Migraine

[ggr]

Hello,
The other day I woke up with a killer headache, like no other I have ever experienced. It was both sharp and throbbing. The pain started from right behind my ears, to the top of my head and forward from there. I felt a lot of pain and pressure in and around my eyes (but no notable visual changes). I also felt a lot of pain down my whole face. I didn't really have any sensitivity to light but the pain was debilitating. I took 4 ibuprofen tablets and it barely touched it. It eventually went away later that day. Then, about 2 or 3 this morning I was awoken from a sound sleep by extreme headache pain, felt mostly in my forehead and in and around my eyes. I feel a lot of pressure in my face and eyes. I tossed and turned and when I got up for the day, I truly felt like I wouldn't be able to function at all. Then, I started to feel sick to my stomach. I did not vomit but I was very queasy for most of the morning. Again, I took 4 ibuprofen at about 7 this morning and it didnt' take it away completely. I still have a dull throb going on in my head, the nausea has subsided somewhat. Could these be migraine headaches? I have a history of occasional headaches but not one of them ever felt like this. What causes migraines? What can I do to make myself feel better?

[myodoc]

The headaches sound vascular though more likely cluster rather than migraine. As these headaches are severe and rather new to you, I would recommend neurologic consultation and imaging studies, such as an MRI/A of the brain. Beyond that, treatment focuses on medications to abort the attack and prevent them.

Hope this is helpful.