Everyday Migranes and constant exaustion

[mcdaniels23]

Hi I am 25 years old and for the past 3 years I have been suffering from extream migranes that used to occure at least once a month. For the past 3-4 months I have had a migrane every day it is always located on my left side of my head. Also I have noticed that for as long as I have been getting the "everyday" migranes I have also been constantly exausted. It dose not matter if I get good sleep or not I cannot keep my eyes open during the day. If somebody can help me figure out what might be going on that would be great thank you very much.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Typical migraine headaches are characterized by 4 phases: Prodromal phase, Aura, Headache and Post headache or postdromal stage.
Fatigue, exhaustion and sleepiness are features of the post headache stage of migraine.
I would suggest you to maintain a headache diary to identify the triggers and take magnesium and B complex supplements for relief.

Thanks

[marileew]

Hi there,

I really feel for you. I get chronic migraines too. Also, I'm 25 years old too... so, whenever I see anyone on here around my age who also suffers from chronic migraines I just automatically feel extreme empathy for them... so.. yeah, I really feel for you.

I am so sorry you have to be going through with this.

The sleepy thing... that's a really normal part of migraines.

As for what might be causing the increase in your migraines or the change in your migraine pattern/symptoms:

A few questions first just to get a better idea of your medical history:

- Were you diagnosed with migraines by a physician, such as your family doctor?
- Have you been seen by a neurologist before?
- Do you take triptans for acute migraine therapy? (e.g. zomig, maxalt, axert, etc.) If so, which ones have you tried and what are you currently taking for acute therapy?
- Have you tried preventative migraine therapy since getting 15+ migraine days per month? (e.g. anti-depressants, anti-seizure medication, beta-blockers). If so, what are you currently taking?
- Have you been treated in a hospital for your migraines? Acute (ER) or as an In-patient clinic since the migraines became chronic?
- Do you take any over-the-counter NSAIDS such as Advil for your headaches? <- I ask this because over-the-counter NSAIDS such as advil can often cause rebound headaches which can often result in "every-day" headaches.
- Have you been treated with any strong pain killers such as opiates since the headaches became chronic? <- sometimes one treatment of opiates in a hospital setting can interrupt a pain cycle and stop a chronic migraine if this is the first time you have experienced a prolonged migraine. This is also why I ask about if you have been to the ER or an in-patient clinic before... as they would give you triptans, opiates, anti-nausea meds and IV fluids in hopes to completely stop the pain and migraine cycle at the ER or in the in-patient clinic.
- Have you tried an sorts of "natural" or "alternative" therapies since getting migraines such as massage therapy, acupuncture, etc. If I know what you've tried already, I won't suggest it.
- B2 @ 400mg a day. Magnesium @ 400mg a day. <- try both if you haven't already. The B2 has been shown effective in scientific clinical trials.
- Do you keep a migraine diary where you track your migraines, possibly triggers, menstruation, sleep hours, and acute treatment? <- very important for identifying triggers.

---

With some of that information... we can help you figure out what might be going on... you don't have to answer all of the questions, some of them I gave the reasons why I asked so you'll be able to figure out if they apply to your situation or not. Anyway, In the meantime, I think you should really make an appointment with your doctor... it's important to keep your doctor up to date in terms of changes in your headache pattern. And... make sure to keep tracking your migraines and possibly triggers.. tracking your migraines/triggers is the best way to then avoid triggers.

But.. don't worry about the sleepiness as a symptom... that is very normal!! Even though it is a really awesome symptom I know... best thing to try to do is to prevent the migraines so that you can prevent all the symptoms in the first place.

And... right now, I think it's important to get you out of this pain cycle that you're in right now!! Chronic migraines and chronic pain aren't good!!! I have lots of suggestions for helping you get out of this chronic pain cycle... I have lots of experience with chronic pain... so keep in touch! :)