I just wanted to see if anyone had any experience of this, or any advice.

I am fairly healthy, drink lots of water, rarely drink alcohol (and if I do its only half a glass), I eat well, and my only really treat food is chocolate.... I love it. I go to the gym 3 times a week, Im a weeny bit overweight but certainly not massive.

BUT, I always wake with what feels like a hangover. Ive had it for years now, I feel sick, the headache wakes me at night..... last night I was up 4 times with the headache and feeling like I was going to throw up. This morning I feel lousy and so sick, but as the morning goes on the 'hangover' will fade.

I have found seeing a osteopath to 'click' my neck helps, but just wondered if anyone else had any experience/advice about this, its really affecting my life.

Lots of thanks and love,

sorry havent a clue but as its when you are lying down maybe some sort of reflux? (just that you feel like throwing up) or is that because the headache is bad? or do you drink enough at night or get overheated at night.?

How are your iron levels and Vit B levels? They can throw you out.
{{hugs} I know its not a nice feeling.

It happened yesterday. I woke 4 times through the night with a migraine, was physically sick. Then got up at 5am and was ill til 11am, just like a hangover feeling. I drink loads of water, and don't drink alcohol so I don't think it dehydration.

At 11am, it just disappeared, what every it is, just vanishes, and then I was fine by the evening, just washed out.

Its weird, and scares me abit because sometimes the migraine is debilitating.

Could it be something in your room, setting the migraines off. Like a smell or something. Could it be something yourve eaten in the evening that you have most nights which could set a migraine off.? I don't get migraines but have heard chocolate is a trigger. I would go to your gp to rule out any other probes.
You poor thing, I would hate waking every night with a hang over . I hope you find some relief soon.

Thanks for that. I should go to the Gp, Ive had it for a few years now, (and we've been in the same house all that time, so maybe it is an environmental trigger).

It is awful waking up with a "hangover" nearly every day, especially when I haven't had any fun the night before to make it worthwhile! Im in bed by 9pm, and just a cup of tea in the evening, so a very boring lifestyle here... and yet still the hangover!

Any damp in the house at all? Is it in any way possible a leaky building anywhere? Just thinking as an environmental issue black mould (often within wall cavities or behind wall paper at least) can cause all sorts of issues.

Is there any way you can sleep in another room in the house for a period of time to see if it is the room you normally sleep in or possibly the house or another possibility?

Hi,

I recommend that you go to your GP as soon as you can so you can rule out some not very nice possibilities.

Stay safe.

When my reflux was bad I would clench my jaw in my sleep giving me migraine type headaches and the feeling of nausea, I would also wake exhausted as my sleep was dreadful.

Actually, thinking about it, we just had 3 weeks away and I wasn't ill once then! Not at all, so the environment was very different and I was fine.

Also, last night I actually ate and drank alot... it was DD birthday and we had some bubbly to toast her once she was asleep. First time Ive drunk alcohol in a long time. I avoid it, because I have a hangover when I don't drink, so goodness knows what I'd be like if I do.

I knew Id pay for it, and would be doubly ill today.... but nothing. In fact, the only time I didnt get a 'hangover' was when I actually drank and deserved one! How weird is that!

Maybe it is stress and jaw clenching and the wine relaxed me? Or maybe it is environment, I know I should def go to the Drs though.

Thanks for all of your help, I feel worried and very alone about this.

ooooh hugs, that sounds awful. Hope you figure something out.

Cool, so when are you going to the DR... do you need us to bully you into it?

You're so right Felicis, If it was one of the children, they'd have seen the Dr and specialist already by now... when its me, I sort of keep leaving it. Ive had this headache/migrane/hangover for about 3 years now, and still not seen anyone, and its got worse.

You are right, I will go. Thank you.

**Bully one enters** Go to your Dr!

Thank you, I do need that.

Im taking DD to the drs next week, so maybe I'll ask about it then. I mean, I will definitely ask about it then.

You know, reading other posts and other threads I wonder if its a menopause thing? Im only 41, so it never even crossed my mind, but there seems to be a few threads that talk about that and say something simelar.

I definitely have to get it checked out, so thank you for the kick up the backside.... I will go.

