Morning headaches.

[EmersonAilidh]

Googling "morning headaches" turned up 859,000 results with suggestions ranging from certain types of epilepsy to anemia, so I figure that I'm just gonna wait to see the doctor on this one, hahah.

But one result that did stick out to me a bit was that morning headaches could be a result of anxiety & OCD. What? How?

Mine are flatout disorienting. It can make walking difficult, I can't understand when people are talking to me, much less respond with anything coherent. This can last for two hours or all day (although if it goes on longer it does get less & less severe). It's in no specific place in my head, it's all over. I have both anxiety problems & OCD, so I was just wondering how these could be linked to waking up with a headache.

 

Also, is it at all possible for people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea to NOT wake their bed partners during an "episode"? Sorry, I don't really know what to call it.. I ask this just because my doctor has suggested it before but I've always brushed it off since I have friends spend the night often & I also used to share a bed with my bestfriend & no one has ever reported anything. My Dad has it, so I know how disruptive it is when he wakes up, but I was just wondering if it was at all possible for it to go unnoticed.

[EmersonAilidh]

Also, on a bit of an unrelated note, my Chicago trip was cancelled. That means no Dr. K visit. I've been calling to see about changing my appointment to a phone consultation but just keep getting the answering service. I'll update everyone when anything new happens.

[EAMom]

Also, on a bit of an unrelated note, my Chicago trip was cancelled. That means no Dr. K visit. I've been calling to see about changing my appointment to a phone consultation but just keep getting the answering service. I'll update everyone when anything new happens.

 

Oh no!

[EAMom]

I get morning headaches. Someone told me if you wake up with headaches they are probably migraines. Mine will last up to 2 days (unless I take imitrix). For me, they are tied to to fluctuating hormones (they used to mainly happen with I got my period, menstrual migraines, although lately I've gotten them b-4 my period as well). During both pregnancies, Iwas quite headache free (not suggesting that for you of course!).

 

I think it is possible for someone with sleep apnea to not wake their partners...I would get checked for it, esp. since you require so much sleep.

[EmersonAilidh]

After I found the connection between my RLS & menstrual cycle I tried to find one between it & the headaches, there wasn't one.

 

My Mom used to get really bad migraines. I think my Grandma might have too.. I haven't noticed any light sensitivity though, which was my Mom's big issue. Could that still be a migraine?

[EAMom]

After I found the connection between my RLS & menstrual cycle I tried to find one between it & the headaches, there wasn't one.

 

My Mom used to get really bad migraines. I think my Grandma might have too.. I haven't noticed any light sensitivity though, which was my Mom's big issue. Could that still be a migraine?

 

I don't have light sensitivity, although sometimes strong perfumes can trigger a headache for me. Have you told your doctor? Maybe try imitrix? Does advil etc. do anything?

[EmersonAilidh]

After I found the connection between my RLS & menstrual cycle I tried to find one between it & the headaches, there wasn't one.

 

My Mom used to get really bad migraines. I think my Grandma might have too.. I haven't noticed any light sensitivity though, which was my Mom's big issue. Could that still be a migraine?

 

I don't have light sensitivity, although sometimes strong perfumes can trigger a headache for me. Have you told your doctor? Maybe try imitrix? Does advil etc. do anything?

 

Advil/Tylenol do NOTHING. & I have been pretty anti-doctors for quite a while now, but I'm planning on making an appointment with a NEW neurologist soon. I'm just trying to get an idea of what all to bring up & suggest when I do.

My Mom takes Imitrix whenever she gets bad migraines (used to be pretty frequently, isn't all that often now). Would it be safe to try some of hers just to see if it makes a dent in the pain? With her permission, of course.

[justinekno]

We have a family history of migraines. My mom, grandmother, sisters and now my older ds(20) gets them once in a while. My son can take Motrin and they go away pretty quickly but I'm not as fortunate. I don't have any light sensitivity either although sometimes I can get nautious when they last for a couple of days.

 

I tried Imitrex once and if I remember correctly, there were some side effects that made me think twice about taking it again. Maybe check the side effects online and see what you think? I wouldn't try your mom's bc they are prescription issued. Maybe see what your dr thinks first.

 

I do watch my diet and that seems to help... no caffeine or too much sugar. Lots of water helps too. I also notice that stress is a HUGE trigger for me (the come down effect from something stressful can bring it on) and also humidity will do me in. Aleve seems to really help my migraines and that's what I have been using more recently. Sometimes I can feel the headache starting and if I take the Aleve it won't be so bad and last for so long. I also take Aleve if I know it might be a stressful day...

 

After I found the connection between my RLS & menstrual cycle I tried to find one between it & the headaches, there wasn't one.

 

My Mom used to get really bad migraines. I think my Grandma might have too.. I haven't noticed any light sensitivity though, which was my Mom's big issue. Could that still be a migraine?

 

Advil/Tylenol do NOTHING. & I have been pretty anti-doctors for quite a while now, but I'm planning on making an appointment with a NEW neurologist soon. I'm just trying to get an idea of what all to bring up & suggest when I do.

