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Please list your "triggers"...

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Migraine Headache
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tysmyboo
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2004
Posts : 921
Posted 6/15/2009 10:55 PM (GMT -7)
I am hoping if we all take a minute to post our "triggers" it might help others figure out some they have missed and we can also see patterns...

1) strong smells (chemicals, perfumes, TAR)

2) bright lights, spefically flashing lights/stobes

3) weather fronts

4) menstrual issues

5) keeping my neck in akward positions

6) tomato/sauce based meals (little bits of tomato are ok..lasagna and spaghetti are "no-no's"

7) sleeping too much or extremely little sleep

8) excessive crying (you know, like funeral type crying)

I'm sure there's more but that's a start.

PLEASE post any known triggers you have...

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momto3
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 1331
Posted 6/16/2009 10:32 AM (GMT -7)
I currently take topamax for occular migraines but have had several now with the actual pain and from what I can tell being out in the sun and I don't know if anyone else has this one? or if I'm just nuts? but if I spend the day in the sun, running errands etc, around 5pm I come down with one.  I have also had a couple after I've eaten chocolate (an entire hershey bar). I'm now terrified of anything chocolate.                   
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Kelsday
New Member
Joined : Jun 2009
Posts : 4
Posted 6/16/2009 10:59 AM (GMT -7)
My main trigger is smells!  Energy drinks are THE worse.  If someone around me has a red bull or monster drink I can smell it from a mile away and I'm in trouble from there.  Once I have a headache smells bother me the most too, sometimes I think my ice pack even smells!
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nursejenn1012
Regular Member
Joined : May 2009
Posts : 104
Posted 6/16/2009 4:48 PM (GMT -7)
tree nuts, flashing lights and foods containing lots of nitraites---hot dogs and such, a little is ok, alot is BAD
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DadofPainboy
Regular Member
Joined : May 2009
Posts : 45
Posted 6/16/2009 6:58 PM (GMT -7)
Sucralose / Splenda is a migraine trigger -- every time, even just a little bit.
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kristinw
New Member
Joined : Jun 2009
Posts : 15
Posted 6/17/2009 2:25 AM (GMT -7)
My triggers have been hard for me to identify, but there are a few that I've noticed, similar to the ones already listed here.
stress (I get tension in my neck and shoulders and it just continues to my head.)
crying a lot (or sometimes just a little bit)
too little sleep
not being active enough
smells (I also think my icepack smells after my migraine has started!)
TMJ- a new diagnosis. I'm getting a mouth guard fitted within the next couple of weeks.
any type of alcohol in the slightest bit
menstrual issues- PMDD
sinus congestion/pressure

Other than those, I don't know what triggers them. I guess I'll keep figuring things out as I go along! It just seems like most of mine are unavoidable. Maybe someday I'll live an active, stress-free life with no bad smells and never cry. And my other issues will correct themselves. I can live without alcohol, no problem.
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Jenbug731
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2008
Posts : 23
Posted 6/17/2009 7:02 PM (GMT -7)
I havent posted here in a while...but over the past few months my headaches have gotten more frequent so i thought i would come back and search for more advice. Anyways, here is a list of some of my triggers