I had this feeling a few months back - wasn't actually sick but very nauseous and felt like I was about to vomit often. Nasty headaches and general lethargy. Went to the Drs and had blood tests - nothing wrong there. Someone (on this board actually) suggested getting my eyes checked - and I did - and I needed reading glasses!

Definitely made a difference and I have noticed that I have that horrible feeling back this week - have left my glasses at our caravan! Will be interesting to see once I have my glasses back how I feel and how long it takes to come right. It's a terrible feeling. Will also arrange to get a second pair of glasses!


Good luck and hopefully it's something as simple as my case!


Lisa

Thank you L-J, I am actually going through something about my glasses/contact lenses at the moment, and have been advised to have Lasik eye surgery because my prescription/glasses are so complicated, (long story), but it does tie in with what you say, because my glasses make my 'hangover/migraine' worse, my contact lenses less so.

Ohhh, it'd be great if that's all it was.

I will go and get the blood checks first and am seeing the opticians/surgeons this week, so I will try and sort it out. Thanks for the tips though.

Good - hope to hear you reporting in asap letting us know you have been to the dr!

Thank you. I will make an appointment next week, I am getting abit worried now, because I feel ill so often, yet I am way healthier than anyone I know with diet, exercise etc, so something isn't right.

Thanks for the support and kick up the backside, I will go to the Drs.

It's Monday GO MAKE THAT APPOINTMENT!

Thank you, Im onto it and have finally made the appointment for this Friday.

The other thing is AF has been going on for about 6 weeks now, so that's not right either really is it? So I know somethings abit out with me, (although the migraines and 'Hangover' feeling has been about 3 years!)

I appreciate the help though, I wouldn't have made the appointment if I hadn't had you all saying it. And like I said before, if it was one of the children, they would have seen the Dr and specialists and everyone by now. Im just so slack when it comes to me!

Thank you. Im abit worried now tbh, perhaps that's why Ive been putting it off so long!

Love to you all.

I'm glad you have an appointment. Try not to worry to much. Good luck for Friday.

Good luck for tomorrow.

Thats really kind of you, thank you.

Been thinking of you all day. Hope the appointment went well.

Thank you, and thank you for giving me the push that I needed to go. I probably wouldn't have bothered if I hadn't had you helping me to see that it was important, so thank you.

When I went through all the symptoms the Dr was really concerned, (I have an awesome Dr). He said it was definitely not right and Im having a huge pile of blood tests done first thing tom morning, even though its Saturday. He said if that's all clear I am going to see some specialists. So, at least the ball is rolling and Im getting it sorted.

Again, thank you SO much for pushing me, I really appreciate it. I needed that, and Im obviously not really all that well, so thanks for helping me see that!

Glad it went OK. Take care.

Oh so pleased that you went PF. PLease keep us informed of how things go

Take care of yourself, I'm glad you went!

So great to hear you went to the drs, let us know how you get on

Been thinking about you and wondering how you have been getting on. You OK?

Thank you, that's so nice of you.

I went to the drs and had every type of blood test done, but its all clear. So that's brilliant, especially as I was, sort of, thinking that it may be diabetis, so that's all good.

But the Dr did say that he thought that they may come back clear and then I'd need to go see a specialist, so I guess that's the next step. He wants me to have a brain scan and see some other Drs, so I guess I have to phone back and make an appointment to sort that out.

Which, tbh, I probably won't ever bother doing, now I know the bloods are all good. Although that sounds silly saying that, so yes, I will go.

Thank you so much for asking, its so kind of you.

Right,now we know that there is a possibility that you won't go, we won't stop bullying you to go! Lol! Awesome about the bloods, now rule everything else out

Peacefrog, bloods don't necessarily rule out anything nasty.... get yourself checked out by the specialist ASAP.

Wouldn't you rather rule out anything with a simple test than continue living with the fear and constant worry that something may be wrong. Besides the fact I couldn't continue putting up with feeling so awful day after day if I hadn't investigated why thoroughly.

That's so true, and I know that if it was one of the kids they would have seen every specialist and Dr available already. Its just when it comes to me, Im so tired and busy, I just don't bother so much.

But I must investigate it. I was up again last night and feel so ill now, so just because the bloods were fine, it hasn't stopped this illness feeling.

Thank you for caring.

Naughty girl. Don't make us bully you!

