Migraine

I've noticed that I often seem to have migraine symptoms without having a migraine. These don't seem to be migraines without headaches, either - just the symptoms. In particular, I am often dizzy and nauseous (my neuro thinks it's migrainous vertigo). I'm often sensitive to light, sound or smell. Right now I'm incredibly sensitive to touch, to the point that even my clothes are hurting my skin.

I'm just wondering if any of you have this too.

Thanks all!

Are you maybe prodrome? I get like that sometimes where I feel like I should have a migraine, but I don't - then I realize I'm prodrome.

Or did you just adjust meds? It could be that? Your cycle? It's hard to tell I think for me - it can be anything..... I know I'm so much help right!!!

It's possible it could be prodrome. I haven't had much success identifying my prodome most of the time. I guess I'll have to see if I end up with a migraine tonight/tomorrow.

For now, I'm writing my symptoms down on my headache diary in the hopes that maybe, eventually, one day, I'll have a better idea of what's going on with me.

Thanks for your comment though - it could well be prodrome or my cycle, or something completely different. If nothing else, it's more info for my neuro.

Ok, looks like it may indeed be prodrome. I'm getting some of my other symptoms which makes me think I may be stuck with the beastie tomorrow. *sigh* I guess I posted this originally in the hope that it could be something else!

Thanks again for your help, Eileen.

MJ,
If you haven't read it already, I think Anatomy of a Migraine would be helpful to you.

I don't see how you have a Migraine without the Migraine. Either your symptoms are part of a Migraine or they're not. Does that make sense? Everything you're describing sounds like a Migraine without the headache, aka an acephalgic Migraine. Here's another article for you... ,Acephalgic or Silent Migraine - The Basics


Have you tried taking a Migraine abortive when you have these symptoms? Sound like time for go back to the neuro for some answers and help.

Hope you're feeling better!

quote:

Originally posted by MaxJerz:
I've noticed that I often seem to have migraine symptoms without having a migraine. These don't seem to be migraines without headaches, either - just the symptoms. In particular, I am often dizzy and nauseous (my neuro thinks it's migrainous vertigo). I'm often sensitive to light, sound or smell. Right now I'm incredibly sensitive to touch, to the point that even my clothes are hurting my skin.

I'm just wondering if any of you have this too.

Thanks all!

I occasionally have days when I'm in little or no pain, but do have the "klutziness," light sensitivity, and mild word-finding trouble that are part of my migraine experience. The symptoms aren't necessarily prodrome, either; sometimes they go away and no headache follows.

Teri - thanks for the links. I have read over them before, but thank you for reminding me about them. They are definitely helpful! I think you are right that I should talk to my neuro about these symptoms. I've written down some questions for him.

nutcracker - that sounds similar to what I sometimes have. Migraine symptoms, but no headache. Glad to know I'm not alone.

I've had quite a few of these "silent' migraines. Definitely strange ducks, they can be. Once in a while they've seemed so bizarre that I kind of wish that the headache would set in, just so that it would seem more familiar, if that makes sense in its own warpy way.

You most definitely aren't alone.

Thanks for the reassurance, droolie. I completely understand what you mean about wanting the headache to set in. Then at least I know why I'm feeling so weird and off.

The first silent migraine I had (that I identified as such) was at the movie theatre. All of a sudden felt incredibly dizzy, nauseous and sick to my stomach. Spent some time in the bathroom, then my boyfriend took me home before the movie ended. I finally figured out it was a migraine and felt a little less freaked out.

I think my symptoms yesterday were much the same thing. *sigh* At least this disease keeps us on our toes... never know what's going to happen one day to the next.

I am feeling better today, but a little postdromey, but that's better than the ick of the past few days.

I love this site. I can't believe how much I've learned in the last day! It's so good to know you're not crazy and that there are other people out there experiencing the same things. MaxJerz and droolie: i know exactly what you mean about wanting the headache to set in... I still feel like the headache somehow "justifies" how crappy I feel from a migraine. I work with some really smart people, but even they just see migraines as "headaches." I guess migraine awareness still has a long way to go...

HI, i often get migraine symptoms without a headache (dizziness, nausea, light sensitvity etc) just as sometimes i get a migraine aura and no headache follows.

Often though, a headache isnt usually too far behind. I can get the symptoms you describe either as a prodrome or postdome as well. As i get regular attacks my headaches can seem to blur into one, but i think they are actually seperate attacks. Its just that sometimes, just as im getting over attack another one can set in.

I also get tension headaches in between though, although a vast majority of my headaches are one sided and dont really resemble a tight band around my head or description of a tension headache. They are more like a dull thumping ranging up to feeling as though someone is stabbing me through the head with a redhot poker. They vary in intensity.

Then there are the very short icepick type headaches (only last a few seconds) i get in between times, usually on the same side as i get the migraine headaches.

Dizziness and nausea can be caused by anxiety, but usually as a one sided headache isnt far behind them most of them time, i put it down to the headache, and not to anxiety in and of itself. As i suffer from anxiety drs often put the dizziness without a headache down to anxiety or an anxiety attack. The thing is the dizziness can last for hours as opposed to minutes and i dont hyperventilate or anything. I just feel dizzy, sick and i have blurry vision or fairy lights/blindspots and/or the one side of my face goes half numb.

They could be anxiety attacks but as they last so long and breathing exercises or relaxation is useless when it comes to relieving them, i still think they are connected to my headaches. Especially when a headache follows them a lot of the time.

Dunno if any of that is helpful.

ES

Yes, MJ, I think so. My "migraine experience" seems to have shifted over the years such that now I've become much more sensitive to weather changes, and most times when a strong low moves in, I get the crappy prodromy feelings -- brain fog; tired and listless, yet sort of "edgy" so that sleep is disturbed; slightly "woozy." Then when the weather changes in the other direction, I feel really good, almost hyperactive by comparison.

Light has become problematic. I need lots in order to see well, and yet glare really bothers me. At home, I actually wear a visor almost constantly. I'm still a bit concerned with "public opinion," or I'd wear them in places like WalMart too. If I'm already feeling prodromy, the lighting in those places can really mess with me.