Migraine Anxiety - Any Advice?

[NetroPhil]

Hi. I'm new on here, this is my first post so here goes.

I know migraines aren't the nicest thing to go through at the best of times, but I tend to experience some strong anxiety when it comes to them. Mainly because of the aura I go through when I get when the migraine hits.

It usually starts off with my sight; I get blind spots and see moving patterns, but its not those that give me the anxiety. I also get a numbing sensation, which moves across or over my fingers, up my wrist and across my cheek.

Usually, about 1-4 hours later, it all finishes, by which time I've been to sleep and probably thrown up a couple of times. But when it comes to the postdrome, my hands still feel strange. For days after I catch little instances where my fingers feel not quite right and I feel scared cause it feels like it's all going to start again.

I was wondering if anyone else gets this feeling, and if there's anything I can do to stop that feeling in my hand. I just want to forget about migraines when they're finished.

[Langley-Loper]

Hi there and congratulations on your first post!

I know exactly what you mean. I used to go through all those sensations and associated emotions. I'd be crying in the car while being driven home by my boss due to the sheer terror and panic about what I was going through.

I don't think there is an easy solution. Just "Be Prepared", for me that is:

= ALWAYS carry your rescue tablets with you whatever they may be - triptans, ibuprofen, paracetamol - the lot. Hubby always asks why I take my handbag everywhere - because it has my medicine cabinet in it.

= Know what your strategy to get home is.

= Try to remember that IT WILL PASS. Any sensations the next day are like a migraine hangover, it's very unlikely you will have a full blown migraine again the next day.

It's really difficult to be logical when migraines are so horrible but I try to calm myself down with some deep breathing when I feel one coming and deal with it best I can.

[JulieOoze]

Usually my first sign I have a migraine coming on is a break in my vision. It can look very similar to when a camera flash catches your eye or the sun on a bright day. As a result I hate getting my photo taken and always have sun glasses on! I get anxious when I know I have a migraine starting as I know it means the shi**y days that will follow often reduced to tears. Being organised, staying calm and unfortunately practice has helped me improve. I understand entirely what you mean and I do try to keep calm as I am sure it doesn't help- easier said than done though. All good wishes.

[Tigipus]

Yes feel the same as all comments , better to try keep calm , know you’re not alone in this as you can see, never nice but you can try to control how you react to them which helps as anxiety makes it harder, I just grab my sunglasses and lay down quietly till passes , take paracetamol for headache and fuzzy feeling after and usually sleep really heavily that night and feel exhausted for few days , hands and arms bit numb on and off as if pinching nerves? wishing you the best .