I suspect that the reason why they want it investigated more fully is because your symptoms could be from changes in your cranial pressure. It is really important that you have it checked - it could be something really simple or something more complex.

Either way the earlier the better!

Please get the further checkups! You need to rule everything out. We will just give you gentle nudging

may pay to check blood sugars too they can cause havoc on so much else

I did have the blood sugars done, and they were all perfect. In fact everything was fine with all the blood tests they did.

But, Friday and Sat I was so bad I spent half the day throwing up and the other half in massive pain with the headache, I couldnt even drive and saw double of the kids cereal in the morning, so poured the milk all over a bowl that wasn't even there! I still feel ill now, and its 2 days on.

Its just hard getting to a specialist with a baby in tow, but I will phone the Dr back today and see what I can get sorted. Its taking over nearly everyday.

Can I just ask anyone reading this who suffers with migraines, do you get them only at specific times of the month or after eating certain foods, or do migraines just occur whenever for no reason?

Thank you all for caring, and listening, it means alot to me.

Just coming in to give you hugs!! Hope you have an easier day today!

Oh nasty, migraines are just the pits, and I keep driving to a minimum while I have one. Migraines make me feel like I'm going to vomit, can't concentrate, too hard to talk at times. I get them either side of a period, ovulation and if I haven't slept properly, dehydrated, eating certain foods, it's endless! I know there are others on this board who suffer from them and might able to suggest medication to help ease.

It's good to hear though you're bloods came back fine. But I'd still go back to your dr, as it's not right if you are still not feeling well. You don't think it's an intolerance to any food?

Thanks PK,

Onemonkey.... so do your migraines happen all the time then? Depending on your cycle/foods you've eaten/sleep etc etc. Do you still have a headache even when the migraines go? I seem to have them all the time, they just go from manageable headaches to big walloping migraines.


I never had them before, and they came on about 4 years ago, is that normal too?

Thanks for your help, its doing my head in... s'çuse the pun!!!

Might sound a bit odd - but what about parasites? I suffered for 5 years with a 'hangover'. I had constant nausea, headaches, thirst and low energy but I also had a real upset tummy (all the time).
The specialists couldn't figure it out, it took a visit to a naturopath for her to figure out I had picked up some nasties on a trip to Thailand. My naturopath said it's actually fairly common.

food allergies and internal thrush can also give you all sorts of similar symptoms.

If you open to visiting a nautopath I would highly recommend it, I had never been before this visit and she was fantastic. They do some really weird allergy tests and foot things but it seems to work

No help here but i just wanted to give you a or two cos that sounds really awful!
Defo go back to the Dr and push for more tests. its not okay to feel unwell all the time!

Peacefrog, that sucks.

I get them, but for me it is orange juice (I can have a very small glass, but anything more and bang ... ). I can also get them from sudden bright lights.

However, I think the main concern with your symptoms is that they are nocturnal in nature e.g. starting at night/early morning and improving through the day. It isn't normal, but it is quite common with conditions which change your cranial pressure.

Please, don't let things get worse. I have seen someone that I loved in so much pain (with a headache) that it was truly horrific.

These are warning signs, don't wait until you have no options.

You poor thing There are so many triggers out there - hormonal, enviromental, psychological (like stress) and food, as well as physical. Maybe keep a food diary if you are able, that would at least rule one thing in or out

Peacefrog - ater reading None's post,I really hope you can see someone soon.

Yip, so many triggers, it's really hard to pinpoint anything specific. I use to get a headache from OJ as well. I like the idea of keeping a food diary, maybe try that, anything process of elimination, but I'd still push at your dr, as it's not right to feel so rotten for so long.

Thank you all.

Andbabymakes3, are you in Auckland? Just wondered where your natropath was, I'm will to give that a go and see if that helps. If not, does anyone in Auckland know of a good natropath?

Im also trying to get back to my Gp to see the specialist, I feel so lousy I feel like I really do need some help, and after 4 days this migraine is only just easing and I know I'm just going to have a headache now until the next migraine.

Again, a massive thank you for all of your posts, I don't have any family here so really appreciate all your advice.

Peacefrog, sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell all the time, must be really difficult while also managing kids!

