The migraine is over, and I’m ready to take on the day — or am I?
The first thing I notice, upon waking, is that the pain is gone, and I feel elated like the pain from yesterday has caused a rebirth in me! I move to get out of bed and sense the soreness that tightens and ripples through my body. I stand up, determined to ignore the aching, but my head reels and swirls causing me to steady myself for a minute. Then, adrenalin cascades through my veins as I contemplate the tasks ahead of me today.
Once dressed, I open the curtains and then immediately close them because the daylight feels too intense and is burning into the pupils of my eyes. A hat, dark sunglasses, and lots of squinting facilitate the morning drive to the kid’s school. Soon, I find myself sitting at my desk, staring at the computer screen and thinking, “What was it that I needed to do today?” I read the to-do list and decide to do it tomorrow and feel comforted by the fact that I actually made a decision..
I decide to write a post about migraine postdrome, also known as migraine hangover, in hopes that it may be helpful to others. For so many years, I was unaware of this final stage of a migraine attack and understanding it has helped me learn to cope better. The worst part of migraine postdrome for me used to be accompanying depression because when I realized that I was unable to perform at a “normal” level of activity after a migraine, I felt weak, lazy, and useless.
Now, I take a step back and remind myself that I can be productive as long as I modify my activity. Simple and mundane tasks are now on the to-do list for today so that when I am feeling better, I’ll have more time to focus on more ones. It is still a struggle for me to quiet the negative self-talk, but I’m very much a work in progress.
Migraine postdrome is real and can last for up to 2 days. With all the focus on treating the migraine attack, we must not lose sight of the final stage of migraine and how to recover in a way that works best for us.
For more information about migraine and migraine postdrome, visit the American Migraine Foundation.
For me postdrome usually lasts a day, and I’m pretty much out of commission during that time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know this was a thing, but have definitely experienced it – every time! I just thought it was me being weak. Thanks for posting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your welcome. I hope the information is helpful.
LikeLike
For me, it’s sometimes hard to separate postdrome from the effects of a sumatriptan, et cetera. I usually associate post-migraine depression to the sumatriptan since it affects serotonin, but this has me rethinking that! I also find irritability to be a real problem in the day or two following a migraine, to the point where I cannot handle checking my emails at times.
Thank you for the valuable insight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your welcome. There is so much going on with migraine and different medications that it is hard to tell what is to blame for how we feel. I also become irritable and need to step away at times.
LikeLike
I know this morning after pain all too well. I thought it was just me taking extra precautions. Thanks for posting this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your welcome, Mallika. I always rushed back to work as soon as the pain ended and didn’t allow myself any time to recover. I often wonder how much that contributed to my episodic migraine attacks turning into a chronic, almost daily condition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel for you. My son gets brutal migraines and he definitely suffers from postdrome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, annemarie. Wishing your son more migraine free days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Between aura migraine and postdrome it can feel like theres never a let up. Watching self talk as you pointed out is very important to prevent spiralling into depression I find that too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does feel like we never get a reprieve. On the ocassions I am free of migraine symptoms I tend to over do it and cause another migraine. I’m still learning to pace myself.
LikeLike
I hear ya I think I will be learning pacing for the rest of my life lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our youngest child/son is 14 and was born with pediatric mirgaines which we were only.made.aware.of when he was a toddler. They are awful to.watch a loved.one go through I can only.imagine all that comes.with.it for the individual physical and emotional
LikeLiked by 2 people