More or fewer migraines

I was just wondering if you have noticed if you had more, or fewer M over the period around Christmas time.
And if so if you have noticed any pattern (like more M before Xmas, or after, and if so when). I am just curious how we all compare and how we are affected (if at all) by Xmas.

Perhaps it might also be useful to mention if you felt stressed, or not.

No, not everybody is stressed, many people do not celebarte Xmas anyway, but might still be affected by other factors, such as not working for several days etc.

January 2011 and January 2012 were my worst migraine months of those years. As you can imagine, I'm feeling rather anxious right about now!!

I don't know if its due to going back to work after so many days off, I don't traditionally work much of December. The return to the early starts might be the cause.

If only we knew the answers to these sort of questions, huh!

I can see why you are anxious, we remem,ber such events and they stay in our minds as a kind of warning. Still, mostly we cannot avoid what is inevitable.

I must say that early mornings almost guarantee a migraine.
I use to think that it was flying that gives me M, but when I fly later on in the day, and do not need to get up at some ridiculously early hour, I am usually all right.

Also anxiety and stress are triggers for me. The only way I can avoid those at times is by early mental preparation by being aware and trying to prevet those little stresses that can become one big stress.
For example I try to buy as many presents as possible much earlier in the year, so I do not need to worry abou it, and fight the crowds in the shops at the last moment (as I use to do).
I know that despite such measures there is still enough to stress me out over Xmas since not all stress can be avoided.

I am also anxious if I got the right presents and if they are going to like them, and if all the travelling arrangemnts are going to work out etc.

I did not get M over Xmas itself only few days after when I could totally relax my body just gave in. BUt I must admit I was very tired as well. Now my head is still huring but it is not so bad, level3/4 or so. I loved this Xmas, but I am glad that life has returned to it's usual routines.

Upset routines and sleep patterns are definitely no good for M.

I've hard horrible, absolutely horrible headaches everyday for several weeks! I don't think it's related to the Holidays, though. I took my two week vacation and I always get terrible migraines while on the plane; I think it's from the pressurization. Also, moving three timezones is bound to mess up sleep and cause migraines. I also got very sick with sinusitic and bronchitis. I had to take two antibiotics and I almost think those ended up giving me headaches too. It was very severe - I'd take my triptan and it wouldn't even work. I'd be stuck with the headache all day. Today is the first day without one.

Mine seems to be quite tied to work. I always do better on weekends and holidays from work, even if it was a more stressful time (traveling or busy family function). No big ordeal with the holidays this year (sat at home with hubby). I had almost two weeks off from work and the intensity of my constant headache was much reduced.

It started right back up again this morning right before work. Yet I would not call my job stressful. I can even eliminate a lot of the factors such as computer being the issue, as I often sit at home on the computer for long periods as well (and take a lot of care at work to have good posture and take breaks).

Can't seem to figure out exactly why besides the more general anxiety of *needing* to be at work for X hours a day X days a week. Migraines are a newer thing for me (averaging one every few or more weeks for the last year maybe), and I haven't had enough to try to track causes, besides that they tend to happen literally while I am driving home from work.

I've heard that anxiety reduction (end of a work day or work week) is a cause for many. I tend to start colds, etc, on a weekend. Its like my body knows to hold out of something! Best wishes.

Tortoisegirl, do you live in an area with a lot of traffic? I used to get migraines while sitting in traffic with my window open - it must have been the fumes from other cars. Or perhaps you have a louder car? Noise can trigger them for me, even if it's not so loud as to bother me.

Yes there is some traffic, but I have a quiet vehicle, windows closed, etc. Best guess is its just the let down after a day of work. Most often the increased pain goes away, but sometimes it seems to develop into what I'd call a migraine. Best wishes.

There are definitely more migraines around busy times, if that is a trigger for you. Stress is one of the most widely noticed triggers. Some relaxation techniques may be helpful for you. Exercise is also very important and helps with hormone and chemical balance. It acts as a release for your body to help it control external factors. Exercise need only be something that can get your heart rate up and as little as three times per week! I would be careful of what type of exercise you do, you mentioned on another post you have the scetomas which can be dangerous, I have those as well. Again, prevention is key as well. Maybe try some yoga and or supplement helps.

Hi All,

I always get a pretty bad migraine after Christmas and New Years. I am able to make it through Christmas and pretend like I am "ok" But am down for several days after Christmas.

This goes for any big event. I will usually get a let down migraine.

Pain free days,
sailingm