If your Dr told you the next step was to see a specialist, you may not need to see your Dr, just ring and ask for the referal to be done. Might make things a bit faster if you can skip an appointment.

Thank you, that was a good idea. I just phoned the Drs and asked for the specialists number and so skipped out that appointment.

I have to see a neuro specialist/surgeon as soon as, and I also have an appointment with a naturopath today, so Im trying both routes. Hopefully I should get some answers within the next few weeks.

Thanks for helping and listening.

So pleased you are following these things up, Peacfrog. Let us know when you get that neuro appt!

Thanks Felicis, I have the "urgent" neuro specialist appointment for 3 weeks time, thats the soonest I could get in! The Natruopath wasn't there when I arrived for my appointment with her, so I may try and find someone else, thought that was a bit rubbish tbh!!!

Feeling so ill today, so very sick and headachey, I wish someone could just wave a magic wand and make it go away, Im so over feeling so ill. But I realy appreicate how much youve all helped, because even saying it out loud and talking about it, has made me realise how badly I need to see someone, so thank you so much.

Hopefully its nothing much and just some allergy or something I can fix fairly easily.

Peacfrog, I really hope it is something like that too

peacefrog, I friend of mine suffers from constant headaches and migraines. She has had heaps of tests done and seen a neuro specialist too (think that is who it was). I'm pretty sure the outcome was that it was a hormonal thing so they just need to manage it until menopause which is when it should sort itself out. SHe is on meds which helps a lot.

As for migraines, never had them until the last year. When they first started I had just gone back to work after DD2. I also had really sore boobs (stabbing sore) which is what made me see the doc. Had and ultrasound done for boobs but they suspected it was caffeine. I ahve always beena little intolerant to it so it wasn't really a surprise and going back to work meant I was having 2 cups of tea a day and maybe a coffee too from only have 1-2 cups of tea per day. So I stopped the caffeine and the sore boobs went and have only had a migraine a coupl eof times since. Did get sore boobs again after having eaten a lot of dark choc (a bit of caffeine in that). So.... I would look to cut out tea/coffee and chocolate (esp dark choc) for a few weeks and see if that helps (also energy drinks etc with caffeine in them). My issues with the migraines and sore boobs probably coincided with my hormones going totally up the whack too so for me, there is likely a hormone link too.

The fact htey come on at night is odd though so def keep following it up.

Ask your GP for a script for something for migraines as they can really help - I've found maxalt melts good but there will be other stuff too.

Peacefrog I hope your specialist appt goes well and they find nothing wrong with you or something that is easily fixed. On the dietary side one area you can look at is food chemical intolerance. They include phenols, amines (choc, cheese and caffine) and salicylates. It is a build up thing (as opposed to allergy which tends to be a more immediate reaction). So for example, you have a coffee in the morning and then you eat some yoghurt then have cheese on toast for lunch with avocado, tomatoes in the evening with dinner and have some choc in the evening - your limit (and everyone's limit is different) may have been at the avocado but the tomatoes and choc take you over the limit creating symptoms. There is plenty on the internet about it. Keeping a food diary will help to see the patterns over 24 to 48 hours and if you do find a naturopath they may also be able to help with this.

I hope this gets sorted for you soon. Migraines are terrible - I've only ever got the sparkling blankness out the side of my vision rather than the full blown version and that's bad enough - my head is sore like it's bruised on the inside for quite a few days after. I really feel for you

peacefrog, I'm so sorry you feel so dreadful and I have all my fingers and toes that they can sort out what is causing this pain. I'm not on here very often, but I found this thread the other day, and I've been thinking of you lots and lots and lots You are such a special, kind-hearted chick and I wish I could take the pain away for you

Have you considered putting Mr B into a little bit of daycare? (Maybe an at-home educarer or something like that?). Even just really part-time (maybe 2 mornings a week) would enable you to get your doc appts done

I will be keeping an 'eye' on you (lol) well, this thread so plse plse keep us posted.

Love

Thank you, that's the kindest post ever. I really appreciate it and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

x x x

Peacefrog, just wondering how you are getting on?

Thank you Felicis. I'm see a specialist next week and having an MRI. The Dr was really concerned when I went through all the symptoms, and so he's sent me to see a neuro-specialist.
Im actually really looking forward to it.

