Covid and migraines: I have mild... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,227 members65,999 posts

Covid and migraines

ChilledoutNana profile image
21 Replies

I have mild bronchiectasis and asthma which I keep well under control. I’m in the last stages (I hope) of Covid, still testing positive after ten days, and feel very fortunate that it has not had any detrimental affect on my lung conditions.

However, I continue to sleep for England and in last five days have started having migraine type headaches which appear to br activated by photophobia. I’m taking sumatriptan and/or paracetamol.

My question - have any of you good people had this and I’m hoping it’s not a permanent ‘thing’. I also have hyperparathyroidism, migraines are sometimes a symptom but I’m certain these current ones are aftermath of Covid.

Written by
ChilledoutNana profile image
ChilledoutNana
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
21 Replies
Bevvy profile image
Bevvy

Can’t give any expert advice re migraine but could well be to do with Covid. Not surprised you need to sleep and I would listen to what body is trying to tell you and rest.Really just wanted to say that some people test positive for Covid sometime afterwards so fact you are still testing possibly isn’t of concern, and after 10 days you are no longer deemed infectious.

ChilledoutNana profile image
ChilledoutNana in reply to Bevvy

I tested negative today!! 🥳 Now to rid myself of the migraines. If they do continue I’ll contact my GP for advice. Thanks for taking the time to respond, it means a lot 🙏

knitter profile image
knitter

I would check the headaches out with your health professional , tell them about the Covid .

I have suffered from migraines with aura for most of my life , often when I have a bad breathing exacerbation I get a migraine too.

But get advice especially if they are new and different headaches.

The BLF have a helpline too on 0300 222 5800

ChilledoutNana profile image
ChilledoutNana in reply to knitter

I’ve been getting periodic migraines with my parathyroid problems but none for over two months so definitely think these are covid related. Yesterday was the first day the sumatriptan failed to work. When I’m migraine free I feel quite well but once they hit I’m a completely different person. I did test negative for covid today. If the migraines do persist I’ll contact and speak to my GP for further advice. Many thanks for responding 🙏

cofdrop-UK profile image
cofdrop-UK

They say the headache symptoms in covid are an all over headache. However whilst in hospital recently with pseudo and covid and indeed since I have come home, I have had (not constantly) a one sided R headache with pain in my eye. My eyebrow was painful to the touch. I can’t say if this was down to the covid or not. I can only suggest if it doesn’t subside it might be best to see a clinician.

Good luck CN

💕💕

ChilledoutNana profile image
ChilledoutNana in reply to cofdrop-UK

I always get them on one side, these are the same. Made my mind up to chat to GP for further advice. Between times I now seem to be recovering well from covid but as soon as the migraines arrive I’m a completely different person. It’s really getting me down now.

cofdrop-UK profile image
cofdrop-UK in reply to ChilledoutNana

I’m not surprised it’s getting you down. Hope you get some answers and please let us know how You get on.

Cx

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to cofdrop-UK

Hi cofdrop I am so happy to see you on here ,I've been wondering how you are ,hope you are much better as I am , by the way after speaking to my gp on Monday, I have reported my treatment ,or should I say none treatment at hospital ,sending you my best wishes for recovery

cofdrop-UK profile image
cofdrop-UK in reply to Alice70

Thank you Alice. So glad you are feeling better and glad you have spoken to your GP. I felt so bad for younot gettimg the treatment you deserved and needed.Cx

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

As others have suggested, do get your new type of headache checked out. I find neck tension headache trips over into one-sided migraine quite a lot, My go to device for treating it after doing neck stretches, is to use a Cefaly device. cefaly.co.uk/en/migraine-tr...

ChilledoutNana profile image
ChilledoutNana in reply to Ergendl

Thanks so much for your reply. To be honest I’ve never heard of Cefaly. I’m assuming it works along the same lines as a tens machine. Do you have personal knowledge of using one and do they work? If it gets rid of them without the use of meds and without any side effects that’s a win-win!!

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl in reply to ChilledoutNana

Yes, I've had the earliest version of Cefaly for many years, after hearing about it through the old charity Migraine Action, and it has made a real difference to my migraine headaches. I used it daily for about three months first of all, then spaced out the use until I could stop as things calmed down. After a period of several months I get headachy again, and when they start tripping over into migraines, I use it daily again for a couple of weeks until things calm down. As with all these things, I can't say for sure whether Cefaly stopped me needing migraine meds, but I stopped needing to take triptans around the time I started using it.

