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Moving objects, wicked headache

Mon, 08/14/2006 - 09:52
I have a wicked headache for at least the sixth or seventh day in a row. I also am feeling pretty nauseous. The best part, though, is the fact that I don't think I can quite see straight. It's taking a lot of effort for me to see only one of an object or to ignore the aura that surrounds an object. Is that normal? To see like a sort of weird glow around objects? I forget what normal is.

Comments

Re: Moving objects, wicked headache

Submitted by esquivel_vs on Tue, 2006-08-15 - 05:45
I can empathize with your headaches. I have had horrible migraines for nearly 20 years now. They run rampant in my family. Before the pain hits, I have a very pronounced aura. The visual disturbances make me absolutely dizzy and sick to my stomach. I can't say that during the pain part of the headache, I have ever noticed things looking funny, I am too sensitive to the light by then, but during the aura, my peripheral vision goes first. After that, it slowly transitions to what visually appears to be looking through lace. Then the center of my vision disappears. I can be looking straight at something and not see it; all I can see is some weird distortion of my peripheral scope that is brighter than it should be. This can take up to a half hour to work through. When my vision returns to normal, I know the pain is about to start. I’ve taken prophylactic medication for the headaches but the side effects—namely low blood pressure (84/31 once)—were to too much to handle. Now, best thing that works is two extra strength Tylenol, one aspirin, and a small cup of coffee or half of a caffeinated soda. It doesn’t work as well as the Imitrex, but it is much cheaper. I have learned that headaches that stay for days at a time are either a rebound headache if there is pain-free time in between or a cluster headache if it is constant. For the cluster headaches what works best is sleep. When I used to work in the ER and had it available, a short nap with about 2L O2 per mask worked fantastic. Have you been taking anything for the pain? Repeated use of OTC pain relievers can cause a severe rebound headache. Taking the Tylenol and aspirin as I do for my headaches (if I have a bad week and have more than two headaches) can cause me to have a rebound headache that doesn’t go away until I give my body a break from the pain relievers. It hurts to not have any pain meds, but increased rest/sleep and plenty of water helps flush my system out and the headache will usually go away. Sheila

Re: Re: Moving objects, wicked headache

Submitted by fzMousie on Tue, 2006-08-15 - 07:52
I increase my water intake when the headaches get really bad. I've had dehydration headaches and sunstroke headaches before, so in the really hot weather I make sure that whatever I have, it isn't that. I do not take tylenol. I tend to take advil and always keep a small pill bottle in my purse with it.

Re: Re: Re: Moving objects, wicked headache

Submitted by d00r on Tue, 2006-08-15 - 08:49
Have you been checked for migraines? The pain, nausea, auras, are all symptoms of migrains. I get them every once in a while. Definately drink the water, as I get them with dehydration as well. And Advil seems to work for me, not Tylenol. But there are other meds out there (ie. Excedrine Migraine, etc). You can give them a try. If you get these headaches frequently, you should see your doctor. Hope you're feeling better soon!

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