In the mean time, because the appointment was so far off, and the headaches were getting so bad, I went and saw a natruopath, (thought I'd try everything and everyone!) She said I was massively reacting to wheat, and to cut it out completely and she also said I was really deficient in magnesium and to take high doses of that.

So while waiting for the specialist, Ive done both of those things, and it seems to have been helping. I have a headache, but no where near as terrible as before, Im not seeing things that arent there, (always a bonus!), and the extreme migraines seem to have lessened.

Anyway, Im going back to see her after the specialist, so maybe it maybe something as simple as diet or lifestyle, ohhhh, I hope so!

Felicis, thank you so much for asking. And thank you everyone who went on at me to go sort this out, I really needed it, and really appreciate it!.

all the best with your appointment. Glad you have it.

I have suffered from migraines since age 12. Mine are hormonal but more like one per month.
I have only had 2 severe ones and had to go to A&E.

The other migraines are headache and visual aura, so I see flashing lights and have 'half vision' where some of my visual field is missing, so can't drive or anything, but the visual stuff only lasts about 45 minutes for me.

Since (surgical) menopause my migraines increased to one every 10 days or so, and got more intense.
Dr prescribed MAXALT melts (medication) and before that I used paradex or something similar.
I'm actually now taking herbal 'black cohosh' and haven't had a migraine for 6 weeks. But my problem is hormonal, so it may not work for you.

I have a good book to recommend called 'the migraine brain' I got it at the library and it is awesome and comprehensive and solution-focused, helps you understand heaps and what you can do about it to reduce frequency and severity and manage it,

maybe check it out after your appointment.

all the best, hang in there.

(i would hope the gp has prescribed maxalt for you, until you can see the specialist? It is the latest meds and very effective. However, it may be too expensive if you don't have a community services card )

great you have some reduced symptoms
I am taking magnesium also.
the book I read states magnesium can help.

Peacefrog, I am so pleased to hear you are feeling a bit better already and that your speciailist appointment isn't too far away!

Oh yay, pleased your appointment is soon. Hoping it is a dietry fix or something similar, will cross everything for you!

Thank you for 'bullying me' to sorting this out, I am so grateful, and needed that shove.

I saw the specialist, he was very old school and thought anything alternative was rubbish. He had the complete opposite view to me about anything medical, but he is trained from Harvard and, apparently, one of the best neuro specialists in Auckland. He said that I have severe migraines, and the 'hangover' is a build up to each migraine.

They are late onset, and usually would have started when I was about 11 or 12. He said they will get increasingly worse until I reach the menopause, then they will stop.

Probably 3/4 of my month is now consumed with migraines or the before headache or after headache. So, his solution is to have this injection that I administer myself when the migraine starts. Also, to take an ánti-epilepsy drug as one of the side effects of that is migraine prevention. He wants me to take that every day until I reach menopause, (about 15 years off!)

I said no to the every day medication, but took the injection because that was more like a pain killer, (I think, but its a one off each month).

Im sure there are natural ways of relieving the severity of migraines, I already know that being wheat free has helped, but he laughed at that.

Im seeing the natruopath again this weekend, and will just have to try my best to reduce the severity and time Im ill with them. I respect his opinion, but know that complementary treatments work for me.

Ive also ordered that 'Migraine Brain' book that you recommended, so should have that in a few days.

Thank you everyone for your help and support with this, it has meant a lot to me.

Will they still be checking with an MRI? Sounds nasty as, but glad that you have a diagnosis, I agree with looking at complementary treatments too. Especially diet

I pleased to hear you have an answer!! Those sound like hell migraines, so good on you for continuing to try everything to help!

Yay for getting a answer! That is often the biggest and best step to recovery and from here on out its "easier" (still gets hard, but not as bad as when you dont know!) to get better!

Sound like you are not very compatible with that dr. "being the best in akl" doesn't mean "the best for you"

That said, if its "just" migraines, maybe you can more easily find what triggers them. or makes them ease off...

I really hope you can get this sorted without 15 years daily meds Because that really does bite long term!
I personally am wary of drs who prescribe other medication made for one thing fr something unrelated to the first! I KNOW side effects and blahblahblah if it works it works, but yanno, personally it makes me uncomfy

Good luck with the naturopath.

