Morning Migraines?

[gocubsgo]

Is anyone else waking up with morning migraines from sinus and allergies? :yuck: Some mornings I wake up with whoppers...I take Sumatripthen and Excedrin to get rid of them. There has to be a nighttime allergy medication to take before bedtime to ward these off.

What do my other allergy sufferers take at night?

[ewstanley]

I suffer from migraines and have taken many things. I have recently tried melatonin before bed and it helps somewhat. I have been having nightmares recently and think it might be a side effect. I have tried many of the OTC remedies as well as prescriptions but didn't like the side effects. It is an uphill battle.

[villagerjack]

Is anyone else waking up with morning migraines from sinus and allergies? :yuck: Some mornings I wake up with whoppers...I take Sumatripthen and Excedrin to get rid of them. There has to be a nighttime allergy medication to take before bedtime to ward these off.

What do my other allergy sufferers take at night?

Better to ask a medical doctor.

[gocubsgo]

Better to ask a medical doctor.

I did and she said to take Allegra or Claritin but neither seems to work. It's partially genetic..my father had migraines every day of his life. I remember him coming home from work and literally taking 5-6 Excedrin to get rid of them!!

[graciegirl]

Migraines and allergy headaches are not the same. Migraines are caused by triggers that cause the blood vessels in one side of the brain to dilate. You get a one side of the head headache and sometimes visual disturbance called an aura,(partial obstruction of vision or twinkling lights) sometimes muddled thinking and sometimes nausea and the pain is a....whopper.

Sinus clogged and head stopped up from histamines weeping into tissues and causing them to swell, a sort of defense of the body against invaders and pseudo invaders is another issue. Thet is a allergic response or allergy.Taking an antihistamine will help with those kind of issues, but will not help migraines. Minor migraines can be helped by taking an anti-inflammatory pain medication early in the onset. Migraines do frequently occur in the morning too and as stated before on one side of the head. Migraines FEEL like you have eaten ice cream too fast. They REALLY HURT.

I agree with the poster that the best person to ask is a physician because something can be done to alleviate both kinds of pain and you may need more than over the counter help..

[Uptown Girl]

Migraines and allergy headaches are not the same. Migraines are caused by triggers that cause the blood vessels in one side of the brain to dilate. You get a one side of the head headache and sometimes visual disturbance called an aura,(partial obstruction of vision or twinkling lights) sometimes muddled thinking and sometimes nausea and the pain is a....whopper.

Sinus clogged and head stopped up from histamines weeping into tissues and causing them to swell, a sort of defense of the body against invaders and pseudo invaders is another issue. Thet is a allergic response or allergy.Taking an antihistamine will help with those kind of issues, but will not help migraines. Minor migraines can be helped by taking an anti-inflammatory pain medication early in the onset. Migraines do frequently occur in the morning too and as stated before on one side of the head. Migraines FEEL like you have eaten ice cream too fast. They REALLY HURT.

I agree with the poster that the best person to ask is a physician because something can be done to alleviate both kinds of pain and you may need more than over the counter help..

I agree wholeheartedly!
Since you are waking up with them, also consider that the sleep angle of your neck may be a contributing factor. It may helpful to try an alternate sleep position or different pillow now.
You'll benefit to aim for your neck and head to be in neutral/natural alignment to the rest of your frame (as much as is possible) while you sleep.

Hope you feel better soon!

[ewstanley]

I have suffered from migraines since my 20s. I have gone to several neurologists up north, several MRIs thought out the years and was given several different prescriptions. My migraines get worse during allergy season. My migraines usually start off with an aura. I have tried Allegra, Claritin and had some luck with a low dose of Benadryl. I was on a prescriptions specifically for migraines but I didn't care for the side effects. I was on Nortriptyline and Imitrex and couldn't handle the side effects. Some people do very well with those medicines. Migraines can run in families, my father and brothers also had history of migraines. My father had luck with a drug that has been taken off the market. It is best to ask a doctor to diagnose if you are suffering from migraines. I just recently tried melatonin because my doctor told me to give it a try.

