This page is dedicated to migraine sufferers, Most of us who suffer from migraines (I get an average of 12 per month) go through years of misdiagnoses by physicians and medical practitioners who know little about this neurological disorder. Migraine sufferers are often approached as if their migraines are being triggered by something they are doing wrong, or because they don't know how to handle stress. For over 20 years I had seen various doctors, none of whom believed I had migraines, because I didn't experience auras (which I have experienced, but in different ways at different times - or I didn't recognize them as pre-migraine symptoms). Days or weeks of incapacitation from pain in my temples that felt like the blade of a knife turning were not evidence of a migraine to them. The fact that over-the-counter medications didn't work or ceased to help over time was not evidence enough. The fact that at times they got so bad that I would vomit, grow numb on one side of my body (and especially the face) was not evidence enough. Most physicians would send me home telling me to take aspirin and pseudophedrine, in spite of my telling them they don't work.

I have turned out to be one of my doctor's two most severe cases. I require more medication for migraine attacks in one month than most diagnosed migraine sufferers take in a year. I am sure I am not addicted to the medication, because there will be times of the year when I require nothing for several weeks at a time. Right now (early February, 2002) I have run out of the allotment of medication I take (I won't say which kind, because I don't believe in advertising for pharmaceutical companies) that my insurance will allow for the month, and I still have 11 days before I can get a refill. I have had 13 migraines so far in the past 3 weeks (I'm on the 13th tonight - it's not full-blown yet), and have run out of the emergency samples the doctor gave me this week.

Some of the obvious triggers for my migraines, some of which physicians will not acknowledge as valid:

1. A change in barometric pressure (I get migraines 12 to 36 hours before it rains or snows) - this is the worst trigger

2. The onset of my period - these can be as bad as the pre-rain headaches

3. Strong sunlight

4. Chocolate (but only before it rains)

5. Flavored Coffees

6. Extreme heat

7. Extreme cold

8. Alcohol, especially red wine

9. neck strain

10. Some perfume scents

I have to call out sick from work a lot more than I want to. Fortunately I work at jobs where I can work things out with my students, but my absences do make covering everything in the courses I teach challenging at times. I often go to work with the migraines because I don't want to fall behind. On days where I am reluctant to cancel class I might show a movie, but it's not always appropriate to do this. Other times, the pain is so bad, I can't move. One college wants its professors to call all the students on their lists to notify them class is cancelled. With a migraine bad enough to cancel work, it is not possible to do this. The pain is too debilitating.

Furthermore, when the migraines incapacitate me, I cannot tend to my children, or do many of the other things (run necessary errands, complete necessary household chores, make necessary phone calls or appointments). More than one doctor has charged me a penalty fee for cancelling an appointment (not for migraines) with less than 24 hours notice. Unfortunately, migraines don't give us 24 hours notice before they strike.

One day I'll expand my site to include a page or two about what I think of most people in the medical profession...

Signs    and    Symptoms    of    Migraine

Migraine pain differentiates from other types of headache, it has specific symptoms. These symptoms appear different from person to person in intensity, character, frequency and duration. Migraine attacks can appear as infrequently as a couple of times a year or almost every day. There are two main types of migraine: Classical Migraine - migraine with aura- and Common Migraine - migraine without no warning or aura.

A minority of migraine patients experience aura, which is the term for the sign of the pain to come. The sign can be described as bright spots or zigzag lines before the eyes and blurred vision or temporary visual loss. In rare cases numbness or tingling of the face and lips can be observed. These symptoms usually go away within one hour and replaced by a headache. But it also possible to have the aura and not the pain that comes after.

With the common migraine, headache begins without warning. Children mostly experience common migraine. Common symptoms of migraine are associated with:

-Intense head pain. The pain begins on one side of the head and it spreads downward to the eye, face and even neck. The pain can switch sides and less commonly can affect both sides at once.

-Feeling a relentless throbbing or pounding deep in the head.

-Having nausea

-Vomiting

-Strong and painful reactions to light and loud noises. As a result patients try to avoid them.

-The simple act of moving may be difficult during the migraine attack. Pain may worsen from activity.

-Not being able to carry out day to day activities.

-Need to lie down during the attacks.

It is not necessary to have all these symptoms. They may be moderate or severe. Migraine attacks may last between four hours and three days if not treated or poorly treated. Because you have the need to lie down and rest during these attacks your working life, family life and social activities may be disrupted.

Migraines most commonly occur in women and usually start between the ages of 10 and 46. Migraines can be difficult to diagnose. Without proper diagnosis, the patient cannot get the proper treatment. It is more likely the patient visits the doctor headache-free so it is important to describe the symptoms in a very clear way.

Because migraine is more than a common headache, in some people painkillers may not work. It is more suitable to take special migraine medicines prescribed by a doctor These medicines can stop or help to relieve the migraine pain.

This information found at: http://wi.essortment.com/migrainesymptom_rfof.htm