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The basic 4 phases of Migraine episode...

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Post  Cluelesskitty Fri 06 May 2011, 12:14 am

Most people when they hear of Migraine, they think " horrible head pain".

But Migraine, if fact, starts and ends way earlier and later than the head pain,
and doctors categorized its certain symptoms into 4 -four- basic phases.

1. - the first phase that warns us that a migraine episode is imminent is called
"PRODROME"

it may start a few hours to a few days before a headache comes, and can manifest itself as:
~ yawning
~ tiredness, fatigue
~ food cravings
~ lack of appetite
~ hot ears
~ muscle stiffness, especially in the neck
~ constipation or diarrhea
~ increased frequency of urination
~ mood changes like depression, irritability, euphoria etc.
~ difficulty performing mental tasks
~ hyperactivity
~ visceral symptoms
~ dizziness
~ feeling cold
~ thirst
~ photophobia
~ sound sensitivity
~ scent sensitivity
~ slurred speech
and other.


2.- the second phase which also warns about upcoming HA but which happens very shortly before the head pain
is called "AURA"
and is which where the migraineur experiences usually visual disturbances,
but it may also be an olfactory (related to smell) aura,
and auditory aura.

Aura usually lasts less than one hour but in rare instances it may last days.
And contrary to popular belief, Migraine with Aura is actually a less common variant of migraine - only up to 20%
of all M is M with aura.

Visual aura may include:
~ flashing lights
~ partial or complete blindness
~ loss of sight in one or both eyes
~ blurry vision
~ seeing spots, snow, wavy lines
and other


Olfactory aura may include:
~ smelling odors that aren't there

Auditory aura may include:
~ hearing things that aren't there
~ decrease in or loss of hearing
~ tinnitus

There also might be other symptoms of aura that don't belong strictly to the aforementioned categories.
These are:
~ hypersensitivity to feel and touch
~ reduced sensation
~ partial paralysis
~ vertigo
~ tingling or numbness of the face or extremities, usually on the side where the headache develops
~ difficult finding words and/or speaking
~ general mental confusion

3.- the third phase is called "The Headache" .
It's usually the most painful, debilitating part of the migraine episode,
and although the head hurts most, it affects the entire body.

The Attack may last anywhere from a few hrs to a few days, most commonly - about 32hrs to 48hrs.
Located typically at one side of the head in the temple, but it can be anywhere in the head and may
resemble a tension headache, also.
During the headache phase, the migraineur may also experience:

~ an agonizing, throbbing pulsating pain in the temple
~ the pain usually is on one side but can move during one episode to the other temple
~ nausea,
~ vomiting
~ phonophobia
~ photophobia
~ sensitivity to smell
~ diarrhea or constipation
~ nasal congestion and/or runny nose
~ cold sweats
~ hot flashes, chills
~ dehydration or fluid retention
~ tremors
~ sweating
~ tender scalp
~ bulging veins in the temples
~ depression, nervousness or irritability
~ severe weakness
and other.

4.- the phase four is called "POSTDROME". It happens after the headache ends.
Similarly to prodrome it may last a few hours to a few days. Usually 1-2 days.

The most common symptoms of the Postdromal phase are:
~ extreme fatigue
~ loss of appetite
~ muscle tension
~ depression
~ poor concentration and comprehension
~ lowered intellect levels
~ or feelings of well-being and euphoria

Risa





Last edited by Cluelesskitty on Fri 06 May 2011, 7:38 pm; edited 1 time in total
Cluelesskitty
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Post  milo Fri 06 May 2011, 6:51 pm

Gosh Risa, Thanks again for putting so much time and energy into making such a great list! I'm sure many people will find it helpful.
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Post  Cluelesskitty Mon 09 May 2011, 1:21 am

My pleasure :]

One of the rarer, mostly prodromal symptoms I have (but also present during Headache and any other phases) -
is HICCUP.
and how I hate it! it increases the thumping and pounding in me head :[

But it's not like get a hiccup and once it's gone, it's gone.
No -on the contrary - once I get the first hiccup, it will hound me all long day!