[jnieman]

I have never been one to have headaches. I was having what I thought to be migranes quite steadily a few years ago and it turned out to be high blood pressure. Once I was put on meds the headaches went away.

[BobnBev]

I understand that if you lie down and close your eyes with a wetted, not soaked, facecloth with vinegar on your forehead, that will help. Worth a try, and also acupuncture is supposed to work. Good luck.

[Madelaine Amee]

Have you tried Ibuprofen? It works for me with morning headaches.

[JE Greenwood]

I suffer from migraines and have taken many things. I have recently tried melatonin before bed and it helps somewhat. I have been having nightmares recently and think it might be a side effect. I have tried many of the OTC remedies as well as prescriptions but didn't like the side effects. It is an uphill battle.

I also suffer from migraine headaches. I have been to numerous doctors including the Headache Clinic at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.

I take Zyrtec (well the Walgreens version) and it works pretty well during allergy season for migraines what are triggered by the allergies.

Hope you feel better!

[jtdraig]

I suffer from migraines and have taken many things. I have recently tried melatonin before bed and it helps somewhat. I have been having nightmares recently and think it might be a side effect. I have tried many of the OTC remedies as well as prescriptions but didn't like the side effects. It is an uphill battle.

I don't get migraines but I do have some tough allergies. I go to the Astha, Sinus, and Allergy Practice on 441. They put me on Cetrizine which seems to work. In high season, I had to take prednesone for a few days which helped a lot. Lots of posters have recommended a doctor...I think you need to go and have them figure it out. Just sayin':beer3:

[Bettiboop]

Morning headaches can also be a symptom of sleep apnea.

[TrudyM]

I get many kinds of headaches and as said by others an allergy attack can trigger a migraine. Years ago a doctor suggested I try taking a low dose of 10 mg of propranolol (its an RX) to guard against vascular (one type of migraine) headaches. It has worked for me with fewer side affects than other migraine meds. It doesn't block all headaches but most of the migraine ones I got.

I wake up with congestion and a headache when I sleep in air conditioning that has not been cleaned recently. It is because I am allergic to mold and the airborne spores bother me and most anithisamine meds don't help very much. I always when living in the sough had to keep the vents wiped clean and turn off the air and clean the condenser coils with bleach to get rid of the mold. Take a look and see if mold is growing in your air conditioning unit. Just a thought.

[Warren Kiefer]

I have suffered from migraines since my 20s. I have gone to several neurologists up north, several MRIs thought out the years and was given several different prescriptions. My migraines get worse during allergy season. My migraines usually start off with an aura. I have tried Allegra, Claritin and had some luck with a low dose of Benadryl. I was on a prescriptions specifically for migraines but I didn't care for the side effects. I was on Nortriptyline and Imitrex and couldn't handle the side effects. Some people do very well with those medicines. Migraines can run in families, my father and brothers also had history of migraines. My father had luck with a drug that has been taken off the market. It is best to ask a doctor to diagnose if you are suffering from migraines. I just recently tried melatonin because my doctor told me to give it a try.

I can easily tell that some responders have never had a migraine headache. Your expeience is very similiar to mine, 35 years of neurologists, surgeons and many different drugs. At this time, I use Excedren Migraine tablets and if started at the first sign of a headache, does seem to help. I guess migraines is a cross some of us must bear.

[Quixote]

I have a friend who used to suffer from whoppers of migraines and is now getting considerable relief taking a tiny dose of Methadone daily to ward them off. You MUST discuss any possible solution with your doctor; you can't get medical counsel on a talk forum!!!

[asianthree]

if one of my migraines starts usually on one side can't stand any light not capable of moving or standing for up to two days...untill i lose my stomach...sinus headaches for me are easier using warm cloth and nettie pot to clear sinus...stress headache can happen more often and use nothing but meditation to help

[batman911]

Morning headaches can also be an indicator of reflux.