Using it feels a bit odd but not too uncomfortable, like little worms moving gently about underneath the skin on the forehead as the nerves are stimulated. During early uses, it is hard to do anything else for the 20 minutes the device works, but once I'm used to the feeling again, I can practice keyboards, read a book, sort and file postcards in my collection etc. Best not to be with others when using it as the look makes some people concerned. Over time, the device makes the trigeminal nerves less sensitive, so I also use it for a few days before going to the dentist as I have sensitive teeth.

I haven't used the present version of Cefaly yet, but will probably have to invest in one as the company appears to have stopped making the electrodes for the first version. The one I have has three settings: one for migraine prevention, one for use during an attack, and one to aid sleep.

Hope this helps.

ChilledoutNana profile image
ChilledoutNana in reply to Ergendl

Thanks so much, and I really really mean that, as I really hadn’t heard of it. I have used a tens machine with a physio when I pulled a disc. She said it’s not been medically proved, it works for some but not everyone. Well it certainly worked for me, like a miracle. This sounds as if it’s a similar thing. It is expensive so might need to give it some thought before purchase but if it saves on taking meds I’m all for it!!

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl in reply to ChilledoutNana

Check out more reviews, and see what other users think.

While looking for replacement electrodes, I came across a cheaper version which is sold under a different brand name as a way to lessen wrinkles, but it may not be as effective.

ChilledoutNana profile image
ChilledoutNana in reply to Ergendl

Thanks for taking the time to look up. Gets rid of migraines and wrinkles 🥳🥳

Alice70 profile image
Alice70

I'm in my fifth week of having contacted covid it is only now I feel more like myself ,but still tiring in afternoon ,my last syptoms to go were the headaches and on and of sore throat ,I tested positive for 15 days ,I saw my gp on Monday this week ,he gave me more steroids, because after examining my chest still weezy,,he told me lots of people like our selves are taking six weeks to recover fully, although I am feeling tons better ,I think he was right in saying six weeks to recover ,if we think about it still testing positive ,you 10 days me fifteen ,well we still had it for this amount of time ,recovery will take a while ,hope you soon get negative test ,then you can get on with recovering, best wishes

ChilledoutNana profile image
ChilledoutNana in reply to Alice70

Of course you’re right, we have lung disease we should expect to take much longer to recover. My actual covid symptoms were much milder than I expected to get (thank goodness) and I could always sleep myself better from most things. And I have taken much longer to get a negative result (I tested negative today after 12 days) my husband only five days. It affects us all so differently. I must be patient but feel if I could rid myself of the migraines I would make better progress. I hope you make a full recovery. Wishing you all the best xx

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to ChilledoutNana

Thank you ,same here my husband tested positive for seven days ,me 15 ,I think maybe that is telling us something different with chest complaints ,like others have said if headachs carry on gets some medical advise ,good luck

ChilledoutNana profile image
ChilledoutNana in reply to Alice70

Think you’re totally right and thanks for your support.

Kristicats profile image
Kristicats

Could you ask your Gp for a TFT to see how your levels are! Also check your BP. Hope your feeling better soon . Cx

ChilledoutNana profile image
ChilledoutNana in reply to Kristicats

I’m feeling much better thank you but that ‘migraine-y’ feeling is still lurking in the background. I’m drinking lots of fluids too. Just having a single sumatriptan before bedtime. My BP is normally very good (110/80) for my age (almost 67). Didn’t know that thyroid probs could cause migraines. If no better by Monday I’ll contact my GP. I do have hyperparathyroidism, migraines are one of the symptoms, so could be this too. Thanks for replying, very appreciated.

You may also like...

Migrain

is ILD I have been treated by my consultant since 2020 I don't know if this is related to lung...

covid

hi all. I have severe asthma. Which I have had for many years. I had covid in June last year....

covid (any benefit to azithromycin)

the weekend about hoping to secure anti virals as I had a significant exposure to covid. As...

Post Covid/Long Covid with Bronchiectasis

had caught Covid, on the plane I'm guessing, as I was ok whilst I was there. I knew having mild...

Long Covid & Pleurisy

group & having read some posts it seems i have hopefully come to the right place. I first had...