Monday, February 13, 2012

Postdrome

POSTDROME (aka. migraine hangover) is the last stage of a Migraine attack that some Migraineurs experience, once the headache pain has subsided. The postdrome symptoms may continue for several hours or even days. Symptoms of this postdrome may include:
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Irritability
  • Mood changes (e.g., anxious, depressed)
  • Scalp tenderness
  • Cognitive and concentration difficulties
  • Feeling "hungover"
  • Head pain
My postdrome experience really is feeling "hungover" from everything that having a Migraine attack entails, but I also have a medication hangover from the meds I take for my worst migraines. Having both of these at the same time is rough. It's taxing on my body, and my mind starts to wonder when the next attack will be. I think I experience all of the above symptoms, though I believe my irritability is worse during the prodrome phase. Even my hair hurts. It's incredibly exhausting.

I'd like to add that it's just as annoying to tell a Migraineur experiencing postdrome symptoms that you've also had hangovers... as it is to tell a Migraineneur that you get headaches, too. They're NOT the same! NOT even close to the same! Now, I've never actually had a hangover from drinking too much alcohol... but when you get a hangover from drinking too much, that's YOUR choice and YOUR mistake - if you don't want a hangover, don't drink so much... simple! Getting a hangover from a Migraine attack is out of a Migraineur's hands... we know it's coming, but there's nothing we can do to prevent it.
  • Headache does NOT equal Migraine attack.
  • Migraine hangover does NOT equal hangover from drinking too much alcohol.

8 comments:

  1. Well said. I would add that migraines are different from chronic migraines.

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    1. You're absolutely right, Migrainista! Just because you get migraines a few times a year, doesn't mean you understand what it's like to be a chronic Migraineur.

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  2. I agree with both of you. My migraines that I experience now is nothing like my 26 month chronic daily migraine.

    Holly

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  3. For me, chronic migraines are much worse than periodic migraines - I've had both. I can't really compare them at all as the overall effect on my life from chronic migraines has been totaling devastating.

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  4. I suffer from chronic facial pain, Trigeminal Neuralgia--burning, stabbing, electric pain in my face, and only recently have I suddenly developed severe migraines. Daily for six weeks without any break...just horrible.

    It is near impossible for people to comprehend such pain as ours to imagine that we could continue to function as well as we do--I suppose that's why they don't "get it".

    Thank you for the honesty of your writing and the hope that is possible, despite pain, because of Christ!

    I also have a blog to provide hope for those who suffer and have added your blog to mine as one I follow. Would you consider doing the same for me? www.GreatPainGreaterGod.com

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    Replies
    1. Judi, thank you. I look forward to reading your blog.

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  5. Hello Jamie,
    I started reading your blog along with others who experience chronic pain when my own chronic headaches started. First off, I want to sincerely thank you for sharing your journey with chronic pain and the hurdles presented to you on a daily basis. Your inner strength and courage to take time and share with others is truly remarkable. For many of us out there experiencing pain and feeling isolated b/c no one in our inner circle of family or friends truly understands what it is like to be imprisoned in a body that does not let you enjoy life as others do is so exhausting to the soul.
    I wanted to ask you if your chronic headaches started as a result of your automobile accident? Did you suffer with migraines when you were a child?
    My Headache Specialist told me that for some people, it is just "genetic". Both my parents did not suffer with chronic headaches but I guess somewhere along the "Gene Line" my ancestors did. Talk about very hard to accept that is the "Reason".
    I will continue to follow your blog and keep faith that God will provide us both with days of less pain and suffering.

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    Replies
    1. Mamie,

      Thank you for reading my blog, and for your kind words.

      My chronic migraines did begin with my auto accident. I suffered some from headaches/migraines earlier in my life, but 1) they were much less frequent (I think I was experiencing only a couple migraines a year), and 2) were manageable (I could relieve a headache with ibuprofen/similar meds, or just resting a little bit). Since my auto accident, I have from a mild headache to a full-blown migraine every, single day. I'm actually grateful for the mild headache days.

      Did your chronic headaches begin with anything specific, or have you experienced them your whole life?

      I think there is a genetic aspect to headaches and migraines. My mother, grandmother, etc... have dealt with migraines to some degree in their lives. But, everyone's experience with them are different. Some people may have them only a few times in their life, while others may have them chronically.

      I hope that God provides us with less painful days, as well.

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