And the only cure for it is to continuously drink water for as long as the hiccup stops. which mean - a LOT.
sometimes up to half a liter, or more. then I lick a bit of salt afterward as I am worried about "hyponatremia"
- where the body lack enough sodium so electrolytes imbalance occur, which can be quite dangerous.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001431/

The likelihood of me developing hyponatremia is ridiculously low but.. better safe than sorry.

Ever since I read about athletes developing this due to simply drinking too much water, I prefer to err on the side
of being cautious.


Risa
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Post  Guest Mon 09 May 2011, 7:55 am

They sent this (or similar) out to us in the UK from Migraine Action some years ago.
That was when I realised I only have one phase......the pain one.

I wonder if others dont have them all?

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Post  Cluelesskitty Mon 09 May 2011, 4:57 pm

What I wrote is the basic of Migraine education, so yes it is very possible you received something like that,
it is also widely available on the net.

I just took it a bit further, as I compiled everything what's available out there together,
including from some Migraineurs' known to me personal experiences.

It is next to impossible to find as detailed list on Google as mine I dare say.


Also, with all due respect - I think it is impossible not to have a warning signs of upcoming migraine, Pen,
simply because such is the nature of the migraine disease.

The headache doesn't just happen, the headache happens as a result of the neurological chain reaction
which follows earlier events. if you see this little video, you'll know what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZr9Joe85wg

Please don't perceive it as in insult as I am absolutely not trying to be - but perhaps, and it could be in fact
due to the very migraine disease itself which can dull our senses and ability to concentrate etc -
perhaps Pen your observational skills aren't as good as you think they are?
are you absolutely sure you don't have one single prodromal symptom, even such as getting just bit tired
shortly before your HA hits? maybe you just miss some?

I believe everyone have at least minimal prodromal symptoms before a headache comes - even if shortly before.

Just think about it - before the HA happens, certain events lead to it.
Older theory says, the blood vessels in the brain first narrows, then widen before we feel pain.
How could we NOT experience a certain symptoms involved with this alone?
Newer theories says, the changes leading to HA have its roots deeper in the brain, and it's also the serotonin
and neurotransmitters release that brings the HA on.
Even better - how can there NOT be a neurological manifestation with regards to all this?

What most people don't have, is - aura.

Risa
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Post  Guest Mon 09 May 2011, 5:07 pm

It isnt any mystery Risa. I am asleep. They always come on in the night, and, for instance I woke with one this morning.
But no idea from yesterday, or at bed time that it was coming.

Lack of observation maybe, but I almost never have them come any other time, so like most people in theire sleep, not too aware.. Very Happy

I dont disagree Risa, but the first thing I ever know is a stonking pain in my head.
Perhaps if more happened when I am awake I might get a clue.
Until that occurs, I honestly dont know.
I went through all this with my neuro 3 years ago.
He said many people dont recognise anything, just hits them.

As for the list you produced, I was referring to one we are sent when we join MA.
I mentioned it only to explain my lack of awareness of prodome. Nothing more.
I am sure yours is more comprehensive, if you took it further.


Last edited by Pen on Tue 10 May 2011, 5:25 am; edited 1 time in total

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Post  Cluelesskitty Mon 09 May 2011, 5:20 pm

It isnt any mystery Risa. I am asleep. The always come on in the night, and, for instance I woke with one this morning.

lol you got me Smile

Of course, if you always get them during your sleep, how can you know.
Then another problem for you of discovering what your warning symptoms might be is,
if you wake up with HA everyday or almost everyday - then you are perpetually exhausted.
So how can you discern which is which in such condition - it also confuses.

He said many people dont recognise anything, just hits them.

Yeah, but many people also are surprisingly lacking in observational skills, I can attest to that.
It could be that I have a bit more honed body language reading skills on the account of being deaf
and thus I see when other pple miss what I can easily see. (I mean, I can compare)

Risa
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