the responses! I made myself an appt. to get my eyes checked out. It makes sense that it may be something mimicking a migraine. I've had an MRI done and I'm fine, but that was a few months ago. I also know that my sinuses are usually bothering me when I get a "migraine". My vision started to get blurry when I was pregnant with Ava, but I read it would go back to normal after I had her, so I guess I was just waiting and waiting, and now, 7.5 months later, I'm having to squint to read the writing on the bottom of the screen of the television (I don't think I have terrible vision, but definitely worse than before). So, I'll get the glasses, maybe see an ENT and take it from there.

The other thing that I thought might be related is that last week (when I started getting these migraines intensely and frequently), I cut out high fructose corn syrup completely from my diet. I had been eating so much of it and decided it wasn't worth it, so now I'm thinking it might be connected to that, too Ugh, so much to think about! haha

Re: Migraines...sufferers, step on in....

I think you are doing the right thing about seeing the doctor. Certain changes in diet and routine may cause the chemical reactions in the brain that result in migraine. If it was Coke (soda) that you cut out, the headache that results may be caffiene withdrawal (not migraine)...but I'm assuming that is the type of thing you cut out. Squinting and eye strain will definitely cause a headache.