Headaches

Diggy · Post by **Diggy** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 3:57 am

Does anyone find that headaches trigger anxiety , and what if thinking?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:06 am

For me, Diggy, absolutely! I actually think that my headaches is one of the origins of my severe anxiety now. I started getting tension headaches about a 1 1/2 months ago. I never had them before, so I started obsessing about my health more and more everyday. Before I knew it, I had (what I believe sincerely) my first real bad panic attack. Since then, I have been to the ER several times and everything looks good (even my head).

So, my headaches jump started obsessive worry about my health and it landed me with severe anxiety and panic. I am sure I have some deeper issues and hopefully the program will help me with that. But, I find myself thinking, "just 2 months ago I was fine, before those damn headaches started!". I think the headaches put me over the top.

Now, with help from my doc and chiropractor, my headaches are few and far between. But when I do get one, those bad "what if thoughts" start all over again. I'm working on being strong. I hope you are doing well.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:45 am

I suffered terribly from migraines. The anxiety came with my thinking I would always have them, that I would get fired from missing too much work, that I would never again be pain free, and from all the meds they tried me on to stop them. Come to find out the situations I was in played a huge role.
I also had tons of tests run and had all the what if's about tumors, cancer, etc.

New Found Hope · Post by **New Found Hope** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:00 am

I get the occasional "ocular migraine". I see weird lights in my vision and then a headache comes after. I don't get them often but when I do I get so anxious. I ended up at the ER with one of them, even though I know what they are and have been assured by my docs that they are nothing at all to worry about for me. I get the occasional "regular" headache which I'm sure it's from stress, but these don't bother me as much. I take a Tylenol and they are gone. But, there is nothing you can take for an ocular migraine, they just have to wear off. Meanwhile, your vision is affected. This freaks me out and I get so anxious, I have to call on a friend or do something else to calm me down. So, I guess in my case, yes, they do cause me anxiety as, I must point out, do any strange or different medical symptoms - I'm a thorough hyprochondriac! I hate that as I know nothing is wrong. Good luck, my friend. Rob.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:10 am

yes. and the other way around.

oklady · Post by **oklady** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:25 am

Thank you all for your quick responses.I don't get the headaches all the time, and they are not the usually headache. They are more like a migrain that tylonel doesn't help with. And then weird what if thoughts start, I guess that is the way to distract myself from the pain of the headache. I did go through a bunch of testing last year everything was fine. If they continue I will make an apt with my dr. Thanks again, have a great weekend!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:18 am

Hi Diggy.

My migraines didn't happen until my anxiety got worse. I got some prescription ibuprofen, the otc ibuprofen doesn't work as well. Take it at the first sign of the headache. It will usually go away if you catch it early. If you don't catch it early, you may have to let it run it's course, about 4 to 72 hours. Putting ice packs at the base of your skull, on top of your head, and on your eyes, will help and sometimes shorten the duration of the migraine. My eyes always hurt with migraines, that's why I added eyes. if yours don't hurt, then don't put it there.

Now that my anxiety is under control, I rarely get them anymore.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:55 am

Flyer..an ophthalmic migraines (occular migraine) is one that you just see lights and either have no headache or just eye pain. What you are describing is a classic migraine with an aura. At least according to my neurologist. I found that if I started w/ the aura and popped 3 motrin right away, I could usually divert the headache. Doesn't make the aura go away (like you said no treatment for that) but you may want to get it a try the next time you get one...see if you can bypass or at least lessen the headpain.

I've had chronic headaches/migrains since I was 7 so rarely do they produce anxiety for me. However, 2 years ago my migraines changed. It went from just a bad one sided headache with the occasional aura...nausea, light, smell sensitive, etc. To always having the aura, having blind spots followed by my arm and face going numb then the headache. Totally freaked me out enough that I rushed myself to the ER thinking I was having a stroke. I made myself a wreck for the next year about them so worried it would come back. A year to the day later one returned and that spiraled me down even further. Got to the point where I was getting them at least once a month. Fortunately I found out it was my birth control that caused it and I learned more about the symptoms. The numbness is nothing more than an physical aura...go figure. Once I relaxed about it, and changed my meds, I am proud to say I haven't had one since November (that type of migraine I still get my normal ones). At any rate, my fear stemmed from stroke "statistics"...people with migraines are said to be more opt to suffer a stroke especially ones with visual disturbances. Talking to other people who get them and who have been getting them for 30+ years made me relax a little. They haven't had a stroke yet so why worry about something that may not even happen.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:27 am

I do take Birth Control my last pill i had them all month long, this one only the week of my period. I get them in my eyes, back of the head, as well as in front just above my eye brows. Thanks for all the advice and tips

Mimigirl · Post by **Mimigirl** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:45 pm

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TL7:
Flyer..an ophthalmic migraines (occular migraine) is one that you just see lights and either have no headache or just eye pain. What you are describing is a classic migraine with an aura. At least according to my neurologist. I found that if I started w/ the aura and popped 3 motrin right away, I could usually divert the headache. Doesn't make the aura go away (like you said no treatment for that) but you may want to get it a try the next time you get one...see if you can bypass or at least lessen the headpain.

Hi, yes, I guess I should have clarified better. I don't get headaches with the ocular migraine, but I go get regular headaches sometimes. What makes me anxious is the lights in my field of vision. I find that so hard to get used to. Sorry for the mixup, I'm dealing with a bout of vertigo today, so I'm not up to par. I do wish I could take motrin or advil (ibuprofen) but it interferes with my other meds so I'm stuck basically with extra strength Tylenol. Rob.