My Mom takes Imitrix whenever she gets bad migraines (used to be pretty frequently, isn't all that often now). Would it be safe to try some of hers just to see if it makes a dent in the pain? With her permission, of course.

Edited July 14, 2010 by justinekno

[EmersonAilidh]

We have a family history of migraines. My mom, grandmother, sisters and now my older ds(20) gets them once in a while. My son can take Motrin and they go away pretty quickly but I'm not as fortunate. I don't have any light sensitivity either although sometimes I can get nautious when they last for a couple of days.

 

I tried Imitrex once and if I remember correctly, there were some side effects that made me think twice about taking it again. Maybe check the side effects online and see what you think? I wouldn't try your mom's bc they are prescription issued. Maybe see what your dr thinks first.

 

I do watch my diet and that seems to help... no caffeine or too much sugar. Lots of water helps too. I also notice that stress is a HUGE trigger for me (the come down effect from something stressful can bring it on) and also humidity will do me in. Aleve seems to really help my migraines and that's what I have been using more recently. Sometimes I can feel the headache starting and if I take the Aleve it won't be so bad and last for so long. I also take Aleve if I know it might be a stressful day...

 

The funny thing is, I rarely ever have any headaches that start during the day. Just always when I wake up. Maybe I could take something before I go to sleep?

& I have heard all about the Imitrex side effects from my Mom. She told me that they are worth it though. Still have to talk to her about it but maybe it would be worth a try if it could steer us in the right direction!

& I cut out caffeine a few years ago, with the exception of the occasional cup of coffee before school on especially bad days. It hurts my stomach worse than anything else. Really not too much sugar, either. I drink sugarfree juice & tea all day everyday. My family jokes that I always have a cup in my hand.

& this is July in Texas. Humidity ABOUND. Can't be avoided, can't be escaped. I never thought about that, but that could be why they've been worse lately!

 

Thank you!

[justinekno]

Do your sugarless drinks have an artificial sweetener in them? My sister can't do any of those or she will get a headache. Is your tea decaf? I hear you on the Texas summers. I grew up outside of Ft.Worth and when I went back a few years ago, I couldn't believe how humid it was. Ugh! Do you drink alot of water later in the day? Maybe if you make sure you are hydrated before bed, that might help. Do you have A/C?

 

If I remember correctly, you have to take the Imitrex as you feel the headache coming on. Not sure how you would do that if you wake up with it.... Before you go to sleep or as soon as you wake up. My dr had told me that if you wait too long then it doesn't work.

 

The funny thing is, I rarely ever have any headaches that start during the day. Just always when I wake up. Maybe I could take something before I go to sleep?

& I have heard all about the Imitrex side effects from my Mom. She told me that they are worth it though. Still have to talk to her about it but maybe it would be worth a try if it could steer us in the right direction!

& I cut out caffeine a few years ago, with the exception of the occasional cup of coffee before school on especially bad days. It hurts my stomach worse than anything else. Really not too much sugar, either. I drink sugarfree juice & tea all day everyday. My family jokes that I always have a cup in my hand.

& this is July in Texas. Humidity ABOUND. Can't be avoided, can't be escaped. I never thought about that, but that could be why they've been worse lately!

 

Thank you!

Edited July 14, 2010 by justinekno

[EmersonAilidh]

Do your sugarless drinks have an artificial sweetener in them? My sister can't do any of those or she will get a headache. Is your tea decaf? I hear you on the Texas summers. I grew up outside of Ft.Worth and when I went back a few years ago, I couldn't believe how humid it was. Ugh! Do you drink alot of water later in the day? Maybe if you make sure you are hydrated before bed, that might help. Do you have A/C?

 

If I remember correctly, you have to take the Imitrex as you feel the headache coming on. Not sure how you would do that if you wake up with it.... Before you go to sleep or as soon as you wake up. My dr had told me that if you wait too long then it doesn't work.

 

Ingredients : Water, honey, green tea, black tea, citric acid, aspartame, natural flavors, ginseng extract, potassium sorbate & sodium benzoate (to preserve freshness). So, I don't believe so? That's the green tea one, there's a blackberry kind & a lemonade kind (yes, lemonade tea. So delish. ) that I can't seem to find right now, but they're all made by the same brand & everything so I can't imagine that they'd be any different.

 

Our AC has been broken on & off since the summer began. What a time to break, right? One week it works.. the next it doesn't. You never know. My room is the hottest in the house though since it's right above the garage. I don't think the heat has too terribly much to do with it though just since, well, it's ALWAYS hot. If you grew up here you understand that period from April to September where having any fun outside is pretty much just out of the question.

 

& hm.. If that's true then I'll just wait to see my new neurologist. I really want to know how anxiety/OCD have been linked to morning headaches, but all I can find online is references saying just that. "Morning headaches are often associated with OCD & anxiety disorders." Okay. Well, thanks. But how..?

