Migraines and RA - how common is this?

[Brushwork]

I have suffered really bad headaches for as long as I can remember, but always referred to them as headaches never giving credence to them being migraines. Migraines had a bad name in the business and teaching world with the phrase "oh, she's got a migraine" often uttered by unsympathetic colleagues. So headaches, that knocked me for 6, and for which I swallowed copious amounts of pain relief to little effect.

Finally, I consulted my GP and owned up to these horrid episodes. I have been prescribed appropriate medication and hopefully will suffer less.

All this left me wondering how common Migraine suffering is amongst those of us with RA? Is it yet another secondary condition that often accompanies RA?

[AgedCrone]

Migraine covers a whole number of conditions......you don’t need to have a headache to have Migraine......I was diagnosed with Migraine with aura 20 years ago...I only know the timing exactly because I have just dug out the MRI result that confirmed the diagnosis....because I recently had a bad attack.Personally I don’t think it is related to my RA....but I do think stress worrying about RA could be related........that is just my opinion.....and my rheumy advised I saw an ophthalmologist rather than treating it himself.

The only symptom I have is flashing spikey white lights in my eyes....no headaches.

As I said I have just had a particularly bad attack....thought by both my Rheumy & ophthalmologist to have been a reaction to the Covid vaccination I had....together with stress from a very complicated house move.

You say you took “copious amounts” of pain relief......if you took paracetamol in large quantities.....that drug can actually cause headaches if you take too many too often.

I hope what you have now been prescribed will solve your problem ......headaches are not only debilitating..but also really worrying.

[oldtimer]

I've not come across any work describing a connection between migraine and Rheumatoid Disease. I've not had migraine since going through the menopause, although I had a lot of trouble as a teenager. Something good for the menopause.

[Brushwork in reply to oldtimer]

I did some research and apparently there may be a link. Which is what lead me to the question.