Prevalence of Migraine

We all know that millions of people suffer from migraines, but we still feel out of the loop and alienated.
Well, this was an interesting morning at work. We have an automated messaging service number that we use if we aren't coming to work which is relayed to everyone's e-mails so we know if someone isn't here. There were 5 messages this morning (unusual in itself) and all 5 were co-workers calling in with migraines.

Makes you wonder just how many of us there is out there. Of course, who knows if these people have real migraines. I know 2 of them do though. The other 3 were a surprise to me.
I also know people that do not routinely get migraines but have had them. We certainly are not alone. It still amazes me that more research hasn't been done on this horrible disease. It is my opinion that there is a cause for these (not that you ate chocolate or drank a glass of red wine) and that some day a light bulb will go off in some scientist's brain and solve the mystery for all of us.

I know we always talk about how different we all are and this drug, that drug works for some but not others, etc. etc. I think there is something lurking out there that we all have in common and that is going to be the link in the puzzle in order to put this to rest. It wouldn't surprise me if it isn't that complicated either and an easy fix once it is discovered. There is just way too many people that get them.

about two years after i was disabled by my migraines. i heard from someone in human resources that 2 more women had to leave also because of M. they were both around 35 yrs. old. my age when i got hit so hard. i can only hope that their M. turned out to be hormonal and easy to treat (unlike mine).
i am so glad to be back on this site. after 19 yrs. i feel so alone. i feel i have friends here. it helps a lot.
also the woman who told me about the other M. sufferers, she also had migraines. when talking to her one day (about 3 yrs. after i left) she told me her migraines had ended, curiously right after she divorced her husband.!

rose

Rose- i have heard of that sort of thing happening as well someone i knew suffered from migraines for years strangley enough they started not long after she moved in with her new boyfriend, several of us thought he was not quite right for her (but kept it to ourselves) eventually after 7 years he left and within weeks her migraines virtually disappeared, stress is such an odd thing isnt it?

estre004 wrote:

I know we always talk about how different we all are and this drug, that drug works for some but not others, etc. etc. I think there is something lurking out there that we all have in common and that is going to be the link in the puzzle in order to put this to rest. It wouldn't surprise me if it isn't that complicated either and an easy fix once it is discovered. There is just way too many people that get them.

I really hope so and in our lifetimes as well, how fantastic would that be.

Rose - Maybe that is the answer, divorce

Wouldn't that be something if stress was the answer after all? I also know a professor who told me he had migraines most of his life--everyday. One day he decided to let his stress go by first driving at a leisurely pace instead of trying to get places as quick as possible. Never had a migraine again. Something to think about. That just seems too easy though.

Well, I know my life has been nothing but stress. I long for the days that I could walk in the forest and hear nothing but the wind and birds and the leaves rustling in the trees. No houses, cars, people, or airplanes, no telephones or doorbells, no lawn mowers, just peaceful nature. Maybe we all need to become hermits.

Hal

Actually I was just thinking yesterday about how technology has just made our lives more stressful instead of making it easier. Of course none of us are going to give it up (wouldn't be writing this if I didn't have it). I'm thinking we are all made to think we have to do so much more than we really have to and have a lot more than we need. I wonder if migraine is as prevalent in countries that have a lot more relaxed atmosphere.

Hal - You made me feel relaxed just reading your comment.

I do believe that stress is a contributing factor...I don't know that mine could be solved that easily. However, most of this mess started when issues with my mother hit a peak last summer. So it might have been a triggering event (and the cyclic crap started with some other stress).

I have a family history of depression. When I was engaged, right before that happened, I was seeing a counselor because of issues and ended up on anti-depressants. When that relationship ended, I ended up chucking the anti-depressants (didn't need them anymore). Stress seems to equal depression in me for some reason.

My neuro is now thinking the depression issues might be causing my M. That somehow I've got wires crossed and by doing anti-depressants, it may alleviate the M (wouldn't that be a kick).

estere04

Thanks for the pleasant thought. I smile whenever I get a response like that. I remember back to around 14 years old that I would escape to this large wooded area (about 160 acres) near my home. It truly was peaceful. Home life was a real pain with a step father that didn't like kids.

Hal

I see many people in line of work that come in with a "migraine" buts it's actually a stress headache. They have never seen a doc to be evaluated for migraines. It's seems to be a catch phrase for a stress/tension headache a lot of times. Not that those can't take you out either.

When mine hit driving is the last thing I could do. Just rolloing over in bed can trigger vomiting.

Doesnt the word migraine originate from an ancient language? or am i talking rubbish, i am sure there are pics on walls in ancient Egypt depicting people with migraine, and didnt they used to think that drilling a hole in someones head let out the migraine?? my point being it is obviously a very old condition, and therefore not caused by a modern way of life so much?

