Two steps forward, one step back...

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.