Migraine

I'm wondering if this qualifies as a trigger... I know it causes non migraneurs some pretty great distress too... hence my Q.

It was about 100 degrees in my area this weekend... or at least in the city near my area, where I was shoppping this weekend. DH and I were driving from store to store, in the car with AC.. walking in the wretched heat/sun into the stores with AC. Granted, all the stores have flourescent lights, but those have never been a problem for me in the past.

The pain got so bad I thought I was going to vomit, which I never do. I didn't actually spend that much time in the actual heat, just walking time between the car, and however long it would take for the car to cool off... which wasn't that long in most cases. However, I did start off the day with 40 minutes of non AC... but not in the sun... maybe that was enough to do it... I hadn't thought of that before. It didn't get bad until I was going in and out... it was brutal then. Thoughts?

Second question, I tried my new abortive--Treximet--and I didn't have any of the normal weird drugged feelings that I normally have with the triptans I've tried. The feeling like I might vomit lessened... and things got a little bit better after about 30 minutes or so... but I didn't really feel good... but nor did I feel worse. I had someone tell me that just meant I hadn't taken it soon enough. Is that true?

Heat and AC and being in and out of it can trigger you, for sure.

Being "climate controlled" is a big deal for me. Especially being on Topamax. I overheat at the drop of a hat, so I have to stay cool.

If I remember correctly you are on Topamax as well?? This may have added to it.

I know when I start to overheat (which never happend till Topamax) I start to breathe shallow, get nervous/anxious and also nauseas.

So it's possible maybe the same is for you?????

Candace --

I've never had problems w/AC, but most definitely with heat. Of course the sun is a problem, but being hot, especially when it's very hot (90-100 or so) will just make me extra nauseous and weak feeling and increase my migraine pain. I try to stay out of it as much as I can - especially if i'm with my husband, i have him drop me off at the door a lot of times. hope this helps,
emily

oooh Topamax! I hadn't even thought of that!! Thanks for the reminder, Eileen! That's really logical. Perhaps it would also explain the way the abortive acted?

Since its getting to be summer I have things been thinking about one of the things that always makes me miserable. I'm thinking of how my husband blast the a/c even when we make a short trip. I don't know if the scenario you described is what triggers sickness in me or just the car a/c by itself. I don't like a/c, I prefer swamp coolers. Has anyone else had this experience.

Mary in NM

Swamp coolers don't work in Mississippi. It's way too humid here. Everything has a/c.

I don't like a blast of cold air, like you get in the car with the fan too high and the vents pointed at you.

Going in and out of a/c when it's hot might trigger me. I'll have to watch that.

But sometimes getting into an overheated parked car that's been parked in the sun makes my head feel better. How's that for weird?

Thanks for bringing this up. It's always good to see if you can find another trigger.

Gret
Formerly Gretchen in Mississippi
It takes too long to type that.

Gret
There are some advantages to life in the arid desert southwest--swamp coolers. We might have about five days during the summer when we can't use them because of humidity. I always dread being cooped up in an a/c building--usually a hospital (two pregnacies, a week at step mom's side when doing chemo) because I always have the headaches, and bronchitis.

Mary in NM

Heat and sun are triggers for me. I stay out in them as briefly as possible. Air conditioning has never bothered me; I'm a big fan of A/C.

I don't get triggered by either hot or cold. I love a brisk, cool day and I love warm sunny days. I sometimes get triggered from the humidity though. To much soupy weather can start a migraine which doesn't make much sense because I love a hot shower when I'm migraining. Odd

The way I trigger off the heat/AC thing is by going in and out from one to the other. It's too much of a shock for my brainbucket. If it's extremely humid, or extremely dry, then that kind of compounds things. I'm better when the humidity's low, but not too low.

I think it will remain a mystery how much of a my problem over the weekend was the Topamax causing me to overheat too quickly... or just having the heat, and going in and out of heat/cold being a trigger.

Whichever it was, it was truly brutal.

I often have a problem with going between a/c and extreme heat. It bothers my sinuses getting my nose cold,hot,cold,hot.

Shopping is a MAJOR trigger for me especially in malls and stores like Walmart. I believe pollutants from fabrics, chemicals, perfume counters, and cleaners in the air I'm breathing cause the problem. I have to limit myself to 30 minutes and then GET OUT OF THERE! When I'm in a restaurant, if someone mops the floor or sprays a cleaner on a table, I'm in trouble.

The a/c in one of our cars has always given me a headache. I smell mold and that's a clue. Also driving on long trips will dry my sinuses. I use a neti pot and that often works great.

Dry air has frequently triggered a headache for me even in the summer when we use the a/c. (which also dries the air) I use a humidifier at night and that soothes the sinuses.

We also had a swamp cooler and a/c in Arizona and I always preferred the swamp cooler. I had far fewer headaches with some humidity in the air.

this has been a great discussion to read, just wanted to say thanks because I had not thought, or prepared myself for this! Of course when my migraines started coming three a week in Jan, in northern IL, I never thought I would have to be dealing with this come June.

Now on Topamax and two boys playing baseball, thanks for the heads up on the overheating! We are heading into lots of weekend tournaments out of town, so definately need to prepare for shade, and concerned about eating out, food triggers etc.

Also some hope in maybe the increased humidity will help! Give me some reason to like the humidity...

thanks again, I am so thankful you all are here!
lisa

Welcome to MyMigraineConnection.

I have a horrible time in Walmart ( I try to avoid that store) when if I go to the lawn and garden section. The smell can trigger a Migraine for me.

We hope to hear more from you.

quote:

Originally posted by Jane in Memphis:
I often have a problem with going between a/c and extreme heat. It bothers my sinuses getting my nose cold,hot,cold,hot.

Shopping is a MAJOR trigger for me especially in malls and stores like Walmart. I believe pollutants from fabrics, chemicals, perfume counters, and cleaners in the air I'm breathing cause the problem. I have to limit myself to 30 minutes and then GET OUT OF THERE! When I'm in a restaurant, if someone mops the floor or sprays a cleaner on a table, I'm in trouble.

The a/c in one of our cars has always given me a headache. I smell mold and that's a clue. Also driving on long trips will dry my sinuses. I use a neti pot and that often works great.

Dry air has frequently triggered a headache for me even in the summer when we use the a/c. (which also dries the air) I use a humidifier at night and that soothes the sinuses.

We also had a swamp cooler and a/c in Arizona and I always preferred the swamp cooler. I had far fewer headaches with some humidity in the air.

Hi Lisa,

It is important to stay well hydrated when taking topamax due to a rare but potentially serious side effect. Click HERE for more information.

quote:

Originally posted by Lisa EBK:
this has been a great discussion to read, just wanted to say thanks because I had not thought, or prepared myself for this! Of course when my migraines started coming three a week in Jan, in northern IL, I never thought I would have to be dealing with this come June.

Now on Topamax and two boys playing baseball, thanks for the heads up on the overheating! We are heading into lots of weekend tournaments out of town, so definately need to prepare for shade, and concerned about eating out, food triggers etc.

Also some hope in maybe the increased humidity will help! Give me some reason to like the humidity...

thanks again, I am so thankful you all are here!
lisa