Stress, alcohol, too much sun, chocolate, chinese food, hot dogs, too much caffeine, strong smells, artificial sweetners, pizza, ....ahh i could go on forever with a list of things that give me a headache but those are the ones i am most aware of. I have an appointment with my neurologist tomorrow so hopefully we can try some new meds.
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tysmyboo
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2004
Posts : 921
Posted 6/17/2009 9:35 PM (GMT -7)
Jenbug,
Let us know how it goes!
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want_2_be_well
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 181
Posted 6/18/2009 10:22 AM (GMT -7)
I suffered with migranes for years, until a Dr. finally figured out for me the cause was milk related products. I have cows milk allergy and anything diary produces a migrane that night or the next day. Cheese related products are the worse trigger for me.
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SmurfyShadow
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 2386
Posted 6/18/2009 12:08 PM (GMT -7)
Weather, Menstraul, Stress, Allergies, Caffine, Too little sleep, chemicals, grass mowed, weed killer, smoke, being ill, the kids (hey I think they give us ALL a migraine at times haha), when my bloodsugar drops or if I get too high (diabetic), bananas, chocolate, pollen, dairy i think that is it
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Jenbug731
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2008
Posts : 23
Posted 6/30/2009 4:07 PM (GMT -7)
well i saw my nuerologist about 2 weeks ago....he put me on a muscle relaxer called Tizanidine..to take every day and night. it works GREAT ..i havent woke up with a headache since i started taking it. ....i still get headaches...but i dont wake up with them....which was my main problem...so that is good. I did go get an IV of meds today though cause ive had a headache for 2 days straight and my meds werent working. The muscle relaxer helps me sleep alot better and relieves alot of the tension in my neck. He also gave me a sample of Frova..which seemed to work pretty well, and also recommended that when have to take a maxalt or frova..to take Naproxen with it. havnet tried that yet. anyways, just thought i would share this...any amt of relief is good.. :)
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Krista07
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2009
Posts : 64
Posted 7/3/2009 3:42 AM (GMT -7)
I don't have to think twice on this one......my fiance's pitbull "Honey".

There is nothing sweet about this "Honey"...!! When my "migraine senses" are in full throttle I can't even be on the same floor of the house with her....the smell of her just "waifs" in the air. Another part about it that just floors me is that my fiance tells me "he can't smell her at all".

AHHHHHHHHH.........and don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE dog lover.......but when it comes to this dog.....let's just say her and I don't do much snuggling!!
YIKES....she stinks.
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nikki-newman
New Member
Joined : Jul 2009
Posts : 1
Posted 7/6/2009 8:49 AM (GMT -7)
strong smells (especially florals, perfumes, cigarette smoke)

muenster cheese!!!, aged cheddar (the kind that sometimes has traces of brine left in it), raw spinach, sugar substitutes

weather changes (i.e. approaching storm)

not enough sleep

not eating regularly (low blood sugar)

dehydration

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sanjalica
New Member
Joined : Jul 2009
Posts : 1
Posted 7/6/2009 7:06 PM (GMT -7)
Last year in May 2008 I suffered a 'severe concussion' and since then have been having horrible migraines when my sleep patterns change. I work in the ER of a very busy hospital and with that said, work 3 shifts. Nights being the worst. It completely throws me off and then the migraine kicks in for the next 2 days. Since then I have been battling with my work over whether or not I should be working nights at all. My family doctor says NO but my work is insisting I see a specialist. That's fine and I have an appointment made but it's not until the end of September. At this point I'm just worried I'm going to lose my job. More un-needed stress.

Anyway, I guess my 'trigger' is changes in sleep. Anyone have any suggestions? What helps?...other than the obviouse hahaha

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Littleneck
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2009
Posts : 599
Posted 7/7/2009 9:02 PM (GMT -7)
Hi everyone, new to this forum (I usually post in Fibromyalgia). My triggers have always been perfume, chemicals, jet fuel, tunnels (flashing lights combined with air pressure), weather and barometric changes, tomato sauce, tobacco (I had to quit smoking because even one cigarette was doing it), alcohol, wine, nitrates/MSG, and bright sunlight. I used to take Topamax, and now use Maxalt.
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tysmyboo
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2004
Posts : 921
Posted 7/9/2009 3:41 PM (GMT -7)
Hi littleneck!!!
I have never heard anyone else, other than myself of course, who lists TOMATO SAUCE as one of their triggers!!! Very interesting (and its good to know Im not crazy-at least in this aspect)
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IWannaDream
New Member
Joined : Jul 2009
Posts : 6
Posted 7/10/2009 11:23 AM (GMT -7)
CAFFIENE!! that's the worst for me. little sleep, which is almost always. and the weather.
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headcase3
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2007
Posts : 27
Posted 7/16/2009 8:38 AM (GMT -7)
I am immediately hit with a pre-migraine headache when i am in sunlight---even indoors. Also, simply moving around, like trying to mop a floor or clean the tub, will trigger one. Some of it may be hormonal, and definitely there is a connection with my neck/shoulder muscles. I've been using a 20-lb. weight to do shoulder rolls, and have started yoga as well, hoping it will help. Have cut down on the chocolate, but just began having coffee each morning cuz it helps relieve the headaches I wake up with, or which are immediately triggered by sunlight. I also cannot handle loud noises of any kind---even the pitch of a person's voice can cause pain.