[PennBF]

Is it the experience of some that an allergy can//iill trigger a headache. Also,
is there a number of allergies going around? I have been getting some allergies
and just started to get a headache with them. This is new so maybe is just a one time reaction? Are there many with allergies in The Villages?:wave:

[gocubsgo]

MY Dr said the allergies in Florida are much different than up north. I believe her because I have been congested since Day 1 down here! I also get a lot of colds but she said that's because germs really don't die down here. They just morph into bigger germs because nothing freezes. Makes sense.

I have been taking Melatonin a night and that seems to help so thank you for that suggestion. I'm also going to try Zyrtec.

[graciegirl]

There are different pollens and a lot of mold here, (the kind that grows outside in warm moist vegetated areas) Your body sees this as a new attempt to protect you and when we first were here for long periods of time I was sneezin' a blowin' and itching up a storm. My body has made some adjustments to it and it is better, but some seek allergy shots to the new allergens. We put a room air purifier in our daughter's room and run it day and night all year with the door closed and it has helped a lot, along with frequent changing of HVAC filters and checking for mold in the unit.

Because you are congested this is a fertile place for cold viruses to take up residence and so you will have more colds here too until you get acclimated.

Sometimes over the counter antihistamines like Zyrtec work for allergy and sometimes a visit to the allergist and a regimin of shots is needed. Zyrtec raised my blood pressure because I was taking it frequently.

As far as I know, being both a migrainer and an allergic person the two kinds of headache are not at all related. Although migraines can cause congestion and runny nose at times too.

Just my very humble, non medical and non expert opinion. Maybe worth two cents if you give me a penny back.

I truly understand your misery and feel for you.

[ilvgolf]

I know this is going to sound "dumb" BUT, I have found that some chocolate and/or a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar makes mine go away. I don't know if anyone who has migraines has ever had their sugar level checked - mine seems to be fine and I don't get them much any more but found this solution once when I was working under quite a bit of stress and felt one coming on (had the little streaky lines in front of my eyes) and knew I was going to get sick and wouldn't be able to eat, so, I had some chocolate kisses on my desk, ate two of them and it went away. I still use chocolate and/or a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Works for me.

[graciegirl]

I know this is going to sound "dumb" BUT, I have found that some chocolate and/or a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar makes mine go away. I don't know if anyone who has migraines has ever had their sugar level checked - mine seems to be fine and I don't get them much any more but found this solution once when I was working under quite a bit of stress and felt one coming on (had the little streaky lines in front of my eyes) and knew I was going to get sick and wouldn't be able to eat, so, I had some chocolate kisses on my desk, ate two of them and it went away. I still use chocolate and/or a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Works for me.

A couple of cups of strong black coffee with sugar at the onset of a migraine sometimes helps too.

[gocubsgo]

Yes, I have heard that caffeine will help at the onset. That's why Excedrin Migraine has caffeine in it.

[lanabanana73]

For a time, I was taking Excedrin several times a week and I was concerned the the headaches I was getting were being exacerbated by OTC pain reliever overuse. So, now if I wake up with that "squeezing band around my head" feeling, I take 100mg (half a tab) of caffeine. Works like a charm and there is no concern of pain reliever overuse.

Good luck to you. Headaches are NO fun!

[gustavo]

Morning headaches can also be an indicator of reflux.

Also toenail fungus

[ljarnold]

I would also wake up every morning with Sinus headaches and as the morning went on I would feel the pressure release. This went on for a long time and I finally asked my FP what I could do. She prescribed flonase which is a nasal spray and I feel so much better no more headaches and all that icky drainage. I do have to take it every day and it takes about 14 days to be come effective. I wish I had asked about this 10 years ago. I just thought this was what having allergies was what it was all about. No more living in a painful fog!!!!

[Gerald]

see a doctor. I understand people want to help you and give you what works for them. However only a doctor can test you for what is really wrong. Then give you proper med.

[Arubagirl2000]

Don't laugh - but one of the things that helps me if I wake up with a headache, is opening the bottle of strong horseradish and taking a few sniffs in each nostril. Hubby laughs, but it works for me many of the times.

[gocubsgo]

Don't laugh - but one of the things that helps me if I wake up with a headache, is opening the bottle of strong horseradish and taking a few sniffs in each nostril. Hubby laughs, but it works for me many of the times.