Thanks Katerin, that was my thought exactly. I'm wary of taking an anti-epilepsy drug just because one of the side effects are they can help prevent migraines. Thats not what they were designed for, and I dont have epilepsy, so to take that drug for 15 years seems abit off to me.

This Dr is obvisously well trained in America and I respect that, but I don't believe that you should only take the drugs to stop the pain, like he does, I think its important to find out why the pain is there.

He called all my alternative views witchcraft and 'rubbish', and I was only talking about homeopathy and dietary changes. Tbh, I didnt respect that too much. I KNOW certain things trigger migrianes, but he wouldnt have a bar of it. I thought that was odd.

Mind you, he charged $450 per hour, so he's obvisously doing something right! (Thank goodness for insurance, I could never have paid that, I'd have been gutted to pay that and just be told what I already knew!)

Thanks again for your support.

Just been to see my natruopath. Her views are totally opposite to the Drs and said that absolutely she can work to relieve, reduce and even get rid of migraines. She has changed my diet, given me some homeopathy and I'm seeing her fortnightly. Im also seeing the cranio sacral therapist weekly.

Feel way better now, this is the correct path for me. Each to their own, but I cant believe that my only option was to take anti epilepsy drugs for 15 years. I do respect what he said, but its not right for me.

Thank goodness for the natruopath!

And thank you all for helping and listening, I am very grateful.

I'm really happy to read it wasn't anything bad in the background, but what a shame the specialist wasn't open to other alternatives to help with the migrianes, get's me a bit annoyed sometimes that they just want to dish out medication so easily. However! I agree with you, that sometimes a change to the diet and lifestyle can honestly help the triggers to the migraine. All the best with this naturopath

Thank you.

Congrats Peacefrog. Great to hear you are getting some relief. I completely support the naturopath thing, and my Dr did too.

Sometimes these diet changes arent long term either, I had to go wheat, sugar and dairy free for 3 months (freaken hard!) but saw results and can now eat normally. Sometimes the body just needs a break and the chance to heal and cleanse itself.

I'm so happy for you, it must be a huge relief

That sounds positive peacefrog.
My major migraine foods are red wine and gluten, either one gives me a migraine that lasts days. It will probably just be trial and error to work out your triggers, they can be quite random.
I can see how you didn't realise they were migraines, it took me a long time too as I thought migraines were the kind of headache that had you hurting at light and laying groaning in a dark room. Mine aren't like that, but they last many days, often over a week of constant migraine. I also get queasy with them quite often.

Yes, I have about a week of a hangover, a really bad headache and what I can only describe as a hangover, then I get a full blown migraine which starts at about 2am, that lasts for 5 - 6 days and then the tail end is another 3 to 4 days of a bad headache and sickness. So its over 2 weeks of it. The 5 days in the middle are the actual migraine and the other bits are the lead up and cool down, as the Dr explained.

I honestly thought a migraine lasted 1-2 days and that was it, thats why I thought it wasnt "just" a migraine.

Hazy Cloud, did you ever go back to eating gluten, or do you stay GF always?

migraines are so individual.

sometimes I get one that is 45 minutes of disturbed vision and flashing lights, with no headache.

once i woke up and it was like someone was smashing my head with an axe.

other times it is a 2 day migraine,

I have never had one last more than 2 days though.
must be hell.

hope everything helps.
and I think the book you've ordered will be awesome for you.

I really recommend at least trying black cohosh daily if you get it okayed with a gp because honestly I have not had a migraine for close to 3 months now, and I was having them every 10 days.
but i understand different things work for different people.
I don't believe there is one answer/cure for everybody.

Oh it sound like you have a really positive plan in place now! I am sure it will help and way better tan taking anti epilepsy drugs for 15 years... That said, if you can't get anything to work/help you can always try the medication later!

I am GF always. My main gluten symptoms were gut though, although I've discovered that it also gives me muscle aches and a whole bunch of other stuff. But if I ingest it, a headache invariably follows.

I get hormonal ones too, so I'm on day 3 of a hormonal one right now (and feeling pukey along with it, yay!)

Big hug, I completely sympathise, I know how much it sucks. Hope you feel better soon.

So glad to hear that you have some answers. Hopefully you get some relief soon.

PS: Make sure, if the symptoms get worse, that you push for more testing e.g. MRI.