[justinekno]

Aspartame is an artificial sweetner so maybe you could try eliminating that and seeing if it helps. I can see how anxiety would lead to migraines - something about the blood vessels constricting when under stress. Maybe some others on the board will chime in about that?

 

Yes, I remember going from air conditioned car to air conditioned school to air conditioned house! We used to play outside after dinner!!

 

Ingredients : Water, honey, green tea, black tea, citric acid, aspartame, natural flavors, ginseng extract, potassium sorbate & sodium benzoate (to preserve freshness). So, I don't believe so? That's the green tea one, there's a blackberry kind & a lemonade kind (yes, lemonade tea. So delish. ) that I can't seem to find right now, but they're all made by the same brand & everything so I can't imagine that they'd be any different.

 

Our AC has been broken on & off since the summer began. What a time to break, right? One week it works.. the next it doesn't. You never know. My room is the hottest in the house though since it's right above the garage. I don't think the heat has too terribly much to do with it though just since, well, it's ALWAYS hot. If you grew up here you understand that period from April to September where having any fun outside is pretty much just out of the question.

 

& hm.. If that's true then I'll just wait to see my new neurologist. I really want to know how anxiety/OCD have been linked to morning headaches, but all I can find online is references saying just that. "Morning headaches are often associated with OCD & anxiety disorders." Okay. Well, thanks. But how..?

[EmersonAilidh]

Aspartame is an artificial sweetner so maybe you could try eliminating that and seeing if it helps. I can see how anxiety would lead to migraines - something about the blood vessels constricting when under stress. Maybe some others on the board will chime in about that?

 

Yes, I remember going from air conditioned car to air conditioned school to air conditioned house! We used to play outside after dinner!!

 

Ingredients : Water, honey, green tea, black tea, citric acid, aspartame, natural flavors, ginseng extract, potassium sorbate & sodium benzoate (to preserve freshness). So, I don't believe so? That's the green tea one, there's a blackberry kind & a lemonade kind (yes, lemonade tea. So delish. ) that I can't seem to find right now, but they're all made by the same brand & everything so I can't imagine that they'd be any different.

 

Our AC has been broken on & off since the summer began. What a time to break, right? One week it works.. the next it doesn't. You never know. My room is the hottest in the house though since it's right above the garage. I don't think the heat has too terribly much to do with it though just since, well, it's ALWAYS hot. If you grew up here you understand that period from April to September where having any fun outside is pretty much just out of the question.

 

& hm.. If that's true then I'll just wait to see my new neurologist. I really want to know how anxiety/OCD have been linked to morning headaches, but all I can find online is references saying just that. "Morning headaches are often associated with OCD & anxiety disorders." Okay. Well, thanks. But how..?

 

In all honesty, with all of the things I can't eat (meat, gluten, caffeine, etc..) I think I'm gonna wait on seeing a doctor to add another one to that list, hahah.

 

& I get that! But why would the headaches come when I wake up? Am I anxious in my sleep or something? Hahah.

[EAMom]

In all honesty, with all of the things I can't eat (meat, gluten, caffeine, etc..) I think I'm gonna wait on seeing a doctor to add another one to that list, hahah.

 

& I get that! But why would the headaches come when I wake up? Am I anxious in my sleep or something? Hahah.

 

I've just understood it to be a "migraine thing". I guess I've been lucky...no side effects from the imitrix!

 

This link says the morning headaches could be related to restless leg and/or sleep apnea. http://themigraineheadachecenter.com/what-...he-morning.html

Edited July 14, 2010 by EAMom

[EmersonAilidh]

In all honesty, with all of the things I can't eat (meat, gluten, caffeine, etc..) I think I'm gonna wait on seeing a doctor to add another one to that list, hahah.

 

& I get that! But why would the headaches come when I wake up? Am I anxious in my sleep or something? Hahah.

 

I've just understood it to be a "migraine thing". I guess I've been lucky...no side effects from the imitrix!

 

This link says the morning headaches could be related to restless leg and/or sleep apnea. http://themigraineheadachecenter.com/what-...he-morning.html

 

I saw that website! That's actually the one that made me wonder about sleep apnea. Earlier I asked if it was possible to not wake other people if you had it. My Dad has horrible sleep apnea & Narcolepsy, so it's not out of the question since I have Narcoleptic symptoms. Scared to get tested for apnea after seeing the affect it's had on my Dad though. He was hospitalized some twentyfour times last year? *shiver* Oh well. Talking to my Mom about scheduling the appointments next week. Then we'll know a little bit more! Or, at least be closer.

Since I don't sleep much when I have my RLS while menstruating I really can't report any headaches during that time though!

 

ANOTHER RANDOM UPDATE. Called Dr. Kovacevic's office about changing my appointment to a phone consultation. In-office appointment would have cost $35 with my insurance, but apparently an hour long phone call is $500? The receptionist told me that & I was just like "Yeahhhh.... Go ahead & just cancel the appointment."

Disappointing, but oh well.