Good idea! I try hot hot showers and Vicks in each nostril. Horseradish makes my eyes water just thinking about it. I may try that in the AM!

[NotGolfer]

Was told by my health-care provider shortly after we moved here that, this is allergy alley!! We don't have hard winters like up north so stuff doesn't die like there. PLUS all of the flora that's in a cycle of blooming etc. I take Singular which has really, really helped. PLUS---have gone off all wheat, sugar and processed foods---you'd be amazed at how great you might feel if you adjust what you eat.

[duffysmom]

My sister had a UV light installed on her AC and it has made a world of difference, her allergies are much less troublesome. Wish I knew about it when I had cats since it also removes odors. We are in the process of having one installed. Also I use a Neti Pot to clean my sinus's and it's been very helpful; be sure to sterilize the water before using it. Dr. Oz recommended it.

[kittygilchrist]

:wave:I like playing doctor...
agree with Grace, migraine and sinus are different headaches, and you seem more concerned with stuffiness.
...migraine is one sided, not bilateral
...either can be triggered by food or drink
...allergy can come from sleeping w/down, cat hair, etc
...opening the sinus won't touch a migraine
...opening the vessel with caffeine/sumatriptan won't work for sinuses but the heat of coffee might make it superficially better
...over the counter nasal sprays cause rebound, compounding congestion
I recommend an allergy clinic/doc to see what you are allergic to, cuz I'm just playing doc..:wave:
Kitty

[MSNPA]

I love reading posts on this subject. My entire adult life I have bothered by headaches. Some minor and the worst is when I get my three day headache that starts in my right eye. A good day for me is when I wake up without a headache. I was hoping when I retired and moved to Florida they would cease, but no such luck. I know certain things give me headaches. Wine and mocha coffee could have me down for days so I now avoid these items, but I still get frequent headaches. I have learned taking too many OTC medications can make matters worse. I will try some of the helpful hints I have been reading. Thanks! If you do not get headaches consider yourself very fortunate.

[gerryann]

I get severe migraines from MSG. You would be surprised at all the foods that use it...and sometimes hidden under different names. I woke up this morning with one. I had fried chicken from Sweet Bay (I know not good for me...but this is very seldom). The ingredients do not say MSG, but the coating mix has MSG and they don't list it. also, almost all soups, salad dressings, rice mixes (like rice-a-roni)......basically most processed food. I ask at restaurants, they say no MSG, but if you pursue it, it will be there. Ironically, the Chinese places that were notorious for using it, seldom do now.

[duffysmom]

[QUOTE=AutoBike;686258]UV lights are used to kill micro-organisms in water and air systems. They don't remove allergens unless you're allergic to micro-organisms.
A good electrostatic filter can remove most air-borne allergens.[/QUOTE

Mold, bacteria, viruses and fungi continually pass through the air, which can then grow and prosper on the inside of the heating and ventilation system and associated filters in your home. If your allergies act up when you enter a home or building, it may be the biological growth in the air conditioning. that causes this reaction.

Ultraviolet Light, helps to prevent allergies attacks. (http://www.air-conditioning-advice.com/ultraviolet-light.html)

[SALYBOW]

One of the ways I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea was that I woke up with a headache. I was told by a doctor that the two reasons for morning headaches were High BP and Sleep Apnea. Since I have been treated I no longer have them. Wher are they located and what do they feel like?

[sonny1g]

Is anyone else waking up with morning migraines from sinus and allergies? :yuck: Some mornings I wake up with whoppers...I take Sumatripthen and Excedrin to get rid of them. There has to be a nighttime allergy medication to take before bedtime to ward these off.

What do my other allergy sufferers take at night?

I've been getting them too since we moved here. I do have allergies but they were never this bad back in Boston...not sure why.

[graciegirl]

I've been getting them too since we moved here. I do have allergies but they were never this bad back in Boston...not sure why.

Your body is sending it's front line soldiers with the big guns to new allergens.