I hear ya Brent - If I have a migraine there is no going to work period. In fact, calling in is a huge chore--totally disabled.

Hal - Now you are making me want to leave my work and take a walk in the woods. It is fascinating what nature can do for you. When I'm in the woods or on the water (in nature of any kind), everything else seems so trivial and not important --total stress releaser -- until you have to face reality again

Theresae - I think I've heard the same stuff. I'm sure they had their problems back then too. It probably is a phisiological disease anyway, but stress can't help it any.

estre004 wrote:

Theresae - I think I've heard the same stuff. I'm sure they had their problems back then too. It probably is a phisiological disease anyway, but stress can't help it any.

Good point.

I'm waiting right now for air sample results to come back from my workplace. I was telling the woman who took the samples that so many of at work do pretty good at home but after the weekend come in to work and within a couple hours get nailed.

She said she had the opposite problem, no headaches at work, but would have them all weekend. Turns out she had a leak in the wall of her shower and didn't know it til she leaned up against the wall and the whole wall caved in. She said it was covered with mold. Once they got the rid of the mold she didn't have migraines anymore.

That's why she went into the environmental pollution field of work. My workplace has a lot of book mold in it. I know I'm allergic to it, I can't go into the room that houses that collection. But wouldn't it be interesting if that was what is triggering my work headaches?

Wouldn't that be something if mold was the culprit for all of us? Who really knows?

Mine were badly blocked sinuses that irritated the trigeminal nerve which triggered migraine like symptoms.

I spent six years chasing why I have M. all the test, scripts, and so many Drs.... when I finally said to myself there is not a reason, there

is not a cure I found some relief. I had a new GP Dr. i had seen 3 times. she was not there I saw another Dr. Very breifly told him of M

and daily chronic he scripted clonodine and it has worked from day one. Just over 5 months. I have tweeked it with some things that

always helped me feel better and I do feel pretty good. I will not go back. I have to say I got my first M the week I got married.

But remember that small pill worked the first time i took it and since then also. Hope relief for everyone soon.

paradox wrote:
Turns out she had a leak in the wall of her shower and didn't know it til she leaned up against the wall and the whole wall caved in. She said it was covered with mold. Once they got the rid of the mold she didn't have migraines anymore.

That's why she went into the environmental pollution field of work. My workplace has a lot of book mold in it. I know I'm allergic to it, I can't go into the room that houses that collection. But wouldn't it be interesting if that was what is triggering my work headaches?

Interesting point, when i had an allergy test done mold, pollen, dust, came up as things my body were not able to tolerate very well (although i would expect not many people's body would)and the lady said dont work in a garden centre, a nursing home for elderly or a hospital, as this would agrevate my problem, well at the time i was working in a nursing home and now i have been working in a hospital!!

There must be some truth to it as springtime with all the new buds and flowers being to grow is my worse time for migraines,

estre004 wrote:Wouldn't that be something if mold was the culprit for all of us? Who really knows?

Yes, indeed. Is it even possible to find an environment free of mold (just wondering)?

Becky

tecky wrote:

estre004 wrote:Wouldn't that be something if mold was the culprit for all of us? Who really knows?

Yes, indeed. Is it even possible to find an environment free of mold (just wondering)?

Becky

Antarctica....no allergies and nothing can grow. And best of all no "helpful" people.

And best of all no "helpful" people.

HeeHeeHee. I hear ya!

Book mold is a trigger for me. I haven't smelt that smell in a long time, but I can remember the smell as if it were in the room now. Yuk!

I think we are all cursed. Someone put a Hex on us and forgot to tell us. Just kidding.

I hit the sack at 9 pm and just woke up with one of those ancient migraines. Let's see, where is that drill. Do I go through the eye, the temple or just straight down from the top. Some times it hurts so much that you think something like that would help; wierd.

Hal

I sure hope you are right about a cure.. I am half dreading my daughter growing up because I don't want her to be stricken with this as well, but maybe in her lifetime there will be a cure.

I do know stress is a big culprit for me. If I take a week off work, I get almost no migraines. But the reality is, we all have stress.. but not everyone's stress manifests into migraines. What I wouldn't give to be a stay-at-home mom!!!

xmom - I've wondered if my migraines would at least lessen if I stayed at home. I don't have a stressful job but the stress of raising kids when you aren't there is enough stress for anybody.

Absolutely right.
I know so many people who suffer from migraine....
Most of the migraine sufferers that I know are well-informed people who take our disease into serious consideration.
However, I know a bunch of people who deny migraine. Maybe they are too scared by such an important disease and every time they are sick they find the culprit in something else (ate too much, synus are infected, I'm getting a cold....).

Bye