Are you waking up with headaches?

[Kellyb1976]

Has anyone had splitting headaches when they first wake up? When I first wake up if that happens I always go and get a cup of coffee to see if that works and if doesn't then I go get Ibuprofen. I don't always wake up having a splittng headache just occasionally have them when I first wake up.

[Lakenya32]

Hello there!!! I am new to the group. I experience severe migraines a lot. That is how I was diagnosed with MS. The MRI's and spinal tap confirmed it. I started having blur vision. My migraines gotten worst. I tried taking ibuprofen but it makes my feet and ankles swell really bad. I had to get a prescription for to treat my migraines. Fioricet and Imitrex helps me. If you want to stick to over the counter medicines, Excedrin work really good too. It could possibly be your blood pressure being high too that's causing those headaches. I'm not a doctor but I was just telling you from my own experiences. I hope this helps.

[Kellyb1976 in reply to Lakenya32]

Thank you for responding Lakenya32 any information is good!

[greaterexp]

I’m sorry you’re having headaches. I had migraines for many years, which have virtually stopped, but I often wake with a headache, too.

It may be a good idea to mention it to your doctor to find the cause and see if there is something you could do to help.

Feel better quickly.

[Ledybug]

I used to wake up with a headache...pain behind my eyes. Was diagnosed with migraines, but they weren't. Very different! Was dx'd with MS shortly after MRI & lumbar puncture.

[Berni51 in reply to Ledybug]

Optic Neuritis usually causes pain behind the eye. Some of my bad headaches hurt there and my vision is often blurry with damage in my left Optic nerve that is borderline. It could not be all restored with cataract surgery. Cataracts have nothing to do with my blurry vision because I still have it and my cataracts are gone. My pain behind the eye was so bad for a week before I woke up blind and could not discern what I was seeing in that eye. I had to cover that eye to be able to even move around without being nauseaous. I try to cut down on inflammation because I only have about 50% of my vision in that left eye. I hope not to lose it all. God be with you.

[Linda3579]

Hi Kelly, I wake up with a bad headache most every morning. I, too, run (not litterly) for a cup of coffee, and sometimes Tylenol. I don’t sleep very well, so I wonder if it’s from my restless nights. Fortunately they are not like migraines. Best to you, Linda

[Iona60]

I've found that when I wake up with a headache, many times it is because my oxygen level is low. I keep an oximeter by the bed to measure it. The neurologist prescribed regular oxygen, but I got tied of fighting with the insurance company and bought an oxygen concentrator. I'm also using an inspiratory muscle trainer to help me to breathe deeper. A hinge health nurse that was giving me solumedrol made the low oxygen connection for me when I had a migraine and my oxygen level was low on her oximeter.

[TracyBelle]

Hi Kelly!

I have had chronic migraines since 2008, fibromyalgia since 2005, & MS since 1998.

I often wake up with headaches that are not migraines, but caused by me clenching my jaw when I sleep, or due to weather changes in barometric pressure. It is Springtime, so the pain could be pressure from allergies, the pollen here in Dallas makes my MS act up everytime spring and fall roll around.

If clenching your jaws is the culprit, the pain should go away once you are up and awake for a while.

If your headaches persist even after you are up for a while, it is more likely sinus pressure (which causes pain if you bend over). A migraine is unmistakable (for me) because the intensity of the pain is overwhelming and I feel queasy and usually throw up.

Most definitely talk to your Dentist next time and ask if a night guard could keep your teeth from clenching when you are sleeping. When I was first diagnosed my head hurt every morning until I got my night guard because I was clenching my jaw all night from the stress of the diagnosis. The guard keeps you from unconsciously grinding your teeth in your sleep.

Of course consult your neurologist as well, hopefully you have a Dr familiar with MS pain. My previous Dr said "we don't treat pain here" even though I only got diagnosed because of an INTENSE pain in my side!

I have probably gone over the acceptable word count & I wish you the best - Tracy