Thanks, Teri!
I've spent years learning to recognize my prodome symptoms: irritability, elevated heart rate, flight/fight response. Doctors have told me they're psychosomatic, in anticipation of having a full-blown migraine attack. But the symptoms are my first indicators that attack is coming on, not a response to one. I'm looking foward to your next article--why should we have to wait for the onset of pain if it's possible to identify and treat a migraine attack in prodome.
Wow, another great article Teri. I downloaded the tracker and started to pay attention to the (what used to be) little things.
Question - what does yawning have to do with migraine?
This afternoon - while out for a drive with my honey - I started to yawn a bunch. One right after another for about a 10 minute stretch, then they just stopped. Because of your list, I did a mental time check and - sure enough - roughly an hour later - light show! Thankfully, this was another episode of aura but no headache (or at least, so far - so good). What a strange thing! So, what's the theorized connection?
Spudgirl,
Thanks!
During the presentation at the AHS meeting, Dr. Goadsby went into a bit of what's thought to cause repetitive yawning during prodrome. It appears to be connected to changes in dopamine levels. There's so much talk about serotonin levels, but Dr. Goadsby commented on how this shows that there are so many things going on during a Migraine, and that there needs to be better understanding of all of them.
Teri
Teri
Yes, there is more to this migraine ‘Prodrome' phase than meets the eye. This is also known as the ‘silent' phase as we know there are no pain receptors in the brain . This is where the arteries in the brain are triggered to constrict thus limiting sufficient blood to vital parts of the brain causing permanent brain damage such as ischemic gliosis, lesions' and other forms which become progressive after repeated migraine attacks. You have mentioned this in your article "Yes, Migraines Can Cause Brain Damage" Feb. 2010
Ironically, less damage occurs during the worst part of the migraine. Yes, that is when the brain screams for help, the arteries over dilate and all the often excruciating pain begins as we all know.
I have just returned from Denmark to start the procedures for a referral to the Danish Head Pain Center, Dpt of Neurology Glostrup University School of Medicine for treatment for my migraine. I had the opportunity to interface with two of the head nurses and one of the senior doctors about the latest technology involving the use of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, (fMRI) They also gave me a copy of an article published by the lead scientist and senior doctor at DHC Jes Olesen and associates "Origin of pain in Migraine: evidence for peripheral sensitization" www.thelancet.com/neuology vol 8 July 2009.
This article would not have been possible with not this new technology. This gives us a whole new perspective on the function of migraine down to the molecular level. I hope you find the time Trei to look this on up. If so, please give me your response.
Dmitro
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Never before has this topic been discussed in all my years of suffering of migraines It certainly gets you to focus on what is happening prior to the actual onset of a migriane. keep up the good workand keep us informed
Ellen
Ellen,
Thank you! I'm working on another article now about prodrome - whether we should start treating the Migraine during the prodrome.
The prodrome is often overlooked, sadly. Hope reading about it turns out to be helpful to you.
Teri