Nighttime headache

[jcsphilippines]

I’ve had migraines/chronic headache 24/7 for decades. However, in the last 10 years or so I seem to have developed a new variation, nighttime headaches that can keep me awake or wake me up. Often the pain is literally where the side of my head hits the pillow (I’m only a side sleeper - if I sleep on my back I also get headaches, but also apnea). That headache often eases if I get vertical for a spell. Any thoughts?

[Onthemove1971]

Curious how you are treating the sleep apena?What preventative are you taking?

Do you skip meals?

Do you drink plenty of water?

[jcsphilippines in reply to Onthemove1971]

I treat sleep apnea by not sleeping on my back. That’s it. I couldn’t tolerate a C-Pap.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to jcsphilippines]

What about the pillow wedge and dental guard. I also encourage you to take preventive magnesium to help treat the headaces.

Here is a sample:

Healthy Spirit Bed Wedge Pillow with Memory Foam Top-Wedge Pillow for Sleeping and Acid Reflux Gerd Anti Snoring, 7.5" Height amazon.com/dp/B083MKHGRC/re...

Good luck

[caroash]

Hi so sorry to hear you're suffering like this my daughter has chronic migraines and eventually saw a consultant neurologist,she was put on Candisatan ,this helped a bit,but then he recommended an occipital nerve block,this has been a game changer.The first one was without a steroid,it helped a bit,but then they did one with a steroid and she's now migraine free Just gets very occasional hormone headache once a .month She has tbe nerve block every 6 months.It doesn't hurt much and only takes a few minutes It's worth exploring.Good luck.

[Gambit62]

For lots of people migraines do start in the night. However, it also doesn't sound entirely like a migraine. People who get migraines are often very sensitive to stimuli and swelling and that is often a trigger for migraines to start - it may be that what you are experiencing is postural - particularly as you say being vertical clears it - and may be trying for a straigher neck alignment might help.Do you get any tingling in your hands or arms?

I sometimes get pain when lying on one side and for me that seems to be something to do with the way I have been lying on my ear.

[jcsphilippines in reply to Gambit62]

I identify with what you are saying, Gambit. I think it may have to do with neck issues unrelated to my regular daytime headache. No tingling.

[1518]

Hi, sorry this must be miserable. I have chronic migraine and since beginning of January have had headaches starting in the night and worse in the morning. They aren’t my typical migraines. I saw a mention on this site, of Hypnic headaches. The treatment is paradoxically a strong cup of coffee just before sleeping! I didn’t try this as I thought I might never sleep again! But started having a small cup of coffee first thing and that eased it off. I love coffee but have avoided it for years as I suspected it played a part in my migraine attacks. I really enjoy my morning coffees but the headaches before are miserable. I know some things work for some people and not others but might be worth a try. Good luck and hope you find some relief soon

[jcsphilippines]

I wondered about Hypnic headaches. I, too, was scared to try the coffee. Definitely counter-intuitive.

[Amber-11]

I have been told coffee too, for cluster headaches before sleep, but worried I will not sleep, I wonder if De caff woodwork probably not.

[Andyman1969]

I also suffer with night time headaches, these were daily but since I raised the head of my bed I find I get less of the more severe ones. I believe they can be caused by congestion and raising the bed helps to alleviate some of this. I hope this helps and wish you best of luck.

[Wrexham16 in reply to Andyman1969]

HiI am trying to alter my sleeping position because I suspect it may be a factor in my daily migraine. How have you raised the head of your bed? At the moment I have just piled up more pillows to raise my head up but it is not very satisfactory so i can't really judge if it is helpful. Thanks

[Andyman1969 in reply to Wrexham16]

It’s a bit old school but I put 2 house bricks under the feet of my headboard, hope it helps.

[Wrexham16 in reply to Andyman1969]

Thanks. I'm prepared to try anything

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Wrexham16]

I would try a high dose of magnesium, start 2x daily with 400mg and work up to 3x daily. I also include Feverfew.

But it takes a our 3 months for thr magnisium to help. I also use magnesium glycinate, it has made a huge difference for me.

I also use injections of Imitrix.to stop the pain before it gets really bad.

[Wrexham16 in reply to Onthemove1971]

HiAll the research I've done recommends magnesium citrate and I take 600mg a day of that. I think it has helped the pain but not the frequency my my migraines. I take rizatriptans which are brilliant but the allowance is only 2 a week and I have a migraine almost every day.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Wrexham16]

It is good news that it makes them less painful. Now you should add 1 more dose, split it so you take half at lunch and the other half at bed time. This will help make it so you have less in the week. After doing that if you don't get less than buy 200mg or 100mg and try a full dose at lunch and dinner.

Many Neurologist recommend up to 1600mg.

I do not think you need to change the type just take since you are having some success.

The lunch dose helps me the most. As soon as I take it the pain stops.

[Wrexham16 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Just to be clear - are you saying I should take 1200 in total but split the second 600 into 2 doses? I don't think I've seen anything suggesting that high a dose.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Wrexham16]

You have a few choices.. 400mg 3x daily. Which is what I take. Or 600am, then add 100mg lunch and 100mg bedtime. Total 800mg.

I would start by adding another dose asap. You could take 600mg am the split one and take 300mg lunch and the last part 300mg bedtime. That is still under the amount - 1200mg. You can take up to 1600mg.

I know this seems like a lot. But it works. I hVe had 2 different Neurologist tell me do not go over 1600mg.

Do what you feel is best. But I know since it is already helping, it can help help more.

Let us know how it goes.

[Wrexham16 in reply to Onthemove1971]

OK Thanks for your help

[md5299]

I get exactly the same as you, just get up put the coffee pot on, do a few stretches and l manage to go back to sleep, l have 3 espressos.