Migraine and PMR

[Skodadet]

Hello all

I’ve just had my sixth migraine since lockdown. I have been prone to them on and off for two or three years now but they are getting more frequent with added symptoms. I expect the stress of the current situation as well as losing my partner in February are contributing factors but I’m wondering if any of you have them and if they might be connected to Polymyalgia as they seem to coincide with typical PMR symptoms of stiff shoulders and neck. Would be very interested in any views you might have.

Annette

[SnazzyD]

So sorry to hear about your huge loss. The big worry of course is GCA. A bit of housekeeping needs to be done though. Here is a bunch of questions - What have you been spending your time doing during lockdown? Are there times when it is worse, do the headaches start at a certain time? Do they have any pattern? Where are they located? Does anything help? What are the added symptoms?

[Skodadet in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi

I’ve been doing everything I can to keep healthy....regular walks, gardening, playing piano and baritone. Doesn’t seem to be a pattern although I did suspect that fish and chips was a trigger and thunder might have been a trigger today. They strike at different times. They always used to be preceded by visual aura but twice lately I have had debilitating vertigo, including today, and also today no aura unusually but nausea as well.

[SnazzyD in reply to Skodadet]

Do normal painkillers help or do you take migraine specific medication?

[Skodadet in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes...I usually take cocodamol as soon as the aura starts and that seems to stave off the headache. Then I just get a dull head and feel like I have a hangover (I don’t drink!!) for a couple of days.

[SnazzyD in reply to Skodadet]

I’d have a chat on the phone with your doc. If they decide the vertigo is a new add on to your migraines they might be able to give you something for that because there are meds for that. Do you have any other symptoms in the head?

Are you doing stretches for the neck and shoulders?

[Skodadet in reply to SnazzyD]

No, no other symptoms. I will have a chat with the doc. I have asked for a blood test to check on inflammation levels as I have been more achy in the usual PMR places lately and I have one booked for next week. Thanks for your interest...I appreciate it.

[Skodadet in reply to Skodadet]

Oh.....and no to the stretches.....I’ve never thought about that. Are there any specific ones?

[SnazzyD in reply to Skodadet]

Are you doing any stretches or for your neck and shoulders? Tension in these areas can cause dizziness too.

[Skodadet in reply to SnazzyD]

I didn’t know that. I’ll try. Thank you.

[SnazzyD in reply to Skodadet]

healthline.com/health/stern...

Try that. I hope you find some answers but usually when our soul cries our body cries too.

[nuigini in reply to Skodadet]

Sounds very similar to what I experience on occasion. I've pretty much pinned mine to big changes in barometric pressure, but one's never sure.

Prior to PMR I got painful migraines but very infrequently. For the first 6 years on prednisone I rarely had any type of headache. For some reason the occasional migraines have returned, but are more like you describe.

Another of life's mysteries.

[MrsNails]

Hi Annette

I’m so sorry about the loss of your Partner, it’s still very early days & we’ve had all this Covid Situation since March, so you couldn’t even adapt to any kind of new normality before we were in Lockdown or even have time to grieve.

It may be worth ringing to ask to speak to your GP & tell him what’s going on & he/she may recommend something else other than Co-Codamol that would lift the hangover type feeling.

Sending you My Sympathy on Your Loss & hope you start to improve soon.

Kind Regards

MrsN 🌸

[Maisiek]

So sorry for your loss, so hard plus all the pandemic on top 😰 just to say I had a flare last week which was accompanied by a migraine , which I don’t get very often . I blamed stress and sugar. Take care. Xx

[SheffieldJane]

I am so sorry about your devastating loss Annette. Sending you love and sympathy at this bewildering sad, time.

I have recently been diagnosed with GCA and it tends to be my first thought with headaches. It is worth mentioning any new headache to your doctor, particularly accompanied by visual systems and jaw claudication. GCA is very closely related to PMR. I am sure it is migraine but just a factor to be alert to. X

[Looseloafers]

Hi yes I get the occasional migraine I just get the flashing lights no pain! I think it is definitely linked to pred as I’m cutting down. We just have to keep going and we well come out the other side!!

[Telian]

So sorry for your loss. That alone isn’t going to help and with the current situation a double whammy.

You might be overdoing it with your activities but that’s a process of elimination.

I had similar ‘heads’ to you - was it stress was it migraine etc - I eventually had an ultra sound on my shoulders (my Rheumie did it) revealing my osteoarthritis had arrived there too. I’m a ‘can’t keep still person’ but had to curb activities which had always been a normal part of my life!

Definitely speak to your GP it’s been going on too long now.

Sending you love and best wishes.