[gocubsgo]

We also have a Chinese tallow tree in our backyard that sends pollen around like snow in a Chicago winter. That dumb thing doesn't help me AT ALL! I was up this morning at 3AM with the beginning of one. I caught it in time with some Excedrin but then the caffeine in the pills kept me awake. Win, lose I guess! YAWN!!!

[Villages PL]

We also have a Chinese tallow tree in our backyard that sends pollen around like snow in a Chicago winter. That dumb thing doesn't help me AT ALL! I was up this morning at 3AM with the beginning of one. I caught it in time with some Excedrin but then the caffeine in the pills kept me awake. Win, lose I guess! YAWN!!!

Hire someone to cut down the tree and haul it away. Problem solved.

[kittygilchrist]

I'm having a round of congestion...guafenesin helps. It's branded mucinex if you want to pay more. available in liquid or tabs.
kitty

[Villages PL]

That would be my suggestion as well. :eclipsee_gold_cup:

Yahoo! We agree! ;)

[gocubsgo]

Hire someone to cut down the tree and haul it away. Problem solved.

Not that simple...the root system on this 65 year old tree goes under the house and over into the neighbor's yard. Last estimate was $7500. I haven't got that!!

[Frozen1]

You all make me want to NOT move to FL with pollen and mold! Well, I guess it's better than the snow.

I've also had migraines for years. Takes forever to identify triggers. I know one is bright lights. I can't go to Home Depot into the light section and look up because it could trigger it, and if I get one of those darn cars with the bright bluish lights driving towards me, I have to look away. My doc has me on 1000mg of Depakote which spreads them out, but I still find myself at least once a week curled up like a beaten puppy hoping nobody makes a sound or lets in the light.

Took forever to find out my morning headaches were from sleep apnea too.

[TrudyM]

.....if I get one of those darn cars with the bright bluish lights driving towards me, I have to look away. My doc has me on 1000mg of Depakote which spreads them out, but I still find myself at least once a week curled up like a beaten puppy hoping nobody makes a sound or lets in the light.
Took forever to find out my morning headaches were from sleep apnea too.

My old eye doctor had some weird yellow lenses made for me with the largest wrap around frames he could find. They seem to help if I have to drive at night but still let me see the road. Don't have a clue what they are (had them for 15 years)I just know they help.

[Frozen1]

Would you wear them over your regular lenses or instead of at night?

[Villages PL]

Even a blind squirrel occasionally finds an acorn. ;)

Don't be so hard on yourself. :)

[Villages PL]

Not that simple...the root system on this 65 year old tree goes under the house and over into the neighbor's yard. Last estimate was $7500. I haven't got that!!

About 18 years ago I had an old pecan tree cut down. It was about 80 years old and measured about 16 to 18 feet around the trunk. Companies with bucket trucks wanted a lot of money. So I waited until I found the right person. I found someone I knew who was looking to do odd jobs. He asked about $400.00 which included stump grinding and hauling away all the branches and heavy logs. Eventually, I included a couple of other large trees for a few hundred more. He had to hire a professional tree climber to do the tops. I believe it all came to under $700.00

I think if you ask around you should be able to find someone to cut down your tree for around $1,800.00 or less. You could try asking at Ace Hardware; they have a book full of business cards of people who are looking to do all kinds of odd jobs. If the person is about 50 or older, it would be best if he hired a young professional tree climber to climb up and do the upper -most part. You don't want an older out-of-shape man trying to do something he's not capable of doing.

[kittygilchrist]

We also have a Chinese tallow tree in our backyard that sends pollen around like snow in a Chicago winter. That dumb thing doesn't help me AT ALL! I was up this morning at 3AM with the beginning of one. I caught it in time with some Excedrin but then the caffeine in the pills kept me awake. Win, lose I guess! YAWN!!!

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica) Genus Level Details & Allergy Info (http://www.pollenlibrary.com/GENUS/Triadica/)
Article re: Chinese tallow not commonly a cause of allergy. I'd get it taken out or poison it before the roots disrupt your plumbing etc. and go to an allergist for specific allergen tests....hope you feel better.

[capecodbob]

Be aware that if you take melatonin every night, your body will stop making it, according to what I read. One book said to take it every other night, fwiw.