Migraine sufferers come in!

[kzoomaggie]

Honestly, I think your symptoms sound more like an issue with your sinuses. My migraines do come with flashing lights. But I wouldn't necessarily describe the pain as pressure. It is just an awful headache. And migraines typically are one sided, not all over the head (although, they can be all over).

Sinus problems can definitely cause really bad pressure, even to the point of not being able to drive. The fact that you are having pain in the roof of your mouth makes me think even more that it is sinus related.

Whatever you do, I would definitely talk to your doctor about your symptoms.

[missmis99]

I agree with PP that it doesn't sound like a typical migraine. I have suffered for almost 30 years. My pain is not really pressure, but rather pain. Some are even classified as ice pick migraines because they feel like an ice pick is in your head. I also typically feel throbbing as if I feel my heartbeat in my head. I get extreme nausea that usually ends in throwing up and have extreme sensitivity to all senses like light, sound, and smell. Yours sounds more like sinus or tension.

[midnightrae]

They don't sound like normal migraines to me. They sound more like sinus problems/headaches and maybe some tension headaches.

[jigsy]

I'm going to agree with the two above me...sounds more like sinus issues than a migraine. Everyone experiences migraines a little differently, but I think it's uncommon to have them described as pressure and also have then everywhere. For me, I always have migraines hit in the exact same spot...I convinced myself there must be a tumor or something since it never changed areas and it took a long time to find medication that worked.

[yellowbrkrd]

I suffer from migraines and horrible sinus issues and agree that it sounds more like a sinus headache or tension headache.

[ddi741]

May 22, 2012 10:11:32 GMT -5 @missmis99 said:

I agree with PP that it doesn't sound like a typical migraine. I have suffered for almost 30 years. My pain is not really pressure, but rather pain. Some are even classified as ice pick migraines because they feel like an ice pick is in your head. I also typically feel throbbing as if I feel my heartbeat in my head. I get extreme nausea that usually ends in throwing up and have extreme sensitivity to all senses like light, sound, and smell. Yours sounds more like sinus or tension.

This is me exactly.

I found if I can catch it quick, 2 ibuprofen will get it but excedrin migrane works the best for me.
I also found a trick that helps. I put a cold rag on my head and soak my feet in hotwater for about 20 minutes. It really helps the headache go away.

I have talked to my doc about meds but he said the side effects can be worse than the migrane so I just use the OTC stuff.

[womet]

My DH gets complex migraines that sound similar to what you describe. He doesn't get the "ice pick in the head" sensation that missmis99 described, but he has light and noise sensitivity and dizziness. He usually takes a nap with all of the lights off, the blinds closed and with sunglasses on.

One of the medications his doctor recommended is Vitamin B2. It helps with migraines. You might also look into that.

[ddi741]

May 22, 2012 10:34:04 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

The key is to keep a migraine diary and see what your triggers are. Mine are menstral cycle related and partially food related too (onion and aged cheeses really do me in).

GL

This is a good suggestion. It always helps to determine your triggers. Mine are peanuts and waxy food like tootsie rolls and licorice. I also get hormonal migranes. I thank God that Chocolate and Caffeine are not my triggers. I love them too much to give up.

[Deleted]

I've gone to the ER twice due to migraines. They've just given me a "migraine cocktail" that knocks you out for a few hours.

I would make an appointment with a neuro if OTC mess aren't working for you. There's quite a few options for medications you can take when you are getting a migraine. If they're interfering with your daily life I'd recommend asking about a daily medication- but these usually have pretty severe side effects.

I took topamax (a daily med) for two years in college and was a hot mess. I couldn't remember words, jumbled up sentences an lost a bunch of weight. I put up with it because it was better than the alternative.

[midnightrae]

May 22, 2012 10:17:36 GMT -5 jigsy said:

I'm going to agree with the two above me...sounds more like sinus issues than a migraine. Everyone experiences migraines a little differently, but I think it's uncommon to have them described as pressure and also have then everywhere. For me, I always have migraines hit in the exact same spot...I convinced myself there must be a tumor or something since it never changed areas and it took a long time to find medication that worked.

This exactly. I had other symptoms as well that stayed on the same side as my migraines. I don't get migraines as often since finding out about a few allergies. I used to get them almost every day. They still are bad and medicine doesn't help, but at least it isn't constant anymore.

[MrsManners]

May 22, 2012 10:05:02 GMT -5 @jimbooo said:

Ohhh, I will buy excederin migraine today! Thanks!

I've been tracking and the only thing I notice is the worst ones are PMS

At age 34, I started getting menstrual migraines. Serious head pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound and difficulty thinking/concentrating. They happen over a 3 day period (sometimes just one day, sometimes all 3 days) right before I start my period. I talked to my regular PCP about it at a visit and he gave me some meds (can't remember the name) and I take it when I have one. It helps a get rid of them and works great.

[eliza22]

I read somewhere that a lot of headaches that do feel sinus related are actually migraines. I thought I had sinus headaches but my doc says they are migraines. Anyhow, excederin works best for me (or the Walgreens version). I had a Rx for awhile but it was no better than OTC stuff.
If I get a migraine at night and don't want to take anything with caffeine then I'll use Tylenol PM so I can sleep it off. Sometimes when I do that I still feel it mildly in the morning and it will get increasingly worse if I don't take an excederin, but at least I usually get sleep that way.