I have been making steady progress over the past 18 months in having fewer migraine attacks. I have survived the menstrual migraines to menopause and am now taking bio-identical hormones. I'm gradually figuring out (and avoiding!) the food/chemical triggers and using the neti pot for environmental triggers. I've been taking some supplements such as magnesium which has helped.
This past weekend I had three days of misery. I was on the highway for 1000 miles and ate junk food. (candy, caramel corn) When I got home, I felt bad in a real but vague way. And my neck was hurting. Sunday morning church had loud guitar and drum "music," flourescent lighting, and visiting with friends. (which I enjoy but is intense when I feel on the edge) That finished me off. I got worse as the day went on and by Sunday night I was awake with a pounding headache behind my left eye most of the night until I finally took Zomig nasal spray about 3:30 a.m. (I try to avoid it because I'm afraid of its side effects for me) My headache was soon better (replaced by nausea and feeling very hyper) and when I dozed off, I was awakened almost immediately when I lunged to an upright sitting position, threw my TMJ splint from my mouth, and gasped for air. I did that about 3 times that I remember. I would turn on the light to find my splint, put it back in my mouth, lay down, go immediately to sleep, and a few minutes later bolt upright again gasping for air.
I had a vague headache all day Monday and nausea. I felt really, really tired. I saw a new doctor that day, a neurologist. I'd been waiting for the appointment for several months, years actually. He wouldn't see me without a referral by another doctor. I didn't remember the sleep problems of the night before so I didn't mention it to him.
Monday night my headache was worse and this time I used Imitrex nasal spray which the new doctor had prescribed because he thought I might tolerate it better than Zomig. My headache was somewhat better soon afterward and I went to sleep, again exhausted. I immediately awoke as I bolted up from my pillow, threw out my splint, and gasped for air. I repeated the performance at least one other time that I remember.
Now I'm wondering if this is sleep apnea and if it is, does it contribute to my headaches? Or did the medication cause the problem? Or is sleep apnea only a problem when I'm exhausted or have a migraine attack?
Both nights, by the time my headache was relieved enough to sleep, I was exhausted and fell into a deep sleep until I was awakened by not breathing. The pain prevented me from sleeping soundly before taking the medication and I assume that's why I didn't stop breathing.
One of the reasons I got the "TMJ" splint was because of sleep issues--well actually pain was the issue preventing my sleep. I've had the sleep apnea symptoms in the past but never made a connection to my headaches and easily forgot about them when I was awake. This was the first time since getting the splint (10 weeks ago) that I'd had either sleep apnea symptoms or a severe headache. Next time I will be paying more attention. And when I see the neurologist again in three months, I will add "sleep apnea?" to my list of questions.
The sitting bolt upright in the middle of the night is strange, isn't it? Have you had a sleep study? I'd talk to my primary care doc about this, instead of waiting 3 months for your neurologist appointment.
My DH had severe sleep apnea, 70 interruptions an hour. His CPAP made an amazing, immediate change in the way he felt generally. If you're not sleeping well, that could worsen your migraines.
Do you like your TMJ splint? I've been wearing a night guard for years. It helps prevent the headaches I used to get in my temples. I grind my teeth at night.
Gretchen
Hi Gretchen,
Thank you for the suggestion about using a different doctor. I really don't have a good GP doctor and I'm just beginning a relationship with this new neurologist. It was very hard to get the appointment with him so I doubt I'll be able to schedule an earlier time than my next regular appointment. At least this new doctor seems knowledgeable about migraine disease. I just don't feel particularly comfortable with him. Hope that will improve. I wish I'd made the connection between my sleep and headaches before my appointment. It's hard to connect all the dots with migraine disease, and my focus was on getting a new medication so I wouldn't be reluctant to take it.
My husband has kept me awake for years with his snoring. He snorts and wakes us both up. So I blamed him for my feeling tired in the morning. We may both have similar issues going on.
While reading up on sleep apnea online, I noticed that it is more likely to happen when a person sleeps on their back. My dentist said never to sleep on my side with TMJ problems. That's why I was trying to sleep on my back when I woke myself up. I also have a very painful neck on one side. Don't know if it's an injury or arthritis but has recently started giving me trouble. (coincidentally since I've been working out on the elliptical trying to improve my quality of life with migraine disease!) The neck pain has certainly contributed to my headaches. I am getting so I can usually head them off with Advil, swig of coke, magnesium, a hot bath, etc. before they are full blown without resorting to the big guns like Zomig but not this past week...when I wasn't sleeping well.
I'm not sure if I like my splint or not. It's just for the upper teeth. The improvement I noticed immediately was that I was sleeping more soundly but I'm having very annoying and painful TMJ problems which have not improved much so far. I'll be seeing my dentist again soon. I may just talk to him about the sleep issues. He's been our dentist for years and has always been approachable, knowledgeable, and very helpful in his advice on many subjects...far better than any of our GPs! He could probably give me direction. Thank you for the idea!
Jane
Thanks for the comments. I found a doctor who has referred me for a sleep study. I am waiting for that doctor's office to call me back.
I do use a feather pillow and it is much more comfortable than a regular pillow. I have always slept on my left side. (except when I have a migraine, then I not only don't want to put my head down, I can't tolerate putting weight on the left side of my head) I have been trying to sleep on my back since getting the mouth appliance, but it isn't working. My husband has his own sleep issues and between him and me, I'm not getting much sleep right now. We have a full house at the moment and there is no place for either of us to move to except the couch.
About the Bio-Identical Hormone Cream:
I found a local pharmacist who sells the mail-in kits for testing hormones using a saliva sample. The lab who receives the kit then contacts the pharmacist with the results and he makes an appointment to discuss the results with us. (my husband and daughter have also had the tests done) It is from my pharmacist that I have been getting the bio-identical hormone creams. (progesterone and estrogen) It has to be prescribed by a physician so I had to find a GYN who was willing to work with me. (vs prescribing HRT) I have a large uterine fibroid and the doctor insisted on taking a biopsy of it (not a pleasant experience) in addition to ANOTHER sonogram and blood work before she would write a prescription. I think because I was willing to cooperate with her, she was willing to go along with my request even though she didn't like the idea. (she'd never prescribed BIH
Three months later, I was still getting hot flashes (although they were much improved) but my GYN wouldn't increase the estrogen without another round of blood work. I felt like it was a control issue on her part. I found another doctor who was willing to double the prescription amount for me while I was in his office for another reason. Since then, I have been free from most menopausal symptoms. I use the estrogen cream morning and night and it has been working very well.
There are so many contributing factors to migraine. It is a lot of work and a long process to finally get some positive results.
That all sounds great! Thank you for the info. I didn't realize the hormones were for menopause - I was hoping it was something I hadn't tried for migraines! I might look into the test though b/c I'm having trouble getting preggers and Im irregular and the headaches seem to be linked. Ahh well!
Good luck with your sleep study - mine didn't find sleep apnea but some other things - I didn't realize all the different problems you could have with sleep! You sound like you have all the tools so you should try the bunch up the pillow under your jaw until you find a shape that completely supports your jaw - meaning you can totally relax those muscles and it stays where its supposed to. I have awful TMJ and that has been the best therapy I've found and has helped me improve the most!
I'm glad to hear you are making progress - good luck in your hunt!