headcase3
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LadyAislin33
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2006
Posts : 53
Posted 7/16/2009 10:20 AM (GMT -7)
This is a good question.  I find that my main triggers are:

     --Weather

     --Lots of cheese

     --Too little sleep

     --Too much activity

     --Cheap (bad) wine

     --Stress --> TMJ

     --Sunlight ( I heart DARK sunglasses)

Peace.

Michelle

 

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Shadygap
New Member
Joined : Jun 2008
Posts : 9
Posted 7/25/2009 11:54 AM (GMT -7)

I'll be 49 in November and I've suffered for migraines for over 25 years and I either have more triggers or I notice more what they are.

1.  Hormonal (PMS when younger, menopausal now)

2.  Stress

3.  Weather Fronts

4.  Nuts ( At least a lot of them)

5.  Bananas (if too many of them)

6.  Sleeping too little or too much

7.  Sinus congestion or pressure

8.  Having my neck in an awkward position too long

I take 200 mg of Topomax for a preventative and Maxalt as an abortive. 

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lisa3390
New Member
Joined : Jul 2009
Posts : 1
Posted 7/26/2009 4:44 PM (GMT -7)
H,

My migraines occured every six months, and the sole trigger would always be the same:

-right after a conflict resolution

Whether with co-workers,l friends or family, I would set the phone down, or come home, feeling really good about having finally gotten things 'off my chest' and bam, that night would be come a migraine lasting 3-9 hrs, with a 9/10 pain, no moving possible, and would only resolve when a home-doctor would give me a novalgin shot.

The triggers others on this forum talked about, seem to aggravate the migraine, but not the direct cause. The only other thing I can think about, not drinking enough water during the day.

Hope this helps.
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vtaussies
New Member
Joined : Aug 2009
Posts : 4
Posted 8/3/2009 2:47 PM (GMT -7)
Stress, beer, wine, wine coolers, too much chocolate (milk chocolate isn't as much of a problem as dark), basalmic vinegar, changes in my sleep pattern, weather, aged cheeses, aspartame and other artificial sweeteners, differing caffeine intake (ultimately stopped drinking anything with caffeine), processed meats with nitrates/nitrites, really bright lights, strong odors (today it was bleach), and a whole host of other things. Often its not one common thing but a combination of many factors so its impossible to always know what causes my migraines and other headaches.
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Sinko
New Member
Joined : Aug 2009
Posts : 4
Posted 8/4/2009 10:29 AM (GMT -7)
Mine would be stress and the light flashes from camera's...gets me every time
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BLAZER
New Member
Joined : Aug 2009
Posts : 16
Posted 9/17/2009 9:36 AM (GMT -7)
   I think mostly stress ( NOW ) but wont rule out weather,bright lights such as sun glare, sleep and probaly some types of food like hot dogs which i am now having to eat. I like alot of different types/kinds of food and wont give any of it up. Thanks everyone  JOE
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His Lobster
New Member
Joined : Sep 2009
Posts : 16
Posted 9/17/2009 11:03 PM (GMT -7)
Bananas, caffeine, some wines/some beers, smoked foods, weather, hormones, stress, sleep (too much/too little), chewing gum (apparently I'm a violent gum chewer LOL shocked ), crying, certain sofas/chairs (where they hit my neck and force me to be in a certain posture), high sodium foods, pizza-some, but not all, and many OTC meds will cause me to re-bound with a migraine.  I'm sure there are more for me, I just can't remember them at the moment. lol
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