Thanks none, the specialist did say if the injection didn't work, then after 3 months I'd need an MRI. But, without wanting to tempt fate.... I seem to have managed to get the constant hangover feeling, (which last the good part of a month before), down to about 2 days and the migraine down to about 1, and I can manage that with the maxalt melt.

I've changed my diet completely, been taking huge doses of magnesium and some homeopathy, and it seems to be working.... despite what the specialist said. So Im hoping its lifestyle and a very bad migriane that is triggered by a whole heap of things, more than anything more sinister. Who knew the hangover was the start of a migraine.... mmmm, well, you'd think Id have figured it out after all this time!

Thank you for caring, and asking, it means alot.

Well yay, that is awesome that it seems to be working! Migraines are weirdy things, eh.

You know, I have a headache again. Accompanied by the pukies. I've never realised until I read this how often it happens to me. What changes have you made peacefrog?

You know what Hazy cloud. I put up with this for years, literally the entire time Ive lived in NZ, (7 years). I just got on with it.

Feeling sick, massive headaches, really pretty darn unwell, and then massive migraines, that I just put up with because thats what I do.

I was ONLY when I wrote this thread and got all the replies that I did, that I stopped and thought, maybe I need to get this sorted and it probably isnt right to feel so unwell.

I did the conventional Drs/specialist route, and was told that I get chronic migraines and the 'hangover feeling', (like you describe) is actually the build up to the migraine.

I was told to take drugs and medicines to blot out the migraine. So I went and saw a natropath, and also a cranio sacral therapist.

At the moment I have my neck and back sorted once a fortnight, (which helps alot). I have become totally gluten free, and take high doses of magnesium, (a spray for tissue magnesium) and a vitamin supplement. Also, Ive had some homeopathy.

So far Ive got the extreme sickness and migraines down from 2-3 weekly (a month) to 2-3 days a month! So thats helped alot.

It really isnt right to feel so ill for so long. Do you get migraines at the end of the sickness, or do you just have the constant sickness?
It really sucks, and I am so grateful every morning I sleep through til 5am and wake with no headache, its amazing.

I know wheat is very bad for me, Im so stupid, because I knew it before but just kept eating it. Also, I was eating ALOT of over the counter pain killers, which are really bad and ironically, can cause migraines, so I dont take any of those at all.

If a bad migraine comes I take maxalt melt, I need 2 and then it reduces the severity of it greatly.

I also sleep with a hot water bottle on my neck as that helps too.

Its all abit of a work in progress though, I am going back to the natrupath next week to see what the next stage should be.

Have you seen a GP or anyone?

HC - I've just been thinking the same thing after coming back to this post, in the last 2.5 weeks I've had two migraines that have left me barely functionable for 48 hours each time, I still put it down to ovulation and period time. I'm going to see my dr I think about these maxalt tablets and see if they can help, but I still would like to work on the cause.

Peacefrog - I'm really happy that you are getting great success.

One monkey, I have found, for me, its completely to do with period time. The migraine will start badly the 2nd day of AF and run for 3 days, (the extreme, throwing up, can't walk migraine), prior to that the whole of the 17 days before I would have the hangover/ bad headaches.

The Gp and specialist both said that the migraines are triggered by AF and ovulation and will only stop when I reach menopause, (in about 15 years time). They both left me with that, saying this is how it is for 15 years, until the menopause.

So, I am just trying what I can to see if I can reduce the severity of it all. Im sure that everyone can help themselves with whatever their triggers are. I have a few friends who are GF and have done so because of migraines, (they are also all women in their 40s).

Its a horrible feeling, I sympathize so very much.

See it just doesn't seem right as women we just have to put up with migraines and other symptoms until menopause! I have read a bit about natural hormone cream that you rub on your skin for a specific time each month to balance out the dip in hormones and therefore hopefully reducing migraines and it makes sense. Though most drs don't support alternative therapies.

I agree though whatever you can do to reduce the triggers as well can help. I'm sure some people I know probably just think it's a bad headache and to suck it up, but it's so debilitating at times.

I'll keep you posted.

Yes, let me know how you're getting on. Its all abit of a work in progress, although, for me, I know that chocolate is OK and not a trigger, so that puts a wee smile on my face!!!!